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VIII. An Account of an extraordinary EjfeH of 
Lightning in communicating Magnetifm. 
Communicated by Pierce Dod, M. D. F. 5^. S'. 
from Dr. Cookfon of Wakefield in York- 
shire. 
A Tradefman in this Place having put up a great 
Number of Knives and Forks in a large Box, 
fome in Cafes or Sheaths, and others not, of dif- 
ferent Sizes, and of different Perfons making, in 
order to be fent beyond Sea ; and having placed the 
Box in the Corner of a large Room, there happen’d 
a fudden Storm of Thunder, Lightning, &c. by 
which the Corner of the Room was damaged, the 
Box fplit, and a good many Knives and Forks melted, 
the Sheaths being untouch’d. The Owner emptying 
the Box upon a Counter where fome Nails lay, the 
Perfons who took up the Knives, that lay upon the 
Nails, obferved that the Knives took up the Nails.. 
Upon this the whole Numbers was try’d, and found 
to do the fame, nay, to fuch a degree as to take up 
large Nails, Packing-Needles, and other Iron Things 
of confiderable Weight. Needles or other Things 
placed upon a Pewter-Difh, would follow the Knife 
or Fork, though held under the Difli, and would 
move along as the Knife or Fork was moved ; with 
feveral other odd Appearances, which I won’t now 
trouble you with, only this, that though you heat 
the Knives red-hot, yet their Power is ftill the fame 
when cold. 
- You 
