Monongalia mirror. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1855, 1853-08-06
DANGER FROM LIGHTNING.

rent passes through man or beast, it
produces so violent an action on the
nerves, that it destroys life.
@. When is person struck dead by
lightning?
A. Only when bis body forms a part
Of the lightning's path, that is, when
the electric fluid limits way to the earth)
actually passes through bis body
@. Why are persons sometimes
manned by lightning'
A. Because the electric fluid produ-
ees an action upon the nerves sufficient
to injure them, but not TO destroy life.
@. Lightning sometimes assumes the
appearance Of balls Of fire which fall
to The earth, what are they2
A. Masses of explosive gas formed
in the air; they generally move more
slowly than lightning.
@. Why are these balls OF fire SO
very dangerous
A. Because when they fall they ex-
plode like cannon; and occasion
much mischief.
@. Do these balls Of FIRE ever run a.
long the grounds
A. Yes; sometimes they run con-
siderable distance along the ground, and
explode in mass.
At other times they splilinto numer-
GUS smaller balls, each oi which ex-
plodes in q similar manner.
@. What mischief do these balls Of
fire producc7
A. They set fire 10 houses and barns,
and kill all cattle and human beings
which happen TO be in their course
@. What places are most dangerous
during thunder storm?
A. Il is very dangerous TO be near a
tree, or lofty building; aad also to be
near river, or any running water.
@. Why is it dangerous to be near a
tree or lofty building during o thunder
storm!
A. Because tall pointed object tlike
atree or spire) will frequently discharge
aRaibS nssI, ths fRghthsbg Night
verge from the tree, and pass through
The fluids Of the human body.
@. How can a tree or spire discharge
lightniug-clOud?
A. A ligh!ning-cloud (aoating over
o plain} may bo too far off 10 be dis
charged by it; but as a tree or spire
would shorten this distance, it nigh. no
longer be too far off 10 be discharged.
For example: II lightning-cloud
were 700 yards above the earth, it
would be tco far off TO be discharged !;
but tree or spire SO yards high would
make the cloud only 600 yards off q
conductor; in consequence OF which,
the cloud would be instantly discharg-
ed.
@. Why is i. dangerous to be near a
deep river, or any other running water
during thunder storm!
A. Because running water is good
conductor and lightning always takes
IN its course the best conductor.
@. Why is it dangerous Tor man to
be near water in a thunder storm?
A. Because the height OF man may
be sufficient to discharge the cloud ; and
iii there were no taller object nigh) the
lightning might take the man as con-
ductor TO the water.
@. Why is it dangerous 10 ring
church bells during a thunder storma
A. For two reasons lst. Because
the steeple may discharge the lightning
cloud merely from its he'ghs, and
Cd. AS the swinging of the bells put
the air in motion, it diminishes its re-
sistance 10 the electric fluid.
@. Why is it unsafe torun or drive
fast during thundOr storm?
| A. Because it produces a current o'
air; and. as air in motion affords less
resistance 10 the flash, il is a better con-
ductor than air in state Of rest.
@. What parts of q dwelling ore
most dangerous during q thunder storm
A. The fireplace, especially il th'
fire be lighted; the attics and the Gel
lar. 1t is also inpru1ent to sit by tn
: walls, to ring the bell, or 10 bar shutter
during a thunder storm.
! @. Why is it dangerous to sit bei0r'
! a fire during thunder storm?
A. Because the heated air and 500
: are conductors of lightning, especiall..
!. when connected with such excel!en
conductors as the stove, CRATE, or fire
arms.
: 9. Why are the atlics and cellar
+ | more dangerous in thunder storm sha
= = the middle story Of q house'
|. A. Because lightning sometimes pas
n ses from the clouds 10 tho earth, an
n sometimes from the earth TO the clouds
Q in either case the middle story woul
Q be the safes. place.
q Whv il IL dangerous 10 lean