from the Report of the Committee , See. 813. 
Thefe phenomena, to perfons who have not carefully 
confidered them, mull appear fo extraordinary, that mi- 
le fs the caufe of the diverfity is explained, they will per- 
haps be led to fufpeCt fome unfairnefs in making the ex- 
periment. The truth, however, is this ; that when the 
two conductors are fet at the greater of the two diftances,. 
the abfolute quantity of electricity collected before the 
explofion is exaCtly the fame in each experiment; and. 
therefore the diftances of the ball and point from the 
fecond conductor being equal, and the greateft at which- 
either of them will be ftruck, the explofion will go to 
the point, as being more lufceptible, and giving lefs re- 
finance than the ball. But in the fecond fuppofed cafe, 
when the fecond conductor is fet confiderably within the- 
former diftance, the quantity of electricity which ex- 
plodes upon the point and the ball is not the fame ; the 
point in this cafe exerting its known property of ftealing 
away the electricity filently, which the ball from its 
greater refiftance is incapable of doing. The confe- 
quence is, that the quantity accumulated to give an ex- - 
plofion upon the ball is greater than that which ex- 
plodes upon the point,. and being greater will very natu- 
rally explode to a greater diftance. 
I. might fafely have refted the matter upon this 
ground ; but another proof, equally decifive, having fince - 
1 occurred,, 
