Marsh — Note on Globular Lightning. 13 



feet ; this being the great fault of the region, numbered 6 on 

 fig. 2. The entire structural arrangement of the district is 

 soon found to accord with the clue suggested by the quarries ; 

 thus enhancing their value as a place for beginning the study 

 of the region. 



The best approach to the quarries is by an old road leading 

 north from the highway just east of the Fair Grounds. The 

 observer then follows the ridge of conglomeratic sandstone 

 above referred to for a little distance before the quarry ridge 

 comes in sight. With the expectation that a strong topographic 

 feature would suggest, he naturally looks forward to the con- 

 tinuation of the ridge for some distance. Hence there is 

 always an element of surprise when dark rocks in the old 

 quarry first rise into view a few hundred feet to the north 

 in line with the strike of the conglomerates. The chief 

 problem of the region — the relation of the lava beds to the 

 sedimentaries — is thus brought vividly to mind ; and before 

 returning from the quarries the problem may be advanced far 

 toward solution. 



Harvard University, October, 1895. 



Art. II. — Note on Globular Lightning ; by O. C. Marsh. 



A great deal has been written recently on the various 

 forms of lightning, and the subject itself has so much scien- 

 tific interest, that it may be worth while to place on record an 

 observation of my own on globular lightning, made years ago, 

 in which the main facts are different from any I have seen 

 described. 



On Tuesday, July 23, 1878, I was on board a large yacht at 

 anchor in the harbor of Southampton, England. About two 

 o'clock in the afternoon, when we were about to sail, a violent 

 thunder storm came up from the west, and as it passed over 

 Southampton, several bolts descended, one of which, as I 

 afterwards learned, struck a church. As the first drops of rain 

 came down on the yacht, I was standing in the after compan- 

 ion way, looking forward, when my attention was attracted by 

 a bright light apparently near the upper part of the foremast. 

 When I first saw it distinctly, it was about half-mast high, and 

 was falling slowly and directly toward the deck. This light 

 was a ball of fire, a delicate rose-pink in color, pear-shaped in 

 form, with the large end below, and appeared to be four or 

 five inches in diameter and six or eight in length. 



