[ x 3 8 ] 
was terminated by the ball, from the bottom of 
thej ars j and placed another in its ftead, of the fame 
length and diameter, but very nicely tapered to a 
point, as all mine are. Then, placing the infulated 
ball, C, one inch from the point, 1 brought down 
the charge of the three jars, as before, which 
flew upon the point, and melted it a little. The 
jars were difeharged with a loud and full explofion. 
But having removed the ball C, to the diftance 
of one inch and an eighth from the point, the 
charge could not ftrike it ; though much of it 
was prefently drawn off (ilently, by the point, as 
appeared by the falling of the index of the elec*- 
trometer. - 
From this experiment, I think it feems fome- 
what more than probable, that a condudlor termi- 
nated by a ball, of three quarters of an inch in 
diameter, would be in danger of a (troke, from an 
highly eledlrified cloud, at a much greater diftance, 
than another with a fharp termination. Indeed I 
cannot help remarking, how very improbable it ap- 
pears to me, that a (harp pointed conductor fhould, 
at any time, invite, or folicit, a ftroke of lightning. 
Imagine, if you pleafe, that a large cloud is, by the 
force of the wind, driven violently towards fuch a 
point, and actually flrikes upon it ; yet, as the 
point would aft as fuch , at fomewhat more than 
the ftriking diftance, it feems probable, that part of 
the eledtrici y of the cloud would be drawn off 
fllently, before the aflual ftroke could be made ; 
and the ftroke itfelf might thereby, perhaps, be a 
little leflened. 
I /hall 
