[ 57 3 
Received February 9, 17^9. 
IX. Rxperhnents on the lateral Force of 
EleEirical Exploftons. ^ JofephPrieftley, 
LL, D.F,R,S. 
Read February 23, "pj E I N G informed, in accounts 
IJ of damages done by lightnings 
of perfons and things being removed to conhderable 
diftances, without receiving any hurt, I was excited 
to try whether I could produce fimilar effeds by 
eledricity. All the other known effeds of lightning 
had been frequently imitated by the application of 
this power j but 1 do not know that this effed has 
ever been fo much as taken notice of by any eledri- 
cian. The experiments I prefen tly found to be very 
eafy j and I think it not difficult to afcertain the 
caufe of this driking effed, and the manner in which 
it is produced. 
If pieces of cork, wood, powder of any kind, or 
any light bodies whatever, be placed near the explo- 
fion of a jar, or battery, they will not fail to be 
moved out of their places, at the inftant of the dif- 
charge. If the explofion of a large battery be made 
to pafs over the furface of animal or vegetable fub-^ 
dances, in the manner defcribed in the printed ac- 
count of my experiments, and large corks be drewed 
along, or near the path intended for it, it is furprizing 
VoL. LIX. I to 
