THUNDER

AND
LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

\.U-

'./,/,,

LIGHTNING

BY

FLAMMARION

CAMILLE

TRANSLATED

WALTER

BY

MOSTYN

O
"
O
en

3
""

WITH

ILLUSTRATIONS

o
"*

OH

id

"
"~""

"
D

LONDON

CHATTO

"
1905

WINDU

O
"

PRINTED
BY

CLOWES
WILLIAM

SONS,

AND

LONDON
AND
BECCLBS.

LIMITED.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER

PAGE

I.

VICTIMS

-THE

OF

LIGHTNING
...

II.

ATMOSPHERIC

ELECTRICITY

AND

...

...

17

STORM-CLOUDS
...

FLASH

THE

HI.

AND

31

SOUND

THE

...

IV.

...

57

FIREBALLS
...

V.

...

EFFECTS

THE

OF

...

...

LIGHTNING

ON

...

89

MANKIND
...

...

VI.

EFFECTS

THE

OF

LIGHTNING

ON

128

ANIMALS
...

EFFECTS

THE

VII.

EFFECTS

THE

VIII.

OF

HOUSES,

LIGHTNING

OF

ON

LIGHTNING

ON

LIGHTNING

METALS,

188
...

PICTURES

...

...

240

CONDUCTORS
...

X.

OBJECTS,

ETC.
...

IX.

155

PLANTS

AND

TREES

MADE

BY

...

...

249

LIGHTNING
...

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

CHAPTER

be

would

study

and
this

in

Perhaps

the

determining

I, for

forces.
for

task

many

but
In

possible.

of

which

given
In

me

resume

first

lightning.

this

of

them,

give

to

volume

shall

the

upon

produced

in

chapter

elusive

these

engaged

big

can

varied

as

present

as

few

readers

my

in

day

some

variety.
go

too

almost

might

"

to

and

summer,

one

of

has

It

examples, just

this

Not

for

been

past.

records,

my

characteristic
of

part, have

the

and

nature

careful

succeed

should

mysterious

years
of

room

hint

still

of

thunder

of

we

way

make

to

end

the

customs

my

accumulation
find

towards

year,

habits

the

of

LIGHTNING

interesting thing

an

once

OF

VICTIMS

THE

IT

say

begin

us

playful

"

with

fireball

Professor

Schnaufer,

M.

the

far back, let

harmless

performance,

at

Marseilles,

in

question

has

particulars.

October,

1898,

fireball

the
1

made

THUNDER

its appearance

in

girl who

young

seated

down

luminous

globe

without

direction,began
round

her, spiralfashion, darted

hole

in the

chimney

and

closed

up

the

chimney, and,
out

gave

shook
like

lamb

and

similar

observed

in

It

de

fireplace.In

was

rose

using its

though

in

to

sat, and

he,

to

save

the

it

It

the

the

some

it were,

The

the

himself, leaned

man's

Val

the

from

room

front

in

and

young

moving

approached the

seconds, the
of

paper.

suggested a

them.

height

with

guard

paper

been

departure

near

the contact, of which

After

to
vertically

paws.

in

coming

tailor's room,

of

into

ball,as

play with

to avoid

terror.

which

having

closed up

the

appearance

into

gathered up

in

Jacques,

fireball burst
over

air,

open

of

as

detail

Saint

up

lion !

chimney,

Rue

its way

case

July 5, 1852,
curious

the

The

away

like

out

chimney, knocking

legsas

was

is recorded

same

in

along without

them

going

It

stove-pipe,

appallingcrash

an

house.

round

towards

the

into

girl's

the

off

made

"

The

then

for the

emerging

the hole in the

was

of the

cat,

paper

roof

Paris, on

Grace.

the

glued

occurrence

including the
through

made

on

the

entire

the

with

upon

hole

in

and

her

quite near

and

"

floor.

floor

feet

her

table,
the

the

along

rise

to

the

at

touching

moved

towards

advanced

and

room

was

hanging

LIGHTNING

AND

tailor's

tailor moved
he

naturally

globe

of

face

as

quicklyback

fire
he

and

fell

fireball continued

The

over.

its way

LIGHTNING

OF

VICTIMS

THE

towards

hole

which

in

which,

winter, but

the

fireball

"the
closed up with

the

neatly,entered
risen to the

which

had

the

in bits all

strippedoff

it afterwards,
it

the

tremendous

the

was

paper

having

explosion,

and
chimney-top flying,

over

stove-pipe

chimney quitequietly,and

summit, produced

sent

of

the

at

see,11 because

ball

The

made

made

been

the tailor put

as

couldn't

paper.

rise,and

to

insertion

top of the chimney for the

scattered

neighbouringcourtyard and

it

rounding
sur-

roofs.
There

Babinet

by

us

here
to

the exact

the

note

these

descended

Sevres).
which

thirteen.

five

the hole

easy to

I have

these
in the

thunderbolt

the

under
oxen.

the

latest

cases

given
have

we

chimney and

getting to

on

detect

the law

the

underlying

the

upon

These

children

front

be

of
of

were

of

Association

Wander,

Beugnon (Deux-

passingthrough
of

about

twelve

taking refuge from

stable,in
them

the

writer, M.

commune

children

two

the door
In

to

of

is dealt with.

case

storm," says the

happened
were

volumes

similar

somewhat

violent

"A

rain

of

one

Francaise

in

which

for

phenomena.

In

had

of

of

both

particulars.In

attraction

recorded

occurrence,

Arago, and

it is not

But

top.

unique

and

explosion of

the

"

have

we

which

extended

were

farm,
and
the

twentycourtyard,

THUNDER

AND

LIGHTNING

sloping downwards

towards

thirty yards

beside

there

Suddenly
of

away,

the

descend, branch
moved

It

and

came

One

of

them

stable

in the

touched

few

five

the

During
of

Gray,

the
of

of

the

central

yard (likea
it

on

It

then

of

out

twenty-

of

bundle

the

off the

length of

matches, but

on

the

end
about

without

the

walls

thirty

exploded on

the

roofing of

town

Vannesson,

splintersover

looseningthe plasterupon
rebounded

M.

fireball of from

roof, cutting clean

to

the

at

diameter, which

in

beam

out

friend

my

saw

fire),scatteringthe

story and

broke

which

storm

the Tribunal,

fright,and

animals

child

spot !

forty centimetres
corner

animals

the

The

with

escapes

July 7, 1886,

on

of

President
to

the

perishon

thrown

were

of

his

entire

the

anomalies?

eleven

him

with

"

fireball

behind

feet

shook

eleven

explain these

the

children.

it

children

two

of water,

the

touch

crash

terrible

the trunk.

pools

stood
to

it

saw

slowly, seeming

very

where

We

down

the

enough

killed !

were

is to

Who
who

then

ground uninjured,but

the

to

door

foundations, the

its

to

and

size

fire,of the

poplar.

between

bold

was

the

courtyard

the

to

up

Immediately

foot.
farm

the

its way

pick

to

of

top

of

or

poplar-tree.

grew

globe

by branch,

along

almost

which

appeared

apple,near

an

large pond, twenty

portion
half

setting
upper

below.

little outside

staircase,made

hole

child in the farm,

learned

My

Society of

recorded

of

in La

by Gregory

"

Dr.

fright disappeared.

"

of

Astronomical

has

discovered

remarkable

fireballs

Bougon,

des

Gloire

the

of

most

work

Confesseurs,a

Tours, the

rolling
like the

passers-by who,

some

the

sending

the road, and

upon

fellow-member

one

it, smashing and

escapedwith

France,

of

account

of

midst

the

in

down

flyingthe slates,came
right in

LIGHTNING

OF

VICTIMS

THE

twentieth

an

ever

written

bishop of

that

town.

the dedication

On

constructed

in

of

one

episcopalpalace,all
the

cathedral,

with

the

sacred

dazzled,and

were

Seized

with

while

town,

shoulders,all

ground,
that
of

on

face

from

the

been

observed

cathedral,

the

procession

the

oratory

litanies,saw

that

their
them

eyes
open.

citizens
distinguished
relics upon

globe
the

himself

of

their
on

the

Gregory, remembering

death

among
a

themselves

threw

Then

leave

heavenwards, believed

the

of the

were

to

the

priests,deacons, sub-deacons,

downward.

bones

singing

accord

one

the occasion

whose

the

approaching

carrying the

were

with

buildings of

they could scarcelykeep

terror,

who

had

intenselybrilliant

choristers,together with
the

outer

he

in
participants

relics and

of fire,so

globe

oratory which

an

the

the

from

of

day

the

of

St.

relics

of fire

was

saint's head
to

be

in

Martin,

being

carried

said to
and
the

some

have

ascend
presence

6
of

THUNDER

miracle, vouchsafed

Martin's
This

sanctityand

globe

of

Discurrebat

LIGHTNING

AND

autem

of

once

burnt

St.

relics.

his

nothing.

cellulam^TANQUAM

totam

per

and

damage

no

at

genuinenessof

the

fire did

evidence

as

FULGUR,

globus igneus.
There

be

is to

Eustache

entitled

Lesueur,

Martin," which

seemed

narrative, but

the

wonder

of

instead

Moreover,
St.
was

to

seen

and

then

of the

Here

is

On
in

globe of

Slipping along
her

way

under
of

her

form, darted

her

fire

harmless

the

tells the

is who

peasant

young

feet,caressed

reached

of

bishop,

the

remarkably

story.
was

woman

suddenlythere appeared

fire of about

ball.

middle

storm, when

feet

globe

cited.

at her

up

of

case

29, 1791,

during

life of

that
miracle,11
evidently,

Spallanzaniit

Abbe

field

"

his

represent.

to

is often

August
a

this

was

another

fireball which
The

It

in

story.

great edification

the

to

the

of

silent

in

in

head

the

above

us

Mass

day during

Saint

illustrate this

shown

are

tells

Tours

de

Messe

at first to

me

heavenwards,

intended

Lesueur

of

appear

devout.

"La

pictureby

being prostratedas

one

rise

to

to

Louvre

spectators

Gregory

Martin, that

the

at

seen

the

size of

ground, this
them,

clothes, and

as

billiard

little fireball

it were,

issued

again

made
from

its
the

bodice, and, still keeping its globular

off

into

the

air

and

exploded noisily.

THE

When
an

VICTIMS

it got under

umbrella, and

scene

medical

her

revealed

the skin, extendingfrom

of her breast ; her

the

line,and there

same

where

the thunderbolt

In

the
curious

very

"

On

had

narrative

it is

had

March

out.

of

Du

Bellay

is

to

of

Henri

Fra^ois

de

Montmorency.

through
to
finally

and

the

nuptial bed,

where

did

them

attire.

their terror

be

can

Perhaps

it may

salt the

statement

this way

without

other

It

the

night

into

it burnt

their

corner,

and

Diane's

hair

other

no

of

their bedroom
to

corner

married

harm,

but

imagined.1'
be

as

that

harm

authentic

"

Dauphin,

came

from

went

all probability

France, illegitimate

the
On

bodice

following

In

question:

along

her

the

found.

of

II., then

window,

the

night

is in

flame
oscillating

wedding, an

"

3, 1557, Diane

daughter

in two

torn

got

fireball that

of

middle

the

to

through

be

slighterosion

been
hole

of the

unhurt.

was

right knee

was

Memoirs

"

only

the

chemise

she

like

out

witnesses

Two

assistance,but

examination

petticoats,
they blew

fell back.

she

her

to

ran

LIGHTNING

OF

well to
the

lady'sattire
her

to

stories of

take with

person,

similar

was

pinch

of

burnt

in

yet there
kind

almost

are

as

curious.

1897,

In
wife
crash

were

made

at

a
Linguy (Eure-et-Loire),

sleepingquietly,when
them

jump

out

of

suddenly
bed.

and

man

his

terrible

They thought

THUNDER

last hour

their

pieces,had
the

had

The

down.
itself were

room

but

were

wall

such

opposite,with
to

be

pots

and

of the

the

into

the

bits,and

wall, stood

balanced.
delicately
articles of
to

away
box

of matches

floor.

thunderbolt

quite

their heads
into

an

and

dead

It

broke

four

from

floor,
which

spirited
and

lamp
upon

beam,

the
was

from

one

platesout

few

fissure in

the

over

alive from

than

it carried

another, breaking the lids but

can.

been

upon

undamaged

passed within

milk,

which

the

been

from

were

lost its ramrod.

passed through

of

wall

had

bed,

small

found

adjoiningdairy,where

milk-cans, full

the

few inches

room

placed,had

door.

be

more

It

unhurt.

the

near

actuallyfrolicked

leaving its occupants

but

been

had

and

one

they

entire upon

suspended

gun,

violentlyshaken
The

chair

to

were

and

the

from

detached
looking-glass,

the

near

old

An

the

of

to

outside,

dresser upon

windows

whole
A

that

within

clothing had
spot

above

room,

in

its effects

ranged,and

end

on

thunderbolt

than

to

threatened

instance,bricks

in it up

while
ceiling,

smashed

the

roof

horizontallyagainst

etc.,were

pans,

the

extraordinaryforce

imbedded

seen

For

dashed

been

of

alarming

curious.

filled the

wreckage

and

effects

less

very

had

its
out

put

chimney, broken

The

come.

fallen in and

gable-endwas

come

LIGHTNING

AND

of

terror

inches
a

of

partition

whole

side of the
not

bed,

row

room

of
to

upsettinga single
a

pile of

dozen,

THE

VICTIMS

intact.

leavingthe remaining eight

the

from

tap

barrel

small

LIGHTNING

OF

carried

It

emptied

wine, which

of

away

itself in consequence.
ended

It
without
wife

by passing

unscathed
One

of

addicted
much

panic-stricken.

strangest tricks

the

is that

be

animals

in

found

victims.

in such

cleverness
or

lightningis

which

to

undressing its

of

skill and

more

is to

but

and

husband

breakage, leaving the

further

window

the

through

out

displays

diversions
in

even

It

than

human

many

beings.
is

Here

of the most

one

record, as narrated
A

"

comes

in

woman

naked, and
taken

thus

In

she

the

to

1898,

has

at

to

L6onie

Legere

young

girlswere

being

torn

safe and
On

sound
October

"

in

up

off

is left stark

She

boots.

wrapped

cloth

Courcelles-les-Sens, Miles.

and

Legere, aged 44,

were

flash

of

and

killed her

their

and

Philomene

Delauffre, aged 22,

stripped to

from

suddenly

storm

neighbouring village."

when
reaping-machine,

Madame

lightning strikes her, carries

be

on

"

costume.

Escalbert, aged 19, Adele

Madame

of this

clothes and

destroysher

and

Morand

man's

flash of

on.

by

instances

curious

feet.

on

the

the

and

standing round
lightning struck
The

spot.

skin,even

Otherwise

two

their boots

they

were

left

astonished.

1, 1868,

seven

persons

took

refuge

10

THUNDER

during a

storm

of

under

Bonello, in

when

the

of them

"

knocked

were

LIGHTNING

of Ferret

tree

the

ground

The

without

being seriously

damaged.

The

clothes

killed

torn

into shreds,many

were

the

11, 1869,

May

Suddenly there

clouds.
a

spot.

The

man

his boots

had

been

the

and

July, 1896,

In

meadow,
a

and
cigarette,
On

near

that

hobnailed

found

be

few

both

boots.

Ten

state

air

covered

with

beasts

and

strippedto

complete
struck

he

in

of

his

nakedness.

by lightning

clothes

some

he

his eyes,

happened

was

lighting

strippednaked.

after

minutes

the skin,

mowing

was

was

man

dead

(Saone-et-Loire), a

shreds, and

inquiredhow

black

thirtyyards away.

of

regained consciousness, opened

the cold, and

The

man

found

afterwards

other

afternoon.

by lightning while

dead
a

his

great thunderclap,and

Petiot, who

left in

from

sky

(Haute-Saone),and

Vallerois

a
shirt-sleeve,

the

tilling

was

far

not

Epervans

August 11, 1855,

could

in

carried

at

struck

was

found

were

Ardillats

oxen,

was

was

named

man

young

of which

at

the

lightning struck

flash of

on

heavy, and

and

close

was

two

four

about
dwelling-place,

been

had

who

woman

farmer

his

with

ground

the

six others

of the tree.

the branches

clingingto
On

of

(C6tes-du-Nord),

killed.

was

"

village

the

near

and
by lightning,

struck

was

woman

to

ash-tree

huge

Commune

the

suddenly

one

AND

All
was

piecesof

his

struck

he

complained of
to

be naked.

Observatory, which

torn

was

the

other

In

with

as

20, 1868, this happened

windmill

at

splithim

from

the

In

of

course

trees

poplar,and

"

You're

and

was,

Getting
found

named

of

storm.

There

of

this

"

he

was

placeat

one

was

to

standing,

had

happened.

exclaimed

went

that

observed

was

remained

fire !

Butler

under

them

what

on

refuge under
was

he

of

took

of

flame

reply,they

followingincident,which
took

him, and

inhabitants

four

minutes

bright

to their horror

clergyman

harvest-men

few

You're
no

willow, againstwhich

clothes,but

fire !

on

friends.

unconscious

seemed

and

under
In

by lightning.
his

in

assistant

in two.

storm, three

leaned.

issuingfrom

be

split

took refuge
Vitry-le-Franpoise,

fourth

the

he

doubtless
struck

during

part

January

lightning struck

July, 1844,

near
Heiltz-le-Maurupt,

under

miller's

to

On

axe.

downwards

his head

known

been

huge

to

The

Groix.

the

breakingthe glass.

this without

two, almost

in

men

in

lodged

pivot,in

the

lightning has

cases

construction

de

frame, hardly a twenty-fifth

the

apart, and

inch

an

angle

splinterwas

behind

lightning. An

by

un

one

window

pivot and

the

between
of

of

hinge

from

and

shreds,

to

struck

was

oak

of

piece

provided with

then

not

was

lightningconductor,
enormous

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

12

up
was

where

to
a

Everdon.

lodge on

thunderclap,and

the
in

he

corpse.

witness

his

of

the
Ten

approach
a

moment

THE

four

of them
found

was

VICTIMS

snuff he

had

hand

hand

one

killed,and

facing in

open,

the head

upon

bread

of

third

; a

thumb

dog, also
other

in the

sitting,his

was

the

which

from

taking.

small

his knees, and

direction

the

of them

fingerand

in the act of

been

stillsitting
upon

piece of

had

13

by lightning. One

dead, stillholdingbetween

pinch of

second

killed

were

LIGHTNING

OF

eyes

storm

came.

Castellane,in August, 1898, during

At

storm,

flock of

crossingthe
them

probably

togetherin

Vauxdimes

at

the

from

great

one

The

shepherd escaped.

all wet

were

Peyresy. Seventy-fiveof

of

The

killed.

were

pond

mountain

by lightningwhile

struck

sheep was

violent

the

In

mass.

rain, and

(Cote-d'Or)was

sheep

clinging
month

same

all

demolished, and

the fish in it killed.

Quite recently,
a
young

d'Or)

by lightningon

All the nails

work.

his shoes, and

of
were

killed

was

all moulded

heat of 957
On

degreesis

one

of her

was

not

killed.

who

had

to

have

from

home

been

torn

out

at

the
taken

distance of four

Buffon

same

fuse silver in this way

To

needed

earringsmelted
On

his way

(Cote-

links of his silver watch-chain

together.

had

thrown

the

July 5, 1883,

workmen,

found

were

Franxault

at

man

(C6te-d1Or),a
in the

day

same

way,

at Void

shelter under

yards without

woman

but

(Meuse)

she
two

willow, were

being killed.

AND

THUNDER

14

On

(Yonne),

vine-dresser

killed,but

wide

Claubry

and

Leloup,
furrow

had

skin

all the electric

Really it
will do !

is

lamps

in another

in

me.

Impossibleto

all.

You
has

current

young

deduce

woman

This

was

In

his

head,

removed

was

lightninglit up
of

Lyon.

things lightning

practical
joke
records

of law

that

picking cherries

struck

stood

man

young

before

from

the

them

electric

off

underneath.

by lightning,and

rather
The

fell dead.

July,1885.

September, 1898,

(Aube), a

believe

to

her

razor.

quaint

kind

any

was

woman

was

in

queer

of

Mile.

brain.

cherry-tree.A

young

on

hundreds

tempted

are

hair

innocent

an

case,

of

crown

in the Prefecture

one

I have

Her

extraordinarythe

Death

again.

by lightning. A

flash of

taken

was

grew

though by

September 4, 1898,

On

tall

as

by lightning,

girl of twenty,

the

electric fluid.

to the

never

shorn
on

thirtyhours.

his beard

young

head

for

struck

that

be traced

to

the

by

her

by lightningand

beat

was

Chanvres

at

year,

to

all,so that it
(Oise),a

was

right down

struck

de

Fresneaux

caused

was

continued

off him, roots

Laure

same

extraordinaryresult

the

At

the

his heart

Gaultier

Dr.
with

10, of

August

LIGHTNING

certain

M.

at

Finot, an

doorstep lookingout

lightningfollowed

Remaines,

by

at

near

Ramerupt

innkeeper,was
a

storm, when

thunderclap sent

standing
a

him

flash of

flying

VICTIMS

THE

back

into

time, and

the

hall.

his

sight

OF

LIGHTNING

remained

He

in

extraordinarything, however,
had

been

victim

and
difficulty

since

this

the

he

occurrence

stick,and

to

anything of

might

phenomenon
"

Medicinal

On

of

case

of

State

the

upon

thunder, and

us

named
adorned

broke

Judicial

"

to

kind

without

go

through

of

electrical
the

under

title

wind

the

was

out, the

was

much

so

mulatto,

of his

terrible

man

setting
clap

struck

dead

moved

by

this little collection of strange

up

reportedfrom

grange

front

was

hanged

was

killed

the moment

At

Millikan,

and

Norris

of

by
the

resignedhis office.

occurrence

Abner

Lightning."

named

negro

sheriff

immense

MacKinley

ever

regret his

to

catalogued

the condemned

with another
An

This

scaffold,there

that he

Let

again.

of his.

The

lightning.
occurrence

anxious

that

ably.
quite comfort-

reason

Kentucky for having

fellow- workman

foot

no

is not

be

July 20, 1872,

in the

has

he

walked

do

to

The

that

was

Lightning."

for

Now

kind

the

able

his avocations

he
he

experience,though

case

stick, and

been

has

pursue

feels that

He

with

only

hours.

ten

his

for

until then, and

of rheumatism

with

unconscious

affected for

was

15

had
an

been
ardent

walls of his farm

Hobart.

buildingwas

During
struck

the United
built

by

cases

States.
a

man

republican, who
with

portraitsof

violent storm

that

by lightningseveral

THUNDER

16

times, and

it looked

distance

from

found

and

the

to his relief that

portraitsalone

the

strange detail

features
politicians'

had

been

said

Pranks

they

with

but

alarmed,

had

done.

been

and
destroyed,

lightning had

is

here

"

traced

the

And

pranks.

queer

of the

photographslightning

in

their

we

law

some

be

may

sure

there

It

is the

mischievousness.
in

Women

women.

obeying

us, but

to

seem

method

some

same

some

takes.

sometimes

is

at

the wall.

upon

nothing yet

been
much

damage

Certainlylightning plays
have

had

thither

no

the

"

enveloped in

were

Millikan, who

spot, rushed

The

it

though

as

of flame.

great sheets

LIGHTNING

AND

of

their

caprices are

They

nature.

are

not

not

for the

so

as
they seem.
capricious

strange facts teach

These

first time, that

incomplete,and

very
up

knowledge

our

in all its
We

be certain that

may

supposed, and
is still

which
we

influence
that

universe

the

study is

worth

is still

following

it

exercises
electricity

in

than

nature

plays

role

in

is
our

practically
unrecognized. In

feel before

the

coming

of relief

we

experiencewhen

instance

of

the

are

its

of

chapters.

important

more

that

anyway,

us,

apt

way

or

it has

in which

to blend

of

generally
lives

the oppression

passed,we

overlap.

much

own

storm, and

physical and

the

sense

have

moral

an

fluence
in-

CHAPTER

ATMOSPHERIC

ELECTRICITY

such

WITH

and

diversity

all definite

to

observations
tend

may

for
of

all

its

From

thought

the

of

make

find

that

as

that

mankind
If

terrible

the

in

only
the

study

hope

can

we

to

power.
devoted

has

and

thunder

necessary

recurrence

in

glance

we

it

is

It

mysterious

times

terrible

the

phenomenon,

the

subject.

regarded

much

back

towards

lightning
of

agent

the

have

will

of

above.

powers

strongest

and

Aristotle,

Anaxagoras,
kind

we

the

which

facts
The

preventing

manifestations,

earliest
the

to

been

The

any

of

and

keep adding

other

mystery.

of

ness
strange-

hypotheses
but

can

catastrophes.

methods

the

all

by lightning

means

some

smallest

past centuries

the

the

year

investigation

discover

ever

every

we

"

the

facts
"

accumulating

memorable

certain

actual
of

find

to

us

and

us

baffle

conclusions

elucidate

to

caused

ravages

before

which

of

STORM-CLOUDS

AND

facts

strange

forbid
our

II

of

reasonable

subtlest

Seneca,
view
17

brains
were

of

unable

regarding

the

antiquity,
to

form

fantastic
c

18

THUNDER

AND

from
phenomena resulting

mysterious to

so

moderns.

us

the earth

from
The

to

or

Etruscans, who

before

Christ, and

nature,

are

subjecthas

them

said to

have

for

for
Electricity

to

the

could

not

gods

to

turned

understand.

help them
deaf

Their

recognized the

regardedit
the

by
is

as

dry days.
whose

the

study

tendency

of

the

them.

was

unpluinbedocean,

an

in ways

they
their

they appealed to

itself in

attribute

the

tears

dreams
kind
No

one

of

they

attraction

and

The

slightweight.

Eridan.

subtle fluid the earth

naturalists

Certain

issuing from
any

thought
and

poets

lamenting
sisters,

of Phaeton's

of gum
gave

of

researches

in which

things as amber,

curious

years

theory upon

affected them

repulsionfor objects of

the

air.

explain the enigma. Olympus

to

of such

it to

tions
emana-

in the

to

the

no

imagination exhausted

attributed

to

to their prayers.

ear

into the nature

over

from

vain

In

given

observed

ancients

fluctuations
slightest

whose

much

us

lightning

fifteen hundred

points,but

down

come

due

contained

flourished
were

and

be

to

vapours

who

make

lightningto

Thunder

held

and

the force of nature

generallybelieved by

were

of

LIGHTNING

trees

to

during

electricity,

everythingupon

it

penetrated and enveloped.

The

superstitionsconnected

furnish

forth

volume

of stories

material
"

with

in themselves

half comic, half

lightningwould
for

tragic.

very

curious

THUNDER

20

the

comparing
that thunder
is in ours,
are

of those

both

much

so

from

the

the

electrified
close

which

cloud

prove

electricity
which

with

we

petty imitations

playare

frightenus

mechanism

same

that

how

relation

body

bears

and

produced by

that

could

if he

of

the action

is

brilliant

become

and

When

permanent

sky

is

Since
of

one

natural

modern

there
in

then

the

its

it out,

disposal

at the

are

an

worked

work

"

!
electricity

and

these

lin's
Frank-

the
conjectures

has
electricity

important

most

ahead

gone

branches

of

philosophy.

Franklin
condition

demonstrated
of

the

that

electrification

clear,people began

but

the

general electrical

And

ever

since

to

study

state

the

the

use

by
atmosphericelectricity

is in

when

thunder

observatories
meteorological
the

air

even

not

of

practiceto registerevery day

instruments.

to

Leyden jar in 1746,

make
investigations,

probable.

more

greatly; and,

in

body

the idea, if well

that

of the

object as

unelectrified

an

properlyversed

invention

The

admit

terrestrial

plausible
arguments
who

man

to

to

captivateme

many
a

same

proximity, I

out, would

of

what

nature

great lightningeffects

to

winds, by heat, and by the mingling of exhalations,

bears

of

electrical wonders

to make

it evident

the

of

to undertake

were

hands

those

that

result

make

LIGHTNING

phenomena,

is in the

able

now

AND

the

alone

atmosphere.
have

degree

and

of very

made

it

nature

ingenious

ATMOSPHERIC

ELECTRICITY

the records

But
doubt

Whence

those

come

subjectis

in

us

still full of

thunderclaps and
this

upon

The

medium

attached

the

to

traversed

pathway

nature

same

of

quantity
exerted

thunder

by

another

way,

thunder

between

two

different
researches

with

resinous, or
holds
In

two

wind

in

are

sea

with

is

masses

have

two

the

of

earth

not,

or

afford
The

an

green

often

being

the

sudden

of

deadly

itself emits

it is from

fluids upon

existence.

of

soil

luckilyharmless,

those

hand,

these

the

ordinary conditions

Plants

and
electricity,

into

comes

organized

this fluid.

to

as

other

the

lightning. On

Minute

surface.

electrical currents,

preciselythe

attraction

the

the

silentlythrough

rustlingin the

see

by

certain

ravages

evaporationof

all bodies,

of

earth's

welcome
especially
leaves you

tremendous

continuallyimpregnated
flow

effluvia which

through the

that

is

atmosphere

electric

in

causes.
principal

of their

one

The

ours

move

them

escapingfrom

causing such

of

earth

which
electricity

of

masses

clouds, sometimes

in the

about

leave

now

surprises.

new

is

till

up

The

points.

many

upon

obtained

21

To

the

each

other

put

it

strikingof

in

balance

electricity.

established
terrestrial

the fact that in

globe

while
negative electricity,

is

charged

the

sphere
atmo-

electricity.
suspensionvitree,or positive

words,

our

planet and

its

aerial

envelope

THUNDER

22

two

are

take
in

continual

place

life of

which

that

The
with

reservoirs

great

the

is

the

the

through

the

the

cause

earth

silentlyand

heightsof

whether

it be

remains

the

more

is

and

record

the

positiveor

earth;

the

or

moving
to

in

occurrence

charges.

degree

atmosphere

with

the

that

earth,
which

envelopingatmosphere, and,
negative,its

essential

unity

qualities serving only

heights

powerfullyelectrified
the

with

less in common,

or

The

pervades the

identical

these

same,

point,more

the

globe, and

of

than

the
the

between

distance

from

the

atmospheric

pressure,

double

the
are

surface

of

the

in

the

increases
electricity

of

to

atmosphere

earth.

undergoes,like warmth,
Atmospheric electricity
like

two

sufficiently
great

which
electricity

is
invisibly,

in the

different

also

It

Observatory.

Indeed, the

indicate

the North, finds its

electric currents

to

night

borealis in Sweden

distance

needle

magnetic

the Paris

moves

to

of

ness

visible,between

aurora

to

illumines,

dar.

atmosphere

accompanied by

is

sometimes

phenomenon.

the

role

moisture.

regions of

the

apparitionof

Norway

and

the
fairyland,

same

of

tensions

play

complementary

balance, silent but

which

animals

warmth

all the

and

explanationin

opposing

exchanges

of

which

between
electricity,

borealis, which

Arctic

strikingof

of

played by

as
brilliancy

LIGHTNING

plants and

aurora

in the

thus

AND

and

fluctuation,yearly

and

well

daily,as

considerable

and

and

There

is

diminution

of

maximum

comes

July ;

it is due

in
to

is the

the winter

active

in

borealis is to be
the

time

In

the

when

the

in

the

becomes

form

cold

of

an

minute

the

drops,which

in

minimum

the

the

when

of

the

and

oceans

influence

atmosphere, where

invisible gaseous

again,and,

transparentgaseous

the

fluctuation

equatorialcurrents

other hand, the water

rises into

hygrometric

the

annual

ation
fluctu-

This

sunrise.

and

by

are

aurora

often.

most

seen

in winter.

afternoon

of

in

afternoon

the

hemisphere,and

our

mum
mini-

the

circulation
great atmospherical

continuallyevaporating under
heat, and

in summer,

sunset, followed

at

January,

the

morning

six in

that

with
air.

the

maximum

winter

in the

maximum

connected

condition

On

three

more

The

in

during the night until

is

most

twelve
five and

about

second

in the

seven

between

fluctuations

regular ones.

and

ten

comes

summer,

the

six and

between

accidental

as

than

between

comes

23

ELECTRICITY

ATMOSPHERIC

molecules

become

accumulate

Generallyspeaking,clouds

into
are,

of

of

Soon

it

condensation,

transformed
a

solar

it remains

vapour.

in the process

rivers is

into

cloud.

like the

atmosphere,

Sometimes, however,
charged with positiveelectricity.
there
the
to

are

negativeclouds.

summits
the

of mountains,

peaks for

while, as

You

may

frequentlysee,

clouds which

though

drawn

seem

to

to them

on

cling
by

24

THUNDER

AND

LIGHTNING

force of attraction,and

some

the

general direction

that

in

this

in
electricity
and

of the

the

case

thus

tendency

lyingbetween
clouds

the

above

contact

from

them

of rain

that

from
"

influence

say,

of the

the

tains,
moun-

place the

its

of clouds

mass

of

mass

positive

positiveelectricity

surface, and

like the

first

the

This

will,

mass

soil

of the

surface

the

negative under

it,endowed

above

mass

the

will become

it

positive

holding them,

disappear.

become

moment,

is to

that

it

of

and

its lower

will make

in

off.

neutral

towards

with

instead

them

happens

lost their

have

negative earth

is almost

accumulates

drops

drive

to

to follow

away
It often

in

coming

which,
negative electricity
has

move

winds.

clouds

derived

have

then

with

strong

positivetendency.
cloud

The

when,

moment

The

My

numerous.

the

different
The

are

another

the

to

winds

result.

clouds

take

atmospheric

came

of
instability

readers

equator

"

into

part

far

existence

that

aware

vast

in

this

beyond
"

the

subjectedto

clouds
the

ambient

from

universal
from

one

region
every

are

very

atmosphere

currents

poles,and

Transported

waves.

often

the

of

the

until

space

in rain.

being constantlyagitatedby

from

in

influence

the

the

of

causes

suspended

under

it dissolves

medium,

is

remains

which

pass

which

the

whirl

of

point

to

where

they

vicissitude of

blown

atmosphere, and
they

follow

form

sometimes

its

about

of

cyclonesand
of

and
electricity,

of

have

become

out, and

there is

The
it has

saturated

electric

the

in the

produced by

the

has

reached

are

generallyheralded

The

of

down

goes

heavy, is pervaded by
is

land.

All

this has

the

ears,

of

sense

In

made,

most
so

cases

to

storms

speak,

from

this

air,calm

effect

The

upon

the

certain

a
complaints,
buzzing

combat

we

and

reigns over

painful oppression,a

that
good-for-nothingness

ments
move-

premonitory signs.

silence

organisms,and produces nervous

in

violent

sulphurous odour.

remarkable

hail.

steadily.The

abnormal

stifling.An

the

by

intensity.Thunderstorms

bitter

the

when
electricity

certain

by

open

of

of

of

neighbouring

torn

or

in which

surface

other

outcome

force

its maximum

barometer

heat

in rain

the

is

cloud

either with
itself,

unite

cloud

the

always

storm

clouds

thunderstorm.

dischargedissolves

Thus

the

breaks
it,the electricity

with

imprisoned,flies to

Almost

engender great

presently,when

in
earth, or else with the electricity
clouds.

probablyalso

and

movements

stored
negative electricity

the

the

tempests.

electric fluid,escaped from

been

take

which

warmth,

transformation, these

masses

by contrary currents,

gigantic movements

the influence

Under

by

the

25

ELECTRICITY

ATMOSPHERIC

come

the

to
sea,

sort

of

in vain.
us

in

France

borne

in

ready
by

the

THUNDER

and
cyclones,

of the

lines from

the

they

lose

to

end

an

their

of

of

are,

the

the

is

air

The

horizon

thermometer
there
and

are

all the

going

its rays

with

it

into

and

termed

cirri.

become

attracted

become

grouped together into

small grey

Presentlya

beginning
a

of

dischargeor

soon

the

of

blinding fusillades
darkened
have

cloud

seem

over,

become

the

down,

the

very

becomes

flash
to

through
have

great black

vapour

these

clouds

and
little,

like

great

cumuli.

others.

It looks

often

there

First

meridian

termed

are

joins the

though

light clouds

look

what

this

is

but
casualties,

general, and
space.

sunk
mass,

the

perhaps,

ensues,

lightningwithout

bombardment

the

veils

of

other, descend

These

battle.

two

which

leaden

hours

some

harmless, but

and

innocent

of

each

cotton-wool.

of

masses

end

the
to

mist

looks

moting
pro-

rivers.

scorching,columns

ascend

At

and

approachesthe

condensed

become

thus

going

to

summers,

and

seas

is
sun

When

most

are

day,

heavy

The

up.

clouds.

no

come

also,so

hot

our

our

barometer

the

and

storms

during

France

charged

Ordinarily

route

en

home-made

rapid evaporationof

the

in

tropics,moving

north-east.

strength

shining

is

sun

off-shoots

the

are

us.

course,

in
speak, especially

in the

to the

suddenly with

There

when

born

are

south-west

part

LIGHTNING

south-west; they

the

from

currents

AND

The

quite low,
from

long

heavens,
and

which

to

the

THUNDER

28

and

LIGHTNING

AND

of

generallycomposed

are

electrified
differently

the lower

"

two

separate

masses,

giving out negative

one

flashes

The
the higher positiveelectricity.
electricity,
of

generallybetween

lightningoccur

these

between
though also, less frequently,
and

the

masses,

lower

mass

earth.

the

be

It may
result

the

two

said that,

of

the

generallyspeaking,storms
of

meeting

two

clouds

of

masses

are

electrified.
differently
refused
long, physicists

For

any

other

theory,and

lightning could

that

in

and

such

issue from

placebetween

taken

the

now

the

for

sky being

speck, there

round

one

and

burning

flash

which

breast

her

then

pure

but

no

course,

cloudless

and

woman

doing

fact,

September

on

suddenly

was

killed

as

earth.

Marcorelle, of Toulouse, reports that

12, 1747, the

cloud.

always, of

have
and

idea

particularthe

established

cloud

of
validity

the

singleisolated

flashes

the

cases

in

combated

has, however, been

This

to admit

but

clap
thunder-

the

on

damage

spot,
her

to

clothes.
Here

of

Cathedral

the

of

area

small
it

is another

was

broke

their

cloud

interestingcase.
were

priestsof

standing in

chapter-house,busy winnowing,

approaching them

immediately
out

who

Lombey,

Two

and

above

struck

little by little.

them
a

tree

flash

just

of

the

saw

When

lightning

beside

them,

ELECTRICITY

ATMOSPHERIC

from

splittingit

wind, and

no

was

Storms

than

others.
in

unknown

Abyssinia.

know

they

Arago

to

came

75th

the

absolutelyso,
rarer

in the

in the

numerous

either

after year

in

with

at the time

days.

wet

in countries

no

degree

of

it is

fact

out

considerable

the

in

in

thunder
latitude.
that

that

districts.

conclusion,after

the

This

storms

sea

open

north
is

are

polar regions. They become

the

to

affect their distribution.

the

by

high latitudes,but

in mountainous

is

Peru,

troubled

and

frequent towards

more

On

but

of

myth indeed

of

unworthy

thunderclapsor

which

islands, there

among

much

of

observations, that,

of

number

beyond

be

in

however,

now,

never

frequent
particularly

are

thicklywooded

are

must

in number

local conditions

are

Then

are

was

Plutarch,

to

grown

skies

nothing

diminish

Storms

there

limpid

thunder

be said, however,

might

Jupiter tonans

people who

and

It

have

sky.

countries

some

said

be

not

lands

these

and

pure

tempest.

and

could

This

no

There

in the

Pliny,

to

and, according

Egypt,

exemption.

whose

prevalentin

more

fine.

quite

only cloud

the

was

heard

They

was

According

because

perhaps

or

this

far

are

in

their

weather

The

thunderclap.

bottom.

to

top

29

equator, and

are

not

very
more

very

tropics.

side

of

the

remarkable
of the

equator

storms

in
regularity

monsoons.

come

the wet

year
season,

THUNDER

30

Guadeloupe

At

thunder

in

In

in

they

of

maximum

of

times

In

It

often

Italy
the

there

in

they

noticeable

the

in

in

are

the

scarcely

are

the

spring,
of

heat

or

and

any

never

March.

any

storms

attain

their

summer.

thunderstorms

at

almost

all

year.

Greece

is

there

begin

is

February,

January,

intensity

there

Martinique

climates

temperate

In

and

December,

winter

LIGHTNING

AND

afternoon.

come

that

chiefly
in

all

in

spring

latitudes

and

they

autumn.

come

most

CHAPTER

THE

THE

of

manifestation
into

FLASH

AND

attributed

Romans

III

advice, monitory,

lightning,

murderous,

They
but

to

tory,
confirma-

perfidious, pestiferous,

to

come

circumstance,

and

taste

every

has

science

modern

of

lightning

etc., etc.

it

adapted

each

to

lightning

explanatory, expostulatory,

auxiliary, disagreeable,
menacing,

divided

They

family

and

influence

mysterious

electricity.

individual

SOUXD

THE

put

order

this

into

Capharnaum.
When

cloud

envelope,

tries

electricity accumulated
the

long ignited
us

on

taught
luminous

dart

large
us

in

and

Lightning

is

what

small

often
is

either

in

not

order

in

way

itself into

experience

our

dazzling
always
31

oui

trail
the

to

cloud

another

deflagration

with

charged

compressed

in

escape

precipitates

scale

to

electric

An

ground.

superabundantly

electricity,which

electricity,this
cloudy

is

the

join

the

or

physics

laboratories.

same,

and

"showing

space,

constitutes

on

and

ensues,

of

in

has

This

lightning.
in

order

to

32

THUNDER

the
classify
be

into

three

lightning,and

curious

of

fireballs

are

different forms

divided

linear

LIGHTNING

AND

the

three.

The

it
easily,

more

diffused

"

This

the

can

lightning,

last is the

most

of
eccentricity

varietyand

historyof lightning,and

in the

devote

to

groups

fireballs.

celebrated

propose

it takes

following chapter

their

to

vagaries.
Diffused

lightningis the

hundreds

count

succeed

they
that

fantastic

be

can

shine

suddenly with

their

shapes, with

dark

violet

thunder

growls monotonously.

background

is produced on
electricity
of

spark

thin

launched

like

clouds,all

that

diaphanous, instantaneous,

It

is

effects

storm

the

diffused

air

on

of fire all

sheet

lightningwhich
those

is breathless

heavy
and

is

seen

between

two

by

long

saturated

by

the

sometimes

the

gives

summer

strange light,

which
over

the

exchange

veiled

and

arrow

vague,

like

the

stretch

of

spreadsitself

visible

heavens, and

Whether

be

the

irregular

the

curtain

can

of

light, are

vast

an

sombre

of

it is manifested

whether

clouds, or

darkness

tinge. Their

of

with

ephemeral brightness

jagged edges

the

rows

rapidity

great

the

an

against

of

times

surging from

seen

diffused red, blue, or

such

with

these

At

can

ally
stormy night. Occasion-

another

one

brightness.

night, to
of

on

You

sky is momentarily entirelyillumined

the

clouds

of flashes

of all.

commonest

us

horizon.

the

evenings
with

finest
when

electricity.

FLASH

THE

Suddenly
light

clouds

the

which

on

landmarks.

fall back

into

be

33

veils of

sombre

in

seen,

fantastic,

trees, houses, and

outlines

of

the

Then, all

at

once,

and

heaven

earth

deeper than before,owing

darkness

SOUND

illumined, nebulous

are

can

fugitivevision,the
other

THE

AND

to

the contrast.

lightning is

Linear

by

astronomers

lightning. It

is

flash

"

electric cloud

the

to

earth,

or

regarded

is

of destructive

perfectform

most

strong

It

thin trail of

clear,and extraordinarily
rapid,which

very
an

the

as

terrible.

more

from

light
"

shoots

from

cloud

one

to

another.

