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XLIV. New 'Experiments upon the Leyden Phial \ ref peel- 
ing the termination of Conductors. By Benjamin 
Wilfon, Efq. F. R. S. 
Read July 9 > T N the LXivth volume of the Philofophical 
" H " Tranfadtions there is a paper of Mr. hen- 
ly’s upon the fubjedt of condudtors, wherein are con- 
tained feveral experiments, intended to fhew that pointed 
terminations are preferable to fpherical ones for fecuring 
buildings, &c. from accidents by lightning. 
Upon thofe experiments I made fome obfervations, 
and particularly upon the fifth, where a point and ball 
were placed at the fame diftance from a fphere of cop- 
per, fo as to make part of the circuit in the Leyden ex- 
periment 1 ^. In the defeription of that experiment I 
objected to the two chains employed therein, becauie 
the metallic communication was, by that method, confi- 
derably interrupted, on account of a want of contact be- 
tween the feveral links compofing the chains. I did not 
then repeat the experiment becaufe the particular cir- 
cumftances attending the Leyden phial appeared, in my 
(a ) Farther Obfervations upon Lightning,, by B. WILSON, publiflied in 
Phil. Tranf. for the year 1774. 
judge— 
