2 Earthquakes and Electricity. [January, 
suddenness, the stifling heat and elecfhric state of the atmo- 
sphere, and the sudden roar as of distant artillery. Dr. 
Schmidt, the Government Astronomer at Athens, in his re- 
searches on the Grecian earthquakes of 1840 to 1878, arrives 
at the result that the great ones had almost invariably a 
direction from N.E. to S.W. The reviewer says that the 
same fadt has also been noticed in regard to severe shocks 
in America in 1870 ; and he then asks “ Is not this the line 
of path habitually followed by eledtric currents ? ” After 
further ^discussion on the physical adtion of earthquakes, he 
says— Considering the irresistible force, the unmeasured 
lapidity, the quick repetition, and the long duration of the 
shocks, what known agent in Nature, we would ask, except 
Electricity, is capable of producing at the same time such 
singular effedts in the sea and such tremendous results on 
land ? Lyell and other authors have mentioned, but 
without laying on the occurrence the stress it deserves, the 
state of the atmosphere before an earthquake as densely 
charged with electricity. “The vicinity of hot springs, 
volcanoes, and mud lakes, regions of intense heat and 
centies of the eledtric influence, are the special haunts of 
the eaithquake, and Science has pretty well proved that 
heat and electricity are convertible.” All the circumstances 
inseparably connected with earthquakes point to the con- 
clusion . that an earthquake is the result of discharges of 
teriestiial eleCtiicity accumulated in the bowels of the earth, 
which we know to be a reservoir of eledtric matter.” An 
eaithquake shock “ is a diredt blow not differing probably 
from that of a lightning stroke.” “ Even if it be proved 
that the solid strata beneath the surface and the mountain 
masses above it are unfavourable to the transmission of 
eledtric energy, there are plenty of cracks and fissures in its 
solid substances through which it may shoot forth. In the 
waters of ocean it finds a ready conductor, which accounts 
for the way in which ships on the sea are affeCted by it.” 
The attention of electrical engineers is invited to consider 
whethei it may not be possible to invent some species of 
apparatus capable of averting the calamity from its 
habitual haunts.” The reviewer hopes that men of Science 
intent upon the collection and storage of eleCtric force will 
not negledb that storehouse of unlimited energy already 
filled within the bosom of the earth,” and he trusts that 
they may be able to devise means for preventing the fearful 
disasters liable to be occasioned by earthquake shocks. We 
have given but a bnef summary of the salient points of this 
cogently-reasoned paper, which deals with the subjedt in a 