Like
twists

supple

itself

menacingly

and

luminously into
the

in

of

undulating serpent
.

spreading

space,

with

heavens

fire,it
itself

long spiralsof

its

light.
Sometimes
"

it

in

"

effects its

rule it follows
a

zigzag at

which
to

to

this

various

be the

which

passage

obtuse

an

in

unequal

renders

fact, fulminic

it

more

or

is
goes

forms

doubt

no

of

less

chief

of

these

another, guided in its chosen

way

by

the

seems

the

air,

conductor.

strongly attracted
quickly from

forms

attributable

humidity in
good

as

itself into

different

The

the

distribution

matter

damp regions,and

are

of

One

its prey

straight line, but

angle.

lightningtakes
causes.

reach

to

track, and

sinuous

doubt,

hurry,no

one

In

towards

point

to

hygrometrical

34

THUNDER

AND

conditions

of

changes of

direction

of

its

of

plan

of

the

which

of the

the
of

lightning would

trace

of

state

the

sort

for

air

short

it, the

For

straightline.
the

hand,

electricityhas

of
variability

something

to

the

loading
over-

the

to

say

it takes.

form

becomes

branches, and

itself into

divides

branch,

forked
of

number

of which

out

great

speed

their

measure

rapidityis

proved

their

that

Lightning
often

it is
colour
thrown

is not

density of

through
been

not

transit

superiorto
a

always

ignited matter
substances

air
;

at
on

which

the

its
it

principal
forth.

space with

but

their
to

appears

have

to

seem

that

be

of

light,

second.
of

quantity

atmosphere by

the
the

the

on

even

possible to

accuracy,

researches

is

it

sparks burst

dazzling whiteness,

yellow, red, blue, violet, or

depends
on

speed

kilometres

is 300,000

which

latest

The

instantaneous.

move

their

that

such

points from

absolute

with

three

or

Or

has

extraordinary agility. It

two

lightning.

many

sheaves

incandescent

These

itself into

lightning forms

Sometimes

the

meanderings

the

atmosphere.

the

other

it is these constant

determine

the

hardly ever

On

and

hygrometrical

portion

is

atmosphere

Thus

course.

certain
road

the

LIGHTNING

time

the
of

of

the

green.

electricity

discharge;on
the

passage

hygrometrical state,
contains

Its

of
and

the
the
on

during suspension.

by

sound

which

in

thunder

lasts.

methods

all

the

These

lightning is

that

been

has

1, 5, and

often

When

kilometres.

18

of these

instantaneousness

to

in

of

force

magic

their

sinuous
of

space

time

in

present

thinks
marvels

the

of

the

their

at

lost

be

only

can

in

heavenly sling,

whole

capable of hurling these

is

roll in

and

the

of

admiration

the

to

up

one

we

prove

kilometres

10

flashes,one

incomparable agility,and

which

result,and

same

greatest length proved

The

length.

give the

during

of seconds

the number

second)by

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

36

rivers

of

course

right through

almost

inappreciableto

fire

space,
our

senses.

in

Yet,

it
lightning,
do

meteors
To

circle
as

be

can

one

can

remain

retina

lightedcoal

"

if the

turn

wheel

tenth

childish
is made

successive

positionof

impressedon

the

for the

we

have

wheel

with

continuous
the

black

circle.
and

same

In

white

almost

these

second.

of

game

of

the

as

This

quickly

impressions

part

in

second, each

retina

sections.

luminous

that

the

the

of

part

white

and

know

the

that

the

circle of cardboard, divided

like

turned

imitate

black

We

we

determine

thousandth

take
into

rapidity of

extreme

possibleto

been

wish.

on

thus, if

the

last the

not

middle

the

from

has

this,we

prove

of

spite

the

turning
tenth

coal

spokes,if

of

remaining

length

turning our

second;

of time

"

cardboard
each

spoke

FLASH

THE

before

passes

second,

we

our

can

sections,but
make
this
we

can

if

quicklyin

produce.

But

darkened,

it is

the

each

of

of

second,

it

were

the

our

This

majority

longerthan
Often

the

see

of

considerable

The

traces

thousands
another

tenth

the
to

rotation

thousandth

part

of

in

minimum

duration

of

if

as

us

provedthat

has

by

eyes

our

probably

number

with

lightning is

of

in

forth

atmosphere
of

is

storm, and
small

almost

furrow

flashes,which

of

us

come

nights,

summer

gentle,bluish light.

their

remind

the-wisps,which

one

the

suddenly

as

calculated

during the hot, transparent

fugitivegleams

with

is

cases

on

the

in

this.

firmament

ground.

and

Wheatstone

measure

other

us

appear

last the

not

circle,

each

less than

last

circle would

the

contrivance,Charles

second.

we

would

second

the

before

circle turns

can

impressionthey

the

suddenlylightedup

lightningdoes

the

than

the

we

observe

to

impression produced

and

in

lines,they succeed

eyes

sections

But

more

or

stationary.In applying a

to this
some

circle.

grey

turns

the

if the

darkness, and

continue

we

longersee

no

see

hundred

being done,

more

only

can

of

tenth

the

less than

longer distinguish between

no

it rotate

in

eyes

37

SOUND

THE

AND

pure

there

yet the
The

will-o'-

of the

marshy

silently from

flames.

without

sky

the

sky

are

is

These

no

parent
ap-

glistening

flashes succeed

interruption.

These

THUNDER

38

electric
is

known

sparks are

quite inaccurate, and

at

is

great

It is

only at

that

lighted up

lying

low

is

with

hear

you

is to

it

horizon.

At

violent

which

this

far

the

that

they

under

moment

when

the

ridge

the

the

yet

have

sky

there

is

The

see.

is

swept

afterwards

devastated

the

appeared,and

that

attributable.

are

of

clouds

of

sky

But

has

storm

the

the

can

eye

dicating
in-

point

times

flashes.

gleams

signs

the

from

other

as

electric

of

that

region over

the

quite clear, and

number

taking place

see

as

would

characteristic

can

storm,

atmosphere

one

the

on

of

sign

no

language

astronomer

an

distance

very

observation.

is

storm

cases

certain

discover

to

that
horizon

in the

meaning

no

of

great number

able

be

has

this

but
heat-lightning,

as

science.

of modern
In

LIGHTNING

AND

They

are

only reflected lights.

A
sea,
a

than

more

number

the
was

know

tells

sailor

east

he

storms, and

this

does

immunity
to

the

lightningwhich

the

electric

unknown
not

interior
was

of

observed

this

saw

to

weather

The

Now

we

which

phenomena

for

at

thunder,

any

upon

extend

he

Lima,

from

horizon.

the

out

was

sky absolutelyserene.

the

are

this

of

north-east

they produce,

kilometres

kilometres

100

perfect,and
that

when

once

bright flashes,without

of
and

that

us

that

coast;

but

more

than

100

country,

at sea, 100

so

that

kilometres

FLASH

THE
from

the

shore,

kilometres

200

of

One

tine, sent

must

In

of

the

word,

Algiers I
October

Constanof

it in the

when

back

came

September

on

valley
to

and

16,

on

but ordinarylightning
lightning,
thin

Another
in

rare

lines.

good

thing, there

the

above

time
of

of

the

great

This

thunder

did not

Each

the

of this

great distances.

but

the

without

clouds
silent

south-west

interruption

The

devastated

and

the

lying low
;

the

noise

next

day

the

fine.

very

flash illuminated

Geneva.
had

to be in Geneva

mountains

sombre

reach

and

long,and
hail. This

no

heavy

was

almost

at

the

fringed
the

on

of

the

I learnt

neighbourhood

Aix-les-Bains.

Moreover, apart from

records

happened

lightningwas

terrible storm

Chambery

was

lightning on

on

ridge of

horizon.

deal

Savoy Alps.
the

weather

It went

of the horizon.

lasted

This

Algiers."

The

6 p.m.

I noticed

of

again

in very

near.

at about

that

than

more

case
interesting

an

I noticed

"

says,

September 1, 1901,

edge

of

Salambes

sheet

not

very

On

same

place

1899,

he

it

saw

was

very

is not

in

above

concentrated
was

taken

19.

It

"

have

39

thunder.

August,"
Arve

SOUND

M. Soleyreof
correspondents,

lightningwithout
"

THE

away.

our

us

AND

lightingup

storms, there have

of the

been

other

sky being observed

at

40

THUNDER

Thus,

in

1803,

Mountains

in

longitude.

The

powder,

service

established

was

produced
stationed

in

in the

to

observed

Hartz

of

differences

the

200

of

grammes

of the

air, for each

was

by

signals,

astronomers

Kenlenberg,although they were

240

is itself invisible from

which

Brocken,

from

Brocken

of 180

the open

Mount

on

kilometres

combustion

tions
communica-

luminous

determine

to

light which

of

Mount

on

order

burnt

LIGHTNING

AND

Kenlenberg.
certain

On

the
a

fete-days,
July 14,
in

principalmonuments
and

of 20

distance

vapour

reflects the

lights

lights themselves

of

illuminated, at

we

floats above

can

see

the

town

sort

and

boulevards, although

the

from

invisible

are

example, when

are

kilometres

30
which

of luminous

Paris

for

the

point

the
of

observation.
is another

Here

verify:

the

paths

the
of

the

Bois

de

like

sky

light,resembling an

pale light is only

which
The

are

hundreds

some

springand

of the

azure

soars

Boulogne,

earth

and

themselves, shine

yards above

appears

the

all the

Bois

Paris

the

dark

against
bathed

the
in

Well, this gentle,

moon.

reflection of the

in space

from

seen

can

at Porte-

magnificent globe

invisible from

Parisian

any

of
as

summer,

enormous

the

which

of the Aerodrome

captiveballoon

Maillot, which

during

example

de

lights of

Paris

Boulogne.

planets which

lighted up by

the

are

sun.

dark

in

The

of the

which

or

clouds

on

account

on

invisible,

are

them

is

sky

be

can

seen

great distance.

These

and

poetic

through

the

ephemeral

sky, appeal

dreamer, and yet they are

which

of

sound

the thunder

lost in space before

It

is
in

gleams

the
a

observer,

two
waves

or

of

beds
of

electric

the

as

the

the

flashes

If the noise which

is because

the

carry

far, and has been

silent

lightning which

phenomenon

the Antilles.

the

terrible

of

reaching us.

This

interceptsthe
of

not

stormy sky.

between

escape

does

glide

which

imagination

it
perceptible,

the

far from

flames

thunder.

with

same

frequent in

place

quite as

is not

these

the

to

accompanied by

are

accompanies

too

the earth

from

escapes

the

Whether

storm.

of the land, the

irregularities

the effluvium

but

distant

41

flashes in

shape of
spherical

of the

account

at

reflection of

SOUND

THE

lightningwhich

silent

the

only

AND

FLASH

THE

Either
the

is

the storm

without

spark, and

breaks

discharge has

clouds, the lower

sound

larly
particu-

of

taken
which

preventing the

the

thunder

is not

heard.
As

that

be

it

rule

comes

lost in

inaccurate.
it descends
reaches

the

we

to

the

imagine that lightningalways descends,

us

from

sometimes

reascends.

ground,

higher

reservoir.

common

Lightning
and

the

That

either there is

celestial
But

ascends.
is to
no

regions to

this

is

quite

Sometimes
say,

after

attraction

it

there,

42

THUNDER

or

stronger force draws

and

it flies back
As

is

AND

rule

only

great mistake.

strikingfrom

his

of

rounds

Isles,when

was

completely blinded,

thus

suddenly,he

would

and

rescue

is another

and

case

Galli's

the

At

farm,

Versailles,at

farm, suddenly felt

the

tongue

morning
the

same

that

time

end
at

the

the
of

of the week.
the

moment

fallen down

an

cries,had

his

not

home.

great deal
when

the

who

was

of

over

of thunder

and

lightningstruck
in

in

street

from

the

shock, accompanied by

giddinessand
whole

shock

of

It would

the

but

in

had

the

the

was

be well

to

Next

evening

occurred,
it

semi-paralysis

left side.

his

fainting,and

of

burst

kilometres

two

passed away,
as

sensations

similar
the

and

this had

man

feelingof oppressionand
of

man

darkness

into

terrible storm

violent

by

one

"

distance

of

coast

moment

old

an

English

an

unfortunate

plunged

him

taken

Versailles,
accompanied by

lightning.

The

attracted

September 24, 1826,

On

lightning

lightningpassed

inevitablyhave

abyss,if his companions,

Here

of

the

on

flash of

him, strikinga great rock.

to the

lightning. This

May, 1866,

near

come

regions,

came.

cases

many

end

the

making

Shetland

the

it

direct

are

aerial

distance.

coastguardwas
of

the

to

whence

fear the

There

example, at

For

it back

clouds

to the

we

LIGHTNING

he
same

remark

accident, M.

at

felt
to

here
B

44

THUNDER
stood

hair
to

hold

At

the

about

his hat
same

of

he

of

of this

the time
which

from

about

had

became

magnetized.

remained

magnetic

occurrence

pocket

world, he

another

he

phenomenon,

he
spot; finally,

the

which

metallic

his

in

was

such

by

souls

to
petrified

was

ground

the

him, accompanied by

Terrified
to

from

burst

obliged

fallingoff.

its

prevent

in

Anything

away.

to

flame

attributed

thought

order

front

that Tie was

extent

an

time, a white

sparks.

he

which

in

on

yards

two

shower

to such

end

on

LIGHTNING

AND

ran

him

at

key

for

two

days.
Thus,
the

which
which
among
known

be

these

experiencedby
is the

strikingfrom

strikingby
The

who

man

has

Richard,

Abbe

Notable

earth, commonly

the

is in

which

We

the

lightning

animals.

and

ascending current,

distance.

the

from

other electric shocks

are

strikingfrom

the

of

instance

body, and

men

retour, and

de

choc

as

the

there
indirectly,

strikes
can

imagine descends

we

directlyon

acts

which

ordinaryfulguration,in

the

as

lightning (which

clouds)

an

well

as

or

also

must

realityonly
of

lightning

describe

the

been struck.

in his Histoire

de

VAir, tells the

followingstory :

"

In

the

Picardy,
morning,
matter

neighbourhood
on

from

20, 1769,

August

there
the

was

of the

bosom

sudden
of

villageof Rumigny,
at

six

o'clock

in

in
the

irruptionof fulminating

the earth

in such

quantities

THE

produce

to

as

FLASH

cloudy,and
wife

his

drawn

the

like

THE

violent

most

looked

four

horses.

45

SOUND

results.
A

storm.

following,at

were

by

AND

The

sky

farmer

young

distance, a

some

and

vehicle

driver

the

Suddenly

was

of

this,

without

seeing the lightningor hearing the thunder, was

thrown

to

dead

the

the

on

ten

The

paces.

the

it had

the

ground,

of the

the driver, but

the
and

each

other

down,

without

was

effluvium

his wife

at

by twenty

at

in the

man

young

There

man

young

also knocked

current

done

which

from

stretched

were

carriage.

separatedfrom

the father

paces,

horses

four

near

killed the

off and

paces

as

in

and

forth

came

His

ground

hole

smoking

earth.

hundred

fashion

same

injuringone

or

the other.
bodies

The
a

considerable

features.
became

showed

swellingand

The

husband

had

their

were

all thrown

piercedand

the whole

who

woman,

hideous

of her

signs

no

of

was

of her

drawn

intestines

the

on

his hair

from

side.

same

burnt, but

only

great deformity of

he

and

young

body

absolutelyyellow.

was

wound,

bodies.

The

man's

They
hat

bruise

no

that

as

four horses

The

their

had

pretty,

well

as

the

on

was

his

head.
This

account, in which

find the ideas

in

and

passing that

the thunder, and

we

language of

the
had

man

not

who
even

must

be

not

the time
was

(letus

struck

time to

surprisedto

see

observe
hear

did

not

the

lightning

46

THUNDER

of which

he

us

The

traveller

which

and

12

the

called

received
no

or

lightning in

Lennel

Hill

before

minutes
found

by

small

be

instant

the

first,with

his

the

ground.

The

ground

very

spot

the

accident
holes

driver

the

happened.
an

Half
odour

and

and

wheels
an

of

had
hour

which

very

front,

to

that

second

which

circular

after

guns.

cart

saw

horses,fall

were

touched

they heard

of several

the

horses

he

driven

in

seat

the two

three

few

just climbed

had

discharge

driver

at

each

small

about, similar

the

farm

appeared

coal, and
a

thunder

no

of this river when

piercedwith

was

where

emitted

on

the

she could

perfect health
then

with

companion

The

in

They

round

produced by

was

at

just

him, which

near

be

seated

the banks

near

there

storm

Tweed.

same

At

fall

laden

carts

great detonation

would

sheep

The

said she had

shepherd of

The

to

She

backwards.

and

time

sky.

dead.

the

over

hill

driver

young

crossed

Two

the

appeared

it stone

off.

the

cutting hay

was

foot for which

her

on

At

saw

fell

Coldstream

near

who

woman

companions,

account.

way

burst

Tweed

blow

violent

"

storm

the

her

to

a.m.

of

in

far

observed

banks

is another.

Brydone givesthe followingexample,

July 19, 1785,

between

once

"

ascendinglightning. Here

he himself

On

on

of

gives

I say,

victim) this account,

the

was

instance

an

LIGHTNING

AND

dead.

stone

holes

to

the

at

when

the

this event

the

it

Brydone compared

to

that

in the

of fusion

the

legsand

the

about

reduced

shreds,and

to

Orioli

gives

surprisedby

meteor

his whole

were

body

tongue had been

had

what

become

so

having

there.
were

who

men

villageof

ground

dead.

Ben-

let the

to

of them

one

was

were

got up

The

easy to bend

bones
them

no

one

The

knew

of it.

struck,it

been

and

the roots, and

can

fulminating and

become

body

consistencyof paste.

from

torn

The

here

the

other

other

no

burnt, particularly

two

soft that it was

Now, just as the earth

body

of

ground

strong smell.

later

of the

was

the

on

the

in

signs

all, his hat,

near

moments

feelingvery tired,but
of the latter

out

gave

down

Some

pass.

burning

example

an

lay

They

venide.

of

violent storm

been

shirt, and, above

His. clothes, his

the

on

the stomach.

under

marks

had

driver

the

rested

skin of the horses had

The

which

evident

detonation, and

the

47

bands

iron

showed

spots which

of

SOUND

circular

two

two

moment

place.

of

THE

the felloes of the wheels

covered

at

The

ether.

of

AND

FLASH

THE

can

strike,so
act

like

-the human

can

lightning.After

effectively
acquire the

power

to strike in its turn.

For
was

instance, on

killed

Paris, and

the

30, 1854,

by lightning near
his

beatingrain.
from

June

body lay
After

for

the storm

man

the Jardin
some

had

time

named

Barri

des Plantes, in

exposed

passed,two

neighbouring guard-house tried

to

to

soldiers
remove

48

THUNDER

the

body, and

touched
the
a

it.

body

lose

had

been

What

!
electricity

mind

received

when

shock, perhaps

with

it had

thus

One

of

mysterious world

is that

It is

World

trulythe

is

New

in

of

nature

of the

the

on

afterwards

and

even

pected
unsus-

its
disclosing
perpetually

of

collaborators

in

riches

sensitized

examine

the

alreadya
the

electric

considerable

plate,and
smallest

Who

knows

brought

to

very

of

help of

the

perfection,it

photograph
its

emerging

of the

plates of

when

on,

will not

all the

from

can

sudden
have

We

the outline
of

these

phonography

also

to the electric flash ?

sensational

unrolls

astronomer

examination

cinematograph,we

representations of

imprints

interesting.

whether, later

noisyaccompaniment

searches
re-

tible
indestruc-

his leisure.

at

number

the
details

lightning in flight. An
picturesis

our

lightning is photography.

fugitivelightning,which

apparition comfortably and

from

scientific

for the

unknown

valued

most

the

document

the

time

atmospheric

it registers
an
Faithfullyand unhesitatingly

is

had

as

of the fluid.

our

on

of

because

admiration.

our

itself

they

acted

rain, which

and
electricity,

marvels, which
for

violent blow

off with

mine, fruitful

"

LIGHTNING

drenched

to the

part

each

They got

conductor

to

AND

the

could

cloud

to

of

Then,

have

the

with

dramatic

While

storms.

phases

registerthe

the

lightning,

its fall to

earth,

THE
before

the

repeat

the

AND

FLASH
of the

gaze

THE

49

spectators,the phonograph will

of the

accents

sonorous

SOUND

voice
terrorizing

of

thunder.

Thunder,

all the

as

world

accompanies lightning. It
of

"

points

provoke it

from

trail of flames

electricity,
spreads itself

of fire in

greatly compressed produces

which

surroundingair

the

all the way

same

In all
which

is

along

at

followed

by

the

ignitedmatter, hastilyre-establishes
air which

the

swallowed

made.

been

which

to

that

has

been

in makes

Pouillet
the

with
It

ground

void

crash

is, on
which

is

the

in

the

itself

atmosphere,

by

opening

of

which

is

which

similar

The

of the
rush

produced by opening

hermeticallysealed.

into

by lightning.

intrusion

large scale, a

is

it is the

lightninghas ejected,and

the

up

which

rushes, and

once

disturbed

repels. The

momentary

the route

it

infinity

an

centre

the equilibriumof
probability

momentarily

whic

mystery.

floating
; these

are

between

causes

atmosphere where

this whirlwind

of

passage

place

The

change

flingsitself precipitately

with

in the

molecules

of invisible

of

when

takes

"

rocket which

saturated

is the noise which

produced

less distant.

or

still somewhat

are

cloud

like

more

luminous

The

is

neutralization

electricitya

two

knows,

air

has

menon
phenoa

case

rushing

dull noise.

objectsto
that

the

this very

flightof

natural
a

explanation on

cannon-ball

ought

to

THUNDER

50

similar noise.

produce a

basis,because,
tortoise
as

the

to

of

the

different clouds
liable the

all

noise

the
a

more

with

same

One

of

sides

chief

the

while

the

diabolical

shower

the

by

cussion
con-

of rain
of

the

expansion of

has

must

one

less distant.

or

been

the

In

air
It is

made.

space

"

and

are

it

reverberates

voice, with

on

its

sinister

sometimes

it

the

dominate

enveloped

Sometimes

fierce calls,
at others

is the

this voice, celestial and

momentarily

clouds
flames.

This

grave

thunder

of

prolonged,and

of
to

seems

violent

being separately

characteristics

becomes

revolution

infernal,

more

mountains.

steep

lugubrious tone,
in

discharge of

partialvoid

is often

of

by

space

fire-arms,creve-vessie,etc.

the

rolling,which
the

into

storm

others

is caused
less

or

of

grammes

electric conditions

The

other, the

several

of

often

very

make

the

lead to that
cases

it.

which

to

one

as

?
electricity

cloud, and

immediatelyfollows

the

few

its

and
lightning,

of

arrow

compare

is

cannon-ball

of fire launched

torrents

in

objectionerrs

lightning discharge produces

in

where

the

can

prodigiousforce
The

this

But

with

compared

as

LIGHTNING

a
regards velocity,

as

regards size, who

powder
the

AND

with

rings in

world,

thousand

the

air with

spreadsitself in dull,languorous

complaints.
Nevertheless, the
a

thousand

intenseness

fluctuations, and

of thunder

undergoes

presents astonishing

THUNDER

52

lasts
due

long.

so

the

to

speed

stationed

is

lightning (which

instant.

extremity
high), will
indivisible

one

itself also

will form

sound

The

in

long.

metres

kilometre

one

for

suppose,

11,000

length

its full

us

underneath

O,

at

in

difference

the

Let

light.

lightning,AE,

lightningin

the

see

and

first is

The

causes.

lightning and

of

sound

observer
of the

several

are

flash of

example, a
The

There

length

between

LIGHTNING

AND

the

at

same

EXPLAINING

DIAGRAM

all

instant

only

times.

different

line

the

along

will

DURATION

THE

reach

OF

of

ear

which

metres
moment

same

will take
from

at

formed
to

necessary
seconds

after

32

more

than

And

"

to arrive.

That

will

not

arrive

12

will

and

the

seconds.
a

if,which

sound

formed

Thus

the

minute

from

is very

which

until

at A

will

rolling will
start

often the

the

comes

The

the

time

is to say, not

that

"

the

point O,

seconds.

arrive

not

8 kilometres

cover

for

at

from

yards

2000

time

at

half

point D,

is formed

which

That

at

travellingabout

the

double

point

sound

23

second.

waves
sound-

point E,

at

nearest, will arrive in 3 seconds, sound

337

the

observer

the

starts

THUNDER.

OF

lightning,but

of
the

That

SOUND

THE

to
case,

for

only reach

have

lasted

finish.
the astronomer

FLASH

THE

is not

AND

exactly under

lightning,but
first hears

at

diminution.

other

some

clap,then

In

of

one

fact,

in

this

point D just overhead,

arrives

alone

to

arrive

on

the

at

from

1000

and

arrive

which

3000

to

from

noise, then
sound

is 1000

which

from

the

on

and

OF

DIMINUTION

off,

metres

formed

to

other,

other,

INTENSITY

THE

is the

sounds

The

to

come

beyond

distance,

to

as

has

thunder

the

time

necessary

in

lasted

C
the
23

seconds.

of 32

add

must

he

THUNDER.

depart according

instead

its course,

the sounds

metres.

preceding example,
seconds

the

the

which

AND
OF

taking 9 seconds,

in

of

time, having joined each

same

AUGMENTATION,

COMMENCEMENT,

extremities

case,

seconds, but

side,and

one

the

increased

leaves

in 3

SOUND

point

an

53

THE

that

lightningis

straight,but

never

always crooked.
The
to

length of

do with

the

distance

begins.
the

lightningwith

is often

still

more

which
discharges,

time

the

rolls has

thunder

of the

cloud

where

is

proportionateto

which

it is associated.

It

prolonged by
follow

each

the
The

succession

other very

nothing
the

nomenon
phe-

length of
rolling
of small

rapidlybetween

the

clouds;

stormy

the

different

by

the

mountains,

themselves

interferences

systems

this kind

the clouds

added

also

of

different

the

the

the

the

realityat

other, and

only the
a

the

duration

of

they
their

in

spread

into
from

bosom
a

single
if

we

lightning,and
produced

are

difference

tortoise

vibrations

place in

sound

that

take

must

the

that

moment,

like

moves

whose

of

the

observation

an

is tremendous

That

and

flash

there is
Sound

longest verified

same

the

on

it

times
some-

may

single clap

take

instantaneousness
the

one

"

isolate

seconds.

45

that

value

any

echo, and

The

storm.

of

have

noise

that

longer,so

dischargeswhich

of

series

one

repeated

extremely variable, however;

last much

the

discharge is

the

encounter

seconds, though the

may

consideration

reflect

be

must

the

by

is
30

to

seem

think

echoes

of sound-waves.

rarelyexceeds

of the

the

by

earth, the water, and

which

caused

duration

Its

the

all

to

"

the

hygrometricaldiversity

the

by

ramifications

zigzags and

the

of air

beds

of

of

by

lightning caused

of the

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

54

are

in

dependent

various

festations
mani-

of motion.

behind

the

swift

in

air

with

the

ning,
lightceivable
incon-

rapidity.
Hence

these

45

lightning more

than

know

are

that
I

have

there

already

seconds
15
even

said

correspond

kilometres

in

to

flash of

length,but

we

longerones.
that

we

can

calculate

the

THE

distance

AND

FLASH

of

THE

celestial

the

of seconds

which

from

the

first

of

is 24

kilometres.

has

been

between

proved
the

noise

This, however,

is

maximum.

beyond

does

Jupiter
human

which

be heard

can

can

kilometres.

can

the

During

as

of

far

nights

the

they

of

March

as

it crowned

and

Caen,

the

great

barbarous
the

art

noise

of

distance

siegesand

big

of

battles

40
the

muttering lugubriouslymore

of this

could

planet !
"

crowned

Second,
of

was

175

heard

cannon

that

"

civilization in the

The

the

be heard

during

away,

bombarding.

were

distance

of

kilometres

140

30, 1814, which

at

all vehicles

statesmen

when

and

siege of Paris, Krupp's

Dieppe,

as

the

of

away.

expeditious of

most

heard
in

heard

kilometres

100

voice

further.

easilybe

be

is

ingenuity of

machines

infernal

much

the

the

to

produces

kilometres.

this

In

destructive

Sometimes,

cannonades

eyes

inferior

able to invent

Cannon

than

himself

shows

far.

so

carry

pigmies, whose

been

has

not

the

thunder

25

perhaps

or

it

proved that

have

20

the

Thus

thunder.

Lightning piercesthe cloudy veil, but

thunder

number

the

lightning and

observations

heard

never

the

growls of

that

the

Numerous

by counting

the

ning
separate the apparition of the light-

longest interval
appearance

which

from

cannon

fulminatingdischargecomes

55

SOUND

cannonade

First

between

kilometres.

the

Empire,
Lisieux

Arago

even

that

alleges
far

thunder

of

the

and

vicious,

left

is

It

nature.

its

In

heard

that

natural

itself

to

of

it

aerial

it

its

If

To-day,

be

the

and

the

it

it

the

thus
"

from

us

the

high

terrible

most

malicious

human

powerful

ruled

agent

sufficiently

cannot

we

of
and

But

race.

becomes

not

collaborator

hand

right
of

regarded
forces
of

of
man's

gods

the

by

in

astronomers

nature

dark

the

intelligence

Was

not

as

Why

safely,

innumerable.

Why

it

guide

become

probably

auxiliary

and

lightning

tame

man's

it

is

more

victims.

explain

to

and

that

than

more

messenger,

of

man's

advantages.

important

most

might

subtle

man,

would

as

is

if

directly

terror

of

many

the

not

many

we

as

incomparably

great

civilization,

services

Lightning
it

the

could

we

"

modern

admire

Thus

distance

is

it

atmosphere,

genius

the

towards

its

is

has

comes

messengers

violent,

by

the

that

heard

be

away.

greater

state,

"

regions

at

true

it

could

kilometres

is 200

be

can

Waterloo

at

cannon

which

Creil,

as

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

56

one

should
to-morrow

ages?
of

the

it

not

IV

CHAPTER

FIEEBALLS

HERE

and

mysterious,
of

thunder

the

in

and

form

It
has

is

quite

figment

now

of

wild
been

destruction

long

the

since

of

excited
stories

scientists

they

imaginations,
of

established,

their

were

and

ravages.

however,

doubt.
57

Paris

our

electricity
wild

and

and

death

as

an

men

Their
the

fireballs

actual

regarded
wise

these

havoc

these

of

and

peaceful
sun,

beyond

which

running

the

existence

by

times

recent

sowing

those

and

lights in

electricity

for

observed

than

stranger

between

contrast

and

acknowledged

been

Until

the

not

of

electric

the

substitutes

as

be

to

lights fulfilling their

arc

function

engines

most

domain

already spoken,

the

civilized

the

useful

recall

Curious

Between

nothing

have

we

size

and

tamed

understood

phenomena

is

there

which

boulevards.

dread

electrical

the

atmosphere,
of

least

the

the

is, perhaps,

lightning.

all

fireballs

what

certainly

and

Among
in

into

penetrate

we

fact.
as

smiled

reality

the
at

has

possibility

shape they are

In

contours

often

by

kind

encirclingthe

see

with

furnished

their

Sometimes

they

visible

remains

crouching kitten,

hand

your
seen

as

largeas

with

which

they

their

course

to

first chapter
fireballs.

taken

in

the

thing

several
look

us

is from

which

to

of

"

put

one

at

instances
some

learned

the

of the

pen

so

out

being

of the

In

our

occurrence

Here

is

one

thunder.

upon

Batti, a marine
of Austria

Empress

slowness
enables

minutes.

more.

treatise
of

is the

sometimes

for several

watched

Arago's

service

tempted

them

about

and

move,

gave

Let

from

record

The

be

we

looking like

as

is record

There

have

large orange

were

you

trail

millstone.

remarkable

One

of

it.

bar,

fallingstar.

themselves

they

are

lit.

been

luminous

described

iron

an

catch

to

after

been

apparently,that

harmless

them

we

as

they
has

of

simply that

long

have

disappeared. They

fuse that

behind

leave

such

Sometimes

like

is

course

sometimes

are

vapour,

moon.

red flame

Sometimes

which

luminous

of

their

although

and

appearance;

defined, they
usuallyclearly

are

encircled

though
always quite spherical,

not

normal

is their

this

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

58

and

painter
resident

at Milan.
"In

Hdtel

the
de

of

June, 1841,

1'Agnelloin

the
afternoon.

month

Corso
The

dei

rain

was

room

Servi.

was

staying at

the second

on

It

coming

was

down

about
in

the

floor,overlooking
six in the

torrents, and

60

THUNDER

much

that

so

the

of

big

To

"

moon

twenty miles

when

wind

the

patches

that

you

is to

risingabove

not

could

you

enveloped

in

the

see

the

as

say, of

of red.

it almost

on

could

as
distinctly

that

"

yellow,

difference
of the

contours

luminous

the

myself have

reddish

The

and

moon,

globe
of the

the appearance

night in winter, and

clear

it to

of this

colour

it sometimes

see

may

with

be

upon

report like

dull

cross

disappeared.

and

away

idea of the size and

it at Innsbruck

seen

accompanied by

cannon

one

on

it hit the

dei Servi

only compare

can

as

Alps

minutes

of the Chiesa

give an

fire,I

LIGHTNING

sound.

carries the

to

few

was
disappearance

that

of

after

clock tower

Its

AND

was

meteor

it seemed

that

atmosphere of

indefinite

extent."

fireball

This

next, by way
terrible

of contrast, the
and

damage

afternoon,
fell in

and

innocuous

an

six hundred
killed ten,

On

at

was

about

Feltri

putting out

fireball

ringing and

take

may

which

one

three

the

wreaked

o'clock

size of

the

cannon-ball,

seated,wounded

all the

about

in

seventy

lights.

eleven
into

o'clock
the

in

the

church

of

(Basses-Alpes) just
a

in

(Marche Trevisane)

penetrated

Chateauneuf-les-Moustiers
bell

at

peoplewere

July 11, 1809,

morning,

of

case

fireball of about

great hall

We

one.

loss of life.

July 27, 1789,

On

which

was

large congregation had

as

the

taken

61

FIREBALLS
Nine

their seats.

others

eighty-two
had

got into

was

in

hut

descend

that

on

church

neighbouringhill

day, and

Miisschenbroek
which

took

Pastor

at

set

who

woman

the

reduce

would

Duytsbourg,was
of

fire and

on

Sunday, when

exploded.

The

thick with

smoke.

and

became

killed

were

persons

and

Pyl, the

M.

1711.

fireball fell into the church

the clock tower

in

preaching one

storm

following incident

the

recounts

place at Solingen

middle

through
was

that

three fireballs

saw

they

sure

and

ashes.

to
village

in the

made

spot

dogs

the

killed.

were

the

on

All

wounded.

were

the

killed

were

persons

than

more

sanctuary
Three

hundred

were

wounded.
From

the
the

France

Bulletin

the

Societe

member

Astronomique

de

it

by

contributed

following narrative

Mile, de Soubbotine,
taken

of

of this

to

has
society,

been

"

"A

terrible storm
It

22, 1901.

thronged
some

with

her

back

was

there

and

Mile.
turned

violent

the

and

Ouralsk
the

sat

towards

the

dazzlingly

the

on

street.

and

all, had

in

house, and

down

were

afternoon

five in the

vestibule of

May

on

streets

girls,twenty-one

K., had

at

Towards

clap of thunder,

appeared

out

fete day

people.

refuge in

seventeen,

"

men

young

taken

was

broke

girlof

threshold,

Suddenly

in front

brilliant

of

ball

there

the door
of

fire,

62

THUNDER

AND

towards

gradually descending
After

grouped.
down

at

middle

of the

its way

into

and

apartment, broke

smashed

adjoining room,

opposite wall,

the

and

that

it

went

it,then

of the

wreaked
wall

havoc

into

the

forcing

with

the

in the

stove

carried

it

against the
the

through

out

in

house, whose

dashed

was

bowed

ground

of

all

were

who

and
stove-pipe,

the

violence

such

off with

the

on

master

singed,it

through

they
head,

circuit

of the

room

it touched

boots

K.'s

fireball fell

party, made

the

where

Mile.

touching
the

once,

LIGHTNING

broken

window.
"

the

After

door

transpired. The
been

had

ceilingthere

Mile.

of

K.

about

what
seated

was

court, and

the

into

holes

two

were

which

near

back

thrown

is

feeling of fright,this

first

in

the

centimetres

18

each.
"The

down, looked

in the

nothing, and

vestibule

in

fireball had

all

some

blood

struck

off, and

stockings.

her

back

There

it,and
there

one

head

bowed

Some

of the

courtyard,having
all

were

Mile.

K.

lying

and

hip, leavinga

sore

of her
a

small

on

shoes

hole

in

dead.

was

of her

left

and

seen

the nape

was

was

asleep.

others

on

her

with

were

faint.

her

along.
on

the

dead

proceeded down
mark

she

though

as

walking

peoplewere
heard

girl,still seated

young

neck

one

was

in

the
The

and

had
black

hand, with
torn
one

pletely
com-

of

the

63

FIREBALLS

All the victims

"

On

deaf."

became

September 10, 1845,

afternoon, in the
down

came

the

of

course

violent

into

chimney

villageof Salagnac (Creuse).

who

in the

were

it rolled

feet of

the

near

in

After

it.

and

himself

prudent

it went

found

was

fire to

to be

passed
standing

was

adjoining

an

to

it out, but

and

had

he

that

little stable

hard

once

it

by,
killed

without

straw

see

thought

fireball had

the

The

in

go

electrified in Paris,and
In

room,

trace.

any

man

through the

gone

who

leaving

stamp

Then

it.

setting

it.

July 12, 1872,

On

the

size of

bed.

new

in the Commune

appearance

and

not

afterwards

It had

pig.

into

women

kitchen, and

peasant

young

refrain.

to

the

of

in the

three

from

harm

no

fireball

house

child and

persuade the

to

could

he

allowed

which

tried

whether

of

middle

disappeared without

women

it

the

into

in

the

in

two

storm,

room

suffered

room

about

at

Efforts

were

presentlythe

of fireball made

of Hecourt

egg, and

an

form

made
entire

neighbouringdwellingsand

it
in

was

vain

It

(Oise).

burning

seen

to

its
was

upon

extinguish it,

house, together
barns, became

with
a

prey

the
to

the flames.
On

storm,
seen

October
a

globe

9, 1885,

at 8.25

p.m.,

of fire of the size of

coming into

ground-floor room

during
small
in

violent

apple
a

house

was

at

THUNDER

64

AND

Constantinople
through an
in

table

at

round

this

passedbetween
the

itself

two

of

centre

Not

there

are

behind

in the entrance
rain and

the

They

to

backwards

and

of

scene

this

trace

no

of

fireball.

refuge during

in order

to

with

the

escape

doorway

girls who

girlsremained
were

more

The

this

sent

had

by lightning in

recovered.

connection

an

damage

any

fireball left

took

house

two

time; all the others

all

with

buildingsprovided

thunderclapwhich

of the

One

precipitated

caused

narrative

scarcelygained

senseless

knocked

table, it

lamp hanging

the

of

played

storm

from

the

lightning.

had

"

the

exploded

from

The

women

tremendous

but

far

curious

of five

party

first

it.

is another

Here

it

number

It

then

having

lightning conductors.

of smell

round

table, and

without

anybody.

phenomenon

was

the

familybeing

towards

street, where

the

into

hurt

with

time.

guests, went

appallingcrash, but
or

the

at

room

the

window,

open

gas-jet,then, moving

over

LIGHTNING

the

form

less

there

them

flying
them

joined

unconscious
or

when

"

of

ball.
fire-

for

long

seriouslyinjured,

strangest circumstance

affair,
however, still remains

in
to

be

told.
On
a

the

same

side of the

neighbouring house,

ground-floorroom

nine

of which

street
or

the

ten

door

as

the

yards
was

in

passage,
away,

shut,

in
young

SINGULAR

OF

CASE
ON

They
lightning

10,

JUNE

were

seen

conductor

station.

power
the

time

for

August,

by

This
M.

FIREBALLS

THUEE

Eudaux,

1905,

to

BY

descend

above

the

engraving,
appeared

OBSERVED
M.

H.

in

PARIS

RUDAUX.

this

Palais
after
in

IN

La

way

upon

the

Koyal

electric-

sketch

made

Science

at

lllustr"e,

1903.

[Page

64.

66

THUNDER

but

AND

passed, still harmlessly,through

farmhouse

in which

effect it

produced was

the

upon

oxen

killed,the
The

second

the

and

fourth

divided

were

two

were

rightof

cows

the entrance,

the first

ox

was

uninjured.
found

was

in

the

have

to

which

third

the

freaks

Similar

been
there

produced

odd

numbers

four

were

killed,the

were

second
and

taken

have

been

recorded

in

connection

pilesof platesstruck by lightning

holes

"

found

matches

left.

numbers

even

to the

uninjured ;

spared :

were

there

one

compartment,

first and

the

with

only

The

some

stables,which

In

was

was

effect

other

cows

the

second

same

the

of

the

in

room

persons.

flaringup

the first cow,

killed,the

was

the

compartments.

two

nine

were

chimney-piece.

into two
and

there

proceeded towards

It

in

LIGHTNING

in alternate

plates.

How

these

are

being
be

things to

explained?
followingstory is

The
does

strange
On

the

to

24, 1895, about

of

These

rose

to the

inch

an

the
at

wind

of

storm

descending

touching

the

mystery

of

lightning's

"

August

about

clear up

it

ways

midst

saw

of

help

not

though
extraordinary,

very

and

ground
a

half

ten

and
a

to

the

morning,

in

height of

in

rain, several persons

whitish-coloured

ground, split into

once

in the

globe

diameter, which,
two

the

smaller

chimneys

on

globes.
on

the

FIREBALLS
close

houses

and

by

chimney, crossed
child, without

disappeared. One

in which

room

the size of

sheep-fold.The

sheep,while

When

he

that

five

was

In
also

the lambs

sheep

had

he

them,

They

bore

was

flock

the

about

of

way,
door-

the

at

in alarm.

discover
of

trace

no

kind, but about

of any

their

lips

colour.

slightly
pink in
the

second

chimney, and

there

startled to

was

killed.

adjoining house,
down

hole

round
room

the

through

seated

jumping

were

been

of foam,

the

gone

to

of wound

sort

this

and

man

brightlightshiningover

up

burning,or

clean

shepherd'sson,

went

went

Under

franc.

suddenly saw
of

with

down

went

were

and

harming them,

floor, perforatinga brick

about

67

had

fireball had

exploded in

the

kitchen, causing great damage.

In

1890,

ground,
A

in

two

to
a

get

stood

the rain

his

moment

The

two

get up again.
other

The

whip,

April 21,

horses
farmer

the
at

up

there

was

away
seen,

ear

of them

one

"

himself

was

meteor

dashed
is

horses

few

yards
he

when

exploded with

fell

plot of

against his

touching the

the

on

Montfort-rAmaury.

moving

later it

occasions

devastatingthan
On

from

ball of fire almost

his horses.

noise.

he

working

was

miles

three

or

refuge from

order

On

farmer

young

breaking out,

storm

to take

of
a

turned,
re-

one

ing
deafen-

unable
to

of

to

pieces.

hardly

more

ordinarybomb.
Lanxade,

near

Bergerac, a

storm

68

THUNDER

had

been

AND

raging alreadyfor

with
simultaneously

"

fire,of

the

slowlyon

size of

waterspout
It
of

of

one

several

of

sack

the

ball

"

of

of

yards high

of
fell

corn,

Dordogne, spoiling

crossingthe river,it

raised

it went.

as

other

the

on
disappearedfinally

side of

field

corn.

November

On

fireball
It

at

was

was

height

of

12, 1887,

noticed

was

fireball

which

it

sixteen

about
In

and

July, 1902,

the

appearance
After

of

An

of

slowly out

the

watched.

Then

the

to

travelled

the vessel from

it turned

The

disappeared.

sea

It

metres.

quite near

came

enormous

towards

apparitionlasted

five minutes.

immediately after
about

and

instance

Race.

Cape

seventeen

or

being

was

south-east

the

rise

to

seen

curious

very

Atlantic.

the

on

midnight, near

against the wind,

then

suddenly

thunderclap

opening
banks

the

hours, when

some

small

the

fruit trees, and

some

LIGHTNING

size of

in the
a

loud

of

course

peal

of

toy balloon

suddenly in

the

Rue

moving along,just above

thunder,
was

Veron

the

fortunatelywithout

hurting

any

ground,
like

make

its

Montmartre.

at

or

one,

fireball of

to

seen

shop, it exploded

wine-merchant's

violent storm, and

in front

bomb,

doing

of

most

any

damage.
The

little
of

villageof Candes,

the Vienne

and

the

situated

Loire,

was

by
the

the
scene

fluence
con-

of

69

FIREBALLS
the

past them

moment,

garden
a

ironworks

of

the servants

saw

pond.

of

loud

during

travelling-

thirtyyards

noise, striking

verandah.

the

house, and
knocked

the

At

fireball

another

gardener was

house

fireball

side of the

other

the

at

small

with

the

of

distance

exploded

it

sparks from
same

the air for

through

Then

so.

or

verandah

the

Three

1897.

June,

they suddenly saw

when

storm,

in

fireball

sittingin

were

persons
a

of

appearance

cross

drop

into

but

not

over,

hurt.
March

On
at the

return,

made
he

as

road.
and

foot,

on

the

for

did

threw

him

see

the

over

of

ditch

darkened

over,

the

telegraph poles along

ball

so

his

On

avoiding,
dwelling-place,

nearest

the

neighbouring

patient.

sky suddenly

so,

Suddenly

to the

went

Linden, by railway,to

he

that

of surgery
Dandois, professor

M.

