[ 709 ] 
12. Thefe two Experiments demonftrate, that the 
Opinion of thofe is erroneous, who fuppofe the 
electrical Effluvia to be of a fulphureous Nature 5 
and that thefe themfelves are fet on fire at the Snap- 
ping obferv'd, when you bring Non-electrics unex- 
cited to thofe that are. If their Opinions were true, 
the electrical Effluvia fhould be deftroyed by the 
Flame in both the preceding Experiments 5 the con- 
trary of which is obferved. 
13. I now proceed to take notice of that fur- 
prifing Effect, that extraordinary Accumulation of 
the electrical Power in a Phial of Water, firft dif- 
cover'd by Profeffor Mufchenbroek , a Man born to 
penetrate into the deepeft Myfteries of Philofophy : 
And I hope I fhall (land excufed, if I enter into a 
minute Detail of the Circumftances relating there- 
to. The Experiment is, that a Phial of Water is 
fufbended to a Gun-barrel by a Wire let down a 
few Inches into the Water through the Cork; 
and this Gun-barrel, fufpehded in filk Lines, is 
applied fo near an excited glafs Globe, that feme 
metallic Fringes inferted into the Gun-barrel touch 
the Globe in Motion. Under thefe Circumftances 
a Man grafps the Phial with one Hand, and touches 
the Gun-barrel with a Finger of the other. Upon 
which he receives a violent Shock through both his 
Arms, efpecially at his Elbows and Wrifts, and acrofs 
his Breaft. This Experiment fucceeds beft, ceteris 
paribus , 
1. When the Air is dry. 
2. When the Phial containing the Water is of the 
thinneft Glafs. 
3 - 
