404 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY, 



potential is rapidly lowered, because it is by the moisture suspended 

 in the air (or the hygrometrical conditions) that the electric energy flows 

 to or is carried to the earth. The particles of moisture, "the carriers 

 of electricity," constitute nuclei of electrical reception and of electrical 

 storage. 



When rain falls, the abnormal electrical storage is reduced by the fall 

 of the electrical energy along with the rain to the earth. This electrically 

 charged rain in passing through the soil releases part of the electric 

 potential, the balance being held by the subterranean water, into which 

 the rain finally percolates. This subterranean water (and electrical 

 storage) constitutes a liquid shell that practically envelops the earth. 

 This storage is a compensator, producing dew, &c, by evaporation and 