Universityof Louvain,
of

town

6, 1894,

fire
into

against

came

field,where

him

he

lay

unconscious.
A

quarter

senses

and

of

finding
in

numbness

himself
and

arm

one

later, having regained

hour

an

undamaged
one

leg,the

again, congratulatinghimself

on

umbrella

of

had

conductor,

acted

for

the

as

steels

sort
were

signsof having

borne

handle

steel also, the

been

of

the brunt

all

the

save

doctor
fact

his

for
set

that

out

his

portable lightning
twisted, and

of the

fray.

electric current

showed

Had

the
would

70

THUNDER

have

down

it into

another

occasion

run

LIGHTNING

AND

killed

his hand, doubtless, and

him.
On

it

house, pushed

into

sight

of

bolted

from

the

room.

work

the

near

of

forehead,

slight weal

couple

sempstress,

received

the

about
a

window,

size

small

of

half

inches

of

cook

strange visitor, the

this

the

who

at

on

her

burn

franc, with

long

like the

made

its way

"

was

tail of

comet.

After

somewhat

is

seven

instance

an

storm

of

It

directed

together

knees.

two

or

three

its

made

saw

ground-floor
fireball

seems,

in

its exit from

her
the

of

her

as

big

girl

young

life,had

fallen

shoes, it rebounded

her
to

her

to

again, and

feet

so

of
on

the
on

the girl
mysterious regularity,

times, with

slightcramp

the

towards

course

down

came

experiencing,it

Marseilles,when

in their midst.

Touching

ceiling,then

"

in

country house,

eighteen,who, frightenedout
her

still

raging near

was

plate appear

the

of soot, smelling

mass

curious

more

seated

persons,

drawing-room
as

up

sulphur.

violent

it removed

which

of

Here

fireball

bursting,the

chimney,from

its way

made

the kitchen.
At

and

violently
open,

of

the door

fireball fell upon

other

no

sensation

than

.legs. Eventually
room

through

that

the

keyhole!

of

fireball

71

FIREBALLS
The
For

girlcould

not

fortnightor

and
assistance,

it

sudden

suddenlyto

fall.

It is

two

less understood

which

of the entire
as

the

to

been

by

call the sun,

we

able

life of

and

analyseits

to

its dimensions, its

legs,causing

her

that

diminutive

If

sun's

weight, its

flowering

least

spots, at

distance

globe

still in doubt

elements.

own

breathe,

we

the

are

we

balls,
fire-

enormous

is due

to which

without

got

atmosphere

planet.

our

she

gone.

over

these

than

us

of the

nature

her

in

actual

the

walk

not

before

years

reflect that

produced by

after it had

once

could

weakness

to

strange

at

up

she

so

was

to
liability

are

get

And

from

have

we

know

we

its rate

us,

of rotation, etc., etc.

the

from

electric

these

Yet

clouds

spheres that

in times

of

make

storm, baffle

their escape

tions
investiga-

our

altogether.

According
have

been

upon
In

at

of
and

move

the

in colour.

the

of

the

It seemed

apparentlyfrom

the

mouth

balls
fire-

existence
of

well,

church.

of

Fosdinaro,

rain, there

ground

into

come

Carrara, in the

heavy downpour

authentic,

seem

at
ceiling,

chateau

Massa

suddenly upon
blue

of

flagstonesof

the

1713,

which

actuallyto

seen

the surface

upon
and

records

to

to
one

very

of

course

was

vivid

flare

in the

seen

to

bourhood
neigh-

storm

appeal-

flame,white

but
fiercely,

spot, and

after

did

and
not

growing

72

THUNDER
volume

quicklyin
with

several
stood

its

his

of

nave

three
of

twelve

after

floor.

moved

having

the

the

fireball.

It

from

of the

the

one

surface

of which

of
pillars

the

air about

to

height
Then,

of

the road

the

part subsided.

that

another

fireball emerge

some

itself with
without

years

doing

it hit

before

crash
any

town

No

from

work
wood-

the

last with

an

was

and

to

to

she

had
same

against the

hurt.
seen

spot
summit

by

emerge

along

move

against this
was

damage.

seen

in

out

struck

was

one

the

broke

storm

convent

until

still

cannon."

violent

of

sewers

of

almost

the

storm.

side, while

one

great size,and

affirmed

tower

of

tower

of

was

of

in

the

two

rose

disappeared at

report

the

to

height

it

July 21, 1745,

and

yards

the

organ,

explosionlike

Boulogne,

floatingin

Presentlyit

some

risingdiagonallyto

On

between

saw

be

to

during

Dijon

flame

red

the

happened

"

three in

about

fifteen feet,increasingin volume.

or

of

crash

sudden

was

July,at

at

tells us,

bright

feet above

of

Michel

St.

there

Richard

Abbe

he
Suddenly,""

the

2nd

the

on

afternoon, the
church

and

he

which

ceilingunder

ordinarythunderclap.

an

1750,

the

curious

moving upwards

his shoulder,

head,

felt

the observers

of

plasterfrom

fell upon

In

LIGHTNING

ously
suddenlydisappeared. Simultane-

going, one

bits of

quite unlike

"

it

ticklingbehind

of

sort

AND

tower,
A

nun

just such
and

cipitate
pre-

of the

74

THUNDER

AND

fireball about

saw

the

direction

instead

of

of

the

LIGHTNING

size of

dung-heap

an

going right into it,it stopped

off, and

changing

keeping

the

its route, it went

level

same

suddenly seemed

for

sudden

characteristic
The

himself

behind

from

loose

it
rose

strangely

are

seen,

Lalande

villageof

country
in

de
one

organizing

suddenly

he

bright and

looked

he

broken

by

angle,

an

clouds.

the

half-pastten, engaged

surrounded

yard

again, and

traversing the

was

But

of fireballs.

surveillance, when

de

Astonished,

found

penetrating light.

him, and

saw

fireball,

cloud, descending quicklyto

ground.
lightvanished

The
towards
he

have

we

of the

Champetre

about

garde

the

habits

(Gironde)

evening

just

of the

Garde

Libourne

changes,as

about

off at

mind

its

change

to

him.

distance, when

some

till it disappearedin
perpendicularly
These

from

far

not

in

moving

orange

had

At

seemed
the

weaker, and
cut

down

itself into
to

then

down, and
the

it

centre

sheaf

electric

emit

of

end

yards,he

from

quarter of

of

to

found
a

an

that

distance

every

tree

and

point

of

sparks.

disappeared.
was

rays,

another

saw

top of

the

his way

falling. When

be

to

hundred

two

light breaking out

spreading
which

about

gone

brilliant

fireball seemed

the

where

made

he

but
presently,

hour
The
the

the
tree

lightbecame

was

afterwards

lightninghad

of three

yards,and

gone
had

75

FIREBALLS
then

passed down

semi-circular
the

opposite side

tearing off

of the

tree

to

for

Fireballs
land.

Louis

the

zenith

the

"

He

saw

at

the

fireball leave
much

another.

It

one

atmosphere.

in

seven

very

sky being

the

evening,
cloud

at

the

lowering at
of

was

reddish-

ground

the

lightingup
extremelybrilliant,

able

was

minute, and
cloud.

There

After

was

of

the

disappear into

explosion

an

firingoff

followed

which

broke

above

the

horizon.

glidingfrom

the

higher

out

dull

Wakeclouds

only two

of the

distance.
near

Balls

least
second

by

in the

cannon

1, 1774, there remained

sky,just

observed

it

saw

for at

its movements

violent storm

March

on

to follow

then

like the

in the

from

brightradiance.

field

frontiers of cloud-

the

high regionsof

towards

go

yellow and

sound

in the

of

degree

passingsometimes

seen

Ordinaire

and

with

within

keep

and

half afterwards.

September 22, 1813,

M.

"

and

be

may

to another

On

time

often

They

cloud

hour

an

on

yards,

inch

an

certain

disappeared.

small hole, about

quarter in diameter, retained

warmth

four

height of

stripsof bark, had

narrow

the foot of the tree

At
a

two

after risingagain
finally,

and

route;

soil,leaving trace of

to the

outside

of

fire

were

two

into

the

Alps,

the

lower, like fallingstars.

In
instance

high
"

you

mountainous
may

often

districts
look

down

"

in
from

above

for

upon

76

THUNDER
It is

storm.

spectacleof
of
a

Pere

the

elements
du

It

was

taking
came

the

The

air

pen

such

direction

were

few

not

as

of

to

about
fireballs,

two

When

the
mist

men

so

grew

and

cold

the

downwards.

flying in

them, revolving as they went,

lit up.

quite small

some

"

to

point

feet

two

fireballs

of the

grow

Drops

terrifying,but

of

sea

zigzag,some

they proceeded

all sizes

this

vast

the bridles of their horses.

saffron

seeming

down

continually
by lightning

clouds, the

of

but

clouds.

midst

all round

moments.

passed. Up

Cantal,

of

warm,

gradually more

became

first appearance,

his

making

was

the mountain,

hardly see

colour, like
were

three

about

summit

very

fireballs.

in the

every

They

of

dense

more

in

of

region

could

they

reddish

and

furrowed

were

this

they

the

in wavelike

shape

Now

but

the

strikingpictureof

going quite straight,some

near

from

traveller

calm

was

clouds

darkness

in

Here

grandiose

guide.

out

flashes,some

"

the

September, 1716,

from

the middle

stretched
These

of

Vic

weather
about

below,

"

is

towards

"The

thick

watch

war.

afternoon.

accompanied by

"

Fesch

the 2nd

on

down

mist

at

to

"

o'clock in the
way

LIGHTNING

thus
fascinating

Lozeran

scene
"

AND

the

of

immensely
rain

sight had

when

been

they
curious

of

diameter, burst

open

now,

their

in volume

one

suddenly
in

fell

on

these
near

77

FIREBALLS

lightin

beautiful

report followed

polluted.

in
of

by

and

After

bright and

there

crash.

The

air all round

the

was

dull

two

men

seemed

them

of

two, however, all trace

or

and they proceeded

dissipated,

been

way."

their

6,

On

January

the

afternoon,

two

direction,and

minute

of

streams

tremendous

explosionhad

the
on

every

shaken

much

were

emitted

and

traveller

the

hurting them
giving them

in

left

It

traces

no

bluish

heads

the

out
light,with-

damaging their clothes,but

even

or

momentary

above

fireball burst

six

about

Merlan,

near

enveloping them

men,

battery.

1850,

thrill
of

any

electric

from

an

kind,

not

as

even

smell.
G.

Mr.

M.

witnessed

at Karachi

room

one

day

from

door

to

shut

the

wounded

from

one

Two

felt a

of

hair

sulphur.

were

In the

burning.
next

room

and

the

in

drawing-

went

in the

saw

there

one

There
there

arm

was

were

being

the size of

was

the

the

air and
a

terrible

slightly

spectators were
on

to

door

the

as

of fire of about

sharp pain

face, the other, a sensation

if his

he

he

taking refuge

were

well

as

time

same

in his

his chair

Returning,

the

thunder.

While

friends who

friends,a ball
At

rose

time.

his

moon.

clap of

he

two

which

instance

an

in Scinde.

it,the windows

open

between
full

with

storm,

at

records

Ryan

left side of the

with
a

feelingas

strong
two

smell

rifles in

of
a

78

THUNDER

one

case;

there

muzzle

hole

leant
wall

same

On

wall

the

against it,and

in

the

at

there

violent

storm

raging

people who

there

On

head,

four

an

Sutton,

Eight people
when

people were

of

the

midst

its

on

of

after

they

eleven
the

ball

of

the

of
heard

was

disappeared
case.
stair-

great

the

house

of

Newcastle-on-Tyne.
in

tea

the

None

way.

electric

the

drawing-room

knocked

thunder

clap

de

was

fire about

explosion

far from

not

there

of the

fireball struck

Baron

quietly crossed

in front

having

were

violent

which

the

door

open

David

in the

awful

An

August 3, 1809,

Mr.

in the

country.

people

when

moment

through

appeared

injured.

were

the

several

chateau

the

over

infant's

touching

them

holes

two

were

and

the

point where

there, a globe of blue

were

an

room,

in the

room

Suddenly

of

broken,

was

when
Maintenay (Pas-de-Calais),

at

other

Sunday, August 19, 1900,

France

at

the

story higher.

assembled

size

in

LIGHTNING

but

intact

was

was

AND

down

the

chimney.
Immediately
door

itself in the
It remained

thunderer.

No

on

the
opposite the fireplace,

announced

the

saw

room,
one

no

making

doubt
a

move,

brilliant
voice

sonorous

discreetlyat

waiting
it

came

ground,

the

for

the

into

visitor
of

the

at

the

which

Jupiter the
entrance

sign to

of

advance.

the middle

of the

79

FIREBALLS
and

room,

grains like
The

burst

there

with

crash, throwing out

aeroliths.
have

spectaclemust

been

magnificent but,
"

On

September 27, 1772,

fireball crossed

hospitalfull
the

over

of

and

drowned

and

went

it

"

voluminous

the

and

children.

merciful

was

Besanfon,

at

corn-shop

nurses

lightning

children,and

ward

This

regard for

same

spared

She

occupied in

was

fireball

chimney,
and

between

pass

continue

its

on

size

the

kitchen

the

after

familymeal, when,

German

Doubs.

feet

her

clap

of

woman.

upsettingthe spinning-wheeland

thunder,

hurting her,

burning

other

she

the

down

come

without

without

course

it showed

peasant

fist

and

superintending the

terrible
of

again

nurses

itself in the

honest

an

of

time

Nearly thirty years before, in July, 1744,

saw

we

acknowledge,rather disquieting.

must

the

fiery

or

objectson

even

the

floor.
Much
she threw
the

the
frightened,

young

herself towards

the

fireball at

feet, went
doors,

into

crossed

door

followed

once

the

next

it, and

tried to escape

woman

and

opened it,when

her, played about

which

room,

through

the

out-of-

opened
door

her

into

the

yard.
It went

round

door, climbed
of

the

the

roof, burst

the

yard,entered

wall
with

barn

by

an

open

opposite,and reaching the edge

such

terrific noise

that

the

THUNDER

80

fainted.

peasant

woman

and

reduced

was

AND

Towards

LIGHTNING

barn

The

middle

the

of the

her

at

this moment

in

to

the

when

window,
the

flames, which
had

at

and

was

her

like

it

this curious

from

There

are

1777,

many

point of

the

Padua.

The

chain,

was

However,

The

body.

kitchen, the

of small
door

pileof

than

this

take

to
a

of

mossy

attempt

malignant

fury againstlightning

quietlyimpaling itself

breathing its

and
struggles,

of

cases

without

fireball shot

last

like

sigh in

forth victorious

comes

fireballs

conductor,
broken
on

at

from

the

which

its

playingabout

the

being caught.

lightningconductor

it sent

sister's

contest.

lightningconductors
In

of

lightning,and

prolonged roar,

fireball

his

to

her

turned

quantity

damage

pleasure in hurling itself

linear

back

was

easilyextinguished.

was

instead

by lightning.

years,

saw

on

set fire to

seems

but

her

over

feet

fireball

all

the

further

no

Occasionallya

the

fire

on

brother

shock

opened,and

been

had

descend

towards

incendiarism, which

conductors

set

was

young

at

saw

went

There

wood.

her

sudden

girl then

which

3,

and

room

window-sill

back, giving her

young

last century, March

guardian'sdaughter,aged twenty

The

by

fire

once

to cinders.

1835, the steepleof Crailsheim

enter

took

at

the
on

clouds
the

discharge.

the

Observatoryof

consisted

junction

to

on

with

of

an

the

iron
stem.

Paris, made

Looking

the

in

from

coming

in

zenith.

dazzling than

the

summit

be

about

middle

the

seconds

to

of

cover

by lightningtwice

be noted

is to

the

not

enormous

for the

rods, effectual

incapable,one

attractive
Here

struck
with

are

then

or

100

than

two

yards.

Then

ascertained,

actuallybeen

struck

of

did

meteor

the

not

follow

not

whole

tower

imaginable?

iron

attraction

used
of

in

the thin

Would

its

struction
con-

metallic

protectionof ordinarybuildings,

would

cases

some

situated

think, of competing

where

metallic

with

framework

the
?

globular lightninghas

telegraph wires,which

it has

followed

docility.
Several

on

the

of this immense

force

bells

that

the

be

previousday.

masses

neutralize

but

it had

appeared

less

observer

the

powerfulconductor

itself the most

ball,
fire-

It

to

taking

but, after all,is

conductor;

the

platform.

day

the

lightning

moment

of about

that

he

Tower,

white

by

same

tower,

next

on

Eiffel

diameter, and

in

distance

visitingthe tower,

It

second

the

disappeared. The

on

the

lightning,slowly descended

the

yard

the

At

to the

one

the

of

edifice struck

less

from
to

direction

of the
the

from

observation

Champs Elyse'es.

the

the summit

saw

LIGHTNING

followingcurious

the

Rond-point of

it

AND

THUNDER

82

times

it has

telegraph wire

been

near

quietlydisappeared.

like

bird

and
railway-station,

has

seen

poised

THE

Photograph

taken

KIFFKL

June

TOWKK

AS

COLOSSAL

3, 1902, at 9.20 p.m.,

ile la Societe

LIGHTNING

by M.

Astronomique"le France

G. Loppe.

CONDUCTOR.

Published

(May, 1905).

in the Bulletin
82.
[_f'affe

FIREBALLS
We

he

metals,

to

nor

must

get

but

an

But

we

earlywho

up

alone

catch

the

of

laws

if

that

try

which

of the

cause

ceasing;
but

solution

the

producing
When

is

Our

still

are

ignorance

in

the

silence of
science

fireballs

complicated,

wanting.

recorded

ficially,
arti-

and

its

Some

years

ago,

M.

interestingexperiment,

an

moving globular spark.

two

very
in

points,each

fine and

with
affinity

electro-static

machine,

sensitive

of

face

points being
an

point,while

is

the

one

of

the

is

poles of

perpendicularlyon

placed
10

to

effluvium
at

rest

highly polished metallic

gelatine bromide

plate,which

other,

we

difficulties.

not

Leduc

Stephane

it.

reproduce

to

enormous

Hypotheses are

is because

enigma

problem

presents

rule.

no

physicians question

try

we

snare.

spheroidal lightning

guide

the

laboratories, where

without

mystery.

discover

to

it in

acknowledges

confess

must

is the

We

the

would

it

"

points,

to

prefers its independence,and

it
capricious,
particularly

ignorant

two

absolutelyinimical

it

anarchist

It is

seems

the

it is not

that

see

83

on

of
a

metallic

centimetres

negative point

the

round

produced
a

silver

the

luminous

an

the

graphic
photoleaf,the

one

from

positive
globule

is formed.
When
you

can

this
see

globule
it detach

has

reached

itself from

the

sufficient size,

point, which

84

to

ceases

the

on

the
is

luminous, begin

plate,make

extinguished,all
machine

acts

few

to

and

it reaches

luminous

then

off for

set

this,the effluvium

phenomenon

if its two

as

slowly

forward

move

curves,

when

positivepoint ;

the
a

be

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

poles

and

ceases,

united

were

by

conductor.
The

is very
cover

speed

with

slight.

It

before
into

reaching

two

continue

positivepoint,

followed

route

the
effluvium

by

round

experiment before

the

positivepoint, the
that

to

The

during

makes

journey

you

"

be marked
luminous

by

line

the

if you

stop

globule

photograph will only give

at

the

of

the

its

course

were

to

throw

the

course

"

little

If

conductor.

powder

on

it followed

looking
aigrettes,

the
will

like

rosary.
all the

Of

plosion,
ex-

division, the

the

of

of

point

it

on

point.

globule
its

arrival

the

plate sulphur,for example

most

will find traced

positivepoint. Also,

the

the

route

individually

positivepoint.

resulting from

routes

bursts

globe

the

globule, the

the

to

Sometimes,

globules,which
the

moves

minutes

centimetres.

journey towards

their

globe

four

to

one

developingthe plate,you

On

the

the

to

luminous

more

or

luminous

the

from

takes
of

distance

which

known

electric

phenomena,

this

is the

analogous with globularlightning.

But

the

really complicated part

of

the

question

PHOTOGRAPH

OF

THE

POSITIVE

POLE

OP

AX

ELECTRIC

SPARK.

[Page

84.

85

FIREBALLS

lightning loses part

ball

is when
becomes

semi-solid

instance

April 24, 1887,

wire

of the

welded

the

on

in

who

without

the

its hind

on

ran

The

size

of

Telegraphs

the

the

The

the

of

house.

nuts,"
at

"

Some

like coke.

near

it

then

disappeared
raised

cow

and
bellowing,
of

his

its

wits, but

these

Minister

Academy,
a

that

was

stones

of

the

"are

greyish-white,

fingers,giving forth
The

cow

lightningcrossed

incandescent

wrote

the

material, of

sulphur.

door

came

terrified

frantic

sections

the

by

animal, and

frightened out

when

neighbouring

by

legs of

forge ;

their

that

done.

great quantity

thick

milk

preparing to

distance

fireball,and

graph
tele-

the

of

and

inexplicablephenomenon

precisemoment

the

of

legs with

harm

no

was

Mortree

calcinated

lightningentered

form

away,

for

fire

bent

'were

The

the

so

the

causing any damage.

master

under

ones

was

passed between

there

following

over

Argentan

to

pieces were

been

together.

person

itself

The

longer

stable

burst

storm

route

have

they might

the

lightning literally
chopped

the

yards.

150

of

in

as

fluidityand

"

(Orne), and

some

its

On

of

body,

of

others, which

the

and

fragments,

of

Post

and

not

very

easilybroken

characteristic
are

stable,

fell before

of
of

the

at

smaller, are

odour

of

exactly

THUNDER

86

would

"It

the

by
like

the

another
and

the

get

to

short

only by

thunderclaps were

intervals.

have

to

burst

storms.

They

have

ceded
pre-

quickly

succeeded

fell in

one

abundance,

of disbelief that

the

us

of

seen

not

that

low."

very

tell

to

peasants

pretend

was

and

Hail

semblance

here,

say

ordinary muttering, they

temperature

It is

useful

discharge of musketry,
at

the

the

storm

LIGHTNING

be

perhaps

this

during

AND

stories

fall of

the

christened

of

one

can

what

aeroliths

the uranoliths

they
during

thunder-

"

stones.1'
These

substances

uranoliths,

but

they

ponderable

matter

Here

two

more

month

of

In

are

the

Sotteville

sky,the

in

the

fall

burned

these

twenty,
on

no

one

trace
On

August, 1885,

and
of
on

them,
the

August

of

the

the

ning.
light-

common

pea,
the

People

over

furrowed

the

rain fell in torrents.

fresh

were

small

seen

to

ground, sending

counted

spectators,on

produced

burst

storm

Corneille, several

touching

flame.

of

one

Pierre

on

little violet

that

"

size

the

fall of

to

examples

Rue

balls,about

out

the

accompany

muttered, and

thunder

less

the

none

prove

may

relation

evidently no

(Seine-Inferieure)
; lightning

Suddenly,

have

than

more

putting
flame.

her

They

foot

left

ground.
25,

1880,

in

Paris, during

rather

87

FIREBALLS
violent
the

in

storm,

broad

Institute,saw

and
yellowish-white,

apparently 35
25

body

seemed

and

"

under

this

the

the

is

light did

trail

luminous
it

and
falling,

point
it

When

the

out

noise

division,no

the

their
the

in the further

substance

divided

after,when
of

tops
at

the

could

of which

it

in
was

houses.

the

of

moment

heard, although the

was

heavy

It left

gravity.

soon

in

dropped

fallingsubstance

small

and
disappearing,

was

"

edges

the

reaching

it

point

globules,because

red

The

lightwent
of

of

it

cloud, but

vertical,while

almost

sinuous.

was

the

was

influence

Near

seconds

few

like
vertically

it,at the

flash.

not

for

chief

fell

rather

sparks,or

seen

on

sole

light behind

trail of

part

about

length,by

re-enter

little substance, which

body

cloud

the
was

far away.

not

fact

This

incontestablyproves

ponderable matter
projectedby
by

visible

only

was

disappear and

to

departing

be

in

centimetres

shape, being

in

long

body,

conical ends.
width, with slightly

in

This

Trecul, of

A.

brilliant voluminous

very

rather

40

to

daylight,M.

an

in

clouds, which

explosionin

the

presence

is not

the bolis,nor

of

violently

accompanied

noisy electric discharge.

We

are

problem
Instead

still far from

of the formation
of

denying it, men

understanding the interesting

and

nature

of science

of ball

ought

lightning.
to

study

88

it,
of

THUNDER

because

the

We

are

The

it

is

certainly
of

curiosities

must

begin

extraordinary
theories

LIGHTNING

AND

will

of

one

finding

enough
follow.

out

to

remarkable

most

electricity.

atmospheric
by

the

the

captivate

facts,

exact

our

which

attention.

CHAPTER

earth

legend

Eastern

fearful

feel

we

that

are,

with

this

they

made

actions

the

sovereignty
modest

of

ball

rules

most

force, and

the

could

of

above

slowly
towards

lightning

in

the

limited,
89

imaginable
un-

comparison
wise

for

over

the
and

our

imagination.
in

present
and

when

splendour

empire

an

centuries
At

in

were

His

man's

over

progress.
is

an

responsible

such

all,

follows

ancients

alone

exercise

But

mystery.
power,

beings

Gods

the

He

itself

hides

us.

puny

King

"

impenetrable

fact, but

lightning.

planet

Science
march

in

lightning

immeasurable

an

which

magic

of

is

there

force
We

of

darkness

the

in

of

brilliancy

the

to-day

us

the

conflagrations.

electric

Even

any

immaterial

by

us

the

than

whose

before

is

skirts

world

ocean,

form

every

wonderful

more

constantly brought

is

presence

invisible

and

unknown

an

"

in

lightning

world,

enchanted

an

"

from

formidable

immense.

of

work

destructive

THE

MANKIND

ON

LIGHTNING

OF

EFFECTS

THE

we

their

our

have

ing
ascend-

knowledge

only

the

90

THUNDER

principalfacts
of the
In

of

nature

those

which

arrive

at

analogous,

are

and

imponderable fluid.

of

discoveringwhat

it will strike
there

it will

itself as
will

It

burn

material

far

the

man

dead

without

in

leaving
and

sinuate
in-

leave

the

Sometimes

intact.

grazing it.

even

garment, and

it

by its dazzlinglight

and

leave

external

no

to

help

to

clothes

the

caused

person,

with

but

govern

made

it is

if not

this subtle

laws

skin without

the

the bewilderment

inanimate,

hope,

may

only attack

lining of

entirelyundress

to

as

which

of

by
profits

we

comparing

in

conclusion, at least

immediate

an

work

tion
elucida-

the

to

observations, and

the

trace

contribute

to

problem.

increasingour

Here

LIGHTNING

AND

wound,

and

naked

him

not

even

scratch.
find

We

stories

fantastic

and

is

of

and

devil in olden

being

able

It would
medium

to

than

days.

We

determine

between

as

the

play with

jests would

seem

and

supreme

to

seems

if

the

facts.

lightningremind

Hoffmann

lightningremains

its crimes

of

wonderful

more

Thunder

as
peculiarities

many

of the actions

Some

nature

as

cause

to

man,

phantasmagoria.

ignorance of

been

ascribed

the

which

lightningwere
unconscious

Poe, but

imagination of

the

submit

the

Edgar

in its

have

of the

one

force

man

to

the

effects without

directs them.
subtle
which

being
"

lives in

92

THUNDER
The

AND

visitations of

LIGHTNING

are
lightning

naturallybe impossibleto

would

this small

We

collection.
here

them, but

the thousands

of tours

de

selection

The
a

good

very

many

the

is

the

those

take

we

which

it

means

examples

with

those of which

important

"

which

will group

We

tain
con-

together

present points of resemblance.

approximate classification will give us

This

and

incontestable,and

which

them

among

among

plished
dexterityaccom-

of curious

precisedetails.

most

of

difficult,
as

very

most

authenticity
appears
the

all in

observations.
interesting

will choose

We

them

great difficulty.
Among

should

largenumber

leavingout

describe

force and

by lightning,which
leave ?

that it

numerous

must, therefore,choose

encounter

we

so

of this

complete picturefor the harmony

sufficiently

study.

*****

of the

One

certainlythat
he

in which

of

leavingthe

victim

of

in the

lightningis

very

attitude

surprisedby death.

was

gives

Cardan

astonishingactions

most

extraordinaryexample

an

of

this

kind.
the

In
were

of

course

taking

their

of

noise

of which

meal

by

them,

eight

violent storm,

could

the
be

under
same

heard

the

passers-byapproached to

the

reapers

thus

an

oak,

flash
a

see

eight reapers, who

were

of

long
what

struck,all

lightning,the

way
had

off.

When

happened,

suddenlypetrifiedby death, appeared

to

continuing their peacefulmeal.

be

glass,another

carrying the bread

was

third

had

hand

them

all in the

his

his

to

seized

when

they occupied

positionwhich

his

mouth,
had

Death

dish.

the

on

held

One

the

explosionoccurred.

Here

similar

of many

hear

We

is

of

one

by lightning in

found

after

storm

at

she

July 16, 1866;

on

back

the

found
head

been

her

kneeling

buried

in her

child

Her

fields, they found

had

woman

young

of four

Quite

she

people were

felt

great

thunder.
to
not

months, who

was

the

of

corner

had

The
go.
move.

May

certain

sight.

came

The

with

room

of

trace

no

her

wound.

in the

in bed

gathered

Moreau,
of

same

making
round

in

been

alone

remained

struck

by

grocer's

fireplace.They
violent

at

purchases.

having passed,every

Moreau

had

lived

who

some

the

Charolles

at

storm

following

sensation

She

end

been

movement

Mile.

1904,

24,

Mile.

for the

had

Several
a

parents

the

by lightning. They

she

waiting

was

where

shop

hands

recently, on

(Saone-et-Loire),
Lesmes,

in

killed

house

outside

sad

the

only lightlytouched.

was

room,

her

was

violent

in

(Loire), and

fearfully. When

rolled

from

alone

was

she

which

during

was

was

Saint-Romain-les-Atheux

thunder

did

It

doubt

no

position in

the

accident.

the

who

woman

young

struck

this.

to

cases

the

clap
one

of

pared
pre-

seated, and
fluid,which

THUNDER

94
had

made

hole

LIGHTNING

AND

under

her

and

right ear

by

out

come

the left !
The

rapid

that

horseback

place of

the

According
the
of

Troyes

been

been

struck

coming

was

he

home

him

he found

he

The

brother
that

been

dead
had

been
At

seated

the

under

of

Seminary
he

was

him,

asleepwhen

was

awaken

to

him,

remarkable

is very

Mahon

sailors who

were

burned

in the

or

thrown

either

approach
nut

the bodies

the

into

the water
in the

at

yards

scattered

on

twinkling of
;

others, bent

positionthey

the accident.

corpses

on

struck

was

dispersed over

yard-arm, remained

found

the

he

end

followed

who

tried

Port

were

killed

occupiedbefore
Often

have

he

at

Fifteen

were

the

across

from

"

crew

were

Some

eye.

was

the

sails.

bowsprit

the

struck

when

furl the

mained
re-

way

when

specialattitudes preservedby

vessel which

the time

so

dead.

was

of the
had

When

of the

horseback

on

followingobservation

account

which

reeling.

have

the

Richard, towards

by lightning. A

saw

long

is

being unsaddled.

without

Abbe

fluid

electric

carried

perceiving this,thought

not

an

have

and

accident
to

the

eighteenth century, the procurator

struck

to

who

horsemen

on

the

of

petrifyingaction

of

people

who

have

been

struck

sittingor standing.
of
tree

storm

which

was

vine-dresser

planted

near

was

hedge :

thunder

the

and

called

and
did

reply;

not

him

to

to

going

on

hedge,
back

go

had

he

but

work,

to

ting,
sit-

him

saw

him

him, they found

to

up

raining

sisters,who

two

the

under

shelter

taking

been

quiet, his

was

ceased

it had

afterwards, when

soon

95

MANKIND

ON

LIGHTNING

OF

EFFECTS

dead.

neighbourhood of Asti, a priestwho

In 1853, in the

struck while

was

In

the
a

1698,

his

ship,with
a

natural

suffered

found

was

attitude

Boudin

woman

was

plucking a

bent
slightly
to

struck

with

understand

body
the

how

without

its

of

falling.This

equilibrium. But

with
may

which

we

are

with

Thus

the

the

Prince

soldiers

were

such

He

had

hand.

to

It

remain

prevent

all the

to

fantastic
is

of

act

could

support

agent

laws

that

as

surprising
"

we

"

August 2, 1862, lightningstruck

pavilionof

in

standing,only

contradiction
such

the

body

dealing,nothing

expect anything.
On

when

is

case

in

still in her

human

standing, slightlybent,

alive.

found

flower
a

body

was

was

of the

surprisingcase.

more

she

bow

internal.

or

still

while

The

and

whole

in

daybreak

At

to be

external

describes

poppy.

the

he seemed

that

injury either

no

Dr.

is hard

and

open

o'clock

four

at the

dead

sittingstone

eyes

place.

Saint-Pierre.

far from

not

in his

struck at about

ship was

morning,

sailor

dining remained

barracks

Eugene
going

to

bed.

the

entrance

in

Paris

just

All

those

who

THUNDER

96

and

those

sudden

so

the

that

expression. No
in

transition
and

mouth

When
is

the

by

of

when

But

celestial fire

we

"

find that

garments

but

At
a

All

storm,

the

they

same,

the

the

soldiers took

struck

all three

electric fluid

storm

without

some

This

at

the

their

had

Thus

clothes

answer,

not

at

unique,and

heap
even

After

to them

to

up

their

touched

been

went

blow.

one

them, spoke

and

of

under

intact

were

"

middle

shelter

not

no

supreme

standing in

remained

they fell pulverizedinto

experienceis

to

presents

in the

all dead

them

passers-bynoticed

receivingan

them, when

mummified

body

it had

as
originalpositions
though they

by

of

statues

touching them

(Aisne)in 1838,

Lightning

tree.

these

ashes.

attitude

three

eyes

illusion

the
preserved,

surprisedon

watching.

entirelyburnt, consumed.

Vic-sur-Aisne

violent

lime

it is

The

of

state

intact, the

are

reveals

vital fire,
now

with

to

it keeps the
difference,

moment,

in

sad

assume

death.

approach

we

are

they crumble

The

life and

serve
pre-

catastrophe

muscles

the

flesh is

the

to

dead

They

The

time

of

though

as

open

struck

victims

life.

no

of

latelyanimated

so

"

has

passage

colour

complete.

face

contraction

are

the

flesh

of

ground.

the

on

fulgurantforce.

deceptiveappearance

is

the

disfiguredby

not

thrown

standing were

were

preceding examples the

the

In
are

who

standing,

themselves

suddenly found

lying down

were

LIGHTNING

AND

touch

of ashes.
the

ancients

EFFECTS

OF

remarked

that

people who

crumbled

struck

were

97

MANKIND

ON

LIGHTNING

to

dust.
is a similar case,

Here
On

13, 1893,

June

Desmazes, seeingthat
his beasts and
When

he

His
a

Rodez,

at
storm

shepherd named

collected
threatening,

was

just there, he

which

"

struck

was

farm.

the

quickly towards

them

drove

was

body,

less curious

no

by lightning.

incinerated,preserved
completely

was

natural appearance.
It is

completeincineration

this

by

volatilization of

attributes the

Legend
to

similar

founder

of

the

near

in

that

From

probable

certain authors

plain
ex-

who

of those

some

of Romulus

mysteriousdeath

illustrious

According to Livy,the

cause.

Rome

reviewinghis

was

of

marsh

by
king

the

struck.

been

have

that

disappearanceof

sudden

the

cinders

the

and

Capra.

violent
cloud

Suddenly

claps of

so

Romulus

moment

storm

thunder

thick that

it hid
was

in

army

plain

panied
accom-

enveloped
him

seen

from
no

the

sight.

more

on

earth.
It is true,

suspectedthe

Livy adds,

kings have

sometimes

on
surprises

the

In
more

most
or

less

of

senators

part

cases

severe.

that

having torn

been
of their

the

him

subject to

witnesses
to

pieces:

all kinds

of

courtiers."

"

electric matter

These,

the

of

some

when

produces burns

they do

not
H

attack

98
the

THUNDER
whole

organism

localized to certain

as

AND

LIGHTNING

in the

precedingexamples,are

parts of

Often

absolute

without

deep

into

fearful

In

are

burnt

young

soldier of the 27th

Battalion
the

mounting guard

was

in

month

the

surrounded
which

fell backwards

that

At

his feet rather

Malines,

by
splinters

the

of his customers
one

of

in

fire of

burnt
seriously

cheeks.

He

was

of the others
On

June

the
and

arms,

and

him,

to

ran

at

mill

of

point

the

metal

head,

the

blind for
in

about

to

two

of the accident.

killed,but
on

and

miller

The

was

reduced

was

the time

at

burned

19, 1903,

heaven.

men

in

deaf
was

awful

an

severely.

there

three

was

lightning,

by

the

by

Belgium,

were

the

of

it, and, gliding down, the

struck

It

sentinel,leaving his

The

fluid,attracted

the

Soda.

Suddenly he

1900.

screaming. People

bayonet, had
burnt

had

man

de

immediately succeeded

almost

was

"

of Chasseurs

Col

dazzling glare

the

by

at

July,

of

explosion of thunder.

One

most

by lightning.

armed,

was

the

sorts of burns

different

Pigallein Paris,

Rue

was

Not

after

death

cause

examples of

some

1865, in the

his eyes

had

epidermis.

the

suffering.

Here

saw

they

carbonization, they penetrate

flesh and

the

Sometimes

body.

only attack

and
quite superficial

are

the

the

chin

miller

and

the

twenty-four hours.

the hands.
six

in

the

evening,

100

THUNDER

people who
injury

AND

struck

are

remarked

ancients

without

leaving

wound

'burn

or

fright,like

air and

of

in

see

Lightning

"

mark

which

the

on

of the

some

The

cases

charming
them

bodies

its

dead

nor

their

from

escapes

In

ozone.

slightest

the

struck

their souls fled from

"

the

examination.

we

already spoken

have

We

as

any

bird

sign of

no

medical

this,

Plutarch

from

passage

show

minute

on

LIGHTNING

any

bodies

in

cage.'1

smell

of fulminated

there

is

than

more

that.

at

29, 1895, lightningstruck

June

On

Moulins

in

the

fluid, eccentric

It

of

bricks

the

broke

handle

which

of

floor,bricks
the

where

the

to

both

were

pipe

chimney,

outer

length

of

one

it broke

the

wooden

splinters.On

the

ground

and

loosened

the

of

The

storm.

projectedslightly.

roof, the

corn-loft

rake

house

stove

torn

into

went

out

the

near

wall

of

chimney-piece.
A

dozen

left of the
near

the

on

the

iron

an

the

loose and

were

tiles

inside

rafter, and

violent

usual, attacked

as

some

of

course

low

it at

hearth, and
the

warmed

her

legs

the

cupboard.

by
The

the

was

veritable

victims

cupboard
happened

explosion,said

burning

room

thick infected smoke,

Sometimes

the

who

woman

of the

time

in

broken

plateswere

are

air

which

afterwards

she
came

to

the
be

to

had

felt
from

filled with

poison.
nearly asphyxiatedby

EFFECTS

the fulminic
to

the

often

have

which

the

bodies

struck

been

generallysimilar
the

In

struck

been

had

skull

them.

on

smell

nauseous

"

burning sulphur.

of

the

in

her

Descubert

Champ

big

clothes gave

burnt

had

who

woman

perforatedas though

passed through it,and

people

of

clothes

the

forth

Montoulieu,

her

preservation

their

owe

August, 1879,

of

at

quarter, had

and

give

to that

month

only

is lavished

care

extreme

Very
who

effluvium,and

101

MANKIND

ON

LIGHTNING

OF

ball

forth

insupportableemanations.
Dr.

Minonzio

wounded
The

"I

came

from

were

struck

to

bodies

he

Austrian

the

stench

clothes of these

which

people who

offensive

nearly as

frigate
sensation

"the

says,

locality
by

and

stench

"

the

the

were

persons

that

as

of

sulphur mingled with empyreumaticaloil.11

One
of

the

in

three

board

remember,"

caused

was

burnt

how

by lightningon

Medee.

which

relates

of the

lightningon
scorch

is to

man

them,

good-natured effects

frequent and

most

or

his

shave

depilate

to

even

hair

and

beard,

the

whole

body.
Generallythe
he leaves

and

handful

escapes with
There

is

twenty who
without

victim

even

had

of hair
a

as

to the

ransom

lucky if

himself

consider

may

lightning,

fright.
a

her

perceivingit

case

hair
or

given
cut

as

feelingthe

of

girl of

young

though by
least shock.

razor,

102

THUNDER
On

struck
one

1885,

struck

were

deaf, and

crumbled

hairs

who

feet, rolled

Very

where
and

the

the

vicarii

ancillae

pilos

familiari olim

were.

observed

generalisde

domum

near

abraserit

Richard

has

Firmas

number

of

Nimes,

when

unconscious

of

of

man,

Here

woman.

places

certain

body

being

are

work, vol.
at

ut

"

pudendum

puellae
sibi

muliere

in

in

cadens

fulmen

Bartassius

described
has

people were

when

read

we

Montpellier:

Grassi

similar

described
assembled

experiences,

several
at

she

came

thrown
to

her

others

"

Mas-Lacoste,

lightningpenetratedto

girlof twenty-sixwas
;

ii. p. 45,

fuisse.11

factum

d'Hombres

the

on

apud Monspeliensesut

"Accidit

them

examples.

followingcase

and

the

to

incrusted

itself to

of

that

Sestier's learned

Toaldo

breast

the

hair, instead

the

damper

on
especially

Dr.

raised

leg.

body, limits
or

electric current

ridges from

injuryto

the

over

curious
In

of

eyebrows

struck

pellets,and

into

it is thicker

some

both

were

hairy,was

very

The

in

body

them

often

more

this, their clothes

to

been

Aix.

the calf of the

spread all

in

were

and

beard

addition

have

must

of his

deeply in

who

men

and

hair

In

by lightning near
the

two

the touch.

to

man,

LIGHTNING

by lightning. They

the

burnt.

were

7,

May

windmill

AND

over

senses,

where
and
she

they

became
could

herself

hardly support
pain

in the

with

her

sine

miratione

of

centre

her

pudendum

amicae

was

they

saw

alone
"

bulbum

non

labia

punctosque

rugosissimam ; ejusreferunt

cutim

barbatissimam

primum

imberbem

ad

usque

she

ruberrimum,

perustum

pilosdeficientes

inde
nigros pro pilis,

her, and

of

great deal

When

body.

friends, they examined

tumefacta

felt

walk, and

or

hoc

et

facto

semper

esse."
is indeed

Lightning

joker, but

it has

so

always

been.
In

the

most

system

is

either

wear

must

have

We

the

cases

go

bald.

already spoken

further

wig

or

Claubry,

nearly
the

for

destroyed
of

died

size of
We

metre

also

hear

struck, which

ever

curious

and
of

show

who

half

other

of

the
one

day by

his beard

never

shaved
He

again.

grew
his

of

case

swelled

head

to

in circumference.
of

corpses

no

it

victim

the

struck
had

malady,
a

back

was

Blois, and

globularlightning,near
off and

sometimes

again, but

grows

completely destroyed, and

Gaultier, of

Dr.

hair

people who

injury than

been

have

complete

or

partialepilation.
For

had

the

example, a
hair

who

woman

was

completely pulled out

struck

road

in the

of the

top

of

her

head.
On
was

July 25, 1900,

killed

while

in the

act

farm
of

servant,

loading

Pierre

waggon

Roux,
of

hay.

104

THUNDER

The

only

the

trace

completelyscorch
Now, here

without

to

his

Saumois.

body

were

the

skin

that

still

the

His

which

the

covered

broke

and

the

arm

over

the

the

the

epidermis

it.

belonging

house

leg,and

one

arm,

burnt,
of

curious, in which

lightningattacked

thunder

to

was

complete opposite of

more

hair

it

of its victim.

the

case

fantastic

Dampierre

M.

beard

and

burning

At

behind

lightningleft

the

is

preceding ones
capriciousand

LIGHTNING

AND

left side of

the

is

extraordinarything
burnt

was

leaving the

hair

where

the

intact.
little further

lightning has

on

shall have

we

proved salutary in

cases

forms

certain

of

illness.

