683 
principally, if not altogether, from above ; but still it can hardly 
be doubted that some portion of the heated and condensed 
matter towards the limit of equilibrium between the two 
forces returns inward and is precipitated. I appre- 
hend however that the chief part of this heated matter is 
carried rapidly upward, giving rise to the two winds 
(commonly a N. and S.) which mostly accompany thunder 
storms. 
Instead of taking a straight path from the body which 
gives it off to that which receives it, and forming one un- 
broken flash of light, it is constantly throwing out branches 
on its path, owing to the force of the condensed atmosphere 
breaking in upon the current and causing a partial discharge 
in a lateral direction. These lateral sparks are always small, 
because, when the atmospheric force has acted upon and over- 
come the marginal electric force, it enters upon the path of 
the principal current, which is sufficient to overcome and 
drive back the intrusive atmosphere. 
The intensely heated luminous matter which caused the 
flash of lightning instantly ascends into the colder regions, 
drawing after it two lateral currents. For a time this con- 
tinues, and gives rise to the two winds which are commonly 
said to blow and meet during thunder storms. These lateral 
currents were well seen in a heavy hailstorm which did enormous 
damage in the neighbourhood of Badsworth, of which I wrote 
a description at the time that appeared in the Times and many 
other newspapers. Persons who were on opposite sides of the 
area of hail experienced torrents of rain, and asserted that 
lateral winds set in towards the centre of the storm and blew 
laterally with such violence that turnip plants were lifted more 
than an inch out of the ground. Three credible persons 
witnessed this in one field, and it is not possible to disbelieve 
their account. Others saw the boughs of the largest trees 
drawn upwards as by the embrace of a giant. 
