C 788 ) 
&lling,who(e Semidiameter was Four Yards, the Tree in 
in the Center; all the Body of the Tree was ftaken and 
fplit, but its Boughs had all their Bark on ; few Leaves 
were fallen, and thole on the Boughs as frefti as in the 
Morning, but gradually afterwards withered, as on a 
Tree that is fallen. I have feen feveral vaft Oaks and 
other Timber Trees twifted, as if it had been a (mall Wil- 
ow that a Man had twifted with his Hand, which I could 
fuppofe had been done by nothing but the Thunder. I 
have been told by very ferious Planters, that 30 or 40 
years fince, when the Country was not fo open, the 
Thunder was more fierce, and that (bmetimes after vio- 
lent Thunder and Rain, the Roads would feem to have 
perfect calls of Brimftone ; and 'tis frequent after much 
Thunder and Lightning for the Air to have a perfed Sul- 
phureous Smell. DurftI offer my weak Reafons when I 
write to (b great Matters thereof, I fliould here confider 
the nature of Thunder, and compare it with fomc Sul- 
phureous Spirits which I have drawn from Coals, that 
I could no way condenfe , yet were inflamable ; nay, 
would burn after they pafs'd through Water, and that 
(eemingly fiercer, if they w 7 ere not over-power'd there- 
with. I have kept of this Spirit a confiderable time in 
Bladders,- and tho' it appeared as if they were only 
blown with Air* yet if I let it forth, and fired it with a 
Match or Candle, it would continue burning till all were 
fpent. It might be worthy Confideration likewife, whe- 
ther thofe frequent Thunders proceeded from the Air's 
being more flagnant, the Motion of the Winds being im- 
peded by the Trees, or whether the Motion of the Winds 
being obftru&ed by them below, the Motion might not 
be more violent aloft ,• and how far that may promote 
Inflammability, for Stacks of Hay or Corn that ferment 
with Moifture, never burn, unlefs when brisk Winds 
blow, that agitate and fan the little fermenting Sparks, 
and 
