Geology and Natural History. 57 
without sensible disengagement of gas; the other electrode set free 
a little gas, and the wire was not heated to redness. After two or 
three minutes, however, the sheath of light disappeared, gas 
was set free abundantly at both electrodes, and the wire at the 
same instant was heated to redness. To show these effects still 
better, ten batteries were used, equivalent to 300 Bunsen cells, con- 
charged by two Bunsen cells in the course of an hour. Repeatin 
the above experiment with them, the wire, on touching the liquid, 
. fused or volatilized with a flame variously colored, according to 
an induction coil, and lasting sometimes several minutes. 
most remarkable effect was obtained with a saturated solution of 
a centimeter, and then, on lowering the wire, began to revolve 
rapidly. After attaining a certain speed, it detached itself as if 
liquid in a speroidal state, illuminated by the current it transmits. 
If instead of immersing the wire it is brought near the glass sides 
bab. 
nomena known as globular lightning. The cloud and earth form 
the electrodes, and the moist air replaces the liquid. Probably the 
balls, in the case of lightning, are not liquid, but are formed of 
ponderable matter charged with electricity. These experiments 
Suggest the probability, if it is ever possible to try the experiment, 
that balls of lightning are charged with positive electricity.— 
omptes Rendus, \xxx, 1134. E. 
II. Geotoagy anp NatTurAL HIsTory. 
it, 
feet in height In summer, the snow which covers the glacier 
melts and rivers of ice-cold water flow over the surface and 
