JOURNAL 



OF 



NATURAL PHILOSOPHY, CHEMISTRY, . 



AND 



THE ARTS. 



JUNE, 1S08. 



ARTICLE I. 



Observations on suth Luminous Phenomena in the Atmosphere^ 

 as appear to depend on Electricity. By a Correspondent^ 

 (R.B.) 



JLT has been long since incontrovertlbly established, that Lightning is 

 lightning is- the electrical stroke between the clouds and the .*^'""'^' 

 Earth, or between one cloud and another. All the differ- 

 ences of opinion therefore relate at present to its attributes , 

 or affections, which philosophers have not scrupled to inves- 

 tigate by the assistance of the electrical machine. But 

 there are many circumstances, for an explanation of which 

 we must have recourse to the great theatre of nature. 



The luminous appearances seen above the surface of the Enumeration 

 earth are, ignes fatui, lightning, shooting stars, fire balls, *^^ ^""""°"^ 

 and the aurora borealis. Whether the first be an electrical 

 phenomenon has not yet been satisfactorily ascertained, and. 

 indeed their cause may be said to be entirely unknown; but 

 lightning and the aurora borealis are perfectly imitable by 

 electricity ; and it is highly probable, that an electric spark 

 would exhibit the appearance of shooting stars and fire balls, 

 if of sufficient length and remoteness to permit its figure 

 and angular velocity to be perceived. It is also probable. 



Vol. XX. No. 85— Junk, 1808. G that 