Generally the
without

been

that
as

to

having

that
the

proved by

the
lose

sound.

on

when

recover

has

that

anything.
animated

and

so

ear

much

themselves,
to

them.

of

once

is easy

to

movement

so

than

paralyzedbefore

could

are

falls without

still more

are

so

tions
observa-

by lightning

This

by

light,and

thunder

the

them

happened

of

eye

struck

been

immediately

felt

or

The

lightning and

they

has

is
electricity

impression

what

fall at

great number

consciousness

quickerthan
of

who

man

heard,

seen,

believe, since
much

struck

are

struggle.

It has

so

people who

have

that

unable

made

the
to

an

victims,

explain

spot where

very

people struck
had

at the

But,

but

rarer,

several

preserved the

have

of the

moment

the other

on

Triel

catastrophe.

hand,

quote

can

we

last

This

examples,

some

these.

also struck

and
(Seine-et-Oise),
son.

the

positionsthey

exact

diametrically
opposed to

father and

on

Besides
where

cases

July 8, 1839, lightning struck

On

sink

struck.

been

have

they

alreadyremarked

have

this, we

105

MANKIND

ON

by lightningnearlyalways

struck

People
the

LIGHTNING

OF

EFFECTS

oak

an

two

near

quarrymen,

killed dead, raised,and

was

transportedtwenty-threeyards away.
The

surgeon

Brillouet

Chantilly,and

near

raised

was

August 18, 1884,

flung ten

was

been

struck

The

1900
"

the

years

lightningand

the

been.

he had

he had

which

under

tree

man

by lightning,
in the

was

in

papers

August,

:-

when

over

belongingto

cows

without
of

burst

which

storm

hurtinghim,

he

fiftyyards.

was

He

M.

region

man

of

struck,

twenty-three

He

was

walking to

up

again

without

was

neighbouring

suddenlycarried through
got

lightning

It also

Bouchere.

young

the

who
Robart, artilleryman,

Bernard

age,

that

During

20.

(Aude), August

Brousses-et-Villaret

taking a holiday.
farm

the

storm

(Belgium), a

Namur

at

from

followingnotice

killed two
but

yards

by

where

from

depositedtwenty-fivepaces
On

surprisedby

was

any

the

air for

hurt,

onlv

106

THUNDER

he

dazzled

was

before

his

received

the

the

was

the

been

seeing that

the

crossing the
Combes'1

M.

the
on

the
was

trousers

pain
were

knee, and

in the
torn

that

my

It

of

Saissac

when

had

the

p.m.

nearly

it still fell

during

house

very

being

dark, and
with

begin again

to

quick.

very
arrived

of thunder

was

I went

run.

in

was

front

of

suddenlyfelt myself stopped, and

explain how,

to

at the

astounded
where

rain

good deal

going

was

side

other

ground against the

knowing
severe

house,

during

about

at

The

storm.

Place, and

instant

same

been

to

being able

without

house

yards away.

violence, I started

me

three minutes, but

or

rain

to

absolutelytrue.

sleepingat home,

was

hundred

two

happened

uncle's

two

that the article

you

Brousses, Canton

at

had

inform

which

heavy

about

There

storm.

about

leave

verifythis fact,

to
"

the 17th, is

left my

little.

flashed

had

to

incident

on

stopped for
a

victim

the honour

had

There

the

to

on
lightning,

(Aude).

lightningwhich

the

followinganswer

I have

"I

LIGHTNING

eyes."

relatingto
the

by

writing

On

"

AND

wall

waited

was.

When

hands

that
were

the

myself in
Place, lying

of M.

Maistre's

good

minute

right knee, and

and

of

found

got
I

I had

home

house.

without
I

felt

perceivedthat
a

big

scar

on

slightlyscorched.

my
my
It

(Eure),lightningstruck
holding

was

of the

be taken

"Although

killed.

limbs

often

violent

storm

remain

those

as

Sunday
"all

observer,

an

flexible

were

from

remained

remarked

burst

footman

and

the bodies

as

were

very

coachman

Tuesday unburied,"

their

not

in life.

as

Eastbourne.

over

who
tractility
con-

it could

strong that

September 17, 1780,

On

The

hand.

his

hand, the bodies

other

flexible after death,

to

in

so

was

nerves

Delabarre,

named

man

him.

from

the

On

bread

piece of

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

108

of

living

people."
the corpses soften and

Sometimes

unbearable

leavingan

ballroom
a

Fribourg.

at

odour

curious

hardly

examine

of

house

the

of

that
difficulty
into

coffin.

flabbiness

The

who

are

the

that

in

of

dead

corpse

case

fainting.

they

was

is

due,

enormous

body develops so

short duration, that it may

inhabitants

hours
thirty-six

put the

to

was

fetid

pieces.

observed

often

forth

penetrating. It

able

were

could

doctor

The

away

so

It fell to

struck
of

go

in

lady

rapidlygave

putrefaction. The

death, the odour

with

The

obliged to

were

the

people

lightning killed

it without

after

corpse

odour.

15, 1794,

June

On

decompose rapidly,

no

in

bodies

the

doubt,

to

discharge,the

quickly,and
escape

the

of
fact

stiffness

is of such

observation.

EFFECTS

Numbers
this

LIGHTNING

OF

of

ON

MANKIND

experiments made

justify

hypothesis.

been

have

struck

The

of these

colouration

sometimes

its natural

it preserves
In

face is of

the

killed

explains

by lightning.
varieties

presents numerous

at
corpse-like
paleness,

which

others

colour.

the

cases,

many

of bodies

softness

bodies

cases,

rapidly,which

decompose

quite naturallythe

face

bronze, black, yellow,and

is

livid,red, violet,violetcovered

even

with

over

brown

blue spots.
of

colouration

The

all

animals

on

Nevertheless, in the majority of

or

109

the face

may

be extended

over

nearlyall the body.

or

who

eight reapers

The

quoted by

in

Cardan

killed

were

first

our

under

example,

an

were

oak,

quite

black.
That
in the

the

subtle

clouds

should

ought

not

marvellous

the

to

man,

faculties,
or
astonish

results
the

accomplished by
our

kill

his

annihilate
this

fluid accumulated

and
much

us

the
more

in

great

deprive him

of

wound
slightly
when

masses

ment,
move-

him

"

contemplate

we

prodigiesof strength
feeble

of
electricity

laboratories.
But

the

varietyof
those
wound

extraordinarypoint about
action.

it strikes?
them

and

Why

why

lightningis

does

it not

does

it sometimes

its

invariablykill
not

even

THUNDER

110

There

subtleties
inexplicable

are

knows

One

struck

of

whose

fluid insinuates

leaving no
in

mark

the

people

who

are

absolutelyintact.

The

itself

ments,
gar-

body

of

it to

the

reveal

to

of

the

through

of its passage,

trace

disorders

exterior

remain

world.

in the

examples

many

garments

imponderable

grave

LIGHTNING

AND

and

may

cause

without

man

any

perspicacious

most

observer.
hear

We

whole
as

of the

of his

fire,but

right side

it had

though

The

amongst

had
injuries,

remained
Neale

other

skin,

are

surface
Thus

his

was

the

breast

tree

and

where

case

the

badly

very

right sabot

Sainthad

deep

stomach, but

her

mystifying.
were

burnt

intact !
those

even

and

she

hands

the

remained

times, garments,

is very

Lightning

gloves which

boot

who,

man

broken.

killed under

perforated,burnt,
the

quick

Bellenghise,near

at

intact.

of the skin

foot,

of his clothes

rest

right foot

left

the

near

of

and

on

too

case

untouched

cites

in

to the bone

the

was

burning

clothes

At

gives

10, 1895,

of

to the

arm

time

the left

lady was

the

nearlythe

fire.

other

marks

Th.

the

Pinel

June

Quentin,

from

long

Abbe

untouched,
On

for

had

who

man

burnt

been

by

lacerated,while
was

shirt,his pants, and the

his

untouched

were

of

case

torn,

nearest

the

without

the

being injured.
of

man

who

had

been

struck

was

LIGHTNING

OF

EFFECTS

it

that

so

torn

no

trace

of

reduced

was

wound

in

there

was

violent

the

from

his

on

completely

his head

with

his

tore

legs,and

tore

it transported
Finally,

nearly naked,

man,

six

laid him

originalplace,and

bush

his

fields

electric

The

the left side,and

bottom.

to

top

unfortunate

from

thunder.

length of

garments, penetratedthe
his trousers

in the

was

Then, continuing its route, it

hat.

his

peasant

clap of

fluid struck his head, shaved

burnt

was

at Vabreas

point happened

(Vaucluse)in July, 1873.

when

ashes, while there

to

the foot.

on

extraordinarycase

An

111

MANKIND

ON

hanging

or

his

on

the

over

yards

seven

stomach

edge

of

river.

Sometimes,
find

we

when

the garments

slightinjuriesunder

always correspondto
most

the

clothes cut

sore

the

by

as

the

placeswhere

on

atoms

to

which
the

showing

electric fluid

lightmark

do

not

is

garment

are

the

on

who

man

wound

his

the shoulders

except

small

of the shoe.

had

man

any

had

trace

surface

his clothes
of the

of his

torn

action

body, except

of
a

the forehead.

on

Sometimes,
garments

knife from

the buckle

Howard,

without

of

case

sign of

the

foot under

the

the

point of

the

feet,without

According
to

skin

the

affected.
seriously

Lichtenbergquotes

to

seriously
injured,

are

as

burnt

we

have

while

already said,

the outer

ones

are

the

inner

respected.

THUNDER
A

her

had

woman

LIGHTNING

AND

heaven, while her dress and

where

the fire of

spared.

were
petticoats

working.

was

cooper

young

his

right foot, burning

his

by

14, 1774, lightningfell at Poitiers in

June

On

scorched

chemise

It

between

shoe, passed

epidermis of

the

abdomen,

his

fastened

which

carpenter round

one

his

in

wounding

off

and

brass

off

went

twist

Neither

this stroke

effects of

felt the

the

button
to

neighbouring lane.

his

trousers, raised

tore

garment,

other

the

nor

lining of

the

leg,burned

under

went

stocking and leg,singedthe stockingwithout

the

yard

of

lightning.
Finally,the clothes,above
without

carefullyand
a

tear,

as

though by

unsewn

the hand

of

clever workman.
Here

two

are

Creusot,

and

bottom

the

In

aged nine, was

with

great
"

Let

take
"We

binding

us

thousand

trousers

taken

department
in

"

Grange Forestiere,near

at

his

his shoes

engaged

were

had

man

in

cases

18, 1872,

June

On

to

all the shoes, are

of

from

unsewn

top

to

off.

Eure-et-Loire, some

binding sheaves,

playing near

Petit-

them

and
when

peasants

their
a

daughter,

storm

broke

violence.
go

in, I

am

her parents.

refuge between
will

go

in

she cried,running
frightened,"

immediately,but

before the rain

comes

on."

we

must

finish

I will

"Then

from

thunder

ON

LIGHTNING

OF

EFFECTS

of the

beg

113

MANKIND

God

Good

keep the

to

us."

Do."

"

while

And

father

child went

work, the
hands

the

down

Suddenly,without
father felt the

and
mechanically,

gave

daughter stretched

great

motionless

little corset

Her

with

her

seeing anything,the

under

move

their

her prayer.

hearing or

straw

continued

her knees, and

on

her eyes commenced

over

dead.

mother

and

on

was

his feet; he

cry

turned

seeinghis

on

the

ground.
and

unsewn

little

She

was

chemise

her

burnt.
of

But

it has for

in

of

the
lightning,
the mania

is
incomprehensible

undressingits victims,and leavingthem

costume
faintingin the primitive
or

"

fantastic actions

extraordinaryand

most

or

all the

dress too

simpleto

of

first parents

our

be allowed

dead

by

our

civilized

customs.

and
deplorable

This

habit
quite inexplicable

given lightninga large scientific dossier,from

we

and

already cited examples

have

which

from
Near

we

Angers, on

will

again extract

May 12, 1901,

middle

of the fields.

The

first

some

farm

killed

was
Rousteau, aged twenty-three,

the

in the

corpse

was

has

which

chapter,

fragments.
lad named

by lightningin
found

nearly

naked.
On

June

29, 1869, at Pradettes

(Ariege),the Mayor
i

116

THUNDER

several

of

AND

these

LIGHTNING

found

were

hanging

branches

the

on

of the tree.
One
of

workman

kiosque in

He

day

which

there

passed between

the

the

removed

kiosque,and

with
petrified

was

shoe

which

matter, but

other

the

boots

removed,

the

far

felt

leaves

(June 8, 1868)

storm

Jardin

fall.

He

the
was

being examined,
he

escaped

when

he had

that

he

had

of

use

his

with

recovered
worn

his

picked

an

bore

from

boots

at

the
the

He

the

at

taken

and

fright.

body by

workman

no

trace

But

some

he
then

was

irresistible

senses

up

body

Very

Plantes, when

des

his stomach.

roughly by

down

pieces,and

to

human

the

even

feet.

the

by

the

near

when

even

extraordinaryviolence.

great oppression on

deprived of

and

it

violent

passing

knocked

the

un-nailed,cut

unsewn,

specialpredilectio

Sabots, shoes, and

garments.

with

away

and

During
was

fulminant

the

by

respectsthem,

dischargepenetrates into

head

for the

searched

have

to

it seldom

it spares

often the

workman,

the poor

confiscated

lightning seems

for shoes

thrown

from

in vain.

Moreover,

are

shoe

left

hurting them,

fright. They

been

had

fluid,after having

playerswithout
a

playing cards.

men

The

grazed by lightning.

was

who

five

were

shed

the

shelteringunder

was

force, and
moment

home, and
of

of
on

wound,

days after,

shock, he remembered
time

of

the

accident.

116

THUNDER

several

of

AND

these

LIGHTNING

found

were

hanging

branches

the

on

of the tree.
One

of

workman

kiosquein

He

day

which

the

kiosque,and

who

removed

which

matter, but

lightning seems

for shoes

the other

boots

removed,
far

the

head

and

During

felt

it

violent

down

deprived of

the

by

Jardin

the

fall.

He

the
was

he

escaped

when

he had

that

he

had

with

recovered
worn

an

boots

at

body by

the
the

workman

He

he
then

was

irresistible force, and

the

at

taken

and

fright.
from

Very

Plantes, when

des

bore

body
a

the human

senses

picked up
his

violence.

his stomach.

of his

use

pieces,and

to

(June 8, 1868)

storm

even

feet.

roughly by

being examined,
and

extraordinary

great oppression on

knocked

the

leaves

passing near

was

un-nailed,cut

with

away

when

even

Sabots, shoes, and

garments.
unsewn,

specialpredilection

respects them,

dischargepenetrates into

often the

fulminant

the

by

have

to

it seldom

it spares

thrown

confiscated

for the

searched

in vain.

Moreover,

are

workman,

the poor

fright. They

been

had

left

hurting them,

from

shoe

playingcards.

men

fluid,after having

playerswithout

with
petrified

was

shoe

five

were

grazed by lightning. The

was

passed between
the

there

shed

the

shelteringunder

was

no

trace

But

some

moment

home, and
of

of
on

wound,

days after,

shock, he remembered
time

of

the

accident.

him, though it acted from

from

found

were

the

boots
On

31, 1904,

killed

was

on

set

On

in and

(Aisne),a

man
work-

not

were

be

to

wounded, and

were

reduced

were

the

found.

cock

knocked
When

he

had

was

came

to himself

mune
Com-

young

he

and

lost

found

consciousness.

that his sabots

and

disappeared.
that

states

that

in the

embedded

paces without
could
must

the

we

struck

was

pieces of

restrain

hat

his

hat

under

found

were

ourselves

so

little book.
sometimes

of several

curious

very

beneficial influence
hear

which

flung ten

was

of wind.

multiplythese

lightninghas
a

workman

of

case

breath

the limits of this

exercised

ceiling.

givesthe

Biot

Yes

the

his flock in the fields,

was

fluid

the

by

pavilion,and

we

watching

was

over

Arago

We

over

(Haute-Marne).
Chapelle-en-Blezy

shepherd,who

that

shoes

11, 1893, lightningbroke

May
of

but

nails

fire.

on

cap

the

screwed

clothes

hay-cock,his

workmen

other

Two

Villemontoire

at

his

fragments, and

to

boots

nearlynew.

were

May

them

The

soles had

completelyremoved, althoughthey were

the

stolen

distance.

street, and

the

in

117

MANKIND

ON

disappeared,the lightninghad

had

These

LIGHTNING

OF

EFFECTS

Did
"

on

cases

to

as

observations,
remain

I not

say

though

very

sick

within

just now
rarely
"

peopleit strikes

where

thunder

has

THUNDER

118

shown

itself

rival

instance, a

had

who

person

recovered

the

had
paralytic

Tunbridge
touched

been
for

Wells

him

him

dumb,

of

stroke

the

years,

to

lightning.

curative

of

waters

spark

the

when

worked
whom

forty-four,

of

of his terrible

sometimes

has

and

blind, deaf,

taking

twenty

cured

and

Lightning

legs,after

of her

use

paralyzed

been

the age

thirty-eight
years, suddenly,at

miracles.

veritable

worked

it has

disciplesof

noblest

the

to

where

and
Esculapius,
For

LIGHTNING

AND

infirmity.

marvels

the

on

it restores

sight,

hearing,and speech.
A

from

had

who

man

infancy

lost

He

1807.
after

in

the

spectacles. On

without

permanently
of

invalid

the

other

10,

minutes, but

weakness

paralyzed

August

on

for twenty

of his limbs.

use

room

gradually and

he

disappeared,and

also

his

consciousness

days

some

the
eye

struck

was

of his left side

whole

the

the

could

hand,

he

covered
re-

right
write

became

deaf.
if

we

authentic,

Indeed,
be

cured

been
in

It

is

cold, a

fluid

they

be
which

stories which

and

tumour,

have

to

appear

rheumatism

given

an

what

manner

have

example

chapter.

impossible

subtle
to

to believe

by lightning. We

first

our

are

to

explain

accomplishesthese
attributed

to

brings back

the

in

wonderful

shock,

to

the circulation

cures.

general

to

the
Are

heaval
up-

its normal

EFFECTS
Or

course?

capableof overcoming

action

an

stance
electric sub-

the

to

physiologists

physiciansand

to

119

MANKIND

ON

attribute

to

we

are

still unknown

"

"

LIGHTNING

OF

the most

inveterate

evils ?

science of

The
use

marvel

much

electric

resources

might

As

What
of

There

results.

The

near

or

of

fact, we
too

are

balance

which

the havoc

most

rendered

owe

June

pendence
inde-

there

is in

is

been

for

few

happy

reallytoo unequal.

of the
has

ning.
gratitudeto light-

no

miseries

many

have

veritable

proved

number

of

the

are

the

victims

asters,
disand

caused.

extraordinaryof

these

following:

"

killed

church

wounded

or

imbecile.

Seidenburg,near

On

of services

of lost power

July 2, 1717, lightning

people were

feeble

our

feast-daylightning penetratedinto

then,

we,

its mad

for

not

Carpentras. Fifty people were

On

rival

number

were

amount

an

account

on

On

if it

lightningstrokes

Some

The

What

Can

lightning!

matter

No

render

it not

gleam

lightningshould

that

the

the machines.

of
electricity

the

of

excellent

Therapeuticsalreadymakes

struck

Zittau, during the service

killed

or

church

at

forty-eight

wounded.

26, 1783, lightningstruck

when
Villars-le-Terroy,

its bells

killed eleven

wounded

people,and

were

the

being

thirteen.

church

of

rung;

it

AND

THUNDER

120

board

On
men

the

killed

were

LIGHTNING
in

sloop Sapho,

by

stroke

February,1820,

lightningand

of

six

fourteen

wounded.
seriously

Catalonia,

ship Repulse,

the

near

shores

of

April 13, 1813, lightningkilled eight

on

rigging and wounded

in the

men

the

board

On

whom

nine, of

several

succumbed.

the

in

assembled

from

miles

two

hundred

one

three

July 11, 1857,

On

church

people

seriously. Six

when

were

village,

they

it;

struck

them

thirty of

wounded,

were

small

lightning

killed,and

were

people

Grosshad,

at

Diiren,

hundred

six

were

hardy

men.

Early
of

July, 1865, lightningfell

in
Coray (Finisterre)
Six

weeding.

were

stroke, and

same

Several

were

scattered
to

in

workers

were

and

men

the

over

all broken.

struck

at

A
a

by

the

being

garments

their shoes

curious

distance

killed

people

severelywounded.

their
;

sixteen

were

were

ground

territory

cut

were

point

is that

the

100

yards

from

of

other.

each
On

July 12, 1887,

at

U.S.A.), lightning killed

refuge

under

part of

her

child

others

three

where

warren

stripped naked,

in rags

piecesand

the

on

an

oak

nine

during a

processionwhich

last home.

Mount

was

Pleasant

people
storm.

who

(Tennessee,
were

These

conducting a

taking
formed

negress

to

EFFECTS
is

Here
case

LIGHTNING

OF

another

last

the

Germain-Laval
the

121

and

complex

The

is

there
He
been

It is

"

more

clothes
full of

blood,

The

thrown

discovered

the

it

on

thick bed

Three

or

he

alone
in

was

enveloped

was

and

spoke

rails,to

his

to
reassure

Keep your places;

"

stem,

carried away

were

treated of all

he
his

no

gave

for

his eyes

sign

had

the

it for

were

open,

of life.

were

torn

His

and

his feet.

been
and

ground,
and

conscious,
un-

the treasurer.

was

shoes, which
from

which

the

on

priestsearched

The

"

Four

removed

were

Monstrance,

pierced in

discharge and

they perceivedthat

down

he

to thirtypeople had
twenty-five

burnt, and

were

heard, then

was

done.v

veiled,and

dull and

succeeded

thought that

who

Communion

the worst

raisinghim

of Saint-

silence

cry

smoke,

less struck.

or

but

but

the

mistaken

was

nothing," he said.

harm

no

deathlike

place,where

and

dust

of

Canton

Dance,

electric

left his

"

parishionersfrom
them.

cure,

whole

the

cloud

1867, during Vespers,

then
explosion,

more.

realityunhurt
in

at

(Loire).

received

had

in June,

church

of the

noise

hundred

on

curious

very

Sunday

lightningstruck

In

MANKIND

"

On

ON

exposed,had

been

battered

and

was

Host
a

had

disappeared.

long time, and

the altar in the middle

of the

finally

corporal,

of rubbish.

four

yards of

the

wainscoting of the

choir

122

THUNDER

had

burnt

had

been

in the

AND

into atoms.

LIGHTNING

Outside, the

carried off,and

its slates

of the

arrow

belfry

scattered about

were

neighbouringfields.

On

22, 1902, lightning struck, the

June

Pineiro

of

(Province

There

and

of

funeral.

Orense, Spain) during a

twenty-fivedead

were

church

severely
thirty-five

wounded.
These
we

In

people appear

fact, some

They

was

cradle, his swaddling clothes

were

The

he received

which

chateau

lightning
into

several

them, and

thunder

he

when

its

touched

by

his forehead

in his

was

singed,and

times

enter

was

the

scar

covered

had

her

to

said, when
never

her

done

on

her

speaking on
her

more

the

and
this

harm

the

itself

greater part

without

arms

saw

divide

room,

clothes

lived

lady,who

Bourgogne,

near

sizes,of which

different

left livid traces

She

Richard,

elevation

an

themselves

attached

Abbe

the

to

on

sparksof

thighs.

from

afterwards.

hair

According
a

on

twice

was

first stroke

with

frequently

sufferingmuch

Mithridates

that

say

burn

of

attacks.

lightning.

seems

enjoy the privilege

to

and
attractinglightning,
particularly

reiterated

in

largescale,but

itself.

amuse

receiving its visits without

of

on

the terrible fluid

where

cases
give parallel

can

only to

of

of destruction

cases

are

even

burning
on

her

subject,that
than

to

whip

124

THUNDER

AND

LIGHTNING

degree of conductibility
corresponds during

the

of

The

storm

who

to

conducts

as

like

in
to

fear

these

if he

as

limits

does

to

do with

The

to revive

was

as

little

resin.

Between

whom

strike wood, stones,

lightning,everything

of

place that

man

will have

may

something

perplexed.

us

extraordinaryand

are

each

very

other, and

concerti
dis-

lead

Cologne

followingcase

girlof eighteen was

young

she

working

was

unconscious, in spite of
her.

At

last,acting on

they placedher
body

the

gave

in

:-

Czempin,

remained

her.

the

on

munication
com-

individuals

it would

facts contradict

de

Gazette

lightning while

her

found

physicalconstitution

observations

June, 1867

man,

as

the

actual conclusion.

no

At

be

often

as

almost

glassor

man

it.

these

to

of

off

cuts

have

phenomena

depend

The
us

will

struck

phantasmagoria of lightningleaves

The

All

the

not

his

occupy;

will

strike

in

Thus,

who

man

made

there

danger.

will be

chain,

were

lightningmight
etc.

the

the

of

degree

metal

while

metal,

certain

time

with

After

restored
Sometimes

in

earth,but

some

hours

near

all the
the

struck

hearth.

way

advice

she recovered

as

She

efforts made
of

freshlydug ditch,and

in such

by

to avoid

an

old

covered

stifling

consciousness,and

to health.

lightning

amuses

itself

nicely

and

them

doing

mixes

It

innocently.

harm,

middle

of

dancers

livelydance

Flone

at

and

escape.

of

the

lightning,
it

the

seized

the

hold

which

taste

the

this

Bayonne,

making

her

all knocked

During
by

into

soot

the

the

the

the

could

intentions

forward
straight-

most

also

they

all transformed

were

had

swept

the

ball-room, powdering

the

toilettes.
be

the

daughter

of

The

Olympus.

goblinsrather
followingfacts

on

"

June

the

violent

lightning knocked

6, 1873,
threw

point

times.
at

They

sustaining any

it lifted

two

of

table, sixty yards,

storm, lightning entered

chimney

after

family

it burst.

where

without

down,

person

three

round

down, but
a

one

lightning

gathered together

least, from

not

it

impression:

turn

were

of

profound stupefaction

present

gas-burner,and

sight

spoil-sport. It

The

from

messenger

At

of
be

into the

keeper
Gestien's,the inn-

misunderstood
were

persons

and

faces

confirm

might

house

depart quietly.

to

Lightning might

at

but

chimney

the

At

first excitement

cast

the

terror, and

to

niggers.

and

all the

they

wanted

of the

into

chimney,

But

only

good

After

twelve

without

men

remembrance

Van

M.

at

with
petrified

were

by

(Belgium).

try

over

leaving any

or

day lightningentered

One

than

society of

fear.

great

had

the

in

big

were

injury.
a

country

stones

from

126

THUNDER

the

hearth, and

of

child

And

carried

who

side,without

them

to

over

asleep,and

was

grazing it

this

LIGHTNING

AND

placed one

hurting the

or

whose
lightning,

same

delicacyis quite exquisite,entered

the

by

head, wounded

the
in

into

chimney,

middle

the

of

blood.
was

his

and

stuck

it

August, 1901,

In
a

in

house

started

to

visited

the

make

far

three

then

Let

us

depict
"

it went

dead

it took
round

ceilingof
this

at

the

tragic

spark penetrated into

without

who

doing
the

to

continued

much

first
them

its

on

and

First it

property.

girls,turned

It

its

Ajaccio,

near

down

young

legs.

children

floor,

round,

course

as

dazzlingbrightnessterrified

had

taken

refuge there.

It

but

burned

the

third

finish this series of

in

sometimes
modes

Nature's

the

on

the

rooms,

the cellar,where
young

of

tour

two

their

sparedtwo,

which

the

were

burnt
as

Then

present

was

electric

an

second-floor

there

where

left him

accumulated

village of Porri,

the

damage there;

and

child who

savagelyon

unhurt.

was

scene

and

maternal

time, also

man

of

which

higher story.

pool

of this blood
went

almost

and
severely,

quantity
head,

child.

him
a

each

on

another

house, hit

head

the

near

of

activityof

phenomena, by

surpasses

very

two

rather

electric

severely.
pictures,which

tragic manner
one

of

facts,the

everything that

one

can

the

"

the

ferent
dif-

grandest

of

strangeness

of

imagine.

EFFECTS

OF

Pliny
been

ON

of

case

lightning

by

stillborn

the

gives

struck

LIGHTNING

child,

Roman

127

lady,
her

during

without

MANKIND

herself

who,

having
had

confinement,

suffering

the

least

harm.

Another

Abbe

The

in

July,

hours

some

and

whose

her

health.

We

lightning

neither

can

lightning.

was

of

all

terrible

the

universality
scourges.

who

The

merciful,

its

who

delivered

was

half

was

delimit

actions,

in

woman

the

of

power

cruel,

one

burnt,

recovered

mother

often

gives

TAir,

Altenbourg,

struck

child

nor

of

de

She

black.

define

Sometimes

in

At

confinement.

afterwards

body

Histoire

still.

case

1713,
her

expecting

was

his

in

Richard,

extraordinary

more

Saxony,

most

"

of

it

stitutes
con-

Nature's

CHAPTEE

THE

EFFECTS

ANIMALS,
of

has

given

absurd

will

On

already

reconcile

cited

the

case

the

it

for

hanged

just

platform,
sheriff

is not

is

Nature

it

of
the

as

was

struck

the

trouble

eternity.
128

seems

at

of

thunder.

to

we

who

mulatto

putting

was

hurling

have

was

panion,
com-

his

by lightning,
of

we

fact, which

Norris,
a

times

Thus

State,

nigger

murder
he

innocent

little

Kentucky
the

strike

strange

as

sometimes

intelligence.

thoughts
in

always

are

often

may

of

our

1872,

fatal

spared

it

that

proceedings

examples

many

who,

thunder

amount

20,

and
the

human

when

servants

ferociously; yet

June

be

to

and

our

to

serve

Its

Though

certain

among

going

ourselves,

tactful.

show

for

regard

entirely

faithful

appears.

blindly

victims

find

it

as

very

lose

fire

the

us.

between

And,

to

and

ANIMALS

attract

certain

to

seems

humble

the

of

even

it

ON

mankind,

has

Lightning

which

beings,

LIGHTNING

than

more

even

heaven.

case

OF

VI

foot
and

him

on

thus
into

EFFECTS
Here

and

was

praiseit

shut

was

in

up

accomplices.

No

by

his

arrogance

attached

was

his

brought
stop

think

to

terrified

lightninghad
Here

trouble

benefactor.
and

all

buried

search

it

in

useless, if the

manacles

had

did

not

just as

there, and

the

intelligence.

She

after

from

counted

the

prince

should

of

this
her

chest, and

wood, hoping

him

on

death

carefullyin

it

deep

he

haranguing

obtained

son.

State

enclosed

when

"

"

her

the

to

She

with

their
he

they were

been

not

his

which

brigands
;

princehad

recognitionof

give

went

of

favourite

written

to

instance

him

while

the

its victim

chosen

brigands

to

iron

cause

had

iron

is another

The

The

this natural

if the

as

for

by lightning

disaster, but

of

stone

tribune

fell dead.

the

on

of

encouraging

the

"

disciples.He

chief

was

blasphemies

struck

suddenly

was

he

as

justice,

prison,together with

doubt

acting

full of

was

where

case

Bavarian

129

much.

too

Arago givesanother

ANIMALS

thunder

where

case

cannot

we

ON

LIGHTNING

OF

to

render
his

change

mind.

behold, the lightningintervened

But

struck,and
it

where

was

Animals
than
of

the

found

this

by

thrown

was

inorganicbodies.

difference

Can

the

on

tree

was

highway,

peasant.
treated

worse

are

plants and

chest

open

; the

we

than
What

attribute

men,
are

but

the

it to

better
causes

physical

130

?
predisposition

column
of

quadrupeds

Their
of

sparksdirected

that

vertebral

the

on

greatly exposed

are

proved.

strokes

mortal

to

backs

the

celestial fire.

the

part

yet been

not

dangerous. Now,
particularly

are

from

has

this

But

shows

Experience

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

fur

their

situation

their

or

of

them

bodies, put
a

who,

man

should
this to be

plumage, which

to

more

less

himself

in his

rich

and

intrinsic

an

or

protect

envelop himself

long enough

form

the

in

clemency
in-

from

hair,supposing

enough

to

him

cover

decently.
Animals
do

rarelysurvive

die

not

on

their wounds.
"

spot, they

The

ancients

Man," says Pliny,

"

does

though

animals

many

And, further

on,

struck.

never

the

he

adds

This

surpass

him

that amongst

has

that

given

die

others

it the

him
in
birds

to

this.

on

only animal

is the

they
after

soon

remarked

have

prerogative granted to

so

succumb

always kill; all

not

It is

spot.

is

the

When

struck.

when

ning
lighton

the

by Nature,
strength."
the
of

name

eagle
porte

foudre.
But
we

these

quote

can

which

have

assertions
a

are

slightlyexaggerated, and

number

certain

resisted the

baneful

of

examples

of

animals

influence of the electric

current.
In
was

1901,

horse

was

certainlyattracted

touched

by

the

which
by lightning,
iron

of

his

shoe.

superiorto

equal, or
offer

ones,

animals

All

convincing generality.

sensitive
peculiarly

for

example, which
fall in
before

I have

struck.

There

thus

them

are

mass,

me

the

"

to

gentlesheep,

during
together fraternally
struck

have

been

might

divide

which

kind.

fire of heaven.

the

by

animals

of every

rams,

We

sheep,

cows,

oxen,

dogs.

asses.

goats,

3 cats.

ewes.

and

73 horses, mares,

and

the

speciesappear

lightning

list of

some

to

"

and

to

huddle

Several hundred

71

greatly exposed

be

to

seem

be

storm, and

smaller

others, the

Jupiter; nevertheless, some

of

wrath

The

man.

still more

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

132

or

3 mules.

colts.

bulls.

pigs.

1 hare.

squirrel.

prodigiousquantity

chickens,pigeons,

of geese,

small birds.
also

Fish

contribute

respectablecontingent

to

lightning.
As
when

rule, large groups

there

is

thunder,

attractive influence
Often
Boudin
On

as

to the

entire herds

are

of

they

animals

seem

to

are

dangerous

exercise

strong

electric fluid.

destroyedby lightning. Dr.

gives the followingexample :

"

May

11, 1865,

at

about

6.30

p.m.,

Hubert

EFFECTS

Wera,
a

shepherd who

overtook

storm

flock.

On

thunder

flock.

behind

The

crook

had

broken

to

belonging to
fifteen
Of

the

varied

not

was

On

On
a

taken

detached
and

small

the

from

the nape

traced
His

unfortunate

ridge

body
to

The

was

rags.

iron

handle

handle

shepherd

of
and

itself

crucifix and

metal

his

the top of

the

from

of

on

reduced

were

clap
and

him

struck

of blood.

trace

yards away,
the

terrible

breast.

clothes

flock of 152
with

they

as

had
to

May

clap of

one

been

no

June

field at

and

peculiar.

were

their

sheep, 126

blood,

chopped, others had

others

had

shepherd

was

scapular
found

were

yards away.

covered

were

was

pieces. A

The

struck

was

face, and

been

several

when

man

his

with

difficult road, the

electric fluid had

all his

home

groups.

Lightning

the

Moreover, there

thrown

bush,

his hair

neck, and

quite naked

his

into two

unfortunate
All

and

133

the fields when

hurrying

narrow

his forehead, his

on

in

heard.

was

his head.
of his

to

ANIMALS

surprisedin
was

themselves

shelter

ON

was

him,

coming

sheepformed
took

LIGHTNING

OF

them

killed.

were

their

wounds

Some

had

legs fractured.

As

were

their
side

pierced from
to

They

the

to

as

heads

side,

dog,

he

be found.

13, 1803,
thunder

near

killed

Fehrbellin
a

1, 1826, thunder

(PrussianStates),

shepherd and
killed

Gulpin (Limbourg).

64

40

sheep.

hairy beasts

134
At

struck

Prades,
at

in

the

sheep

340

July 28, 1890,

on

were

blow.

one

During

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

violent

burst

which

storm

Isere, lightningstruck

Montmaur

over

sheep,and

flock of 90

killed 53.
In

the

month

sheepfoldin
Fifty

which

there

of these

thirtyothers

were

the

on

eyes, and

fulminant

80

were

covered
the

fluid.

The

sheep.

with

back,

over

entirelycarbonized, the

found

were

burst

thunder

April,1869,

of

half

and

head,

all

were

in

the

asphyxiatedby

sheep

poor

the

on

sores,

cowering

together.
On

August 11, 1905,

and

At

Limoges,

together by
On
a

June

shepherd

the open

216

in

sheep

of

out

single stroke,

one

These

eloquent,and
readers, who

be

oxen

all

were

joined

(Wurtemberg),

288,

struck

were

in

field.

shepherd.

many

or

cows

Hayengen

near

Lastly,accordingto Abbadie,
killed

42

chain.

24, 1822,
and

bonized,
car-

were

struck.

were

spark. They

the

iron

an

sheep

of

July 4, 1884,

on

by

flock
kind

cattle of every

struck

were

similar

if it

might

were

not

become

examples

superfluous to

2000

figures are,
for

bored,
to

this

expatiate

in

storm

goats

Ethiopia
and

their

think, sufficiently

fear
we

of

add

could

list.

further

fatiguing my

on

But

the

great

it would

dangers

EFFECTS

incurred
In

in

135

animals.

their terror, beasts, particularly

sheep,press

offer

they

from

these

for

Would
with

that
the

several

receive

effects

group

perse
disof

the

body
the

on

the
men

this

by

file.

influence
in

dangerous

the

bar,

of

the

On

Ley den

the

shock.

no

other

electrical

whole

Only
than

one

it does

chain, holding hands,

dischargesfrom
and

in

the

metallic

top,

the

be

less violent

Arago supports
At

Would

people form

touches

jar. Well,

similar

to

would

arranged

more

in the middle

receive
instantaneously
middle

what

compact

enteringand departing.

on

last

also

be

matter

first touches

the

the

as
atmospheric electricity

lightningmeets

hand, when

be better

laboratories

our

than

except

passage

crossing over

form

animals
with

same

electric

When

if the

the

in

extremities

harm

wonders

lightning on

it act

rises

storm.

sometimes

effect of

way

which

excellent

an

It would

than

this

In

vapour

while

through

flock,rather

of

affords

beasts.

poor

them, during
One

pass

closely

absolutelyconducts

which

the column

livingmasses,

of the

the

by the rain.

large surface,

fluid to

the

bodies

of

soaked

are

lightning. Also

the

the

ANIMALS

ON

by large agglomerationsof

storm

together,and

and

LIGHTNING

OF

those

those
the

circle
in

who

clouds

jar
will

the

touch

produce

animals.
the

followingfacts

Flavigny(Cote-d'Or),five

horses

were

in

"

stable

136

THUNDER
the

when

LIGHTNING

lightningpenetrated.

last

two

AND

The

perished,the fifth,which

first and

two

in

was

the

the middle,

unhurt.

was

day lightning fell

One

horses

in

others

were

But

should

proofsbefore

require a

could

we

certain

be

to

five

on

three

the

fantastic

fastidious choice

another, strikes

what

"

of

largernumber

of this.

spares

fourth

much

sure

make

to

kills one,

It

good

does

last

first and

lightning,always

cases,

seems
extraordinary,

victims.

field

open

spared.

we

In

an

killed the

line and

on

strange

game

and
of its

third,
! how

fantastic !

Posen,

Mycielska,of

la Comtesse

Madame
wrote

to

"During

took

which

Beginning

ten.

the

second

killed,the

unhurt.

The

although

the

"We

Fireballs.

stable

was

given a
A

of

the

propos

did

the

nearest

numbers

uneven

burnt.

even

and

cows,

killed

door,

killed,the fourth

stable at the time

lightning

have

month

half-opendoor

was

third

All
not

were

by

which

that

on.

so

others

in the

was

with

the

place in

twenty

were

spared,the

was

uninjured, and

who

there

stable where

of

"

August, 1901, lightning entered

into

Duchy

recently

me

storm

the

of

not

The

the

was

were

shepherd

shock, got

burn

the

up

building,

full of straw.11
similar
of

case

this, M.

in

the

chapter

Elisee

Duval,

on

of

EFFECTS

Criquetot

thrown

were

second

one

is

Here
not

aware

Well,

thunder

that

it has

have
in

need

we

favour

One

where

case

straw, and
fire.
black

covered

Then

it went

sheep,and

This

is

lightningmight
white

it ; it is not
Who
stable

and

eccentric

the

itself

Lapleau

in

Correze.

hay

and

settingit

sheepfoldand

this

we

distinctly

full of

grange

white

Here

this.

thatch, without

killed

on

seven

alone.

people

who

fear

example by wearing long

Unfortunately,lightning

storm.

uncertain, that

we

must

defy

not

to be trusted.

explain why

can

full of

cows

it sometimes

without

thing happened
court

at

categorical,and

follow
in

garments

so

to

left the

choice

on

with

them.

preferencesamongst

was

were

distinguishbetween

fluid declares

It

fell

thunder

day

its

the

black.

of

could

longerbe surprisedat

no

every

We

still.

extraordinary case

more

is that

down.

that

colours,and

part

on

dozen

Etretat.

curious

the

knocked

was

and

Havre

and

over,

very

20, 1892, lightningfell

June

On

case.

telegraph poles of

the

is

relates
(Seine-Inferieure),

TEsneval

remarkable

137

ANIMALS

ON

LIGHTNING

OF

glides into

injuringone?
in

the

This

Commune

of

ordinary
extra-

Grigni-

(Marne).

After

were

in

them

beins

great clap
shed
hurt.

became

of

thunder,

all the

unfastened, without

that

cows

one

of

THUNDER

138

LIGHTNING

AND

There, again,the lightningonly seemed

want

to

to

itself useful.

make

If, in

some

have

been

very

rarelysurvives

death

saved, it

of

human

But,

is

cattle

providentialchance,

the less true

none

dischargewhich

that

animal

an

caused

has

the

being.

there is

as

by

cases,

rule without

no

will

exceptions,we

give the following:

"

The

sky

dark

was

there

seeingthat

lowering,and

and

about

was

be

to

flock to drive it to the shed.

Just

knocked

him

and

lightningburst
thirty sheep.

another

On

shepherd
thing
the

that

was

flock
On

June

of

formed

skin

on

the

rectilinear grooves,

Sometimes,

but

Thus,

but

soon,

up

the

1893,

13,

remarkable

the

hundred

of the

out

sheep.

marked

was

of two

the

moment,

same

June

on

thunder

hundred

wool

survive

got

sheep

17, 1883,

them

only

his

down, togetherwith

by lightning,and

only one

the

at the

to

ran

of

struck.

was

containingone
One

occasion,

killed

was

all

storm,

dead.

shepherd was

poor

and

beasts

The

shepherd,

was

entered

Only
back

sheepfold,

four
with

perished.
a

cross,

penetratingto

the

removed.

very

rarely, men

and

animals

discharge.

Dr.

remained

Brillouet's

horse

there without

was

thrown

moving

for

into

ditch,

three-quarters

140

and

men

than

animals, proves

the

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

former,

sometimes

have

however,

who,

latter

for the

murderous

more

succumbed.
A

diligencewas
stroke

suddenly a

threw
was

whole

five

struck, but

not

the

the

though
There

ought

is

to attract

reverberation

In

June, 1872,
at

he

chest,he

prostration.

the

strikes
former

fact, as
men

can

just bought

which

incident

this

of

was

followed

light,nor

hair

oxen

we

have

animals

resist the

and

were

All

hat
the

killed

same,

already said,
at

shock.

the

same

hair

of absolute

top

riddled

was

on

in

up

from

unsewn

were

off.

state

of

field.

parts, also

in

animals.

the

picked

was

in

couple

fair,in

the

at

burnt

was

afternoon,

trying

man

his
stitchings,
torn

the

in

farmer

poor

The

and

the

trousers

his shoes

accident.
In

two

quite deaf, and

in all four

holes, and

about

at

His

His

children.

and

the terrible meteor

"

emission

over

was

touched,

was

person
women

postillion

of sound.

had

pitiableplight.

bottom

full of

any

after,the

hours

his

other

knocked

Lightning
Some

one

The

dead.

Grange-Forestiere was

which

oxen,

stone

ascent.

horses, and

of the

heads

down,

attention

our

any

farmer

the

over

about
peculiarity

one

incline,when

an

lightninginterruptedits

carriagewas

accompanied by

not

on

of

electric ball burst

An

by

slowlymounting

to

with

he survived

the

spot.

when

the

spark

time, only the

in

burst

June, 1855, thunder

In

the

and

Vienne) ; seventy-eightsheep
killed

the

on

the flock

who

who

woman

killed

were

after

looking

was

slightlytouched.

was

the

with

escaped

man

labourer

His

Menehould.

