[ 88 ] 
of the conducting Wire in one Hand, and took in 
his other the fhort iron Rod with which the Explo- 
fion was made ; upon this Explofion, I fay, they 
were both fhocked in the fame Inftant, which was 
that of the Explofion of the Phial. If there- 
fore an Obferver, making his Body Part of the Cir- 
cuit, was fhocked in the Inftant of the Explofion of 
the charged Phial in the middle of the Wire, no 
Doubt would remain of the Velocity of Electricity 
being inftantaneous through the Length of that whole 
Wire. But if, on the contrary, the Time between 
making the Explofion, and feeing the Convulfions 
in the Arms of the Obferver holding the conducting 
Wires, was great enough to be meafured, we then 
fhould be able to afeertain its Velocity to the Di- 
ftance equal to half the Quantity of Wire employed 
only, let the Manner of the Elc&ri city's difeharging 
itfelf be what it would. 
It has been a Qucftion with fome, who have con- 
ftder'd this Subject, whether the Electricity, in com- 
pleating the Circuit from the Matter contained in 
the Glafs, palled, either by the Wire in the Mouth 
to the Coating of the Glafs, the contrary Way by 
the Coating to the Wire in the Mouth, or otherwile 
directed itfelf both Ways at once? That the Electri- 
city muft pafs off one of thefe three Ways was cen* 
tain, as the Explofion would not be complete, unlefs 
in the Inftant thereof fome Matter very non-electric 
communicated between the Wire in the Mouth, and 
the Coating of the Glafs. Unlefs therefore the Ob- 
ferver was placed in the Centre of the conducing 
Wires, it might be objetted, that the Experiment 
was not made with the Exa&nefs neceflary ; becaufe • 
any Perfon, who was of Opinion, that the Electricity 
dire&ed 
