252 The Museum Gazette 



"On July 2, 1903, at Aseras, near Nice, during a violent storm, with 

 hailstones 350 grammes in weight, a Mme. Blanc was on her way 

 to meet a servant who was in the fields. She had only taken a few 

 steps when she was struck by lightning and completely undressed. 

 Her body was uninjured, but the poor woman became dumb." 



Not only does the steam-expansion theory explain the 

 blowing off of clothes, boots, &c, but it well fits the facts 

 as to transference of objects to a distance. Thus in the 

 instance of the man whose mug was taken from his hand 

 and carried into an adjacent courtyard, we have but to 

 remember that part of the liquid in the mug (probably of 

 metal) would be instantaneously converted into steam. This 

 would prevent the melting of the metal and at the same time, 

 if the mug were strong enough to withstand shattering, pro- 

 ject it to any distance. We have but to suppose the existence 

 of moisture near to any good conducting object and it becomes 

 possible for the thing itself to be blown away by steam. 1 



ON PORTRAITS AS ILLUSTRATING CHARACTER 

 AND DESCENT. 



We offer the following memoranda respecting well-known 

 personages as a contribution to the study of character and the 

 laws of inheritance. The portraits to which reference is made 

 may most of them be examined in the National Portrait 

 Gallery and many are given in published works. The study 

 of features and of heads in their relation to the tendencies and 

 endowments displayed by the individuals represented is one of 

 great interest and of some importance. The data do not yet 

 exist for any comprehensive treatment of the subject as a 



1 The work of M. Flammarion, from which we have quoted so freely, is an 

 interesting repertory of Thunder and Lightning anecdotes. It has recently 

 been translated into English by Mr. Walter Mostyn, and is well worth reading. 

 The anecdotes are, however, given very loosely, and with but little attempt 

 either at verification or explanation. Not a few of the narratives are open 

 to much doubt and some are incredible. It is published by Chatto and Windus. 