Sainte

driving near

was

were

spot.

watch-dogs

two

September 26, 1820, lightningstruck

On

sheep

Saint-Leger-la-Montagne (Haute

of

Commune

flock of

over

horses

two

temporary

deafness.
In

August, 1852,

the

third

the

farmer,

paralyzed

was

he

oxen

left

the

on

with

off

came

four

of

out

two

side.

As

to

left

the

of

numbness

killed,

were

leg.
often

Very
while

Here
On

by
of

are

facts

some

these

spout

animals

near

any

harm

upset the

and

to

150

of

herd

pigs

150

shock,

the

surprised

were

hundred

One

Liege.

and

of the

action

fifty

electric

nothing.
on

the

Abbey

killed twenty-two

Tours, and

even

"

1715, lightning fell

tiers,near

doing

felt

not

fall dead.

perished by

fluid,their guides
In

nothing,

him

February 2, 1859,
water-

beside

animals

the

feels

man

monks,

bottles

of

Noirmou-

horses

without

refectoryit visited

whose

containing

their

ration

of

wine.
In
near

the

year

IX., lightning killed

Chartres, sparing

the

miller

who

horse

and

conducted

mule

them.

the

roughly to
with

of the

felt

them

strong and

road.

thrown

old drover

The

the

nothing except
odour

who
of

sensation
he

could

fulgurantdischargetook placenear

Mr.

very

characteristic

and

pushed

were

which

define.

not

In 1812,

Cowen's

and

him

harm.

any

twelve

shed,

where

poor

things

them

was

asks if

often

lady

thunder.
a

people
found

doing

cart-

shelter.

who

lady

lightningstrikes
put, would

often

looking out

was

flash of

grass

him, without

taking

were

followingfacts

in the

answer

chickens

killed,but

were

question,so

was

beside

dog

The

feeding

was

unhurt.

One

This

killed his

August, 1900, lightningpenetratedinto

In

of

edge

going along

were

cows

suddenly they

road, when

was

four

July 17, 1895,

On

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

142

the

dead

gull which

who

picked

it still hot, and

of

One

Mr.

itself over

on

at

the

she
not

great clap

noticed

the

on

before.

seen

added

there

The

that

they

there

that

was

sulphur.

of this kind

looking

when

window,

bird, affirmed

they

Examples
day,

had

the

up

an

"

time

she

find

of her

same

flight.

in

to

seem

lightning,
accompanied by
At

strong smell

birds

W.
a

are

rare

Murdochs

very

Valley of

with

violent

the

: we

have
two

storm,

Ayr.

two

Just

more

friends

which
then

"

was

spread
his

dog

flock of

dislodgeda
behind

old

an

fly, and

During

flock of wild

six birds fell dead

would

the

gracefulwinged

tribe from

received

the

the

but

have

they

gods. They

from

struck

truth,
in

have

Amongst
from

most

We

was

Burch
was

the

no,

of the

poor

adversary.
for them

seldom

It is very

all

protect the

to

but

of

that

fire of

the

Heaven,

barbarous, unpardonable

earthly Jupiters are

than

the

the

infinitely

giant of

seductive

the

grace,

the charming

of
delightful
twittering

of space.

one

their
the

the

to

gun.

absence

the

this terrible

rarelysoftened by

are

it

there

less redoubtable

enemy,

little

elegance,and

In

that

the victims

are

another

inhabitants

and

mercy

terrible for the bird-world

more

the

air

States, Mr.

lightning;

lightningis

Yes, the

Man.

no

air,

though by

ground ought

sportsman'sgun.

kings of

the

began

ground.

to the

with

than

birds

the flock into disorder

threw

communication

All the same,

of the

sheltered

flyingby. Suddenly

geese

thought

birds have

been

as

have

One

143

had

United

the

lightningwhich

flash of

One

killed

in

storm

which

ANIMALS

cutting through

was

by lightningand

struck

saw

ducks

building.

it

as

ON

LIGHTNING

OF

EFFECTS

of the

flightis

prudence
birds,

why

reasons

that

to take

sparrows

they

birds
foresee

are

so

the

rarely
storm,

shelter before it bursts.

are

those

which

suffer

the electric fluid.

sometimes

find them

hanging by

their shrivelled

144

THUNDER

claws

from

trees.

But

their iron

and

which

canary,

Fishes

was

why

pond

also

with

cage

The

struck

the

iron.
no

leged
privi-

more

frequentlyreceive

remain

fate
near

has
a

often

pool

or

recommended

we

well, damp

It is because

water

always to put

earth, or

into

even

conducts

the electric

admirably.

substance
We

are

into

conductor

small

bars,and

their sad

it is to

unhurt.

dwellings are
They

killed in

thunder.

Moreover,

in

were

restingon

lightning,and

dangerous

how

branches

being

was

canary

metallic

animals.

the

pond during

the

the

dark

the rest

doubt

no

other

visits from

by

their

in

than

proved

killed

was

birds

caged

day

One

attracted

sparkwas

of

They generally

rare.

lightningaffects the

of little

prison.

five others

branches

the trunk.

also hear

We

the

from

or

latter is rather

this

less than

much

LIGHTNING

telegraphwires

in the trees,and

high

nest

AND

would

be

having

made

vengeance

that

understand

can

refuge

for

several victims

on

good

of

the

vast

of

space

liquid

lightning, when,
earth, and

conductors, it hurls

after

fearing the

itself into

the

water.

often

More

the

example

that.

The

However

it drowns

of the immortal

and
itself,

may

this

it follows

Gribouille; but enough of

logicof lightningis
that

in

be, many

stillcontestable.

examples show

us

the

EFFECTS

LIGHTNING

OF

dangers

which

to

liquid element

generally,are

fishermen

sailors

and

in

unanimous

attribute

to the

Arago

hecatombs

veritable

the

only

are

of

the

attesting to
the

history

of

memorable

of

recollection

has preservedthe
electricity

disasters,of

Not

exposed.

wrought by lightning,but

ravages

of

of rivers,and

denizens

the

145

ANIMALS

ON

fish,which

they

fire of heaven.
that

recounts

ning
September 17, 1772, light-

on

fell on
which

river.

in the

were

which

their corpses

with

the subterranean
similar

event,

even

collected

they

such

of fish

or

internal.

which
of

appearance

cooked.

been

the

was

on

sported.

floatingdead

pieceson

the

hood
neighbourstruck,

were

the

surface

of

boiled

The

was

scales and

remained

the

been

troubled

be

if it had

seen,

swimming

preserved.
and

all

They

water.

it would

injuryto

no

their flesh fell

fish,and

being touched, just as

There

which

fish-pondin

of the

the

night,

morning they were

next

on

at

storm

little

The

full of air, had

pond

of the

of fish that

violent

number

to

of

account

able to fill eighteencarts.

were

dischargefell

the

of

the theatre

was

inhabitants

number

upwards.

1672, the lake in

terrible,on

The

electric

found

year

trout

covered

soon

was

floated,stomach

more

1879, during

In

had

water

of Zirknitz

part

of victims.

number

that

The

century before,during the

pike and

killed all the

and

the Doubs

muddy

external

bladder,

The
the

water

day

146

THUNDER

after
had

the

storm,

been

is

in

the

length by

territoryof

in

thousand,

the

day

of
of

vessel

the

fish

owner

about

of

in

"

aquarium placed

an

They

and

all found

were

with

coated

in

lying

the bottom

formed

glasswhich

The

twisted

was

still:

case

struck.

were

floor.

the

on

curious

more

drawing-room
dead

The

number

in

yards

10

struck.

the

fish, to

near

(Cote-d'Or).

measured
also

"

poplars

two

Saulx-le-Duc

was

killed.

were

Another
One

the

the last

to

on

which

width,

all

that

states

fell

lightning

neighbouring pond,

the tempest

agitationof

observation,similar

an

1894,

Ignon,

the

though

as

LIGHTNING

quite recent.

Here

In

AND

bed

thick

yellowishsubstance.
If

the

point

can

make

large

At

had

more

other

the

red

white

the

with

spark

struck

of

acts

the

on

the

leg and

only burnt

the

over

under

injured
skin

It burnt

spots and left the red

hair.

two

their bodies,
the stomach.

in certain

and

or

over

Thus,

four-year-oldox

young

spots.

is

animal.

singed nearlyall

the hair is

white

from

produces,we

it

animals

of

body

on
particularly

times

which
injuries

hair

the

their hair

Lightning
was

the

of

animals

lightningon

remarks.
interesting

very

often

surface

effects of

of the

Sometimes

horses
and

of view
some

More

burnt.

the

study

we

places.
which

removed

all

148

of

trace

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

burn, though both

had

the

rupture of

auricles.
the

In

and

cows

wound

month

of

heifer

to

was

Another

were

struck

be found

on

observation

in his remarkable
A

pig

fell

could

We

that

see

distinction

in their stable;

is

by

be found

blows

it inflicts on

Chapsal
lightning.
and

clap of thunder,

lightningdoes

those which

effects of

the

of the

the

two

exterior

no

Abbe

the

given by

of
description

between

Ogenne,

at

their bodies.

dead, struck

indication

and

September, 1787,

no

electric passage.

always make

not

great

it inflicts on

which

men

animals.
9

also, the

Sometimes,
struck
the
to

Clermont

(Oise)on

the

have

the

first

sight,

it,it falls

touch

you

are

meteor

of animals

long

way

have

troubles, followingon

the

of

which

over,

motionless, after
then

it

and
which

got

up

had

been

was

place
grave

total

struck

nervous

with

paralysis

by lightning,

quarter

seized

the

of

lightning which

partialor

remained
it

the

strokes

results. Thus,
knocked

from

from

Sometimes

cow

being transported

suffered

they have received.

a

2, 1908, several animals

in their stable.

also heard

catastrophe. Others

was

which

At

when

June

entirelycarbonized
We

by

intact,but

appears

beasts

pieces.
At

were

corpses

completelyincinerated.

are

body

of

of

an

violent

quicklylookingterrified.

hour
vulsions,
con-

EFFECTS

OF

Here
an

is

the

In

lightningfell
became

mad,

the

animal

There

are

the

on

frail

before

they

Often

results

animal

inevitable

of

is

when

sleepsunder

exposed to
is the

as

often

noise

of

thunder,

and

the

pitiless

baby

been

the

in its

struck

fear

which

miscarriage of hinds,

the

causes

and

nose.

which

have

on

instance,

opaque,

of the

egg,

and

injurieswrought

lightof day.

instantly,without

which

dragged

night.

the

which

of

in the

in

and

lambs.

of
particularly

case

died

butcher

saw

it,

which

dog,

neighbouring house

Chickens

the

from

terrible meteor,

most

ever

Suddenly

the

the

into

the

refuge

its master, bit him

hand, the foetus

womb.

mother's

road.

transparent horn,

covering of

of the

blows

the

on

membrane

other

took

dog,

when

go

September 4,

barely perceptible.For

mucous

the

On

and

brought

on

struck

examples

are

it makes

it burns

dog

some

which

animals

itself

only let

The

and

tree

him

of

edge

threw

with

his tail.

of the

terrible storm

the

and

thigh,and

An

149

which

the

at
on

the

the

shock

severe

of

course

beech

when

ANIMALS

butcher, accompanied by

under

cut

of

case

ON

of delirium.

access

1849,

LIGHTNING

horse

has

struck

struggle. All
which

struggled
death.

been

for

was

the

generallysinks
same,

struck

long

time

by

we

the

hear

flame,

against

an

150

THUNDER

The

AND

animals, like those

of

corpses

LIGHTNING

sometimes

very

and
flaccid,

decompose rapidly.

Thus
under

all the

thunder.

to

get

men

to

skin

state

of

of

advantage

that

his

it

of

out

by

the

and

great clap

wishing

owner,

were

alreadyin

the

stench

hurried

and

together

were

his
such
so

was

the servants

impossiblefor

They

soft

their remains, sent

bodies

the

was

orders.

killed

were

are

men,

are

flock which

decomposition,

abominable,

they

morning

next

them, but

others

at

Scotland,

The

some

execute

sheep

in

tree

of

rigid;

of

to

to

bury

the

p.m.,

lightning

sheep

in their skins.

On

fell

September 10, 1845,

on

house

in

other

accidents

Amongst
three

hours

When

after the
animals

fluid,but

experiment
took

He

put
four

the
of

one

different

on

very

made

the

to

pig

in

stable

by

the

atmospheric

machines,

our

position
decom-

rapidly.
following

curious

very

subject:

"

away

from

and

about

age,

aside without

others

different

same

completelydecomposed.

was

killed, not

hearts

the

kind, the

same

comes

this

on

it killed

lightning of

Sequard

Brown

about

village of Salagnac (Creuse).

body

are

the

by

always

He

the

at

the

the

touching it,and
passage

strength for

results obtained

five rabbits

"

each

of

an

animal.

same

of the

strength.

he submitted

electric
Here

current,
are

the

first animal

The
its

rigidity,which
The

days.
lasted

in

time

electric current.

the

weakest

became

received

the

six

its

received
of

end

the
The

days.
became

softened

body

strength of

the

which

at

the
seven

which

one

rigid in

after

eight

lasted

feebler,and

was

to

one

current

strongest

minutes, and

the

rigid

lasted

this

others

proportion

Thus,

current,

hours, and

four

the

hours, and

ten

excessivelymarked,

was

rigidityof

shorter

rigid after

became

seven

quarter of

an

hour.
This
in
which

experiment explainsthe absence,

duration,

have

been

of

the

terrible

ness
short-

subjects

in

corpselike stiffness

subjectedto

the

or

discharge

of

victims

of

lightning.
Animals

lightning,but,
oftener

the

sometimes

of

martyrs

transformed

mutilated

Laboratories

small

cemeteries, where

these

last when

is not

let the

to

Can

we

have

been

No.

Both

eat

are

with
?

them

Several

the

are

lie

quartered,and

been

is the

victims

impunity

ordinary lot
The

chief

of

point

suffer.

flesh of animals

people say Yes,

many

which
say

right.

aside the

these

spares

innocent

struck

Putting
which

science

have

what

But

still

are

science.

into

rabbits.

frequent

experiment shows, they

guineapigs,frogs which

poor

to

this

as

the

only

not

are

bodies

question of
are

the

rapid putrefaction

nearly always subjected,the

152

THUNDER

AND

flesh of animals
found

unhealthyand

by fulgurationhas

been

bodies

the

struck

in

be eaten
On

without

the

people

other
fowls

ate

spark

this

"

"

of

two

and

inventor

of

that
to

ensure

served

which

had

proved

very

rapid.
to

been

had

flesh could

how

recounts

killed

lightning

by

the

follow

fresh meat

electric

cooked

mediatel
im-

these

capons

was

and

illustrious

the

by

proceeding in

this

being as

some

and

"

flesh of

The

should

we

that

we

of

clean

posing
proorder

when
possible

as

from
to

existence

Jupiter.

seems

been

struck,

the

all animals,

seen

it is the

often

plants,which
by

the
to

case

be

try
sort

some

with

the

dedicated

it has

included,

man

generalrule.
beings

meet

as

to

decompositionis

have

others
be

more

cases

Nevertheless,we
or

has

prudent

it is

in certain

lightning:

animals,

that

which

meat

now

victims

appears

which

ox

their

that

"

little

think, however,

been

men,

an

lightning-conductorsconcluded

sacrifice the

as

and

to

table.

at

Up

commissioned

tender,
particularly

our

We

cows

was

hand, Franklin

funny

been

danger.

after death.
excellent

who

stable,declared

often

uneatable.

veterinary surgeon

examine

not

killed

LIGHTNING

in

this

world,

to

selves
themdistinguish

of

originality.This

electric fish,whose
to

the

worship

of

EFFECTS
These
Nature

fish

curious
of

ON

LIGHTNING

OF

hurl

able

to

they

set

being

the

received

have

153

ANIMALS

gift

lightningto

from

certain

distance.
is how

This
search
at

of food

his

with

eye,

he

its

rivers

the

often

five

the

species:

be

and

Africa

which

these

of terrible

scenes

snapped

and

curious

dramas,

the

tetrodon,

the

These

havoc

the

They
If

among

touch

you

enough

to

inhabitants

of

over

benumb

and

depths

caused

by

divided

are

the

gymnote
terrible

Neptune's kingdom.

men

as

feel

torpille,
you

by

up

animals

aquatic lightningswork

influence

their

use

fly

trichiure, the

and
silurus,the raie torpille
(cramp-fish),

(electric
eel).

the

lightningfish,which

of these

presence

into

in

lets

resistance.

Asia

Pacific Ocean,

live,are
the

in

and

minute, the poor

itself to

pitiless
adversarywithout
Certain

of

allows

and

who

Fascinating it

immovable,

After

it.

repeated dischargesto
fish is overcome,

in motion.
it

renders

little fish in

this terrible enemy,

near

livingtail

his

sets

once

too

goes

work.

to

well

as

shock

paralyze the

arm

fish.

strong
for

some

minutes.
A

formed

curious
a

experiment

chain,and

wire, touched

If thunder

back

the

imported. They

one

tried

was

of them, with

of

eight people

pieceof

torpillewhich

metallic

had

been

all felt the shock.

had

elected

to

be

domiciled

anywhere

THUNDER

154

in

but

in

the

its

own

organism

AND

clouds,
of

these

Unfortunately,
humanity

torpille

has

(torpedo)

it

in

invented

LIGHTNING

would

curious

seem

as

it

would

be

fish.

international

our

if

much

more

relations,

dangerous

156

THUNDER

AND

bay

Jupiter. Many
to fall victims

The
have

of

trees

to the

LIGHTNING
size have

some

seen

electric fluid.

figtree, the mulberry tree, and

also been

been

the

peach tree

but
reputed to enjoy safety,
There

not

the

tree

being struck by lightningand completelywithered,

and

another

case.

of

is

this also is

instance

an

record

on

of

fig

mulberry-tree,
eightyyears old,being

partly destroyed.
In

our

injured.
the

In the State

opinion

is

often

are

it would

But

them.

tions
planta-

to

as

mistake

beech

refuge in
place

to

tree

times

of storm.

much

too

trust

in

being struck by

trees

destroyed,just like bay trees, figtrees,

the rest.
In

1835,

an

old beech

three hundred

than
which

wide

were

destroyed;

torn

not

off the

of it

blackened

trunk.

oak

five minutes

forest

of

trunk
from

the

to

branches,
finest

were

great extent,

splitwhere

was

it.

more

The

interior

carbonized.
slightly

and

and

the

patriarchwas

its bark

torn

in

its upper

four

The

were

July 15, 1868,

(Manche), an
within

strong,

branches

four

On

and

Of

old.

years

struck

was

venerable

fifth,
strippedof

the other
was

tree

This

of Villers-Cotterets.

was

un-

go

that

records of beech

are

to

States,

deeply rooted

so

be

There

is believed

of Tennessee, in the United

resorted

lightningand
and

beech

days, the

own

at

an

of each

Chefresne,
ash

were

other.

canton

struck

de

Percy

by lightning

EFFECTS

August 10, 1886,

On
an

the

LIGHTNING

OF

ash

struck

was

same

box

The

was

and

tree

regarded as
virtue

ash

an

year,

and

which

the

According

August 23,

On

used

Virginiancreeper

to

some

call Donnerblatt

The

same

ceous
herba-

and

roofs,

Donner-

or

Thunder-beard.

authors, again,lightningnever

trees, such

disprovedby

walls

usuallyupon

grows

or

in

be

to

house-leek,a thick

the

Germans

strikes resinous
is

to

Brabant,

struck also at Namur.

was

the

attributed

barb, Thunder-leaf

also

destroyed.

safeguardsagainst lightning.

plant,which
and

in

Haute-Croix,

at

157

TREES

ON

as

pines

firs.

or

in
the facts,especially

this

But

regard

to

firs.
the

Among

many

recent

years, is the

kinds

of trees, with

each

specieshas

I
particulars

followinglist

been

the record
struck

of

have

collected

different
sixty-five

of the number

of

by lightningwithin

times

given

period:
"

54

oaks.

2 lime

24

poplars.

14

elms.

1 mountain

11

walnut

10

firs.

trees.

trees.

apple trees.

mulberrytree.

7 willows.

1 laburnum.

1 acacia.

6 ash

trees.

6 beech

ash.

1 alder.

pine trees.

trees.

of

pseudo-acacia.

figtree.

158

THUNDER

LIGHTNING

AND

pear

cherrytrees.

trees.

4 chestnut

1 olive tree.

trees.

catalpas.

in

standing
most

absolute

the

rule.

the

middle

pick

cases

in

that,

birch.

maple.

tallest.

character

the
these

of

to

the

beech

by

the

oak

have

spark given
the

result that

electric fluid after

machine, whereas
were

needed.

for the
Black

resistance

moderate

their

beech

few

of

been

clouds,

roots

all

"

the

offered

wood.

by
oak

two

wood
wood

with

view

to the

Similar

exposed lengthwise

out

or

one

poplar
:

made

been

kinds

different

and

electric

machines, with

of

an

as
qualities

storm

of resistance

amount

spark by

piecesof

the

foliage and

in

soil in which

in the

from

experiments have

the
ascertaining

electric

trees

important factors.

things are

Numerous
to

their

of

is not

this

But

isolation of trees, their

The

rooted, their distance

are

clump

is

It

plain,lightning will

conductors, the degree of moisture

they

deal.

good

of

case

of

the

out

for

Height obviouslyaccounts
incontestable

tree.

orange

of

one

wood

Holtz's

pierced

was

revolutions
a

dozen

and

revolutions

or

willow

of the

twenty
offer

suffice to

trate
pene-

them.
In

all

depends
that

on

instances
the

the woods

sap.
which

the
It

of
susceptibility
has

contain

been

the

wood

proved by analysis

starch with

but

little oil,

EFFECTS
such

OF

oak, poplar,willow, maple, elm, and

the

as

offer much

less resistance

those

trees

which

beech

tree, walnut

the

pine tree, the

which

trees

wood

is

oak

quite

while

in

fatty matter,

which

the

it

in

that

serve

its resistance
and

other

full

much

rarelystruck.

to

been

what

shelter
are

dangers those
beneath

refugefrom
been

killed

take

the

the

by

the protector
shall

nor

rain

for

fireball
"

to

the

give
number

some

the

thick

under

make

in

are

during

examples of

that

in the

persons

the trees

trouble

considerable

proved

elsewhere

pointed out

innumerable

We

been

in

severe
particularly

lightningare
It has

those
electricity;

it has

as

this

summer

as

the

spark

which

trees

of

case,

much

as

the electric

to

conductors

any

of

case

conductor

as

trees

In

on.

starch.

rarelystruck by lightning. Decayed

more

so

great quantity

lacks

more

beech

the

as

the

by

has

summer

likelyto

of

in

proved

in winter

equals that

of

wood

have

as

than

electric current

corroborated

are

contain

Experiments

ash,

tree, lime tree, birch tree, and

of oil in winter, but

those

the

to

richer

are

conclusions

These

159

TREES

ON

LIGHTNING

are

excellent

are

vigour being

the

effects of

vegetable world.
this little book
who

exposed

thunderstorm

take
;

imprudence

of

there

taking

foliage,
people having

lightningdoes

not

always

selection,sparing neither

protected.
more

of similar

instances,chosen
observations.

from

160

THUNDER
In

and

1888,

distant

took
them
all

ten

surprised by drops

reapers,
of

rumbling
beneath

refuge

thunder, left their

the

one

returned

almost

She

was

advise

to

her

at

girlof

young

smilinglythrow
and

her

22nd

the

of

found

was

them

her

saw

tree,

extended.

the

in the

most

About

employed
field of
into

his

scattered

were

home,

horrible
six
on

in

was

for several

necessary
to

of

farm

beet-root.
the

shade

to

he

elm,

an

Well

way.

it

lightning

labourers

outright,

third.
;

under

by

later, the
the

such

where

latter

The

his

was

garments, burnt
When

he

violent delirium

that

him.

unfortunate

bring the

died

shortly afterwards

agony.
the

o'clock,on
the

his

on

four

year,

overtaken

round

men

same

stopped

minutes

killingtwo

himself,he

victim

went

Several

of the

arms

were

completelynaked

almost

to

came

tree,

tattered,

and

it

of

Several

him.

the

work,

grievouslywounding

and

retreat,

them,

trunk

the

prudently continued

fourth
for

in

August

Three

thunderstorm.

struck

of

one

years.

fall backwards, her

once

labourers, returning from

was

the

and

neighbouring

to- follow

round

arms

work

this

fourteen

rain

dead.

On

the

securityof
of

of

But

tree.

fled in the direction

immediately

who

walnut

big

having questioned

wood, except

LIGHTNING

AND

of

23rd

Puy-Crouel,

Overcome

of

of June,

walnut

tree.

men

working

were

with

seven

the

in

heat, they

All

at

once,

OF

EFFECTS

workmen

to the

go

half

back

skinned

All
under

had

which

of them

of them

of

the

lengthof

lost

they

their

seven

able

to

victims

had

the vertebral
if torn

his

column

nails.
by finger-

The

walnut

cleft from

was

get

severelyburnt,

memory.

sheltered

had

the

being hurled

were

were

his face scratched, as

had

other

sky ;

farm, the others

the whole

161

TREES

the

one

asphyxiated. One

and

the

Three

yards away.

and

up

down,

thrown

were

several

ON

lightning illumined

flash of

LIGHTNING

tree

top

to

bottom.
is another

Here

thunderstorm
took

and
fields,

killed the

oak,

they

were

shelter under

time, four young

struck

were

coming

home

tree.

The

and

men

from

the

lightning

taking refuge under

down.

thrown

instantly,his

killed

was

as

caught

were

little people.

seven

Another
an

"

children,belonging to Ahrens,

Seven
in

less terrible

example no

of them

One

companions

cruelly

were

injured.
On

the 10th

cherries
fluid.

We
a

number

of human

was

of

July,in Belgium,a

killed
man

young

on

similar

which

standingbeneath

might multiply these

of

tree

cases

it

attracted

The

the

paralyzed.

was

tragic tales

happen.

ing
gather-

woman

each

year

imprudence

!
beingsis trulyincorrigible

Everybody,

however

should
preservation,

feeble

flee the

his

instinct

vicinityof

of

self-

during

trees
M

162

THUNDER

AND

thunderstorm,

the

road, rather

its

or

that

the

wood

The

of

of

be

at

times

as

the

tree

Jupiter are

made.

human

is

generous

oak's

the

altar

robust
with

this

full

the

because
splintered,

the

conductor

For

body.

which

on

good

so

tree receives

leaningagainsta

person

too

the

is not

trees

the

electricityas

as

on

poplar,elegantlyplumed

gracefulfoliage,may

sacrifices in honour

life

drenched

be

to

lightning,for

the

of

himself

offer his

than

to
burnt-offering

trunk,

allow

and

LIGHTNING

of
a

reason,

discharge;

it did

not

serve

perfectconductor.
the

Yet

conductive

power

of

certain

speciesis

so

remarkable, that the neighbourhood of particulartrees

be

may

regardedas

however, without
The

tips

of

protectionagainstlightning(this,
in contact

coming
the

branches

with

them

pointing

!).

towards

clouds, and

the

influence

of the atmosphere ; and,

electricity

by

the

but continual

exchange
and

they receive, undoubtedly

is effected between

the

electricity

balance

sky,thus holding the

over,
more-

inaudible

gracefulbranches, an

of these

means

of the earth

moisture

the

between

oppositecharges.

two

Colladon
may,

in

favourable
on

conducting.
other

that

asserts

conditions,

account
He

poplars planted

adds

circumstances

of

their
that

act

as

height
it is

regarding

the

near

houses

ductors,
lightning con-

and

powers

necessary
situation

to
of

of

take
the

164

THUNDER
All

some

the trees have

others

have

their trunks

the

cases

direction

the

Pieces

bark

there.

But

is horizontal

wood

of

or

rebounded

have

Certain

that

for

cases

killed
than

the

to

top

the wooden

hanging
at

the

shaped
been

at

the

like

loosened

fluid.

1787,

explained by
The

following

two

felt

of

branch

the

its base
funnel.

passage
a

horses

the

of
was

round

of
hole

slender

was

caught

were

bound

ring which

Now,

had

which

the

found

was

tree.

same

tree

Directlyabove

slit into

them

of the men,

one

were

ill effects other

no

iron

An

men

Beaujolais,when

Tancon,

Their

tree.

high

and

be

the

other

belonging to

greatly by
soil at

it may

above.

only

suffocation.
of

stripshere

ground

by lightning. One

little distance,there

suffered
In

tree

spot, the

shoe

from

the

can

of

summer

momentary

off

that
conclusively

prove

from

in

torn

"

the

the

on

in

struck

were

bottom

to

trunk

the

not

of

movement

sheltering under
they

different

sometimes

(?)after strikingfrom

example

"During

up

does

effects,however,

ascending

an

perpendicularin

or

are

to

lightningstruck upwards

the

top

way

leaves; the

their

cleft from

and only adhere

lengthwise,

and

of

same

branches.

of the

of

in the

perforated,or splitin

are

furrow

struck

stripped

or

parts. Usually trees

some

been

not

scorched

are

LIGHTNING

AND

electric

was

it the

thongs.

be

to

bark
As

also

fluid.
seen,

had

for the

tree

beneath

half

which

its bark

the

leaves

the

were
long splinters

On

parts.

upper

withered,

were

sheltered,it also had

had

men

off,and

hanging only by
tree

the

165

TREES

ON

LIGHTNING

OF

EFFECTS

seen

side of the

one

they

other

the

on

be

to

were

still quite green.""

In

of the

out

come

remarkable

this most

In

its roots

which

trees

to these

vital

natural

which

often

Very

foliage. This

is

which

most

The

are

of

one

they

than

more

any

from

recover

merely strippedof

are

other

up

lightlystruck

be

may

case

they

in

garments,

they

They

thrown

struck.

always succumb,

not

in

been

have

attacks.

part,

wounds.

by lightning

blasted

tree

undulating,and

soil is often

Vegetables do
men,

willow

found.

were

Besides,the
around

lightninghad

ground.

cleft of

the

the

instance

in

their
their
and

words, of their bark

injuriesto
superficial

those

subject.

following is

an

example

of

kind

of

struck

at

this

:
fulguration
"

On

July 16, 1708,

Brampton.
the

base.

peeled

The

They

off from

twenty-eight
trunk, it hung

largermeasured
were

the

feet.
in

oaks

two

both

about

to

Completely

long stripsfrom
the

the

and

soil,a

detached
the

feet around

ten

splitasunder,

summit

Boussingault witnessed

were

the

bark

length
from

of

the

top.

destruction

by lightning

THUNDER

166
of

wild pear

the

At

tree

the

explosionan

like smoke

arose,

fresh

LIGHTNING

coal

has

Beekelleronn.

Lamperlasch,near

at

of

moment

of vapour
when

AND

been

coming
put

of

out

the

on

column

enormous

The

fire.

flashed in all directions,

great branches
and

when

the vapour

tree, its trunk

taken

less

regular bands,

the

either

the

on

way,

the

pear
had

lightning

bark

the

left on,

side, or

one

ning
light-

gave

stood

Sometimes

completelyoff.

only partially
strippedoff
or

off,there

dazzlingwhite:

bark

the

cleared

chimney

trunk

in

or

is

more

the

on

branches.

During
an

elm

violent storm

five hundred

struck

was

lengthwise in
centimetres
There

off

the

strip,four

of

have

been

made

made

with

by

Two

Maggiore

traces

by
it

Moreover,
riddled

trees, which

great oaks

fireballs,
only bore

and

mosses

the

Two

tory
Observa-

and

five

clean

off.

wide
cut

was

off

bark

the

burning.

only the

sides

scratches.

of

trace

the

took

of bark

18, 1897,

May

from

centimetres

band

This

deep.

Sometimes

distant

metres

which
by lightning,
a

no

was

Juvisy,on

at

small

is not

which

of two

lichens

with

escape
had

been

punctures

whisked

are

light

struck

which

by

might

shot.
uncommon

multitude

of

the

bark

little holes, like

those

to

see

worms.

men

on

were

August

struck

by

lightning

15, 1791, beneath

an

Casal

near

elm

tree.

EFFECTS
One

of them

and

amongst

other

There

of it to the

centre

bark

looked

scars

started

as

if it had

from

this

the

Lightning
high,

of

dike

the

on

or

bark

the

June

strips,about

15

to

25,

pine tree,

caught

the

on

(Haute-Marne),

water-pipesat

some

finally
passed into
by

deep

metre

stood

18

destroyed. The
far

as

the

it shivered

long,
of

At
25

bark

the

into

the incision made

(Landes)

myriad

of

many

three

were

distance

in

from

slender

which

within

metres

away
been

Jare

near

time

same

metres

had

distance.

pines

stump, 2"

neighbouring trees,

fell

fireball

scattered
splinters

thin

considerable

branches

and

to

from

metres

standing.

onlyas

struck

reduced

which

Only

metres.

which

Foulain

holes

hanging

thrown

even

There

tree, five metres

chestnut

half, and

two

is often

soil,or

On
on

through

at

and

metre

trunk.

the

in diameter.

decimetre
The

roadside

several leaves,then

depth

of

top

almost

the branches.

to

through

cut

the

on

burning
a

done

damage

no

Several

ascended

and

the

at

surrounding

The

mite-eaten.

point

towards
perpendicularly
was

been

little

penetratedthe

hole

of the wood.

core

of

number

rested, and

the elbow

the moment,

at

twist in the tree

was

167

TREES

the tree

on

injurieswere

arm.

where

part

his elbow

had

holes in the

ON

LIGHTNING

OF

mained
height,re-

other

the

pines,

first,
were

strippedoff each,
for

of

extractingthe

but

resin.

THUNDER

168

LIGHTNING

AND

Furrows, of varying width, and

directions,may
others
to

reaching to

the

times

at

the

top

These

roots.

be

seen

marks

trees,

on

of the

in different

running

occasionally

tree, and

show

the

short,

some

of

passing

the

lightning.

at

Sir John

Clark

least 60

feet

which
10

the

and

the trunk

either

castle

trunk

rifle shots

furrows

followed

that

fired

towards

curiouslyenough the

in the

these
above

bands

are

certain

more

in

but

was

not

the top of

have

made

been

These

roots.

of fire.

the

followed
to

are

often

tree

by
three

trunk, always

the

the bark, and

and

burnt.

be

the

capricesof

found

they surround

the
that

in

the

form

of

the

oblique

long spirals of varying width, showing

lightning clasped

the

shafts,

three

in

of

park

the

in

invariablystraighteither

not

example they
They

wood

the

former

vegetable body.
cases,

the

diverge.

or

at

of
irregularities

the

slipping,glidingbetween

But

might

double,

be

may

observed
struck

tree

furrows

three

whole

thick, the

lines
parallel

Louville
a

from

diameter,

5 centimetres

by lightning which, dividing

hollowed
three

de

Nevers,

at

in

it
always single,

in two

Chevalier

The
the

stretch

4s feet

Cumberland,

in

straightline.

is not

oak

strippeda pieceof bark, about

and
in

huge

high and

wide

furrow

The

seen

lightninghad

centimetres

length of

has

in

trunk
the

serpent

EFFECTS

LIGHTNING

OF

is

Here

"

violent

storm

on

160

metres

north-west

tree

was

25

summit

and

it

the trunk

struck

destroying the
and

round
which

trunk,
obvious

been

have
I
the

by

of

black

The

wide

base

to

discharge,
round

twisted

1901.

the

highest

in

trees

the

by

the

electric

full

length of

meteor

few

fragments lay
to

such

all

of the

and

curved

the trunk,
above

metres

distance

fluid

the

round

that

it

phenomenon

the
was

must

extraordinaryviolence.

able

was

the

explosive force

to

foot of the
a

down

hurled

the

of

where

Enormous

some

the

by

up

The

Valliere.

full leaf from

August 25,

one

bark

round

roots.

of

magnificent ash, stripping off

shattered

was

in

centimetres

10

Juvisy, a

at

forest of Moladier,

castle

halfway

similar case,

Lightning

park

the

poplar

ground.

the

to

I noted

the

struck

was

spiralfurrow

of

high, and

metres

July 17, 1895,

on

through the

road

the

blasted

was

169

TREES

example :

an

During

ON

the

trace

of

course

tree, along its roots

the

to

lightningto
great depth,

furrow.
is not

tree

dead.

The

ivy which

clung

to

it is

dead.
The

often
the

vast

witnesses

and

splendid

the

magnificent trees

charming

and

forest

presence

of

which

adorn

celebrated

place

of
the

and
are,

Saint

Germain

lightning, and

beautifythis
unfortunately,

often

too

demolished

of

victims

the

has

Lightning

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

170

with

singleflash

shade

generations.The

had

survived

beneath
the

the

fate

Struck

of

oak

an

...

within

ended
to

twisted

so

much

of

mass

mightilyby
the

that

power

followed

the

fashion, and

Pines

cabinet-makers.

and

countries

fairlyoften

are

fashion.

One
the

can

can

define

of

lightning.

should
taken

be

by

cause

more

no

of

One

attributed
the

fibre, or

affected

to

know

not

their

form

cally,
verti-

certain

spiral

in

by carpenters
in

mountainous

in

this

for

account

the curved

does

exist

grows

firs

and

its

lightning,and

wood

twisted

with

growing

There

which

of

fibre

called

is

of

have

regain

never

the

by

corkscrew.

the

singular trees,

made

furrow

like

twisted

became

could

tree

top

wonderful

worked

which

fibre,instead

originalposition. The

the

appeared to

tree

force

Veneur.

beginning at

the

was

violently

were

ground. But,

of the

metre

relate,the whole

been

branches

spiralfurrow

off.

torn

Such

Grand-

du

TEtoile

near

top, its upper

the

on

centuries, fell

perniciousfluid.

the

of

arrow

given

splendidtree, which
several

severity of

the

whose

perfumed leaves, had

with

laden

many

It

superb giant

long branches,
to

memories.

old

for

respect

no

tions.
visita-

inopportune

these

of

curious

it than
some

exactly

one

flashes
if

they

following the direction

whether,

on

the

contrary,

the

172

THUNDER

band

The
it

five inches

was

descended, and

wide.

The

wood

but the branches

seemed

All

the

wide, but became

was

finallyno

was

incised

been

riddled

injuriesof

wounds
allude

deep

to

of

the

fissures

and

topmost part

full

14, 1865,

May

lightning

continued

chopped

up

distance

of

and

the

other

are

brought

to

that

produced by
only a portion

this is not

But

poplar was

be

always so.

split in

two

by

half

to

the

One

half

other

The

and

thrown

taken

was

to

pieces,which

These

Fouche,

M.

they might

We

dent
tree, the result of the acci-

metres.

by

me

serious

more

breaks

fragments

hundred

not

rarely recovers.

standing.

small

in
a

fibrous

coriati
spoken (ex-

have

Montigny-sur-Loing.

at

height

were

of

bark

the

shot.

touches

fracture

fatal.
necessarily

is not
On

there
tree

the

places,

bark, furrows),are

the

lightning. When

in

rest of

small
we

the

But

which

from

by

inches

two

torn

even

The

which

stripping off
necessarilymortal.

and

as

narrower

than

more

hurt.

not

were

have

to

LIGHTNING

AND

are

for

so

dried

hemp

up

instead

of wood.
In

top

the

majority of

these

cases

the

tree

is

splitfrom

to bottom.
On

July 5, 1884,

biggest of
struck

and

In

the

of

group

splitdown
month

of

in

Belgium,

trees

its full

of

the

poplar,

the

was
species,

same

length.

August, 1853,

on

the

side

of the

EFFECTS
road

to Versailles,
a poplarof
Ville-cTAvray

from

twenty years old

its roots

road.

parts, from
How

often

remarked

has

one

bodies ?

headless

of these

the

of

month

tainebleau,

tree

great

often

trunks

in

been

lightninghas

trees.

in

May, 1867,

the forest of Fon-

about

magnificent oak,

four

splitinto

was

desolate, standing sadly,like

Very

executioner
In

Vicence,

near

top down.

the

forests,decayed and

poor

wide,

parts by

several

into

example, in 1827,

For

fell

other

millimetre

tree, three feet in diameter,

pear

the

place,the

to

tree.

is divided

the tree

vertical fissures.

the

of the

centre

Sometimes

in its

about

bough

the topmost

line,about

black

the

down

ran

cleft from

was

half remained

; one

the

on

178

TREES

ON

LIGHTNING

OF

two

in

metres

circumference,was

completelydecapitatedby lightning;

its branches

on

trunk

left

fell

standing

splintered into
scattered

were

branches

of

considerable
away,

much

which

they

In

the

barked

was

of

fragments
the

on

varying

ground

size

were

the

hurled

injury of

more

the

Several
than

bark

of

roots

sizes.

hung

or

surrounding trees.

part

the

to

the

to

The

ground.

from

the
and

They
the

piecesof

thirtymetres
of

the

trees

struck.

numerous

broken

in

several

far and

wide.

cases,

the

tree

places,and

struck

by lightningis

fragments

of

it thrown

174

THUNDER

July 2, 1871,

On

Rouvres,

Italian

an

metres

high,

wood

ash

metres

high,

from

the

and

3"

five to

reduced

high

the

4,

heap

and

height

round,

the

July 17,

This

tree, ten

point 85

metres

still hanging

by

crown,

embankment.

from
shred

violence

The

wide

pieces thirtycentimetres

in

1884,

field from

Belgium,

of atoms

forty feet

twenty-

fir

the

on

ground.

than

more

willow

March,

bits.

Some

One

divide

of

the

fittingthem
same

time

thrown

two

feet

admiration

shattered
disappeared,literally
countryside,

fragments were

was

hundred

circumference, the

in

In

of the

fiftymetres

and

off.

Plymouth,

at

at

length, into

in

metres

at

lightning on

Clermont.

to

trunk, lay on

to

by

broken

was

July

1818,

road

thirty metres

On

lightning

old, thirty

years

round

metres

near

ground, splinteringoff enough

explosionthrew

of the

Etiefs,

(Haute-Marne),

struck

and

ground,

of

high.

the

on

the

the

was

1895,

farm

centimetres
heap sixty-five

fiftycentimetres
An

three

from

make

to

the

at

poplar, sixty

and

metre

one

LIGHTNING

of Auberive

canton

struck

of

AND

into

hundred

and

away.
the

curious

most

interior

of

the

tree

perfectlyone
separating

effects

them

into

of

lightning is

to

into

concentric

layers,

the

other, but

at

with

the

extraordinaryprecision.

roules

Arbres
of

victims
show

(thus
odd

this

injury

any

dissected

struck

carefully,and

examined

layerswere
of

tubes

fireball

of

In

great

which

and

elm,

to

to

on

tatters;

the

charred
Does

as

it

from

that

the

another

one

be

to

centric
con-

the

as

the

to

top

black.

The

by

an

neighbouring
and

through

if it had

other

the

canal

through
the

bottom,

following is

Moisselles, lightning fell upon

trunk

the

bored

been

red-hot

half

its

own

through, shivering

burst

was

knob,

enormous

elm

to

open

through

bullet

that

the

from

it

roots,
end

one

blackened

and

it.
it not

seem

trees

apparently

spares,

annihilates.

as

And

inconceivable
But

from

at

lives of the

by

stated

striking against

height, pierced

it looked

been

"

June, 1823,

rebounded

to

opened

was

hollows

bunit

are

example

curious

body,

high, having

was

sometimes

the trees

of

centre

the

not

succumbs.

1818,

detached

as

are

rule, do

But

metres

it

which

opera-glass.

an

The

sides

25,

August

on

as

outside.

the

oak, twenty-five

An

the

phenomenon),
on

called

trees

electric fluid,soon

the

by

the

are

records

as

if the

with

man

returns

this

lightningplays with
?

the

to

sport

It

is

the

threatens, changes,

charge

and

accompanied,

finally
at

times,

effects.
are

still more

eloquent than

reflections

176

THUNDER

Nature, in her

AND

speech,tells us

mute

own

LIGHTNING
of

thousand

marvels.
the

Is not

following phenomenon enough

mode

of action

the

On

and

metre

of

April,lightningstruck

cut
Vibraye (Sarthe),

of

circuit

lower

snatched,
Moreover,

all the

the

annual

the

their

the

one

no

But

lightning able

had

circles
of

the

great

had

roots

been

explain.

can

to

plant

rapidity,the

inconceivable

it has

1868, it took
two

forest
the

trunk

were

so

sap

remained

too

upper

welded

an

obstacle

This

It alone

is

is

in the

top

of

the

something

capable

of

earth,
tree

which

creating

situations.

such

on

the

was

such

where

up

strips only
made

the

flash.

concentric

drying

knots

the shreds

the
a

of its

separation.

