The Effect of Lightning on Coconut Palms. 
BY 
T. FETCH, B.A., B.Sc. 
N a recent publication, entitled ‘‘ Die Blitzgefährdung 
der verschiedenen Baumarten,” Dr. Ernst Stahl has 
collected and discussed all that is known of the effect of 
lightning on trees, and has described new experiments, which 
afford further explanation of the natural phenomena recorded. 
It is remarkable that practically the whole of the information 
available refers to temperate climates ; indeed, that which 
relates to the tropics is so brief that it may be quoted in full : — 
According to Hann (Handbuch der Klimatologie, Bd. II., 
page 20), the lightning which accompanies the violent thunder- 
storms of the tropics has the most remarkable peculiarity that it 
very seldom sets things on fire or proves fatal. Moreover, injury 
to trees is relatively much less frequent than in temperate climates. 
During a stay of four months at Buitenzorg, which happened to 
coincide with the rainy season, when severe thunderstorms 
occurred almost every day, I only remember hearing of two cases, 
the one a palm, and the other a large Ficus elastica. 
Seeman (Journal of Botany, V., page 378) has noted that “ no 
observations seem to be on record of coconut palms being injured 
by lightning, though, as Tennent in his well-known work on 
‘ Ceylon ’ states, they are known to be excellent lightning con- 
ductors.” 
A short communication from Herr Z. Kamerling records that 
injury by lightning occurs from time to time in Java and Sumatra, 
for example, in the case of the coconut palms, but somewhat 
rarely. He is of opinion that the numerous trees bring about a 
slow equalization between the earth and the clouds, and that 
discharges, in general, take place from one cloud to another, but 
only rarely between the clouds and the earth. 
Dr. C. Bernard states that at Buitenzorg Albizzia and Ficus 
are often struck by lightning, and coconut palms are killed. But 
he notes that Oreodoxa and other palms, which often stand in 
isolated positions, are not struck, and suggests that the vertical 
shoot formed by the young unfolded leaves acts as a lightning 
conductor. None of the palms which form the Oreodoxa and 
Areca avenues in the Botanic Gardens have up to the present been 
struck by lightning. 
Annals of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, Vol. VI., Part I., Aug., 1915. 