How

with

the

where

which

in

measuring

planted

rapidityof

sudden

that,
effectually,

to

this tree,

and

from

spot

with

the

separated by

together

oak

an

parts, strewed

fiftymetres,
the

part exactly on
been

varied

half in circumference, at two-thirds

height, pulverizedthe
over

and

19th

forest of

the

its fantastic

mysterious in

lightningmore

make

to

trees

done
the

forest

Two

years

later,in

opportunity of playing a good

of different

pine, which,

still!

better

without

an
species,

race

of Pont-de-Bussiere

English

oak

trick
and

fraternized
jealousy,

(Haute- Vienne).

in

These

EFFECTS
two

trees

about

were

hit

twinkling of

with

themselves

found
went

their delicate

commonplace

about

all the inhabitants

miracle to
oak

and

to

oak

the

needles of the

pine.

learn that

wood,

settingit
For

unusual

into

of this

scene

both

trees

conditions

new

pine-

with

not

appeared
the

its festival
the sombre

be

surprised

shatters the

thousand

pine

morsels

living

without

fire.

bundle

reduced

to

atoms

sheaf

and
settingit on fire,

without

doing other
certain

further
the

cases

varying depths :

the

faggots lying

on

the

without
by lightning,

being visible.

of combustion

fireball fell on

of

without

In

the

spectacleof

lightningsometimes

has been

trace

to

marvels,my readers will

instance,a

hearth
any

on

the

nothing

was

with
agreedperfectly

decayedwood,

or

the

oak, and

There

agreeably adorned

the oak

such

The

metamorphosis. Accordingly

well in these

whilst
foliage,

to

verdure.

in crowds

went

the

-pine.

be

to

After

the

unexpected happened :

thrive very

continued

the

in

and

brightenthe austerityof

contemplatethe

an

And

to

taneously
simul-

were

changed.

were

on

177

TREES

explosivematter,

eye, their leaves

leaves of the oak

pine

ON

yards apart, and

ten

the

by
an

needles

pine

LIGHTNING

OF

of

barleyin

buried

the open

field

itself in the ground

damage.

electric fluid chars

blackened

layer

wood

is often
N

at

very

THUNDER

178

sometimes,

slight;

LIGHTNING

AND

contrary, combustion

the

on

is

complete.
for the

As

they

attacked

are

takes

the

their

dry

the

of

One

been

and

struck, it

shrivelled up

that

prove

the

other

At

leaves, when

uninjured.

the

It is not

strippedof its leaves

in

or
strips,

We

see

on

trace

trees

cleft in
that

animals

strikes these
a

out

of the

to

by

also

roots

ground

the

more

or

without

less

lightning does

and

breath
And

men.

latter with

of its

was

sudden

passing,just as
leaving

any

to

ground.
on

apparently
instantly

tree

mysteriouspower.

some

on

fire ; the
seemed

are

the

see

bark

be observed

effect may

unusual

exhaling its baleful

about
than

the

where

uncovered

the

by

Everything

and

if

be

ground

yellow and

were

roots,

much

we

have

been

seen

as

have

preceding examples. They

in the

seen

they

placesthe

leaves

trunk

as

it the

three

or

the

same

lightning acts

The

two

green.

the

shade

tints

green

all round

lightningcame

times

When

Champs-Elysees having

parchment would

as

part remained

upper

the

In

beneath

from

raised

was

the

proved that

was

rule.

autumnal

; an

charming

in

full of little holes.

was

up

as

quickly.

up

trees

unhurt

are

shrivel

they

place of

brown

turn

leaves,they

disturbed,torn

regularpieces.
make

not

the

on

moreover,

death
sometimes

exterior

ado

more

life of
that

without

plants,
it often

leaving

it strikes the

injury.

Now

and

180

THUNDER

haycocks, ricks

to

collection

LIGHTNING

AND

of

of

records

of

leaningagainsthaystacks,were
As

rule the

the grass
In

is

1888,

struck.

haystack is burnt
and

simply scattered
curious

very

who, when

animals

or

men

have

We

barley, etc.

straw,

sometimes, however,

thrown

to

observed

was

occurrence

distance.

at

Vayres (Haute- Vienne).

The

lightning struck

villageof Puytreuillard;
to

cinders
done

were

beneath

to

derived

was

which

the

gave

neighbourhood

But

this

again

the

But

to

cooked

been

to

the

the

25, 1881,
M.

of

the

accompany

the

birth

privilegeof protecting

fatal effects of

only a legend.

at

lightning.

vation
followingobser-

The

Chanvres

(Yonne), fiftyvine-

by lightning.

supposed, too,

that

flashes.

times

ancient

"

be

us

in

recollection

the

During
at

white
a

Montmorin

Larroque,

who

the

that

lilyin particularrespect.

shows

let

said

from

frizzled up

were

burning
June

burnt

were

all, the potatoes

had

they

from

vine

July 10, 1884,

It used

which

is

it :

proves

held

of

general

very

were

the

stocks

if

as

doubt

without

Bacchus,

On

stalks

the

at

hot ashes.

circumstances
of

potatoes

of the

some

turn, just

of

remarkable

most

belief which

and

but

field

But

flower

violent

electric fluid
here

is

is visited

note

by

thunder-storm

the
on

(Haute-Garonne)
witnessed

the

curious

EFFECTS

OF

phenomenon,

LIGHTNING

describe

garden,11
says he,
by

violet

the

the

As

laden

mythology
And

to

does

of

they

were

shocks, given

in

their

still seems
the

to

dominate

gracefullegendsof

might

have

from

above

ground, but,

ancients, his

working

at

influence

of

the

the

shock

been

them
shaken

sides

up
of

as

points along

the

the events

most

their

on

their

from

the

All

very

violent

extravagant

in

by

which

ground.

several

and

oddest

mines

were,

of the

of

conscious

in the

They

various

surface

the

the

1755.

dreaming

never

felt

Some

now

he

were

hand, stretchingnow
above,

have

the

men

neighbours received

They

been

electric fluid must

July 5,

on

of metal, and

fashion.

had

to

flowers

work

he

happens, working

once

close

went

found

ten

or

soil.

the

might take place on

at

eight

surrounding

when

days

great number

often

for

round

pollen.11

belief of

the

Himmelsfurth

vein

the

So

off the

only

beneath

extends

aureola

disappeared,I

the

surrounded

flourished.

not

contrary

at

it.

in the

as

them

an

lasted

Jupiter thunders,

world,

formed

181

lilies in my

of

I
great surprise,

my

carried

or

clump

pollen,while

with

When
our

to

its

it

as

TREES

highestof

glimmer

soon

deprived of

scattered

the

see

This

which,
lily,

were

In

"

glimmer, which

corolla.

seconds.

"

it

ON

backs,
arms

while

or

legs.

mysterious
below,

now

galleries.One

visible
in-

from
of

the

backs

others, whose

real

The

well demand

these

example

which

of

pit mouth

the

of

25th

the

On

going

rope
the
in

miners

lit
brilliantly

the

chain.

with

In

this

On

giving
vain

the

the

chastisement

criminals
that

instrument

our

pits

the
the

other

were

end

of

lightningbehaved
the

through

mine

slightestshock.
infamous

the

refuge from

laden

with

lightning.

crimes, dreaded

By fleeingfrom

the
from

footsteps,and

works

even

of celestial

by

watchman

saved

themselves

ancients

wire

used

themselves

believed

believe
the

the

subterranean

of heaven.

Lightning dogs

the

Tiberius, and

impure consciences,

flash,they

the

the

all

at

shone

monster
a

out

occasion

the

employed

men

moment

same

shoot

one

any

Caligula,sought
Their

flame

the

at

Frey-

at

along

run

going:"
fore-

guard

on

mines, and

the

Suddenly

discretion, and

due

without

of

the

At

up.

vivid

clear

watchman

glimmer

bottom

the

bears out

principalmines

the

lifts.

the

they might

strange proceedings.

exchange signalswith

to

working

saw

of

electric

the

to

the

May,

one

berg, perceivedan

him.

thumped

explanationof

blows,

to

came

the thunder, of whom

was
culprit

an

had

his mate

is another

Here

turned, almost

were

believingthat

each

against the wall, two

hurled

himself

found

miners

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

182

should

justice.

in

safety.

have

dreaded

It

ning
lightdeath.
when
is

it

as

ceivable
con-

an

EFFECTS

OF

LIGHTNING

Usually lightningstrikes
stroke, but
horizontal
up

the

at

sod

lines.

is torn, and

Sometimes,

ground
and

trees

stones

too,

with

ground

have

thrown

to

opening

be

vertical

be

of

be

turned

struck, the
distance.

great

long,

seen

been

may

may

183

it traces

may

which

object struck,

This

height.

ground

excavation

an

the

near

the

Often
of

foot

TREES

obliquely,when

times

at

the

ON

in

seen

varying
like

the

breadth

funnel

or

hemispherical.
In

observed

case

circular

(Haute-Saone),a
metres, has

been

road, below

in

seen

coach

canal, hollowed

ground,

the

fulgurite. But

which
world

the

constitute
connected

remarkable

sides

dyke

before

the

the

and

beginning

the

of

perpendicularlyin

serve

curious

as

sheath

observed

phenomena
shall

lightning,we

effects

of
declivity

to

treatingof fulguritetubes,

most

with

of 1 '20

struck.

is but

which

Cote

at

depth

the

on

not

was

deeply
of

6, 1883,

hole, having

hole

rather

the

which

Occasionally the

June

on

the

on

discuss
surface

in

the

certain

of

the

ground.

Fallingon
them,
Often

stone,
vitreous

solid rocks, the electric

them,

cut

instead
it

covers

coat,

of

or

pierce them

spoilingor
the

having

surface

in

one

seen

or

can

more

break

places.

cutting oft1 piecesof

the

instantaneouslywith

blisters of various

vitrification is often to be

spark

on

colours.

mountains.

This

184

THUNDER
De

with

observations

of schistous

bubbles, like

by lightning.

Ramond,

and

amphiboles

those

seen

at Nevada

similar

Toluca,

de

rock

Sanadoire

the

at

tiles

on

made

Humboldt

porphyriticrocks

on

Mexico,

rocks

vitreous

struck

where

in

found

Saussure

covered

LIGHTNING

AND

in

Puy-de-D6me.
these

In

melts

it

more

less

or

completelyover

this fusion, worked

and

produces a

by

upon

having

coat

reaching

spark,on

the

cases,

body it

surface,

varying extent,

extraordinaryheat,

an

but

peculiarappearance,

analysisfinds
microscopical

which

the

the

of

elements

in
the

covers.

Thus

the

chalky origin;

coveringgraniteis

that

chalk

layer depositedover

vitreous

is of

of the nature

of

granite,etc.
This

does

rocks,and

even

lightning,and
Whilst
or

which

the

of very

are

former

is

only

vitrified condition, the

presence

of

foreign bodies,
detached

have

been

This

transport
been

often

of

On

by

Here
:

passer-bysaw

the

stone

latter
some

ray

are

struck

been

different

is

by

origin.
in

caused

fragments
and

on

travel

fused

by
of

the

which

with

it.

by lightning has
two

examples

of this

"

July 28, 1885,

a

the

have

solid substances

observed.

strange phenomenon

road

trees, which

on

deposits found

certain

apply to

not

at

Luchon,

on

the

Bigorre

lightningfall twenty yards away

EFFECTS

from

curiosity to look

of

the

the

even

brown.

It

effected
could

themselves, coated

trees

a
certainly

was

deposit. This

be

traced

under

powder

resinous

resinous
In
a

odour

That

matter

the month

is what

violent thunderstorm

office in

picked up
which

had

the

which

little black

left

been

no

had

powder

yet

one

the

on

struck

off

gave

is this

What
can

say.

day following
the

off the

telegraph-

telegraphpoles,

and
lightning,

the

by

then

gentle

Savigny-sur-Orge, I myself

of

station

fell to

with

soft

smoke.

July,1885,

of

Lines

curious.

it
finger-nail,

much

with

lightninghaving

candle, and

at

layersof

with

very

became

slightpressure,
fire from

was

the

it with

on

rubbing,caught
a

latter

wall

chalky rocks,

over

of the

case

out

went

the

saw

and

schistous

road, the

of the

edge

result,and

the

at

shock, he

the

from

Recovered

him.

185

TREES

ON

LIGHTNING

OF

which

had

sulphuroussmell.
The

production of

been attributed

beyond

substances

to

doubt
found

on

is

Long

earth after

before

iridescent

centuries, are

unearthed

displayed in

national

the

most

the

most

antiquity appeared, whose

marvellous

observation

carries
electricity

truly

has

ponderable matter

bolides,but direct

that the

Lightning
makers.

this

tones

by

often
proves

solid

various

storm.

venerable
remote

of

glass-

peoples

glasswares encrusted

by

the

scientific

passing of

of

with
the

excavations, and

collections; long before

man

THUNDER

186
could

have

learnt

tubes

of

called

fulgurites.
ancients

tubes, but

we

in

end, and

and

The

colour

they

have

to

fulguritetakes

rule, the

position.

the

zigzag
size.

been

they

have

met

in

90

been
at

one

sandy soils.
millimetres,

half

to

metres.
milli-

24

exceeds

outside

beginning of

of the
the

colourless

times, also, they

if

to

or

the

with

is

but

in which

ferruginous

if the

even

fusion.

sand

white.

is
As

ground vertically,

found
are

sand

sand

yellowishhue,

have

to

apparently rounded

nature

Where

is almost

often

covered

subjected to
on

the

fulgurite,

sometimes

are

fulguritespenetrate

At

His

seen

from

length, it

formed.

been

clean, it

be

to

sides

depends

fulgurite

tubes, contracted

of their

Nevertheless, they

even

The

from

the

are

Museum.

varies

been

had

of these

in Silesia.

agglutinatedand

sand

they

opal, and

extraordinaryvitrifactions

point,are

diameter

of

the

known

Vitrified inside,they

grains

very

in

the thickness

metres.

the

found.

ending

As

of

and
precise description

Massel

at

of

resources

discovery,fulgurites have

this

Their

if

first

these

of

have

the

sand, there fashioned

hues

1711, is in the Dresden

for

sought

the

of

in the

the

to

seem

pastor

Since

as

use

hold

owe

specimen

Hermann,

and

make

to

glass that

The

found

LIGHTNING

burrowing
lightning,

nature,

first

AND

in

an

oblique

sinuous, twisted, or
with

pebbles

of

siderable
con-

CHAPTER

THE

EFFECTS

OF

VIII

LIGHTNING

ON

ETC.

HOUSES,

Their

metals.
in

strikes

lightning

WHEN

rank

first

the

of

cases

of

them

earth,

it makes

conducting

powers

conductors,
with

lightning

gained

have

the

perfect

and

which

certain

OBJECTS,

METALS,

celebrity

them

place

innumerable

the

they

for

straight

associated

are

in

the

annals

of

the

spark

of

thunder.

indeed,

know,

We

metals

know

we

it

bell-pulls, that

pipes,

and

truly

Now

and

with

and

performs

objects
church
at

the

of

first

it
of

then

it

that

which

it

is

leaden

feminine

very

in

sometimes

sublimates

deviates

lightning

acrobatic
On

feats,

elfin

April

24,

springing

on

down

the

running
which

rain-spouts,

on

nails,

for

passion

for

dexterity.

covets.

and

masonry

fantastic

Brexton,

dotes

wires,

jewels,

veritable

it

telegraph

adoration

preference

nurses

wire,

its

the

supported
188

the

from

its

to

capers

path,

reach

the
the

1842,

it

struck

cross

of

the

stem,

it, broke

but,
it

steeple

arrived
into

at

pieces

EFFECTS

with

then

whose
third

ON

bound

one

support

it fell upon

lower

much

fluid often

The

the

mattress

to

pursue

the

the

windows

to

glide over

to reach

the

iron

who, without
Well,

have

we

of

the

It avoids

bed, glancesoff
the

behind
the

certain number

lead

penetrate thick

walls

them.
the

of

case

her

killed,had

been

beneath

curtain-rods,or
to

seen

safes hidden

having

struck

hidden

pierces.

or

alreadymentioned

have

We

conductor,

Finally,it

iron

the

been

It has

second

for metals

searches

it breaks

sash.

189

down.

non-conductors, which

of the

ETC.

also broken.

was

conductor

METALS,

woman

ear-ringsplit.

of similar

examples to

that.
On

June

1, 1809, in

ladies,at Bordeaux,
ladies,was

young

black

indented

passed off.

melted

slender

neck, had

cut

of

one

hours, being

the

pieces. Some

of the

signsof fusion,and

had

been

soon

worse.

round

three

sciousness
con-

rows

in
five

recovered
none

the

left

which
lightning,

the

struck, but

worn

into

by

worn

young

place,which, however,

was

few

chain,

been

showed

by
its

lady

within
Her

gold chain,

line in

The

boarding-schoolfor

her

ments
frag-

carried

to

distance.
Other

examples, in

dramatic,

more

will

which

show

ladies

the
the

were

consequences

dangers of

love

of adornment.
On

September

21,

1901,

during

violent

190

THUNDER

thunderstorm

bonne,
A

which

girl of

young

The

meteor.

LIGHTNING

burst

fireball

throat

AND

fell

in

fourteen
chain

gold

the

over

domain

was

fatallystruck

of

she

completely evaporated.

was

Castelou.

the

which

Nar-

of

region

the

by

round

wore

There

her
not

was

of it to be found.

trace

unusual

is not

It

to

completely,in

partiallyor

the

broken, melted,

chains

gold

see

pocket

held

had

which

them.

Thus, lightning melted

in the

singlelump

of

pocket

Bracelets, hairpins,and
sometimes

after

remarked

that

the

which

the

other
are

the

young

street

violent electrical

the

of

are

lightningstopped

the

there

are

by Biot,
man

was

is

the

all their

case

slightlystruck

watches

place.

in
peculiarities

Grenelle-Saint-Germain.

exact

none
by lightning,

took

curious

In

them.

struck

shock

has

slower.

marked

injured,but

were

moment

times

was

discharge,it

became

movement

absolutelyinexplicable.The

related
A

tion
magnetiza-

of the

speaking

ship Eagle

passengers

stopped at
At

the

when

When
the

board

on

precious stones

even

they stopped short, and

cases

instant

of

watches, without

for

some

killed

man

into

strangelyaltered.

very

observed
been

chain

boat.

passenger

As

and

watch

the

works

vation,
followingobserin

point.

by lightningin
His

watch

was

in

191

outside, but, although it

hurt

wise

no

ETC.

METALS,

ON

EFFECTS

hands

quarter-past eleven,the

pointed to

only

was

to

quarter

five.
that

Convinced

placedit

man

watchmaker
make

up

to

to

his

the

hands

the

amazement,

the

of

extent

the

it

wind

damage,
and

moved

young

it to

would

day, thinking he

next

of

sure

repair,the

of

in need

was

table,intendingto take

his

on

but

it

he

saw,

kept regular

time.
In

injured,while
A
a

works

watch

The

chain.

soldered

the

wore

man

gold

with

his

double

attached

cap

been

had

cap

pocket.

to

links

of the

perforated,and
itself had

watch

The

seriously

worse.

broken, some

was

The

the

none

are

is

the watch

of

case

chain

together.

gold spiltin

the

the

instances

some

not

altered.

been

if

But

stops the

lightning sometimes

works

of

watches, it also produces the contrary effect.

relates that

Beyer
a

going
I
"

M.

broken

and

room

had

which
find

watch

flash of

the

having entered
lightning,

corner

stopped

following note

the

Coulvier-Gravier,director
of the

that

been

on

for

(wound

up),
on

at

which
the

at

had
moment

glass,set

of the

9.35

watch

long time.

amongst

palace of Luxembourg,

Sunday, April 8,

went

of

my

meteoric

told
in

papers

me

the

stopped

vatory
obser-

yesterday
evening, a
week

lightningstruck

viously,
prethe

192

THUNDER

LIGHTNING

AND

lightningconductor

the

on

above

Luxembourg

these

rooms."
Often

enough

is rubbed

off the

and

is

case

case

badly injured:

the

metal, it is melted, bored

dented, without

even

the

of the

latter

is

month

of June, 1853,

is

Here

rare.

through,

of fusion.

trace

any

polish

example,

an

however.
the

In

having

on

of the

Indeed,

one

watches

is the

piecesof steel

In

We

chronometers

or

It

gives an

is difficult to

fierytorrent,

pass

through
Does

the busks

lightning

the

it not

and

there

the

various

considerable

as

well

poles so
a

as

that

way,
much

clocks

to

it makes

smallest

even

the

the needles,

it

even

or
completely.
partially

any

here

and

injuredalso by

energetictwist

form

pointed

compass.

spring for regulating the strokes, or

operationsof lightning;
a

its

the wheel-works, either

melts

have

raft, it served

sometimes

It often

the

to

had

balance

are

which

to

We

observe, by the

may

spark.

was

concerning these magnetic properties.

placed on

that, when

watch

effects of

common

subjected.

are

the

case

one

most

magnetization

of records

number

Aigremont

watch-pocketcompletelysmashed.

in his

found

from

man

by lightning,his silver

killed

been

idea

of

the

various

it hurls

itself down

itself

tiny that

so

like
it

can

apertures.

slipunder

the littleknobs

women's
which

serve

corsets, melting
to

hook

them.

EFFECTS

It

attacks

even

off

set

ON

the

various

garments,

our

articles which

metal

shoe-buckles,

the

to

even

193

ETC.

METALS,

buttons,etc.
Keys
heaven

the

to

he

moment

of

which

while

dazzlingflash

key
of

into

scattered
At

the

hands

of

broken

lightning fell
maker.

white

in his

Five

gleam

him, the

hand,

and

they

snatched

they are

reduced

not

(Haute-Marne)

the

on

workers, and

workshop

six workmen

or

of M.

carried

some

to vapour.

in

July, 1886,

Penon,

chain

their work
finishing

were

gettingready to leave.

or

Entering by the

window

was

absent at the time

the

bellows

which

it,which
knife.

one

heap

of

would

links in

felt

who

chains

to

which

chain

which

near

M.

usuallyworked,

"

were

Turning

chain-maker,

the

the

Saint-Dizier

At

lock,the

the threshold.

on

distance off when

of

the

The

raging.

was

times, too, scissors,needles, etc., are

of

out

storm

returned

lightning surrounded

ring holding his keys was

were

soldered

or

Troves

livingat

man

violent

his

put

fire of

the

by

they hang.

May 12, 1890,

his house

to

ill-treated

twisted,flattened,melted

they are

ring from

On

rule, very

as

are,

Penon

the fluid grazed

opposite,and caught
have
the
a

thought
left,and

violent

it did

of about

who

"

cut

was

up

piece

off with

passing behind

shock, it passed to

not

damage

metre

long

much.

were,

All

however,
o

194

THUNDER

soldered

together;

galvanized,and
hand.
for

Pieces

the

the

in

the

snatched

the

iron

go

through

of which

the

iron

of furniture
harm

they

to

this curious

with

house

far away.

phenomenon

Campbeltown

at

spoiled.

very

Some

standing at

were

one

board,

so

to

as

masonry

metres.
length of fiftycenti-

the most

skilful cabinetmakers
of

pulled out

Here

piece

doing

examples

two

are

of

"

another
a

the

corner

to

of the

they
to
one

pulled

were

stuff

of

being
a

were

only

was

box

with

(Ho war).

out

Marseilles,lightningslipped

might

pilferedall
Then

it

chairs

others

room,

that
partitions,

time, close

satin.

nails in the

copper

conveyed

drawing-room,

with

the

the

in the

evening, and

covered

without
precisely,

that
great difficulty

into

are

opposite end

the

solidlyfixed

At

they kept in place. Ordinarily

the material

pulled out

were

lightning

amazing skill,without

most

the

the
partition,

nails

copper

from

for

away

soldered

September 23, 1824, lightningpenetrated a

On

so

or

thrown

are

wood

part of

prepared

and

twisted

by

tub, and, returningthe

lightningrivals

often

Very

lower

and

cut

Finally

from

piece of

carried

was

been

way.

hoops
a

had

be

to

easilybroken

not

found

were

same

broke

way,

which

seemed

chain

whole

solderingwas

of iron

together

any

the

manufacture,

same

LIGHTNING

AND

it

the

say,

like

nails out

departed by

robber,

of
the

couch

chimney

I made

notes

I shall

quote

1903

In
from

which
On

June

2,

sharpening

Suddenly a

terrific

Uzemain,

eight
All

years

at

once

which

he

putting

he

struck

was

to

been

had

27, in

of

the

with

its

guilty

the

well

struck, as

influence

shelter

the

us

from

property

of

of

rain

made

of

fire of heaven.

this
But

The

his horse,

well.

The

imprudence
point in the

unhappy

attributed

of
air.

cart
man

on

to
was

The
;

that

first is

the second, more

to

certain

undoubtedly
doubtful,
extent

from

Silk, having

repulsion to
umbrellas,

fabric,are
the

doubly preservative

terrible meteor.

veritable

might reallybelieve
often

have

the

the

the country.

driving a

was

horses.

gift of preserving us

strokes

as

at

twenty-

Vosges, the lightning fell

umbrellas.

to

the

of the horses.

two

as

authorities

Some

is the

four

yoked

were

in

get grass

cart

and

man,

young

by lightning,and

the

scythe on

house.

region,

same

holding by the bridle,

was

his

the

in

Epinal, a

went

his

was

dead.

stone

labourer, CyrilleBegin, who

which

to

from

forty,

heard,

was

Pair,

of

close to

of thunder

of age,

May

On
a

far

fellow

poor

clap

"

hamlet

the

orchard

an

following day,

not

following:

two

from

fell down

man

of this kind,

cases

(Vosges), aged

scythe in

the

the

Taintrux

of

On

of several

labourer

commune

unfortunate

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

196

lightning, one

whose

covers

protectors against

records

which

the

we

possess

are

the
are

not

conclusive

distributed

by

and

means

of

it

that

happens

if,now

then, the dischargebecomes

the

ribs, it

to

person,

finallystrikingthe

soil

often

very

be

through

the

the

of

parts

may

metal

pieces of

whatever

handle

also

metal

the

along

runs

197

ETC.

METALS,

ON

EFFECTS

the

on

human

body.
On

and

His

shelteringunder

woman

by lightning. The

struck

garments

his shoes.
as

well

His

pipe

the

man

instantly.
from

twenty yards

carrying

was

were

soles torn

the

in his

the artificial flowers

as

killed

was

thrown

was

man

umbrella

same

tatters, and

in

were

latter, who

The

provinceof Liege,a

in the

July 13, 1884,

away,

companion's

the

umbrella,

hat.
was

stunned.
At
"

when,

season

December

walking

either

thrown

merely

side

of

is not

two

"

dreaded

who

men,

were

schoolboy holding

child

by lightning. The
and

down,

wit

to

killed

were

rule,thunder

9, 1884,

on

umbrella,

as

off

got

with

few

an

was

trifling

wounds.
In

each

of these

umbrella

suffered

did

escape

not

the person

cases,

less from

the

chief

the

and

the

frame,

passed through
electricity
The

electric

fusion of metals

is

victims

were

that in all

these
one

carried

the

but
discharge,

altogether,nevertheless.

remarked, also, that the

points of

who

It

may

just

be

under

the
probability

points.
of

the

lightning'smost

198

THUNDER

AND

ordinary performances ;
considerable
On
the

windmill

thick

iron

in

times

at

have

been,

by

became

the

of

soldered

in

must

rate

siderably
con-

dragged

were

part, and

ing,
meet-

that, after

way

chain

lightning, the

corn,

any

lower

the

such

at

links

the

Indeed,

weight

the

hoistingup

actuallymelted,

softened.
downwards

for

Lancashire.

in

Marton,

used

if not

discharge struck

fulminant

Great

at

chain,

of

occurred

it has

quantities.

April 2, 1807,

stroke

LIGHTNING

veritable

was

the

bar

of iron.

How,
take

asks,

one

spark, which

swift

the

place during

disappears,it

fusion

truly formidable

this

can

passage
well

may

electric

of

the

be

said,

"

with

from

the

lightningspeed."
What

sky

the

forge, in

thousandth
leaden

Great
a

part

of

pipes

second

glassof water, lettingthe

In

Paris, June
into

fire to

the

On

from

are

melted

in

sugar

in

of

lump

contents

escape.

19, 1903, lightningbroke

kitchen, and, melting

the

ously
tempestu-

gaspipes, set

place.

another

workshop

of metal

like

melt

into

atmosphere

the

kilos

which

fiery bolt

the

gives

transform

to

power

veritable
the

force

magic

of

rack

occasion,the

meteor

locksmith, files and

on

the

wall

were

breaking
other

soldered

tools
to

into

the

hanging

the

nails

contact, and

small

objectswere

seven,

eight,or

into

The

is

handle, which

it

Knives

been

thrown

done

These

feelings
;

the

down

to

melted

of Nero.
the

paper

least

the

without

which

linen

of,

burnt.

not

was

the

unheard

nothing, though

were

enveloped them,

fluid.

of the

the presence

the scabbard

javelinruns

preceptor

into

forks

and

uninjured,"says

purse

in the

the

by

wrapped

was

injury being

proceedingsgive proof of exquisitelydelicate

it is

in the

same

bell-wires, make
particularly

with

the door

which

in the

Sometimes,
doorbell

not

is

always

way.

agreeableplaythingsfor
frequency

lightning does

the

pity

Wires, and

open

had

examples,quite as

other

melted

hat- wire

in which

the

they

six,

of

the worse."

enumerated

those

the

groups

while
liquifies,

iron

none

add

could

We

behave

if

as

sword-blade

intact.

remains

in

together

melts, leaving the

The

"

Seneca.

by

ten, just

divers

crucible.

"Money

as

soldered

visit from

Nails, bolts,and

1750.

July 16,

lightningon

received

Dorking, Sussex,

at

in

came

difficulty
pulledapart.

with

were

house

ferrules of their handles

the iron

which

with

199

ETC.

METALS,

ON

EFFECTS

they
of

violentlyrung;

for the

most

lightning,judging

the

middle

the

are

from

struck.
fearful thunderstorm,
the

porter

rushes

impatientvisitor,only to

to

receive

THUNDER

200

shock

hand

of

lightningby

which

follows

ray

pulled

left its

it has

through holes
wires

Richard

Abbe

The

fall into

into

Metal

has

coffee cups,

without
porcelain,
wires

compromising

the latter

the

to

renouncing

golden chasselas
that

they

to
lightning-conductors

August, 1868,

so

in

from

followed
trellis,

it into

four

peopledown.

One

could

certain

almost

pleasure

fugitiveform

dwelling where
by

in

in the

drawing-rooms.

the

believe

looking
mirrors

often

are

house.

we
espaliers,

on

that

the

peach, or

they

ought

do

act

not

habitation.

farm

meteor, conducted

the

neighbourhood,

succulent

our

Lyons, lightningfell at

metres

our

are

the

in

worse.

vines

their

of

arranged

as

In

the

bell-

embedded

being any

propped

grapes,

see

the

scattered

globulesfrom

against a

to

The

pin.

globules,and

become

safety

Without

the

guiding

the

of

and
supporting espaliers

they are

near

but

windings, passing

head

seen

and

when
especially

on

the

away

in all directions.

around

wire

melted

often

are

in all its

wire

bigger than

no

bell,and

the

on

mysterious

The

already far

bell is

the

metal

of salvo.

way

impress

the

LIGHTNING

AND

the

amongst
distance
there

the

people ;

and

vine

knocked

lightningtakes

its

hung

four

fifteen

supporting

house,

that
at

of about

were

wire

mountains

diaphanous
as

ornaments

and
in

EFFECTS
In
to

1889,

gilt frame.

Then

the

over

the

most

beautiful

to

the

than

of

lightningrushed
in the

openings

ten

evaporated the gilding,spreading

of

the

evaporationof

glass,while

silvered

the

on

produced the

this latter metal

electric traceries.

Sometimes

thrown

it

surface

back

of

coquettishflash

very

201

ETC.

METALS,

mirror, breaking more

it

ON

tinfoil

the

pieces of

or

great distance;

glassis

and

complete that

so

at

the

glassare

melted

the

fusion

hangs

down

times

debris

like little stalactites.

for

As

the

gildingof

removed
the

applied to
intended
It

cornices,church

the

rooms

that

March

are

15,

of Lord

any

person

and

door-posts;

On
of

the
June

few

fully
care-

distance, and

were

never

decoration.
the

gilding on

clocks,

etc.

under

this

"

Naples,lightning flashed through

at

More

gilding clean

over

it is often

examples coming

Tylney,

the

dust

with

same

ornaments,

Here

evening.

without

styleof

innumerable

are

category.

lightning to

this

just the

There

frames,

gilding of objects which

to receive

is

On

the

by

the

than

who

was

holding a reception

five hundred

present;

were

being injured,the lightning took

off

then

couches,
cornices, curtain-poles,
it shook

guests and
4, 1797,

its

booty

in

fine

gold

the floor.

lightning struck

Philippshofenin Bohemia,

and

went

the
off

steeple
with

the

202

THUNDER
of

gold

the

AND

clock,

LIGHTNING

gild

to

lead

the

chapel

the

in

window.
In

1761, it

into

went

the

church

College in Vienna,

and

of

pillarsto put

of the altar

one

It

the

difficult for

seems

of

gildings.

Eue

Plumet

several

It

gold
it

on

the Academical
from

Paris

in

when
in

of

None

tion
attrac-

in

house

1767,

the

room,

gilt.

was

vase.

resist the

struck

was

cornice

the

silver

reported that

hanging

which

one

the

lightningto

was

in

frames

touched

took

of

among

spark only

the

others

were

struck.
In

spite of

this

lightninghas
we

might

which

be

may

serve

any

more

believe

to

and

than

it

its

we

as

laws

gestures,although
the

not

it

to

ignorance,but
explain

can,

action

obeys certain

allude

To

refuge from

libertyof

capricious,are

circumstances.
as

much

so

yet defined, and

wild

apparently
fortuitous

not

tempted

not

are

haviour
be-

extraordinarilyindependent

the

result
as

of

chance

it does

not,

extraordinary

phenomena.
Why
visited

to

is

magic

simply

for the
of this kind
struck

organic

non-organic

or

repeatedly by lightning?

recourse

It

certain

are

need

not

have

explain.

to

because

fluid.

is that

We

bodies

they
One

serve

of the

of the church

by lightningin

1752.

as

favourable

best-known
of Antrasme.

It melted

the

ductors
con-

examples
It

gold of

was

the

204

THUNDER

amongst

others, that

which

silvered

was

of

the

What

part

hall

trick

Just

few

One

steel

of

turn

silver taken

with

leather

the

have

been

has not

great

purse,

the

of

!
On
prestidigitation

would

of another

out

our

partment.
com-

music-

success.

said about

most

effects

curious

lightning.

iron,

alreadyquoted

no

what

matter

remarkable

objects in

to

be.

they

have

We

of the

that

case,

metals,

produced on

magnetic polaritycommunicated
and

in

piece of gold

more.

of the

is the

LIGHTNING

through

last word

our

of

over

purse,

stages this
But

AND

ascending

lightning.
tailor

touched
slightly

was

after the accident

of the

had

power

they

as

the

day

magnetized:

were

taken

were

raise three

to

powers

times

shock.

that

And

passing

suddenly

of

animated

the

their

out

always temporary.

where

objectspreserved

understand

they

fantastic

the moment
the

terror

minds, when,

uncultured

meteor,
a

by lightning,

they acquired in
can

recorded,

weight.

own

is almost

one

by

struck

were

known, however,

are

been

magnetization has

inspiredby lightningin
the

other

which
objects,

magnetic
the

of

magnetization

Examples

of

case

certain

This

the

each

spark ;

case.

Another
where

his needles

he found

they clung closelyto

the

by

see

common

fine
vitality,

after

things
needles

EFFECTS

and

attract

raise very

and

steel

impart

iron

or

What

sorcery

made

agitationto

be

fashion, and

in

hell !

the

magnetization

metal

And

the

yet

the

of

month

penetratedinto
bars

iron

gambols

hanging.

which

from

From

of

one

suspended.

All

at

by

the

electric

it

was

seen

the
be

to

Satan.

the

1873,

ordinary.
trulyextra-

electric

the

quarters

of

the

hooks

whole

the skinned

once

known

fluid

shop, quite calmly followed

butcher's

disuse

when

are
electricity

June,

ing
accord-

of heaven

even

well

too

when

days

is fallen into

with

of

phenomena

in the

bodies,

connection

piecesof

any

the service

popular, at

of

selves,
them-

lightningwas,

lightning,is something
to any

instants

when

than

curious

men

But, nowadays, sorcery

attributed

In

of

205

them.

placed near

minds

the

on

and

the

feverish

livelyimpression these

was

result of

ETC.

largerbodies

the belief then

to

METALS,

much

that may

have

must

ON

convulsed

carcase

and

current,

by

meat

were

ox

vanized
gal-

was

during

the

was

several

frightful

most

contortions.

Again,
de

June

on

Clichy was
broke

man

mirrors

at

pipes
and

his

sweeping

escaped

leaden

28, 1879,

one

with
and

metre

the

conciergein

courtyardwhen

the

head.

The

above

his

fright. The

entered

the Avenue

room,

fluid
where

ran

ning
lightpoor

up

it broke

the
the

and got off by

clock,injuredthe ceiling,

THUNDER

206

the

breaking

women

bowl

cracked

was

some

could

in

bed

was

in

one

bowl

clock

The

in

split in

size of

the
bed

wall.

the

of

the

the

disappeared
stopped

was

and

at

hole

landing

same

these

saw

appeared
dis-

lightning, which
of

None

floor ;

five-shilling
piece.

the

on

by

two

of

the

pendulum unhooked;

the

the

old women,

two

spilledon

wooden

upper

milk, the bottom

milk

found.

woman

in

of

the

glass globe

Finally,a
the

be

not

half-past six,
made

bowl

the

On

followingdamage

and

which

money

and

the

holding a

was

window.

the

lodging occupied by

caused

it

in

panes

storeyit got into

where

LIGHTNING

AND

were

persons

injured.
As

general rule, indeed,

houses, although it often

into

harm, it almost
there.

One

always

is safer there

walls

the

Sometimes

perforationof

This

on

thickness

The

than

of

great

people who

anywhere

deal

of

may

be

else.

pierced or merely hollowed.

are

the walls is

effects of the meteor

does
the

spares

lightning breaks

when

of the most

one

common

buildings.
the

perforated walls

is

very

variable.
At
a

so

the

Castle

formidable

was

Clermont,

in Beauvaisis, there

old wall, built in the

tradition

cement

of

has
as

impossible to

it,which
hard

break

as

it.

time

was

ten

stone,

so

"One

feet

that

of the

Romans,

thick,and
it

day,""says

was

was

the

almost

Nollet, "a

EFFECTS

flash of
feet

the

equallywide,

17, 1883,

of

broken

of the

One

capableis that
and

are

On
of

few

and

twenty

lightningis

at

the

Rough
torn

scattered

roof, and

shot

and

to

thrown

most,

this it

mica-schist
ten

rock

broad, and

in

of
some

one

stone,

of

than

more

almost

oppositewall thirty feet

an

the

distance

weighing

stones,
up

belfry

the

over

explosion

The
of

burst

thunder

centimetres,
thirty-five

feet long,by
fifty
thick

We

phenomenon.

eighteenth century, lightningbroke,

seconds

stone

great distances.

to

this terrible

of

of

masses

tally
horizon-

away.

Fuzie-en-Fetlar,in Scotland, towards

At

were

"

beams

as

plough

metres.

far

by

of which

acts

intact,

or

fortypounds, were
as

made

hurling considerable

of

Maison-Ponthieu.

measuring

the

dreadful

most

August 23, 1853,

slates

by lightningin

struck

was

like those

examples

numerous

Here

wide,

wall.

rock, broken

have

(Haute-Marne),

centimetres
fifty-five

Lugdivan

at

the

on

seen

debris

in it, the

Louvemont

at

bakehouse,

furrows

Two

1761.

made

was

by lightning.

in

church

The

be

instantlya hole, two

fiftyfeet away.""

than

more

June

wall

was

to

and

thrown

On

it,and

207

ETC.

METALS,

lightning struck

deep

being

ON

the

end

of

in about

two

hundred

and

parts

four feet

splitinto great pieces. One, measuring

twenty-sixfeet long by

ten

broad, and

four

in thickness,

208

THUNDER

fell

the

on

stones

AND

In 1762

lightningstruck
the

of the

one

and

the

pinnacleof

stone

least

the

of

the

on

roof

northerlydirection

found

365

at

metres

still larger,to the

certain

In

this

been

removed
is

Here

of

one

such

during

building, in

brick

cistern
which
torn

half

full.

measured
of

out

centimetres

positionto
The
moved

Swinton,

distance

weight

the

of

the

of ten

this

by lightning,was

in

was

third,

wall

any

has

part.

mass,

"

Manchester,
at

filled

once

stored, full of

Above

it

edifice,the
in

was

walls

of

thickness, were

foundations

being sixty

transported in

was

fantastic skill

near

was

vapour.

Suddenly

deep, and
a

coal

which

ground,

and

instance,a

For

thirty centimetres

the

stone

extraordinaryoccurrence

at

pestilential,
sulphureous

apsis,in

church.

deluge of rain, the lightningall

weight
hundred-

belfry;

being broken

without

intact

record

brutality.

and
edifice,

huge

lightningunites

the

cases

the

of the

south-east

Church

away.

another

from

so

August 6, 1809,

On

or

excessive

with

the

at

metres
southerlydirection, fifty-five
In

Enormous

belfryof Breag

stones, weighing

half,

off.

times, in different directions.

at

in Cornwall, broke
threw

centimetres

ground twenty
thrown,

are

LIGHTNING

an

upright

metres.
so

oddly

estimated

at

and

so

ten

rapidly
thousand

kilograms.
In

many

cases,

on

the contrary, the subtle

fluid has

EFFECTS

ON

a hard
pulverized

stone

METALS,
the

on

209

ETC.
and

spot

it to

reduced

powder.
Tiles and
the

slates

are

lightningmakes

them

it is content

often torn

very

flythrough

roofs

the air.

with

perforatethem

to

off the

times
Some-

multitude

of littleholes.

for

As

by
are

the

chimneys,they are

be

to

of

powers
because

blows

The

meteor.

for

accounted

of

their

prominence

Again, the

bricked

it is

of

interior

the

they

supportedby

or

smoke

the

less made

and

The

one

more

or

or

and

into

less

to find the

air

the

by

its

if it is
surface

The

layer of soot,

and

metal.

an

into

opens

surroundings are

Finally,the
risinginto

column

the

of

air,shows

and
accepts this invitation,
a

house

ready for
doors

holes

two

of

way.

everythingseems
Rafters

summit

stove-pipeoften

damp

latter often

frequentlygets

firstly,

matter,

of iron.

with

hearth
of

of hot,

lightningthe

perfect

surmounted

are

bars

is covered

Then, too, the

more

offer

flue is often in cast-iron,and

excellent conductor, and

it.

the

on

victims

they are

for they
easily,

when
building,especially
vane.

of which

the fulminant

conducting to

ill-treated

generallyvery

by

deeply.

are

the
A

trace
slightest

its

by

the

chimney,

very
where

reception.

sometimes

bored

spark,and
curious

through with

splitor

fact

of combustion

is that
round

furrowed
it is

rare

them.
p

THUNDER

210

In

the

AND

of

month

belfry of

sides of the

made

doors

swing

and

pigeon's egg,

been

by

(Allier),carrying oft'

with

of the

direction

what

With

of

holes,each

is

the

amongst

they

wood

most

had

ordinary
extra-

woodwork.

on

ning
Light-

it does

just as

it to rags, and

when

the

follows the

fibres.

lightningis charged !

crimes

long

When

it is a

house, it spares nothing in its way.

window-panes flyin pieces,and

thrown

if

as

big as

as

man.

it reduces

questionof robbing
The

in both

porch, and

two

be observed

wrought

is in full sap

the

symmetrically

beams

injuriesto
works

of

bored

as

hand

the

cleavageof

The

walls

the

destroyed

It

tree

Abrest

at

the

of the roof.

part

August, 1887, lightningstruck

church

the

LIGHTNING

off.

way

Often

they

sometimes
are

melted

are

and

disappear totally.
In

July,1783,

lightningstruck

the

Sampiero

building full
and

the

panes

of

Castello (Padua),

hay

the

windows

melted

were

without

hay catchingJire!
A

total

this
panes

astonishingphenomenon

still more

disappearanceof

Castle of

them

glassin them,

had

Campo

at

Upsal,on

edifice and
out
was

of
ever

the

glass panes,

August 24,

then
window.

found.

took
Not

1760.

is that of

observed

the

Lightningvisited

flight,carrying off
the

at

the

smallest

sixteen

fragment

of

THUNDER

212

steepleto
carried

long
the

the

tiles

the

In

of St. Peter
We

height of

steepleabove

the

the

As

for the faithful killed

Without

wishing
is

infidel,one

for

holy places.

in

Here

are

some

came

people were

down

while

to

call

obliged to

no

less varied
remarkable

night during

One

steeples,

the

sanctuary

not

uncommon.

church, they

at

are

Cases

itself shattered.

altar

lightninga

may

the

be

terrible

and, believingthe house

be

respect

lightningobserved

"

thunderstorm, lightning
of

husband
to

or

curious.

accounts

chimney

asleep. The

of

and

miscreant

it fails in

confess

quips and cranks

the

dwellingsare

the

hundred.

an

However,

ruined

about

notes

are
officiating

while

priestsstruck

the

to

edifice.

pictures adorning

of

by

owing

are

objects.
off,the plundering of priestly

destroyed,and

counted

an

image

churches

that

way,

the

innumerable

Sculptures and
often

falling

metal

by lightning,doubtless

struck

knocked

turrets

the

broken,

was

powder, and

the

remark, by

have

We

to

placesby

bench

in and

burst

was

twisted.

may

often

several

interior

reduced

supported them

church

of the

roof

bells,and

several

metres,

bar which

pulverizedin

of Christ

image

very

The

were

masonry.

three

iron

enormous

off.

way

of

extent

an

LIGHTNING

AND

on

room

awoke

where
with

two

start

fire,groped his way

mantelpieceto get

the

to

had

chimney
of

off,had

been

of the

demolished, the floor

against

force

such

with

stickingall
splinters
month

In the

suddenly crashed
the
to

had

All

all at

the

sprang

just struck

left

of

scene

The

roof

out

of

the

principaldoor

the
of

windows

the

furniture

wreckage.
this

But

there

of

reduced,

what

was

was

catastropheonly cost

and

ground

most

seemed

instinctively

their

had
real

the
:

off, the

the
and

workman,

behind

so

that

one

poor

it.

chimney

stroyed,
de-

speak,to atoms,

to

hurled

nothing

the

with

only too

was

carried

smashed

midnight

Every

the house

been

the

time,

bed, thinking

destruction
frightful

had

were

some

in terror

presentimentof disaster,which
fluid had

there

their foundations.

on

annihilated.

be

dwellings must

tiles thrown

for

about

that

inhabitants, aroused

several of them

were

(Luxembourg),

at Bure

once

rock

the houses

and

tremble

door

similarly

was

the

rumbling

been

appallingviolence, so

most

clock

ceilingthat

the

the

it.

over

down

the

window-panes

and

up

April,1866,

of

thunder, which

the

all the

torn

was

in

up

had

clock had

storey,another

the lower

the

which

heaped

was

partlymelted, the

On

stopped by

was

mantelshelf, violentlytorn

The

room.

pulled off, and

case

broken.

consisted

once

the

middle

candle, but

Everything,in fact, of

rubbish.

of

heap

213

ETC.

METALS,

ON

EFFECTS

to

left but

distance

shapeless

is, that
extraordinary
life of

one

person,

while

214

THUNDER

all

that

AND
in

were

the

LIGHTNING

house

well

might

been

have

killed.
Three

children,sleepingin

themselves

outside

thrown

they got there, but

how
bed

broken

was

asleep

were

flung

of

out

this

cradle

the

moment

dear

those

succour

his

was

in the act

of

her

lifeless on

the

father

floor, with
the
and

broke
finally

Calvaire,
Laurent

to

mother

her,

is

and

One

stable

while

the

of bed

to

in the

woman

work

these

where

broken, the other

a

pots

was

at

of

the

wall,
there

of

thrown

house.

to

Then

roof.
A

of

all struck

higher

were

of the

Liege,Rue

mountain

disappeared.

the

The

destruction,

house, and

the

which

great part

round

of

part

August, 1868,

point

shaking.

severe

lower

in the

was

in it.

was

chimney-pots

scattered

poor

husband, who

highest, lightning first

of

the

adjoining the

that
of

the

spark ripped off

were

latter

against

out

sprang

but

floor. The

opening

month
at

earthenware
roofs.

an

the

the

In

little

This

thrown

child,only felt a

only cow

killed the

mother

two

breast.

having accomplished its

lightning,

into

and

lightinga candle,the lightningstruck

bed with another

went

knowing

sound, though the

The

at

was

without

being hurt.

wall, without
At

and

safe

storey,found

upper

house

ground

of whom

children, one
was

the

on

the

pieces.

to

an

than

du
St.
two

the

the

ground

the

electric

All the
young

tiles

servant

EFFECTS

sleptin

ON

garret under

into the garret

just above

the head

flung into

down

it broke.

round

of the

to
a

in

where

contents
went

rabbit

in

the

through

people

four

young

"

children

the

floor,broke
the

through

it,killed the animal,

garden, where

it

dug

double

the

father,

pieces,and

to

and

little room

at

wall

tools,tore

all the

wall, went

part

piercedthe

all the

thousand

sleeping

were

by making

plasterwhich

entered

room,

six

it into

on

house

mirror, broke

locksmith's,scattered

again

the

holding up

left the

again

drawer, broke

the

slightest

bored

was

wall, pulled off the

the

mother, and
enter

It re-entered

nails

two

frame

adjoining
the

bed

was

ground floor,followingthe gutter

the

to

little hole

was

the

the

without

room

latter

the

there, the spark going through the wall again,

pipe,which
a

bed;

places.

From
went

of

lightningpenetrated

little hole in the wall

maid's

of the

bruise, though the wood

in two

roof; the

through

of the

middle

the

the

215

ETC.

METALS,

panes
a

threw

of

glass;
with

hutch
last went

trench

out

into

several feet

long.
The
persons,

house
none

report they
all the

rooms

occupied by

was

of
rose

whom

were

instantly
;

told

them

of

two

struck.

families

of

ten

Terrified

by

the

the

smell

of smoke

the

danger they

filling
had

just

escaped.
On

another

occasion

one

sees

the

woodwork

of

the

216

THUNDER

AND

chimney burnt,
clock

by

of

way

upside down,

and

Examples

this

of

constantly speak
what

the

month

villageof Boulens,
thatch.

held

hinge

lifted

middle

of

It broke

said
A

stove,

of

were

fastened
the

which

chopper

likewise
the

found

attached

to

was

twine

key

Two
on

hand.

end

middle

that these two

chopper being rolled round

the

laid

either

which

the

afterwards

for

the

into

part

together,the

as

used

basin

it

it went.

sideboard.

the

placedthere by
copper

said

to

mantelpiece,were

thrown

oddest

as

well

as

was

under

the
if

and

door,

the

over

tiles

some

this latter
was

pail,and

hall

the

beside

were

But

room.

of

hinge

Afterwards

hearth

the

floor,tearing up

latch

the

place of

wall.

with
it destroyed,

chimney, which

in the

the

in

covered

rack, pullingout

making

mantelpiece as

out

the

lid from

the

shoe

meat

water

down

in the lock

that

the

up

the

wooden

canes

were

and

the

was

almost

cottage

right through the

pot

burlesque or

"

it up, and

hole

so

following:

Entering through

which

lightning,but

the

anything

to

We

numerous.

very

July, 1896, lightningfell

on

it first threw

in

are

felt

andirons.

capricesof

the
of

good joke, turns

the

give

one

before

lightning;which

the

kind

and
looking-glass,

press,

unscrews

incomprehensibleas

which

being

of the

could

name

In

as

badly injuredby

and
retiring,
hat

well

as

LIGHTNING

served

the handle

ladling
of the
of

the

articles
to

hang
of the

ON

EFFECTS

Finally,the flash divided,and zigzagged off,one

basin.

part carrying off

into

and

mortar

two

peoplewere

This

is how

of France
On

which

off,near

and

many

piquancy

lightningjoins

in

which

in

various

National

the

Fete

July 14, 1884,

roof, and

village of

the

in

broke

through

Tourettes

house, carrying off

lower

off the

It knocked

of the roof.

the

stove

fragments of laths

so

lack

not

(Vaucluse),lightningstruck
corner

the

sleeping.

part, does

articles took

above

hole

hall

of the

jamb

eleven metres

window

little dance, in

This

oak

it threw

Through this

wall.

mud

the

pieceof

part piercinga

door, the other

a

217

ETC.

METALS,

wall

at least

part of

metres
fiftycenti-

thick.
In

there
kinds
and

this

the

asleep.

head

Three

engravings and
the
made

child
an

it

thence

From
above

either of the

was

of

no

torn

hurt.

in the

Then

from

the

which
ceiling,

thick, broke

broken,
could

trace

pictures hanging

ground

were

which

liquid.

little girlof five,who

mirrors
not

the

the

to

pictureswere

opening

five centimetres

glassor

sprang

was
spirits

that

manner

in

containing various

of

bottle

in such

done

be found

ever

bottles

only one
liqueur,
was

the wall, and

into

fifteen

about

were

of

built half

press

was

their

to

sound

frames,

powder, but

electric current
was

great many

about
tiles

fortyas

it

house, but

left the

three

parts

kitchen

the

by

men

of

which

on

the

to

of

height

To

dropped.
butt-end

of
there

where

nothing

standing up,

least

at

and

gun,

chimney, it exploded at
plasterand

bits of

somewhere

Yet
may

it the

do

cot, and

else

talk.

say

this

Or

out

with

with

At

Perpignan

the

mountains

of

may

scoop

flock of

envelopedby

half the
room,

off

going

with

up

much
one

the

metre, throwing
all directions.

fury!
of

this

hole

not

further

giving any

something

dexterity,one
would

ray

in the little

lightning,terrible

will snatch

so

then

sleepingchild, and

same

delicacy,that

reproachhim

on

of

chair

and

got

brother

very

depart quietlywithout

person'shand

almost

childlike

the

ungovernableat times,
a

pothanger in

almost

harm
slightest
then

for

cause

1'50

the little head

caress

his

the next

who

heightof

against

away

it into

Then

of the

frantic and

What

violently

from

spark tore

fright.

three

were

hurled

was

people

explored

thrown

raised

carried

the

than

there

was

was

chimney,

it

fiftycentimetres,

eleven

were

worse

Then

another

all,the

crown

of the

way

ground floor,where

third, seated,

door; the

by

it demolished.

opposite wall;

against the
the

returned

soon

fire. One,

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

218

hardly

and
of

out

might
dare

to

his lack of ceremony.

on

of

August 31, 1895, lightningfell

Nyer,

sheep

were

near

Olette.

struck.

flash,yet escaped,but

The

Twenty-five

shepherd was

the knife

he

was

220

THUNDER

guest, and
in

of the

and

of

pane

few

metres

of this

of

went

them,

the

struck

and

and
officials,

was

on

fluid

Having

hut, they had

All

at

set

clean

the

with

straw,

labourers

not

In

another
door

if

as

felt

Was

the

in two

nothing

it

up

but

veritable

place it
away,

and

broken

appeared
dis-

several

atoms.

of

room

china

which

vase,

the

mysterious

burst

the

into

honest

two

storm

provisionsfor

the

of

one

separatingthe pieces.

refuge from

other

by

the

August 26,

their

out

and

bottles

dining-

kitchen, and

peacefulrepast of

taken

dining-room, snatched
the

any

passing within

the

into

went

thunderstorm

the

once

the

August 21, 1900, lightning

days later, on

labourers.

in the

mantelpiece into

on

to disturb

came

hurting

having

without
mantelpiece,

Several

filled at

lightningbroke

and

through

the

cut

shilling

courtyard,which

were

women

window,

house,

custom

the

the

two

the wall, after

Port-de-Bouc,

At

being

was

Coufolens, when

at

the

utensils

cooking

as

strange phenomenon.

glassin

through

big

as

disappeared without

of their house

room

which

August 3, 1898,

On

hole

itself off to the

it took

witnesses

LIGHTNING

bottle

swept clean,

it

of

Then

pump.

knocked

then

neck

the

AND

in

breakfast.

the

humble

bread, cheese, etc., overturned

articles,covered

violent

gust

of

everything
wind.

The

stupefaction.
farce ?

bursts

open

damaging

the

ing
cupboard,throw-

crockeryin

the

EFFECTS

systematicfashion

most

the

second

and

so

finished,it

of

of

the

pile.

without

its task

Then

like

little

some

flees through the

key spring

the

making

fourth,

the

next, spares

fairystory,and

first plate,leaves

the

quite diminutive,

becomes

out

the

bottom

the

to

but

it breaks

intact, cracks

on

gnome

221

ETC.

METALS,

ON

hole,
key-

of

out

the

lock.

August 19, 1866,

On

played havoc
of

platesin

in
a

house

cupboard,
it broke

being mixed,

lightning,having

Chaumont,

at

espieda pile

in various

ways,

china

earthenware

and

all the

china

plates

leaving the

ones,

others untouched.
this

Why

It is for

explain.
On

May

during

?
preference

31,

1903,

thunderstorm,

filled with

plates beside

kind

little flask of this water

The

to the

There
house

at

were

of the

not

The

the

by

me

plateswere
earthenware
I

wet.

even

(Eure),

received

parish priest,

unusual.

gives

denial

formal

attributes

to

the

cabalistic influence

thirteen.
thirteen

Langonar

Suddenly
middle

nothing

prejudicewhich
number

of china

number

sent

following case

ancient

Tillieu-sous-Aire

not

were

but analysis revealed

at

sticky water.

of

them

lightning does

find out.

to

us

The

people

while

flash of

the

in

the

thunder

lightningstruck

table,threw

dining-room
rumbled
a

of

outside.

plate

in

the

dishes, glasses,
knives,
plates,

222

AND

THUNDER

and

forks

not

forgettingthe

in all directions

None

of the

They

partly melted.

side

instantaneous

When

often

are

of

the

pieces,the

to

very

side

on

seemed
;

to

one

was

bent

much

hardly stand.

by lightning,their
kind.

juries
in-

Sometimes

butt-end, is split,or

the

metal

so

it could

varied

most

of
particularly

wood,

broken

struck

are

other

the

softeningthat

firearms

broken

was

and

by

Lightning

neither

yet

distorted, however,
slightly

the

Boyle gives

exactlyalike.

them,

bottles

kind.

of the

were

between

by an

touched.

were

large drinking glasseswere

table.

table,

the

happens, indeed, that glassesor

instance

Two

pass

word, cleared

tablecloth.

altogetheror

curious

in

"

thirteen guests

It sometimes
are

LIGHTNING

parts

torn

out,

thrown

or

right away.

July 27, 1721,

On
at

the

shot

sentry and

had

his gun.

broken

butt-end
been

struck

meteor

Nicolai, Breslau,

Fort

at the

the

and

pierced the

The

and

barrel

thrown

dischargedand

to

was

sentry-box
top

to

blackened

distance.

pierced the

get

roof

The

of the

sentry-box.
The

got off with

man

However,
attract

when

the
in

firearms

when

lightning.

the

carryingarms.

exercise

few

carried

Soldiers
of

scratches.

their

are

by
often

men

appear

enough

when
calling,

to

struck

they

are

EFFECTS

ON

METALS,

ETC.

But, curiouslyenough, many

which

lightninghas

bullet

and

the

loaded

known

are

in

melting

gun,

part of the barrel, without

the

setting fire

to

powder.
Thus,

of

Prefling,lightningpenetrated the

at

gamekeeper, yet

hanging

up

wall

the

above

the

house

loaded

carbine

floor.

The

which

it soldered

melted

and

wads

much

seem,

there

In
a

soldered

another

both
rifle,

was

These

barrel
in

fired

case

wall

the

on

There

spark,
which

five bullets
and

magazine

incredible

However,

burst

ground

the

by

were

the

together in

the

the

it may

as

though

the

length

outside, leaving a direct line

though

fusion

appear

it may

reached

the

seem,

no

powder.

and
quite extraordinary,

altogether incompatiblewith

gunpowder.
the

the whole

lightningwent

yet,incredible

of
invulnerability

and

it struck

trigger,and

the

to

parts.

inside and

of

explosion.

phenomena

combustibleness

end,

Nimburg, lightning

slightlymelted

scorched.
no

lower

horse-keeper,where

was

the

the

room

in the woodwork.

leaning against a

together

was

seen

near

muzzle

of fusion, and
shot

of

along

ran

to be

was

between

of the

corner

room

firearms

many

damaged

was

level with

1, 1761,

June

On

into

hole

wall

standing in

was

the

of

none

The

injured on

was

it

off.

went

rifle. One

each

of

struck

cases

223

the

usual

To

explosivematter

what

theory

can

cause

be due

of the

the

Doubtless
does

to

magazines

Powder
and

always blown

not

are

Here

are

statement

On

which

the

they

the

which

to

go

powder magazine, and

of
to

the

atoms

roof.

it be

Can

that

of
were

magazine

barrels.

of these

thunder

man's

powder

The

exploding.

without

Rouen

near

splitone

of

barrels

Two

eight hundred

contained

this

prove

"

Maromme

reduced

quantities

contain.

5, 1755, lightning fell

beams

ning,
by light-

vast

November

the

on

spiteof

in

examples

some

ignite.

to

great interest; they

of very

one

up,

explosivematerials

of

enough

frequently struck

are

subjectis

this

time

powder

lightning,which

the

quicknessof

the

the

leave

not

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

repulsethat

can

of

Jupiter?
always,as

Not

following observations

The
a

collection of similar

facts

Lightning struck
on

examples

numerous

the

edifice

was

of

Part

to

the

the

blown

"

of

tower

town

Republic
up,
was

from

extracted

are

St. Nazaire, Brecia,

above

underground

an

of

magazine containing a million kilogrammes

belonging

trary.
con-

It stood

18, 1769.

August

the

prove

the

of

The

Venice.

thrown

down

the

afternoon

three

whole
showers.

fallingin

stones

powder

thousand

people perishing.
At

four

o'clock

in

1856, lightning penetrated the

vaults

of

October

of

the

6,

church

EFFECTS

of

St.

Jean,
of

quantity

ON

Rhodes,

at

of

power

out.

The

person

shock

sent

him

only

who

and

Harbourg

it

go

enormous

thousand

people

held

it

then

Well,

followingmanner

which

sleepfor

mad,

to

an

immeasurable.

the

candle

to

225

catastrophe.

lightningis

it lit

1899

In

to

five

or

enjoys itself after

sometimes

ETC.

setting fire

Four

powder.

lost their lives in the

The

METALS,

had

then

days ;

slept for

:
"

been

put

struck, but

not

was

four

just

it

he

the

awoke,

consecutive

seven

days.
At
the

room

and

all the

out

lightsat

plunged in darkness, and

was

ball

filled with

thick

fetid vapour.

Many
a

put

time, too, has

grate, been

the

suddenly extinguishedby lightning;

has

thing

same

making

furnaces.

On

it takes

Rue

latter

and

was

formed
the
moment

Jacques,

in

by

the

gap,

it and

ground.
the

twenty

was

gas

the

and

extinguished.
lightthe

near

Leclerc, towards

Saint
The

itself to

3, 1876,

August

Pans,

on

pottery

and
tile-

rule,it is extremely difficult

fires thus

or

with

happened

As

re-lightcandles
instances

fire,burning brightlyin

the

jet

gas

centimetres
to

so

damp

violent

wall

Observatory
of

corner

lit
from

speak, of

some

gas.

the

was

In

an

the

caught alight,the

took
gas

in

vard
Boule-

by lightning.
a

long gutter,

electric circuit

communicating

explosion

to

place
meter,

at
on

with
the
the

THUNDER
wall

two

and
terrific,
The

above

it, was

heard.

The

metres

explosion was

chronometer

the

the

Luxembourg

plate belonging

M.

de

outer
no

deaths

of

down

fanned

Muda,

by

Paluzzo.

in other

or

fire

to

and

and

than
four
On

of

an

others

August

Saint

hour.

several

the
were

people

thatched

old

circumstances,

an

insignificant.But,
increased, and,

burned

nearer,

hundred

village.

place

August

on

by

other

words, the whole

at

the

27, 1900.

villageof
Lightning

cottages/which,

the

village,were

Three

persons

thirty-twocomposing
less

There

to

fire to

flames

the

catastrophe took

twenty

fire

it set

been

wind,

Ochres, in Dauphine,
set

pieces,and

indirectlycaused

are

Under

have

nearer

red

according

was,

volatilized.

July, 1903,

violent

similar

in

of

in all directions.

scatter

was

the

keeper

ball of

thousand

in

the shock.

might

approaching
houses,

by

Thus

accident

the

The

saw

Peres

great disasters

lightning.
at

to

iron bar

an

Sometimes

house

lightning flash.

the

injuriesto record, although

or

thrown

were

the

to

Fonvielle, broken

part

truly

meteorologicalbureau

explode with great violence,and

The

second

thunder-clap was

stopped suddenly.

was

of

square

the

in

dislodged,when

followed

immediately

Observatory

LIGHTNING

AND

in
were

ashes

out

of

within

burnt

alive,

the

village

seriouslyinjured.
25, 1881, lightning struck

Innocent,

at

three

o'clock

in

the

morning.

228

THUNDER

pieces,through
The

report

shock

the

heard

was

form

and

examples

being

Bone,

the
to

there

which

had

fallen

if he

but

The

Rodney

length

shop.

The

shattered

its ironwork
a

At

broken

length of
times
or

cut

some

the

the

there.
more

seventeen
masts

are

on

standing jib,

hands

The

fortunate
un-

paralyzed and
outside

before

of

the

Syracuse when

December
it

7, 1838.

of the

stroke that

shavings, which

much

very
As

The

weighed eight hundred

vessel,like rubbish

weighing

fluid fell

clinging.

violence

was

sailing

Numidie,

the

on

weigh

to

even

inevitable.

on

the

topmast
and

been

first ;

was

of the

here

fallen

the

by

sea.

down

his

was

instantlyreduced

whole

for

such

struck

rigging, and

steamer

both

under

went
top-gallant-mast

pounds, and

the

was

have

This

the

Several

meteor.

being

the

officer

had

was

struck.

was

was

into

had

would

draille,death

in

went

second

the

the

them

exposes

by lightning. The

and

mizzen-mast,

off, and

masts

sailors

aloft

struck

was

man

it

of

August 26, 1900,

On

from

from

thrown

the

attacks of the dread

while

electric current

powder magazine.

around.

known

are

her

great distance

position of

the

to
particularly

LIGHTNING

explosionof

felt for miles

was

The

AND

for

than

the

in

hung
a

it
the

carpenter's

damaged

and

mainmast,

with

ton, it

wrecked

was

metres.

splitfrom

top

in fragments,and
transversely

to

bottom,

flung to

ON

EFFECTS

Sometimes

distance.
and

of which

trees

The

Blake

they

unusual

of

heart

in

without
there

lightning to

do

curved, and

zigzag,sometimes

This

off.

phenomenon

December
off and

31,

into

thrown

spared by

set

topmast and

the

water.

fire.

on

sails

Neither

they

But

times
Some-

as

carries

the

on

the

terrible meteor

the

holes,or

with

1828

word,

powerfulthan

more

observed

was

injuries,

of

rigging and

wind, seizes the

blast of the

the

into

creep

varying depth.

of

also, the electric current, far

the

tree.

furrows, longitudinalor

double

singleor

of

outside; in

the

The

splitinto

was

kinds

all

it

hurting

way

any

be

may

for

and

mast

the beams

1812.

direction, like branches

fibres in every

It is not

pine,which

in green

was
top-gallant-mast

long

by lightning in

struck

was

planed,like

are

already spoken.

have

we

229

ETC.

METALS,

it

Clenker,
torn

were

sails

the

are

torn, riddled

are

rule

the

yards are

spared.
One

of

the

shipsis fire,which
to

Under

another.

local, and
various

of

lightning,then
1793

In
up

by

the
a

it drives

from

the

river at

violent

part

one

thunder
of the
it is

ordinary circumstances

easilyextinguished;

parts

of

frightfuleffects

most

the

ship at

destruction

becomes

King George
Canton, when

once,

from
an

when

as

vessel

usually

it seizes

when

but

on

struck

on

by

inevitable.

Bombay

electric

clap of thnnder, grazed

was

sailing

spark,followed

the

mizzen-mast,

230

THUNDER

and

disappearedin

Seven

that
fire.

It

burned
The

water's

covered

seen

fire to

set

the

magazine,
A

rush

of

for

bread

hunger and

on

ship, which

it

fire and

the

be

was

largesparks,which
the

but

powderthe

abandon

to

boats,

by

deck

Instantlythe

decided

could

struck

Liverpool was

it threatened

As

captain
made

was

pounds

globesof

vessel.

the

was

cargo,

edge.

25, 1845.

with

men.

consternation

whole

the

ship Bayfield from

lightningNovember

with

inflammable

an

spread rapidlyover

to the

killingseven

discovered

was

full of

hold,

LIGHTNING

the hold, after

later it

hours
the

AND

ship.

only thirty

as

perished of

saved, many

thirst.

Often, indeed, the explosionof the powder-magazine

makes

the

1798, the
in
crew

the

English

Straits

of

vessel the
Malacca.

Only

lightningplays more

with

the

two

blown
three

or

in

Thus,

Resistance, was

anything

else

when

quivering,magnetic
vibrating,
by

terrible.

more

up

of the

saved.

were

But
than

catastrophe even

electric current
or

the

Sometimes

and

no

needle

the

hither
even

lose

and

compass

ship.

is often

passage
the

The

paralyzed

poles are

its

by

the
a

longer respondingto

move

they

it visits

sometimes

points,disturbed

spark,deviate,and

pole,mislead

tricks with

of

versed,
re-

the

magnetic

thither.

all their

magnetic

perties.
pro-

EFFECTS
These

changesin

steered

year

way

off

the

Algiers.

be

to

to

in

trees, appear
have

the
few

This

certain

ships, like

Some

in

struck

little

all
did

instruments

vessel

certain

wrecked

was

round

could

he

for the total

of

and

individuals

vessels

certain

electric fluid.

the

attract

several

struck

singleelectric

about

compasses

account

may

the

ships.

records
of

course

the

the

particularto

many

the

pilot believed

the north.

disappearanceof

We

the

of

ship which,

of

injured,and

when

coast

cape

needles

The

ships being

deviation

Genoese

of

the

revolution,although

appear
the

on

known

are

1808, sailingfor Marseilles,was

half

not

often lead to disastrous

through

tells of

Arago

compass.

the

cases

destruction

to

ETC.

METALS,

the compass

Many

consequences.

made

ON

times

Here

storm.

are

"

On

August

In

1848, the

1, 1750, the

Malacca

Competitorwas

struck

was

struck

twice

within

peatedly.
re-

an

hour.
At

Mahon

the
and

struck three
On

beginning
Malta,
times

the

in

of

ship of

received

1770,

Russian

between

admiral

was

singlenight.

January 5, 1830,

Madagascar

December,

in

the

Straits

five destructive

of Corfu, the

dischargesin

two

hours.
We

could

add

many

others

to

this

list.

But

232

THUNDER

enough.

And

the

AND

yet

subject. We

have

we

have

sympathetic currents,
taking place between
that

of

the

surface,or

the

to

commit

the

sun,

in

millions
the

were

of

surface

in

are

thought

globe.
in

usually pass
the

telegraph

that

round

trusted
en-

world,

the

Without

scious
being con-

correspondencewith

kilometres
this

wires

the

and

away,

luminary

any
cause

may

witnessed

at

the

magnetic tempest

of

the

we

1903.

phenomenon

the

little

These

revealingthem.

agitation,as

interrupted in

fact, the

were

and

visit the earth's

cases

know

of

formidable

the

till four

of

October, telegraphicand

of

reverse,

skies

the

ocean.

thoughts

149

indescribable

surface

the

are

dominions

we

fact, they

were

new

hand,

the

During

In

the

sensitive.
inconceivably

close of the year

31st

which

certain

carrying our

agitation on
them

of

terrestrial

our

other

with

of

on

interchange of

the

incognito to

the indiscretion

the

almost

last word

of
electricity

depths

unperceived; however,

are

those

comes

the

even

excursions

On

discuss

to

and

said the

not

telegraph.

Lightning often

wires

LIGHTNING

the

paralyzedon

parts

many

nine

the

another.

ocean;

account

of

the
solar

old

the

all

o'clock

afternoon, the
one

of

observed

was

From

strangers to
crossed

tion
telephonic communica-

world.

in the
world

Not

submarine

the

over

ing,
morn-

and
word

the
nor

cables

disturbances.

In

EFFECTS

the

the

frontiers

sun

in

was

its surface
the

does

either

paths

always wait

not

Let

by

act

will

which

clerks, unless

treachery

the

are

lightning.

happen frequently,but
wires

All

often, too,
of

sorts

their

on

as

well

accidents

the

latter, accompanied

lightning.
the

to

These

telegraph

guard against

These

the

result

from

instance, how

the

telegraph

in the

apparatus

the

discharges

mute

spark strikes
the

as

the

of

accidents

grave

wires

of the
electricity

flash of

the

imprisonedin

vibration

by

cause

the

on

the

in

they

of

opportunities.
telegraphwires,

the

fluid

The

induction

may

he

But

it.

to

hurling petards in all directions,

sometimes

phenomena

times

lessly
glidenoise-

to

open

over

such

In

favourable

pass

affected.

result

are

for these

or
noiselessly

sky will

heat.

confusion

which

this time

and
agitation,

violent

intense

thunder-cloud

line will be

the

with

of

profitsby the

the

along

principaltowns

the

interrupted During

condition

vibrated

subtle fluid

between

was

233

ETC.

METALS,

communication

France,
and

ON

these

office.

repeated

attacks.

know,

We
to

the

wires

lightning

after

hanging by
But

for

when

birds

they alight on

thunderstorm

they

are

fall victims

the

often

telegraph
found

dead

their claws.
fluid acts

the

on

man

also,through the medium

of the wires.

Thus,

on

April 13, 1863,

telegraph clerk

was

234

THUNDER

engaged

with

violent

legs as
them

if
was

reached

charge of

shock

made

even

thrown

struck

been

in

those

stick

remote

telegraph poles

Dalmatia.

Two

violent

down

later, as

hours

seized

the

wire, felt slightelectric shocks, then

found

themselves

flat

for

his

was

been

to his assistance

latter thrown

ears.

in

giddiness seize him,

his

When

arm

just

on

soon

turn,

him

cry

felt

his

with

singing
there

uncovered,

was

the

spot

his

of

one

hearing

on

down

of

as

the

where

he

had

touched.
On

The

ran

that

their

life ;

fell back

up,

with

contact

burn
superficial

from

in

had

of

sign

no

suddenly

Both

ground.

raise himself

tingle,and

nerves

by

who

help.

in

to

came

the

on

indeed, gave

one

other, in trying

comrades,

were

having
again, a couple of artillerymen,

arm

at

they

up

his

in

was

storm,
thunder-

thrown

were

set

as

fluid

clerks.

the

burnt

of

one

parts

being

hands

their

the

doubt

No

September 8, 1848, during

in

larly,
particubend

them

with

down.

wires, which

Pontarlier, when

at

knee-jointsmore

which

had

two
Zara

station

the

they

the

On

in

employees repairingsome

they felt,at the

once

other

several

telegraph wires
all at

LIGHTNING

AND

May
Bastogne

the

9, 1867,
to

Houffalize

telegraph wire,

kilometre.

At

lightning fell

which

certain

the

on

(Luxembourg),
it

destroyed

part,

and

over

road

attracted

for
a

about

length

THUNDER

236
from

and

Havre,

then

did

piled
three

awful

quick

succession.

farm

about

same

moment

peals of

of

if out
like

air

globe

it

the

clump

hundred

like

alighted

of

its

But

at

trace

no

station.

rapidly,with

flew

of

out

the

on

the

Rouen

on

that

part

the
a

copper

hole
The

needle
so

on.

out

axis

which

one

could

at

rose

the

the

of

station,

the

wires

or

the

interestingphenomena
needles
of

turned

turnspit

grindstonesharpening

of

the

order

of

of

indeed,

needles, that
all the

screws

unscrewed, and

were

usual, also

and

train

great number,

Havre

the

lightning, leaving

on

instrument
the

as

of

One

near

instruments

from

so

telegraph wires, then

apparatus.

dial

remained

like

brown,

it

like that

noise

sparks.

of the

in

at

bomb-shell,

Firstly, the

or

other

glided through

several

Beuzeville

side, went

through

or

either

passage,

emits

It

rapidity

suddenly running down,

which

reddish

the

on

grating

each

leaving behind

bird

Suddenly

station, and

small

trees.

observed.

were

iron,

fire of

metres

the

disappeared with

the

size of
of

wind.

soon

last, lightning struck

from
of

clouds

But

succeeded

the

aerolite,and

an

At

light.

thunder

With

violent

weather

the

station

threatening.

kilometre

former

before

apparentlyabout
as

all

at

driven

up,

the

at

look

not

LIGHTNING

AND

the

pass
were

the

needle, there
a

grain

of

on

was

corn.

unaffected.

The

dial,

and

screws,

of

One

communication
interesting

very

noise

by

succeeded

apparent

of
brilliancy

the

electric

an

voluminous

This,

globe

the

it burst

with

felt

from

his

the

for

wire

tension

of

the

immediately

twenty centimetres, and

light of twenty
followed

bobbins

and

receiver,

witness

of this

dizziness.

noted

covered
Re-

following-

the

completely burnt,

was

slightlydamaged.

was

have
was,

power.

the

near

shock,

must

candle

the

telephone wire

the

installation

ball of fire,having

he
stupefaction,

Morse's

electrical
the

of

telephone apparatus

relayof

The

severe

the

at

up

almost

terrific explosion. The

phenomenon

the

rang

Arrived

instrument.

towards

facts:

of

diameter

following

"

was

appearance

the

me

Pierre, Martinique,

St.

which

heard,

was

sent

having

at
telephone-office

central
harsh

26, 1901,

June

"On

an

has
correspondents

our

237

ETC.

METALS,

ON

EFFECTS

been
to

enormous,

great extent,

melted.'1
This

latter effect,
however,
does

only

Not

lightning

the

telegraphwires, but

occurs

it

very

melt

frequently.

and

break

injuresthe poleswhich

the

support

them.
These

burst, or
Poles

are

sometimes

sometimes
splintered,

which

have

alternatingwith
on

the

broken, split,thrown

line from

been
others

into threads

blasted
which

are

are

Philadelphiato

often

or

to

down,

shavings.
be

seen

uninjured. Thus,
New

York, during

THUNDER

238

great storm,

broken

uninjured.
There

odd

the

numbers

similar

was

were

already.

case

too, of

accounts,

eight

to

up

lightning in

trains.

1, 1903, travellers

June

between

Morlaix,

lightning

pole

mentioned

several

are

pursuitof

to

down

have

We

LIGHTNING

alternate

every

thrown

or

On

AND

follow

Sorignac

the

train

train

by
and

over

from

Le

Carhaix

Cloistre,saw
of

course

metres,
kilo-

six

breakingor splittingseveral telegraphpoles.

This
train

is escorted

other

almost

to

been

feat has

cessation,and

through

an

did

it

mutilated

The

until

along

this

displayof

of

masses

over

balconies
The

road.

in

the

named
cyclist

riding during
struck

and

iron,

would

suburbs
Jean
a

killed

seem

to

the

one

wheel.

hobble

to

wander

for

as

about
who

passengers
It

instance

the

witness

spreads itself

the

roofs

and

strikingany particularpoint.

be
of

greater

to

Brussels,

on

cyclist on

July 2, 1904,

Ollivier,aged twenty-one years,

violent
on

by breakinga

alarming magic.

Paris, without

danger
In

of the

terror

rather

travellers

carriages; only on

one,

fluid is content

great

each

discovered.

injury was

Generallythe

succeed

however, continued

coach,

the

rails,to the

the

actuallywreck

which
the

The

once.

of flame.

ocean

Lightning rarelystrikes
occasion

than

more

by lightningflashes

without

be whirled

observed

storm,

spot.

when

suddenly he

was

was

EFFECTS

shall

We

of

caprices
a

end

notice

military

balloon.

It

aeronaut,

whose

The

held

was

about

500

touched
to

by

All

luck

good

had

the

five

assistants,
also

metal

of

get
worked

excessively

rare,

shocks

A
the

struck
Two

communication

balloon

of

lightning

on

captive
by

under-officers

explosion.

and

this

lieutenant,
subof

height
Lechfeld,
skiff

fire,

and

The

was

began
aeronaut

The

thigh.
and

the

phone,
tele-

through

the

unconscious,

but

odd

is

which

phenomenon,

collection

of

by lightning.
also

battalion

the

at

aerial

fell

Berlin

the

of

June,

by

at

windlass

closes

from

steered

broken

They

stories, fantastically illustrated

in

happened

transmitted

This

fittingly

blasting

swiftly.

the

restored.

quickly

the

caught

with

off

cable.

of

the

spark,

to

the

whims

soared

once

first, then

who

the

fortifications

at

received

wires

were

at

electric

an

slowly

descend,

the

above

metres

and

and

of

was

car

captive,

Ingolstadt.

near

description
by

lightning

German

1902.

this

239

ETC.

METALS,

ON

exercise

private

were

mentions

of

that

aeronauts

ground
wounded

at

was

Senne.

by

the

CHAPTER

IX

CONDUCTORS

LIGHTNING

comparatively

UNTIL
all

that

occurred

they

establish

to

given

sparks

experiments

electricity

This

his

the

business,

continent

lightning
America

in

the

and

the

practical

towards

country,

has

of

for

solving

Benjamin

noble
the

of

the

who

his

by
and

extracting
of

purpose

character,

humble

soap

idea

the

genius,

won

of

the

upon

clouds

his

science,

son

between

about

hit

immortal

of

posterity, was
The

old

dissertations

ingenious

set

who

was

from

man

in

and

electricity.
it

Franklin

being

that

world,

our

on

machines,

by

out

seen,

was

the

over

made

relationship

were

of

problems

of

of

degrees

exact

have

we

summer.

or

and

long

by

all

being

were

as

thunderstorms

well

spring

efforts

While

about

pretty
either

in

generally

to

known

was

times,

recent

ments
achievedevotion

his

admiration

gation.
investi-

and

gratitude

origin.

manufacturer

Franklin
240

was

in
born

small
at

way

Boston

of
in

CONDUCTORS

LIGHTNING
His

1706.
science.

parents

He

printingfirm

in

to

deputy
Philadelphia,
finallyPresident

in

go

of

one.

No

Congress,an

to

of the

his

country

than

of

1783, and

rendered

Assembly

greater

one

ever

the

who
diplomatist

insured

the

big

record
Pennsylvania. His political

of

for

candle

head

the
journeyman printer,

ambassador, and

great

him

intended

an
successively
apprenticeto

was

manufacturer,

the States

had

241

was

services

to

signed the

independence of

of

the

peace

United

States.
It
his

Here
electricity.

memorable

experiments
of his immense

greater part
In

"

who

1746

was

an

he

to

before
a

man

tube

of
as

He

of

librarian
member

the

experiments.
what

had

not

great ability
; but

of the

I seized

certain

were

and

after my

received

way

he

in

Dr.

the

Spence,
electrical

perfect,

very
the

as

subject

interested

me

return

delphia,
Phila-

to

gift from

as

in

Pierre

Royal Society of London,

certain

which

eagerlyon
seen

owed

of

"

They

me.

began

account

own

performedsome

glass,together with

to

Boston

Franklin

which

to

fame

equal degree. Shortly

Collinson,a

is his

they surprisedme

me

our

at

met

Scotland.

not

was

new

from

came

experiments
as

fortythat

of

study

the

the age of

towards

was

done

written

it should
the
at

be

chance

tions
instrucused

for

of reproducing

Boston, and

with

in performing the
practiceI acquired a great facility
K

THUNDER

AND

experiments indicated
other

After

to

making

fluid

direct
fact

the

took

from

that

served

"

it into

as

the

way

eagerly to

the

being

and

should

anxious

solve

all

of

to

he

He
a

silk

prepared

mission

the

stretched

of

suitable

first time

accompanied only by
is showered
into

upon

looked

followed,
awaited

can

son.

The

form

was

kite

be

the

excitement

imagined.

with

was

tired of
which

set

with

more

the

region

with.

of

set

take

and

with

forth

on

He

his
was

ridicule that
any

flying.
result.
which

with

cross,

storm.

Fearing the
not

was

proved,not

them,

upon

promising passed without

and

looking

to

play

length,and

there

stance
in-

which

events

touch

failure,he did

his confidence.

which

his

been

recourse

as

sticks in the

two

handkerchief

stringattached

had

children

as

had

experiments

out

into

lightningand guided
He

one,

at

building,for

clock-tower

carry

doubts,

kite such

"

established

Philadelphia
; but,

at

for getting
efficacious,

of thunder

the

extract

to

had

to

expeditiousinstrument, and
less

of

for it.

erection

this time

tricity,
elec-

to

pointed metal, placed

attraction

an

many

marvels.'"

regard

head
He

summit

prepared

built at

waiting

of

the

on

"

his

clouds.

stem

great height

it into

in

vising
de-

in

because
practice,'

discoveries

the

and

England

witness these

to

several

Franklin

with

'

house

my

from

us

I say

ones.

people came

to

LIGHTNING

one

else

cloud

Others

they

were

feet

seven

and

them,

among

Romas

present

were

knocked

Franklin

the

the

metallic

by

imagined;

be

de

unusually heavy

an

his

turn

experiments to

results

following it obediently into

and

stem

protection,and

lightningbeing caught

the

their

ground.

almost

into

came
time, lightning-conductors

this

From

universal

and

use,

their

value

long

not

was

being generally recognized. Curiously enough,

in

France, which
in the
to

over

private buildings for

achievingmarvellous
by

may

attaching lightning-conductorsto

practical account,

public and

as

first to

the

was

experiments. They

hurt.
being seriously

without

but
discharge,

people, ladies

of

these

at

danger,

once

was

Numbers

under."

without

not

were

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

244

in for

go

of

study

ahead

been

had

was
electricity,

that

even

In

entitled

"

all

not

one

their

they

La

Nature

la

reproductiondes

to

demonstrate

Abbe

dans

the

that

which

same

as

makes

strong

indeed,

were,

introduction.

Poncelet,

It

la formation

du

force

which

causes

was

dence.
Provi-

his

in

vivants," in which

etres

that

is the

earliest

the

of

against the designs of

went

the

1766,

countries

other

There
lightning-conductors.

signs of strong hostilityto

held

of

work

tonnerre

he

et

sets out

produces lightning

the earth

protest against the

to

fructify,

construction

of

lightning-conductors.
In

1782, nevertheless,at the

reiterated

request

of

LIGHTNING
Le

Roi,

friend

member

and

endowed
on

CONDUCTORS
of

the Academic

admirer

first

publicbuilding in

became

France.

revised
the various

1867, and

be

and

of

important

of

instead

running

conductor

The

large body
than

the

When
to

become

the

"

cloud
is

body

from

not

soil ;

secondly,because

humidity will

are

is

the

havoc.

with

lightningcomes.

is
soil ;

itself is apt

dangerous

to

because
first,

there

cannot

be sufficient at times

for

greater extent

water

It

apt,

make

great

of

whether
one

to

not

instead

danger,

communicate

merely damp
know

that

cause

charged.
electrically

generallydoes

conductor, and

earth,

the
insufficient,

in

the

of water

which

the

building should

electric current

substance, and

the conductor

of this
the

flow

into

that

the

of

ought reallyto

of water

storm

the

bury
one

down

in 1854,

to

point out

Conductors

the

introduced

added

source

are

of metallic

kind

well.

protection,for

with

accordance

been

had

portionsof

metallic

perfectlyconstructed

any

they

the first

up

in

1823,

instructions

These

sink into

drew

further

been

communication

placed in

being

in

corrected

it has

1903.

this should

of

up

lightning-conductors.

improvements that

till then, and

most

afterwards

Soon

des Sciences

the Academic

1784

was

up

was

lightning-conductorput

set of rules for the construction

with

Louvre

common.

In

It

Sciences, and

des

Franklin, the

of

the

with

245

be

is

enough

sure

that

of great drought

THUNDER

246
the

"

river

Failing a
be

into

put

when

times

very

storms

issuing

supplies of

most

are

in

source

down

deep

water

should

their

having

or

be feared.

to

conductor

the

great pond,

or

wells

inexhaustible

LIGHTNING

AND

in

the

number

of

soil.
his

In

in

cases

table

which

conductors,

statistics

of

lightning has

Quebelet
in which

cases

gives

whole)
their

have

the

results

the

are

has
of

instances

these

the

best

sixty-eight

the

flaw

grave
office.

the

those

to

ductors,
con-

(one-sixthof

some

answer

with

in

fulfil their

to

lightning-

struck, and

proof possibleof

best

conductors, and

and
been

conductors, from

construction, failed

either

hundred

conductor

the

only twenty-seven

struck

ships furnished

buildings,or

or

the

showing

in

These

efficacyof
who

decry

them.
The
not
a

so

protectioncovered

of

area

great

is

as

distance about
above

conductor
out

five

fifteen

materials

the

four

or

of which

the
often

of conductors

of the edifice to be

times

Thus

roof.

the

upon

Buildings are
number

three

twenty yards

extent

some

generallysupposed.

yards will protect an

or

by

area

length

conductor

is
to

of the

standing

stretchingonly about

of

the

depends

also

to

and

the

by lightningbecause

the

nature

house

is limited

It

the

This

away.

the conductor

place

is constructed.

struck
has been

insufficient for the extent

protected.

LIGHTNING

number

which

of

invention

of

the

veritable

"

lightning.

made

are

wire

This

with

traps

in

the

system,

M. Melsens, decreases
Belgian physicist,

risks of destruction,and

the
considerably
economical

stems

separate

catch

to

247

this defect, conductors

remedy

To

CONDUCTORS

than

the

of

erection

is much

number

of

more

separate

conductors.
A

conductor

Hotel

de Ville
from

this

in

spite of

with

the

has

suffered

strikes the

The

with

which

Villette,the

La

buildingsin Paris, are

often

damage

to

struck
be

up

it

Hotel

provided with

photographs
is

in

such

it at

from

been

have

itself

multiplex

but
by lightning,

therefrom.

sometimes

conductor

Tower

several

been

happened

any

curious
Eiffel

boasts

Tower

It has

who

"

previously

metallic trellis is in communication

The

other

Eiffel

conductors.

cloud

tected
pro-

defences.

The

ever

well

by lightningseveral

single conductors

slaughter-housesof

Evigne",and

one

been

the

on

sewers.

The

similar

the

has

struck

been

installed

since, whereas

lightning ever

supplied.

was

has been

Brussels, which

at

building had

times

no

of this kind

the time

The
out

has

lightning
the

taken

actual
of

this.

giganticlightning-

conductor.
Portable
to

time

"

conductors

silk umbrellas

have

been

without

invented

from

iron ribs,and

time

clothes

AND

THUNDER

248

indiarubber

of

childish

and

such-like

allowing

one's

speak,

the

on

The

all

have

they

been

self
is

to

well

lightning,

get

take

to

to

so

certain

cautions
pre-

storm.

and

first

it

brain,

during

principal

is

one

not

to

under

get

tree.

The

posts,

second

from

is

to

as

so

issue

excellent

an

of

to

in

makes

of

the

air

for

the

well

also

wide

berth

with

the

of

to

sparks

their

lightning
its

so

as

telegraph
that

may

has

to

metallic
its

interesting.

to

in

run

neighbourhood

for

is well

preparing

bell.

should

from

not

the

attraction

It

always

study

in

windows

well

as

ring

being

draughts.
too,

to

of

effect

fluid, it is well
not

and

doors

the

having

avoid

to

view

avoid

chimney,
But

that

is

houses,

order

contact

well, also,

animals,
In

the

is

avoid

route

It

storm.

It

give

to

them.

Movements

but

things.

Without

LIGHTNING

lightning.
be

keep

closed

in
from

away

objects.

caprices.

It

is

this

CHAPTER

PICTURES

this

IN

of

series
of

last

flashes

of

instances

Rays,
of

are

this

In

difficult

from

in

as

at

get

the

get

more

less

or

efforts
whenever

this

The

Petit

following

the
"

June

the

"'In

we

to

These
of

admit

is

then,

some

perhaps

may

doubtless

Here,

seem,

lightning.

and

"

selection

has

is

it

from

the

is

extremely

that

newspapers

accurately observed,

less

or

recorded.

have

myself personally

as

to

made
the

great

incidents

practicable.

been

Marseillais
:

it

truth.

more

accurately

others,

many

exact

of

June

18,

1896,

published

us

from

Pertius,

"

correspondent

17

facts

inform

to

it would

Keraunos,

so

Generally speaking,
we

by lightning,

which

variety,

together

group

attributed,

and

great

case,

to

made

to

into.

looking

worth

pictures

explanations.

different

many

like

special character,

Ceraunic

term

of

curious

very

would

chapter

LIGHTNING

BY

MADE

instances

them

writes

to

"

the

course

of

the

storm
249

here

yesterday,

two

THUNDER

250

AND

day-labourersof
Elisson, took

They

refuge

Elisson, who

was

and

senses

and

in

the

called

carried

the

for

help. People

attention

necessary

hurt,

where

to

men

on

his

part

of

burn

curious

fluid has

and

over

the

of

his

upon

enough by

effect the

Elisson.

The

and

his

boots

tore

representationof

photography through
plate

sensitive

the

"

the

of it, and

for

Elisson's

Mayor

M.

body. By

Here

Joseph

to

be

is his

case

merely

of

luckily

most

to

ask

wrote

him

to

the

took

the

the

fortunate
doctor

reply:

Elisson,

Mayor

of

for confirmation

of
photograph,if possible,

happened

victim.

"

"

of

injury.''1''

no

Pertius

of

Commune

the

body

reading this narrative, I

On

on

Elisson's

use

but

artisan's

undoubted

an

The

poplar, and

materials;

opaque

received

impressionand

the

It is

of his watch.

of the handle

reason

trousers;

pine tree, of

all

lightningcut

photography, it reproducedadmirably on
body

once

electric

making

tattooer

at

up

they live,where

is the

this, like

above

ran

his

causinganxiety.

not

incident

produced

one

open

right side,is

ground.

recovered

soon

"'Sasier's condition, though serious

of

the

were

them.

given to

was

they

to
violently

much

reeds.

of

when

not

two

Joseph

constructed

entrance

thrown

and

Sasier

cabin

at

by lightningand

struck

Jean

town,

our

standing

were

LIGHTNING

the

picture

circumstance, the
who

had

attended

"

of

Pertius,

aged

about

252

THUNDER

lost in the

AND

colour

of

LIGHTNING

the

skin, and

reproduced by photography.
taken

having
more

to

me

send
as

that you

now

on

you

to

done

have

the

subject,and

my

sketch

dimensions, and

as
accurately

make

Here

is

enclosed

by

facsimile

have

we

flow of

like the
is

nothing

here

blood

has

marked
it

blood, nor
blood

to

or

of

state

to

make

of him
a

of the view.

to

plan

go

to

of the

Here

less

the

to

Dr.

ground, and

is the doctor's

easier

tree.

the

In

to

of

this

subject,I

Tournatoire, and
incident

of the

scene

less

hand,

photograph

distant

the

or

other

much

uncertaintyon

again

wrote

begged

the

certainlynot

more

swollen

which

more

On

suggest

tree-like form

on

recognize in it

to

of

conspicuousby

of

taken

shape

of

case

vessels,in

aspect.

is

as

saw

the doctor.

poplar. There

due

the sketch

of

veins, or arteries made

a

is correct

TOURNATOIBE."

G.

It is somewhat

that

to

it.
"DR.

writing
able

be

to

represents what

which

I could

glad

picture,which

the

of

of

the honour

am

all the

regret this

me

be

to

regrettedbitterlynot

day before.

it the

longer

no

take

reply:

"

and

photograph

"This

plan

reproduced by

be

can

lines in such

thingshappened

"The

opposite
is

There
knocked

other

the

poplar P,

and

is visible
is

width

which

by

pine, a branch

body.

this

By

by

The

two

an

can

remember

not

the

out

is also

B, is thrown

They

saw

and

of

the

men

B.
is

pictureof

metres

away,

the

O, of which

poplar stands

big

the man's

depictedon

of

stroke

alive,and

lightning the

other

cabin

three

forty centimetres

wide.

out

have

of the

out

come

nothing,heard

of it with

nothing,and

nothing."
photographs taken

clear which

stand

this

opening D, about
are

days1rest.

which

door

the

Behind

same

at

men

few

In

through

One

hundred

one

marked

right side

his

on

stands

of

worker, seated
metres

bears

sittingalmost

were

seats

the

which

in

cabin

lightning.

metre.

one

the

on

of

and

over,

the

refuge. They

flash

graphical
typo-

clearlyhow

show

to

as

way

represents

took

each

few

"

square

workmen

two

253

LIGHTNING

BY

MADE

PICTURES

alone.

is the
As

by

Dr.

tree, for the

the cabin

Tournatoire

poplar,P,

stands

under

does

it is
not

the shade

AND

THUNDER

254

of

pine tree,

lightning did

position of

the

most

well

as

the

as

unknown

enable

them

clothes

on

the

adjacent pine

the

obtained

those

the electric

discharge

the

of

Ceraunic

poplar

of

sort

by

screen,

of

the agency

which

Rays,

this way

some

through

body.

than

extraordinaryeffect

more

cathodic

the

science

that

reflection

human

by

rays, of which

struck,

photograph things in

to
to

man

formed

these

the

judging by

the

A, and

towards

point P

assuredlyis

This

that

whether

But

pine?

the

constituent

ask

to

to
relatively

trees

reproduced their

and

this

likelyhypothesisis

from

came

disposed

strike

not

the

is

one

LIGHTNING

anti-cathodic

or

rays

equally unable

seems

give any

to

explanation.
Let

proceed with

us

all

above
on

the

newspaper

ratives
nar-

In

following appeared

the

June, 1897,

of

tant
impor-

It

verification.

without

trust

take

to

never

is

studies.

our

the

month

the

in

papers
news-

"

"

LIGHTNING.

PHOTOGRAPHIC

battalion, in barracks

lightning.
from
to

grove

relate, on

man's
was

He

the

occasion

of

being dead,
covered

lightning,and

with

it

was

upon

midst

pines,in

the

chasseur

Remiremont,

standing

was

of

at

"

struck

was

by

mound

not

of

ferns.

Curious

recording the

discovered

that

punctures imprinted

representing the

15th

of the

nature

on

and

far

fact of the
his
it

body

by

the

aspect

of

PICTURES

MADE

the branches
he

I wrote

at

confirmation

the

letter of June

is

this,and

of

Battalion

15th

him

255

the time when

at

of

photograph

of

accident.

The

and

the

way,

the

the

on

temple

of

measuring

from

There

was

no

left

traces

in

three

lesion

to

skin
on

of

into

This

follows

"I

reply

15th

the

it

body

the

of

spot

affected in any

the

passage

of

of

the

the

the

in

of the

surface

burn

diameter,

of

shape

saucer.

body.

MAUNY,
of Chasseurs."

Battalion

note

which

that

the

reply

by

right

circular

one

millimetres

whole

covered

was

4, but
his

on

was

not

for

"

"Surgeon-Major

of June

hollow

the

save

four

the

it.

shaped
slight irregularly

some

part

by

your

battalion

of the

were

me

reply to

adjoining

formation,

depressingthe

officer of

handed

found

was

precise

"

afternoon

clothes

upper

linear

for

followingreply:

to

chasseur

trees

man's

only

the

me

there

lightning,consisted
burns

asked

the

that

untrue

bataillon

Chasseurs, has

that

case

chef de

Joppe, commanding

by lightningon

quite

and

round

received

14th, and

It is the

struck

to the

once

le Commandant

M.

"

plantsall

and

LIGHTNING

struck."

was

"

BY

ran

as

"

thought

letter of the

14th

it

desirable

inst. should

be made

by

the

to

your

surgeon-

256

THUNDER
of

major

AND

battalion

my

LIGHTNING

in

order

accurate
scientifically

more

and

that

Chasseurs

take
of

too

rank

take

ever

thoroughly,"and
examination

the

this be

here,

in

phenomena
yet

recentlythat
trouble

the

to

possiblethat

may

have

been

fifth case,

in

been

bodies
this

case

exception

an

which

to

"surgeon-

superficial."If

very

have

officer

examine

it is

must

cannot

an

...

that

the

of the

Vosges."

me

generalrule,there
also

as

to

Battalion

15th

natural

of

confided

majors hardly

"

JOPPE,

precautions. And

many

high

des

student

Clearly,the

the

de bataillon brevete,

Chef

Officer of the

Commanding

"

be

might

authoritative.
"

"

it

shall

we

be

coming just now.

The

but

problem

seek

to

riflemen
the

(Canton
use.

The

line,are
stretches

Only

is

it

third

case

were

practisingat

villageof
de Vaud,

Le

an

the butts

undulating
are

of

number

"

certain

number

Charbonnieres

the

300

side of

can

five targets out

Suisse),

the

we

grove

of

rock-strewn

provided with

of six

from

metres

the

pines.

of

range,

Pont, in the valleyof Lalle

targets, distant

placed to

in

forth

set

as

Sunday, August 23, 1903,

On

near

study

Here

instances.

being solved, and

is far from

Joux

were

in

firing-

Between

meadow-land.

lightning-conductor

MADE

PICTURES

and

in

it

five markers.

are

wires

along-the

stand

and

line

the scorers' seats.

The

overcast.

3.30

was

the

though they

stand

side

of

the

in every

been
Triute

the

on

reaches

man

riflemen

Let

and

them

us

been

relief

placed

in

behind

them.

Let

give

their

us

scorers.

partiesare

was

describe

killed.

much

the

men

band,

of
to

bar, to

the

it

not

the

which

Hotel

of

had
de

la

play. Presentlya

report that twenty

of the

becomes

Consternation

organized. Fortunately

less than

was

supposed.

actuallyengaged in firing,
and

E, their

attention, first,to these

Presentlywe

was

stroke

violent

the

line,A, B, C, D,

our

Some

painful

the
"

front

the

with

out

anything

bridge,continued

done

damage

position.

At

been

away
in

concert

have

general,and

had

kilometre
a

felt

one

there

that

giving

no

the

to

others, looking as

their throats.

stand,

lightning. A

thrown

asphyxiated, give

from

noticed

even

about

At

on.

was

twenty-eight men,

spectators,are

direction and

were

rattlingnoise

of

bell.
telephone

own

going

quite inert, apparentlydead;

are

are

the

In

and

in every

the

as

centimetres

50

its

far

as

clap of thunder, and lightningstruck

riflemen, scorers,

the

Firing was

electric wires.

ground

come

telephone

stormy, though the sky

not

was

somewhat
there

target has

257

six

are

about

within

to

Each

weather

There

qfjlre; they

down

go

LIGHTNING

BY

shall

come

to

men

the
s

scorers

and
others

258

THUNDER

AND

awaitingtheir turn,
to the

markers

The

men

was

to

in

the

blueish

turned

He

right over

statue,1'

as

soon

as

he

Killed.

pine

its roots

targets.

position,kneeling"like

move.

had

down,

spectators,and finally

the

to

either kneelingor lying.

firing,

were

touched.
B

top

at the

remained

unable

then

LIGHTNING

indicated

picture

shade.

pine,because
stand, but

It
of

by

of

was

suggested

pine being

outlines

some

was

reallyit

was

breast

his

depictedon

tree

brownish

the

than

it resembled

that

like

more

at

up

rather

metres

ten

upside

"

from

away

the

of fern.

branch

Killed.

felt

hardly anything apart

in his limbs
had

D
two

or

found

the

ground,

in two

electric bell between

suddenly
gravel;
away;

the
his

ness
heavi-

healed

within

up

he

came

from

his

hands;

pear-shaped

vertically.
positionon
rifle had

his

handle

elbows

fingers,his

double,

to

his

barrel

the

trigger.

heard

lost consciousness

when

certain

up.
were

metres
in

the

nothing,

bent

2J

stone

below

held

Saw

rifle with

about

with

scorer

table.

days.

himself

bent
A's

slightburns, which

holding his

was

He

been

pickinghimself

when

some

three

from

nothing.
his

while
himself

face
he

of
upon

again

in

being
he

the

himself

Felt

buried

was

the

the

carried

began

to

Dr.

which

would

picturesseen

upon

of water

had

scorer

several

could

make

driven

up

wound

under

Behind

the

intact the

of

one

the

In

to

were

burnt

case

one

on

are

under

the

tipsof
The

the

the

turn

himself
had

He

wall.
riflemen

and
left

electric current

the rack.

also, probably

other

left the

he

before

found

torn

dozen

fall,

Quite

fell,clingingon

the neck

to

Later

this,

near

he

found

of
his

of the stand.

in

of the

separate

spot of about
had

burns

spectators,the burns
One

sores.

the

size

of

had
a

his hair

five franc

their feet and

upon

impressionthey saw

legs,

small blue flame at

their shoes.

general feelingwas

stupefaction.Terror
"Those

(?)

general

stand.

againstthe

up

of several

piece; others,who

form of

his left

then,

"

the

of

standingon

be found

vasomotor

heard

"

comrades, also struck.

his

victims,

transudation

on

men

had

A666

"

were

To

in the middle

purse

the

see

wall

scorers

rifles

the

happening,he

was

the

awaiting his

man

to

himself

spectators.

some

the

tree-like

the

feet; his thumb

his

hold

and

'light. He

what

against

trying to

explain the

the skin"

chorus,

out

of

paralysisof

also

violet

or

green

to

time

death-rattle-like

attended

small blood-vessels.

the

across

E's

in

LIGHTNING

this dilation

"

nerves,

in

who

Yersin,

attributes

the

AND

THUNDER

260

who

did

not

did

not

at
come

first

merely

until

lose all consciousness

that

of

afterwards.
were

half

stunned."

his

inabilityto get

the

ground.
their

some

hours

"

Two

guns

another

there

his

keep

he

But

valley.

picturesdoes
is

Here
of the

will

event

the

One

young

seized

could

he

brain;

of

be

not

Yersin's

not

seem

when

not

questioned

stations

on

Swiss

forgotten in

soon

explanation of

to

to

me

be

of
physicists

the

the

Joux

Ceraunic

justified.

instance, given

learned

most

him."

house

now.

Dr.

fourth

and
village,

the

neighbourhood, was

names

is better

He

take

to

upon

throwing

asleepin

walking, and

the

recite

railway.
This

when

lay dead

as

found

was

the

to

far

as

nothing

was

balance

would

he

ran

up

bewailing

flightwithout

partialparalysisof

jammed

father, who

took

men

spectator, a stranger
with

his

to

afterwards

which

to

noticed

was

wall, incapable of moving, but

against the

aside

boy

young

long

me

by

ago

one

last century, Hoin,

of

the Institute.
"I

1866,
in

am

of

"

the

It

had

taken

senseless

"

of the

they

must

of

you," he

Vosges.
under

of

them

one

and

be

wrote

to

lightning which

occurred

refuge

yard

than

tell

thrown

dead, but

to

It struck

the
was

tree

and

thanks

the

27,

at

Logelbach

travellers who

knocked

his back.
to

of

July,

curious

June

on

two

lifted to

upon

very

north

the

in

me

was

midday

at

villagesituated

foot

to

stroke

its effects.

Bergheim,
at

going

them

over

height

of

It

thought

was

attention

more

given

THUNDER

to

them

they

AND

they

at once,

are

feature

of

out

now

of the

danger.

accident.

the

the

But

Both

of

"

of

is the
have

of

leaves

the

strange
their

on

lime

it

done

have

not

tree ;

Radat,

M.

Mayor,

could

skilfuldraughtsman

most

here

thighs,the imprint,as

the

statement

themselves, and

to

travellers

their

to

though by photography
to

brought

were

backs, extending down

according

LIGHTNING

better.'1''
is

Here

records.

incident

The

which

fifth instance

happened

find

at

among

my

Chambery, May 29,

1868.
the

In

47th

Regiment

chestnut
18

by

the

learned

The

the

was

of

heart, he did

of the

of

plate,so

length, by

to
4

not

up.
"

of

succumb

to

clothes

Two

hours

were

had

in

13

to

"

region

quarter of

corpse
14

the

their guns

in the

for about

about

June

standingin

Struck

The

eyewitness of

an

been

words.

on

up

recorded

are

bayonets.

bore

an

centimetres

width, occupying largelythe

presenting the

vesicatorythat

The

drawn

killed had

speak,of

precordialregion, and
aspect

by lightningunderneath

Chambery,

hour, after saying a few

oval

soldier of the

eight soldiers,who

hands, without

in their

storm,

followingfacts

who

group

violent

memorandum

doctor

man

of

centre

in

In

tree.

struck

was

occurrence,
"

an

of

course

neither

become

had
torn

after his death

an

nor

parchment-like

rapidlydried
burnt.

examination

of the

PICTURES

MADE

body resulted

in the

recorded

several

by

BY

LIGHTNING

discoveryof
observers

phenomenon already

the

"

263

reproduction

of

photo-electric
pictures.
"On
leaves

the
of

right shoulder

more

less

or

reproduced minutely
of the

be

seemed

to

twisted

together,was

the

arm

and

by

the lower

on

three

or

middle

the

top and

presentinga

red

stain

The

body,

leaves and

of

the

small
centre

ference.
the circum-

diminishing towards
dissected, bore

when

outside

borders,

the

branches

such

of the shoulder,

only some
at

part

long branch

of the

the third,in the middle

showed

graphic
photo-

tree; the second,which

two

in the

of

violet hue,

absolute

most

chestnut

at

branches

sign

no

of

interior lesion."
is

Here

instance

sixth

In June, 1869,

The

storm

One

of

worked

who

terrible

fright,and

was

by lightningat

monks

knelt

busy mowing.

were

to

monk

seek

down

beside

remained

an

shelter.
machine

followingthe mowing

thunder-clap,the

the

Belgium.

in

Chimay

near

horses, directed it towards

two

enclosure, and
a

the

struck

coming along obliged them

them,

by

"

Trappistwas

the afternoon, and

was

of Scourmant,

the monastery

was

reddish

situated
first,

formed

largerand rounder,

It

the

bunches

inside of the forearm, represented

a

of leaves like those of

any

deep

with

precision. The

three

were

iron-work

this trellis. There

horses

with

bolted
his

face

in their
to

the

264

THUNDER

ground.

The

others, who

assistance, only
attendant

of

identical
side

the

present

were

presentinga
with

branches

Out

of

spot

also

under

the

picture of

distinct

very

deep burns,

out

pointed

white

covered
dis-

once,

each

placed symmetrically to

breast; he

of the

medical

at

and

large

two

shape, and

in

for

sent

his

to

up

The

dead.

him

monastery,

body

fall,ran

him

saw

find

to

the

on

LIGHTNING

AND

who

those

to

left

the trunk

armpit,
of

tree

it.

on

these

six

cases,

taken

be

five may

fully

as

authenticated.
Dr.

the

of

Lebigne, Mayor

Nibelle

of

Moniteur

in the

followingnarrative

(Loiret),published
September 7,

1864.

Sunday, September 4, 1864,

"On

three

a.m.,

of

out

metres

of

about

and

killed him,

"The

thrown

strong
two
to

from

tree, it struck

the

well
from

dog by

top

to

of

other

workmen

the

his side.

bottom

smell

at

and

was

bark
then

beneath;
of

one

by

in the

the

away

of

200

struck

was

to bottom

head

bread

eating some
as

top

wood

the

was

tree

10.30

about

pears

lightning carried

the

of

as

behind

distorted

centimetre

who

workmen,

with

quitting the

burnt

was

screw

the pear

Nibelle,when

and
lightning,

form

busy gathering

were

men

about

at

the

the time, and

head

The

was

impregnated

sulphur.

ground,

and

who

were

remained

on

the
for

tree

some

were

time

PICTURES
senseless.
not

move

and

it

the

MADE

When

they

their

that

electric fluid.

is,that

merciful,however,

again and

up

The

and

the

of
vicinity

had

went

away

In

again.

It

in

graduallyas
the

several times

the

was

that

of

case

blood

men

were

des Sciences
that

by

both

in

July,

the

des

found

magistrate,
to

circulate
on

the

day after,when

to set in.

in 1786

how

storm

and

had

who

seen

imprintedupon

standing

was

tree

member

Franklin

that

man

that

preceding,

Leroy, a

Sciences, declared

told him

during

of them

killed

was

the

the

the leaves of

began

boy, who

fact that

lightningopposite him,
this tree

the

of this case, very similar to those

Academic

door

the

somewhat

faded

of the

the

been

by lightningin

exactlylike

of the

case

recalled the

at

of

though by

as

records

found

was

stains

marks,

Arago

had

leaves

Academic

struck

decompositionhad begun
propos

evening both

of the

were

poplar.

spot, they had

them

photographer had

(xvi.p. 1328)

boy

These

poplar.

and

his breast

terrible

rendus

their breasts

on

with

department of Indre-et-Loire,a magistrate

miller's

in contact

the branches

for that

1843

year

1841, in

been

homes,

able to walk."

Comptes

for the

to their

astonishingthing about

had

The

daguerreotype.

they could

taken

had

clearlyimprinted on

tree

pear

them

of

one

265

themselves

were

both

The

LIGHTNING

to

came

legs. They

found

was

BY

struck

by

representationof
his breast.

Arago

266

THUNDER

AND

LIGHTNING

recalled,too,

in this connection

old

in

Academy

in which

there

questionof

was

in

Auvergne;
heel

the

by

August 2, 1786, by

this

and

thought that

described

all the

into

this may

appear,

Beccaria

Pere

is cited

here

the record
"

us,

to

cites

also

of the Riom

attribute

case,

of

formed

by lightningupon

That

is

"

say,
;

was

skin,must

vessels sensitive

it is not

and

did not

"

new;

Franklin's

case

of

author

hesitate,"he tells

eruption of the blood

an

just the

into
some

the

cases,

appearance

the

skin of two
Was

question.

but

"

in

Ecchymoses

persons."
there

Perhaps that

tissue?
not

of

all.

picturesproduced
photo-electric

Comptes

in

these

infiltrations of

ecchymoses

cellular

in the

statement

Strange

picturesnothing but

in

to
case

injection.'1The

an

is entitled

so

of these

the effect to

rendus

blood

It

through having

analogous. Besile,the

as

the

Extraordinarythough

similar

entered

report.

vessels in the

on

go

in

vessels of the skin, producing a result similar to

in the

that

they

of Riom

head, leavingon

in the

without.

impressions from

to

Leroy,

by lightning

fluid had

its way,

lightningon

all the ramifications

made

have

the

the

the

to

and

killed

man

electric

by

out

gone

blood

the

the

case

body singular marks,

forced

Bossuet

School
10, 1585, in the Collegiate

May

on

report made

in

may

Photography,
the

laboratories

the
be
the
of

Moses's figures(?),the Lichtenberg flowers,

physicists,
cathodic

rays,

Rontgen

rays,

radiography
"

all these

268
the

of

back

of

tree

clothes bore
Unless

to

are

there

that

else

something

Certain

patterns we

this

of

these

get

in

must

we

ecchymoses,

of

veins

and

pictures resemble

plates. Might they

surface

the

shall

pictures we
from

of the

the

the

their

produced

body

body struck

hear

now

be

not

of,

already dealt with,

those

about

explain,and

been

have

photographing electrical discharges

from
electricity

of

else besides

workings

tree-like

dischargeupon

the emission
The

the

lightning.

that

me

Her

pictureswrought by lightning.

sensitized

upon

to

seems

something

besides

arteries in these

by

is

of the

all.

all these

that

suppose
it

reddish

reproduction(of a

of the passage

trace

no

inaccuratelyobserved,
admit

also

was

trunk, branches,foliage,and

"

we

forty-four,who

of

woman

struck, the lightningleft

hue)

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

by

be

to

tinguish
dis-

easier to

are

genuinenessthere

or

"

be

can

no

doubt.
the

In

of
home

of

summer

Vienna,

by train.

found

that he

had

one

side of

monogram
Some

"

it

two

not

got

time

from

the

out

his purse

at
on

returning

the
him

bourhood
neigh-

station
"

some

he
one

it.

made
steel
D's

doctor

Derendinger, was

getting

was

purse

Dr.

On

probably had stolen

This

1865,

of

and
tortoise-shell,

plate marked

with

the

had

on

doctor's

intermingled.

after,the doctor

was

called to attend

to

PICTURES

strangerwho

MADE

BY

been

found

had

tree, having been

thing

that

that

was

he

noticed
his

on

struck

thigh there

the
The

be

may

proved.
thief.
steel

The

The

In

would

had

instances

case

we

because

his way

On

coating of

franc
over

him

on

"

his

viving
re-

found.

lost
it

So

by lightningwas
been

attracted

the

by

monogram

had

thinking
there

de

are

the

upon

been
The

moustache

number

category.
Nantes,

at

the

on

Quai

lightning,but

experiencingany

ten-franc

and

out

his

from

transferred

to

Flesceeded
pro-

piecesof silver
piece in gold
found

of the

silver

both

ill effects.

he

purse
one

of other

this

to

containing two

purse

taking

lurgy,
electro-metal-

of

TErdre,
flash of

without

silver taken

piece.
the

in

hospital.

clothes

July 25, 1868,

Pont

compartment

franc

to

probably be

set

enveloped by

another.

his

certainly belong

the

near

on

one

body

His

succeeded

imprinted the

are

more

which

selles,was

in

He

in

man's

monogram.

taken

struck

Thus, for instance, on

had

the

first

body.

all the

He

under

reproduction,as

own

was

electric fluid had

this

stranger

his

that

individual

plate,and

the man's

who

remarked

tortoise-shell purse

was

imagined.

stranger,

doctor

lying insensible

examining

on

269

by lightning.The

though by photography,of
astonishment

LIGHTNING

in

that

pieces
"

sides of the

ten-

franc, slightlythinner, especially

of

Napoleon III.,

was

in

parts

270

THUNDER

slightlybluish.
gold

Another

(1817)

the

that

framework

leaden
leave

of

of

runs

these

In

clock

not

It

not

was

been

so

how

the

cases

the

;
a

six

was

the

took

in

been

in

in

the

contained

no

These

it to

the

gold

coins

earlier
metallic

metallurgy
electrothis

cases

element.

man

killed

was

in the middle

side of his belt,as

body

and

This
A

that

all the
makes

he

of the

of

the

man's

had

think

known

Academic

him

of

des

able to

were

the

skin

own

other,

on

those

the

examined

right
his

testify.

radiography.

correspondentof Poey,
he

on

by

right

seemed

public official who

the

witnesses

us

had

have

to

seem

rings,overlappingeach

which

to

as

way

of different sizes,corresponding
exactlywith

were

the

rays.

young

'the rest

the

giltoff

galvano

They

the ceraunic

that

"

gilded.

But

corpse bore

Physik

the

such

with

der

transferred

and

of transference.

dark.

very

partitionof

which
rings of flesh-colour,

distinct

more

and

analogy

9, 1836,

lightning. The

of

trees

case

October

shoulder

to

lightningstruck

of

these had

photographed by
On

on

Annalen

window-panes

is evident.
was

"

Dresden

the

the

signof

no

flash

chapel near

skin of the

Gilbert's

In

read

of

silver

of the

!*

case.

we

transference

through the

compartments

tower

This

made

was

LIGHTNING

AND

the astronomer,

Trinidad

Sciences,Aout

lady

who

3, 1868.

told

had

him

been

PICTURES
struck
the

in
by lightning

BY

her

these

of the

instances

objectswith

in which

the

still of

therefore
In

the

sailor seated

there

of

removed,

formed,

identical with

with
the

same

us

another

full

going down

two

numbers

Zaube.
was

he

which

duction,
repro-

struck

Under

the

found

printed
im-

all declared

figures,large and

between

them,

in metal

affixed to

the

the

and

ship,and placed between

sailor's bunk, in

to

nailed to the mast.

his mates

stop

exact

an

killed

These

mizzen-mast

brigantine was
of

was

by lightning.

lightyellowand

and

horseshoe

44, which

before.

the

struck

discovered

sailor who

there

rigging of

others

are

reminding

foot of the

roadstead

the

number

the
not

still

was

found

was

was

of

mizzen-mast

breast

Here

brigantineLe Buon-Servo,

the

at

his back

On

by lightning in

the

the

mark, beginning at his neck

The

of contact

further

and

of Armiro,

in facsimile,of

well

she

which

kind

some

struck.

substance

Bay

loins,where

was

stomach

electro-metallurgy.

killed.

left

was

objectsreproduced are

in

his

there

September, 1825,

black

whose

on

metallic comb

the persons

metallic

of

anchor

was

and

271

in her apron.

In

but

LIGHTNING

youth

had imprinteda
lightning

carried

at

MADE

was

mast

were

lying asleepwhen

struck.

May
what

his

it not

have

been

companions declared

tattoo-mark
?

in

spiteof

THUNDER

272
M.

Maria

Jose

LIGHTNING

AND

of

Dau,

that

records

Havana,

1838, in the provinceof Candaleria, in Cuba, there

found
neck

the

on

of

right

of

distance

short

facts set forth

lead

nailed

been

at

up

reflection

the

to

us

form

inverse
sufficiently

before

have

we

window.

the

in their nature

us

several

have

been

branch

new

meriting study ; secondly,that

are

that

us

against a

records

physics,well

show

had

ceraunography should

first,that
of

him

from

various

These

by lightning,the reproduction

horseshoe, which

was

of the

right side

the

on

struck

man

young

and

ear

in

to

quite distinct

specimensof phenomena.
these

However,

study long before

A

matters

day.

our

of

priest,P. Lamy,
published in

Maur,

by

the

1696

the

an

lucid

most

effects of

curious

the

extraordinarycases
first had

The
at

Soissons,

struck

the

tower

penetrateda
*

"

on

wall

common

sense

scene

the

the

Abbey

1676.

April 26,
of

not

with

two

the
most

have
very

les

Medard,

of Saint
flash of

abbey, went

eight feet thick, by

Paris,MDCXCVI.

for the

could

deals

He

upon

others.

among
for

text

Voltaire

Conjecturesphysiques sur

Tonnerre."

formed
little work,* in-

better.

out

Saint

excellent

"

thing

of

Congregation

lightning then

commentaries.
superstitious

reasoned

subject for

into
a

hole

lightning
the

clock,

conducting

plus extraordinaires

effeta du

PICTURES
iron rod

an

four

feet

the

high,and

threw

the

lengthof
like

it out

flames.

kind

frieze

wall

the

along

273

to

represent

the

of

along the
spreading
furrow

of

"

all kinds

of

of

:
description

own

immense

an

end

extreme

it and

to

planks,

two

brass wire stretched

painted

of
curiosity

of

the

to

surprisingeffect,and

most

the

them

is the author's

Here

aroused

LIGHTNING

wall,settingfire

ribbon

"The

BY

de cadran, detached
Taiguille

dormitory,followed

whole

is

MADE

number

of

colours

extending

of

dormitory

has

which

one

people,

just above

and

the

doors.

almost

length is

it

designsupon
a

to

give the

its

reader

the

original. Some

all

the

as

well

less

are

nothing

this frieze

it,but it

down

centre

the

from
of the

the

that

men

and demons
with

in

miances

in the midst

of

as

be admitted

must

flames, faces

richlyendowed

copied, so

varietyof

the

suggest

of marmosets

as

and

occupies the

people declare

colour's in

descried
who

idea of

an

dormitory;

darting up

portion of

the

of

feet; its

two

length.

it is difficult to

that

that

which

band

had

I have

to

of flames

are

throughout

frieze
"

equal

wide

of

kind

this frieze is about

of

depth

"The

may
;

of
be

but those

imagination can

see

of all this."

On

p. 274

At

this

lightningwas

is

copy

of the

design by

period, physicistswere
"

an

exhalation

of

of

P.

the

nitre

Lamy.
belief

and

that

sulphur,

274

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

acting something after the fashion of powder,and able

to burn

up

route.

In

author

throw

or

this

sees

everythingencountered

over

girdle traced

into all kinds

the dilation of the copper,

melted

second

The

examined

case

happened

of what

that

Lagny,

when

it

1689.

This

is one

in

and

tell

us

"If

we

and
connection

into

of the

by

church

the

struck

was

due

to

vaporizedover
which

yellow

thickness

P.

Lamy,

of Sauveur

and

was

at

by lightning on

July 18,

astoundingin

the entire

most

historyof the subject. Let

to

of the

of colours

varying accordingto the

predominates,
of the "projection."
the inequalities

its

lightning,the

feet, the colours, in

of "two

width

the

scatteringof all the constituents

brass wire, transformed

the

by

on

us

what

see

our

author

has

"

were

to

look for

of
diversity

with

the

the

some

excuse

for the

ness
strange-

people'ssayingsand doings in

Lagny

case

of

we
lightning,

should

276

was

"

namely, in

"

9. That
of

black

the

it burnt

with

Qui

it

imprinted

pateretur, and

pridie quam

forth

in
," et

What,

minds

to

Sanguis

est

repeat,

make

of

for the

account

which

shall

Which
taken

or

left
?

cross

"

and

I wonder

his eyes

And

the

beheld

inscribingupon

is

What

the

to

one

walls

of

think
the

thousand

of his

the

the

Saviour
of the

and

delusions

thing calls

sightof

those

"

strange imprint

the unfortunate

the terrible

the

others.

over

figureof

the

of that

this ?

as

privilegedwords

fears the entire

whether

affair

words

some

resist all the

How

uncertainties

for

in which

hanging ?

Corpus

est

discernment, and

choice, the

left ?

those

extraordinaryway
was

Hoc

expect unphilosophical

you

consider

we

usually set

are

astonishingan

mysterious preference

facietw,

memoriam

mei

to

meus.

can

so

down

going

special characters, namely,

Hie

altar-

the

upon

consecration, beginning

of the

words

inclusive; only omitting those

How

several

it formed

which

quotiescumquefeceretisin

"

burning.

part of the communion-cloth

Finally that

the sacred

meum

be

to

seen

was

tabernacle, upon

cloth

Hcec

Anthony.

of St.

cross

extraordinary way,

an

waves.

10.

"

of

high altar

the

That

8.

in

them

of

form

the

"

and

both

it

over

the cloth which

it tore the altar-cloth and

7. That

"

LIGHTNING

AND

THUNDER

forth ?

Balthasar,when
unknown

hand

banqueting-room the

PICTURES

MADE
of his

announcement

BY

doom,

who

or

the

were

could

worked

only whether

deducingthis

these

the

but

here

again

held

that

bad

of sheer

and

that

there

mischief

their

the

they

was

question

or
spirits
good.

of the

good spirits,

words, Hoc

spiritof

est

ence
rever-

the work

of evil

spirits,

different theories.

were

Some

perpetratedthese thingsout

spiritshad

words

of

had

been

and

themselves

pranks.

or

myself do

other

some

evil

others

mystery;

work, actuated

at

more

wishing only to give

sinfulness,and

than
to

contempt,

essential to the

so

imps

mere

amusement

of

who

wickedness, wilfully
profaning the holy objects

design,the

by

spiritsalone

"

of

to

those

felt that

of evil

work

to

prey

effects of

it

down

to be

them

suppressingout

held

was

omission

mystery.

believed

Others

doubt

the

they set

for the sacred

the

marvels

be

to

from

of

the work

them

Corpus, etc., which

"

no

277

than

supernaturalforces

they were

believed

Some

of

outcome

have

For

been

tremors

heard

even

at Lagny.
lightning

have

can

greater variety of fears and

witnessed

LIGHTNING

others

by

not

share

the

quaintness

any

of

those

theories.""

Lamy's
the effects
way
any

narrative

proceedsto

recorded, which

in the

world, without

occult

causes.

all and

the most

He

he

explainsin

having
comes,

of all

examination

an

to

have

to
finally,

the

simplest

recourse

last

the

extraordinary.
"r

to

of

278

THUNDER
Not

"

wishing to put

lightningI

there

saw

I found

but

ink

the

faded.
kind

the

which

le

M.

enough

and

the

small

mat

that

"

else

printed on

red

letters

on

no

trace

they

had

the
the

red

inks

"

the

which

on

that

way

the

they corresponded

from

wards,
right to left,back-

read

with

words

printed in

author

such

the

lightning with

cloth from

card, and

card

that

to be

other

the

in

stone

were

marks
upon

done

were

favoured

without
the

had
lightning

more

no

help of

behind.
the

which

the

cloth,but had omitted,

nor

ficance
signi-

any

card, and

in

leaving

altar-cloth.11

proceeds

mystery, ascribingit
two

went

that the

upon

The

they

certain

ill-used than
also

that

through the

I observed

not

found

that

I compared
altar-cloth,

the

printed by

exactly,except

or

to the

next

was

lay between

the

upon

say

three-leaved

Mass

place,folded

and
original lettering,

mirror,

me

of the

was

characters

everything)assured

canon

the

printed side

(who

the

takes

so

the cloth.

Saint-Sauveur

lightningthe

of the

contains

de

me

the consecration

the

trouble.

letters well finished,

fine,the

Cure

show

to

moment

altar-cloth

effects of the

the

imprint on

new

own

my

little indistinct,perhaps I should

As

but

anything

for the

repaid me

clear and

it very

in

myself,and

the
carefully

I examined

"

LIGHTNING

trust

to the church

eyes, I went

at

AND

thick

to

black

to

the
ink

explain
difference
and

the

the

so-called

between
thin

red

the

ink.

PICTURES
He

examines

them

of

the

that

same

he

is

It

was.

has

like the

way,

phenomena

it

BY

LIGHTNING

also into the other

in the

observer

MADE

of

been

phenomena, explaining

sagaciousand enlightened

clear, then,

lightningis

followed

279

that

no

the

study

thing, and

new

for
conscientiously

many

centuries.
In the

of

case

the

of the

canon

Mass

lightningat Lagny,

the

reproduction was

and

not

pressure

objects as

the

less

of Isaac

pen
"On

service

was

two

three

down
no

in

one

was

hurt.

The

the

fact

affair lies in
found
some

to

Wells
him

have

had

that

on

his

him,

and
was

right.

the
a

Some

Cathedral

that

he

of

Ely

had

imprinted

thus

found

himself

it

at once,

but

about

the

"

on

on

his

their

afterwards

The

that

she

his
upon

had

breast,

bodies

of

Bishop

of

wife

if I
some

told

her; and

shown

afterwards
arm,

Wells,

themselves

the

upon

divine

terrible

so

were

service.

the

at

Bishop

adorned

followed

crosses

imprinted

cross

at

heard, of

being incredulous,

that
thus

the

"

while

astonishing thing

present

assured
she

too,

been

those

of

1595,

Lightning

is from

congregation threw

ground.

contact

is another

narrative

about

in

whole

Here

in his Adversaria

day,

progress

the

the

on

Casaubon,

by

reproducingdistant

The

thunder-clapswere

that

nature

of

case

remarkable.

summer's

or

was

though by photography.

hardly

case

it

"

the

printedby

it to

he,

that
remember
on

their

280

THUNDER

shoulders.

It is from

facts,which

he

struck

been
well

we

the

landscape on

the

tells me

shall

What

LIGHTNING

AND

now

inside

of

of the

from

of

sheep

record

The

by lightning?

1812,

this

of

had

which

seems

nut

was

fiftyyards long, in
lightning.

the

the

middle

which

six

of

inside

on

of

the

adjacent landscape.

at

Bath.

record

"

1857.

I may

wood

were

when

the

Here

These

add

that

were

local scenery

the

Andres
In

the

Poey

so

bent

and

me

shown

tells

us

James

its

at

we

us

to

of

"

surrounding

schoolmates, and

my

to

Shaw

its session

at

of these other

province of Sibacoa, Cuba,

nail, which

the trunk
was

opposite direction, embedded

branches.

by

that

identified

once

wonderfully represented.""

lightningimprinted on
a

were

field and

part

exhibited

skins

on

of

facsimile

by

discovered

words

own

dead

struck

London

small

the

familiar to
skins

his

are

oaks

field,about

was

communicated

was

was

were

skin,

MeteorologicalSociety of

March,

it

there

the

them,

This

of

sheep

skinned,

When

miles

composed largelyof

wood

In

trees.

four

villageof Combe-Hay,

the

near

Bath, there

and

of

skin

the

of

photographing

authenticated.
In

the

these

I have

Ely

well authenticated."

are

say

of

Bishop

to

of

curious
in

cases

"

August, 1828,

big

tree

be

found, bent

in

one

of

the

picture
in

the

upper

PICTURES
On
in

July 24, 1852,

Cuba,

engraved

on

which

palm

American

struck

leaves

was

standing up

wall, and

his

wall in

that

silhouette

dark

colour.

such

facts before

With

in the existence of
rays, emitted

alike

on

plants,more

us,

kind

some

nearly400 yards.
1850

we

of

meeting of
killed

was

person

lightningwhile

St. Vincent

pictureof pine trees

after the

Association, a

281

and
by lightning,

distance of

that

us

LIGHTNING

plantationat

was

it at

Sestier tells

BY

in

tree

its dried

surrounded

Dr.

the

MADE

near

by

whitewashed

was

fixed

seem

bound

upon

the

to believe

especial
rays,

ceraunic

and capableof photographby lightning,

ing
the
or

skin of

human

less distinct

beings,animals, and

picturesof objectsfar

and

near.

Decidedly,we

have

much

in all the other branches

of

THE

1'HIKTED

BY

WILLIAM

CLOWBS

AND

to

learn in this

as

well

knowledge.

END

BOKB,

LIMITED,

LONDON

AKD

BKCCLFS.

as