The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-04-10

Certain interesting phenomena have
recently been noticed by the Hayden Ex-
pcdition In the mountains Of Colorado.
showing the high electrical state Of the
elevated position known az Station 0, I'm.
comPahgre Peak, during the passage Of
storm. Although the indications Of the
change in the weather could be seen at !
distance, the electricity at the point Of
observation did not become plentiful until
Characteristic buzzing was heard. Pain
ful sensations followed, and a. the back Of
the head and at the elbows = sharp prick
ing, like that Of needles or sharp knife,
was felt. By this time the party came to
the conclusion that they were standing on
dangerous ground. Those standing on
the very summit Of the peak and along
the sharp ridges leading from II experien-
ced the seyerest shocks After beating a
heayy retreat, and remaining on the sides
OF the mountain to continue observations.
i was noticed that after each discharge or
fash Of lightning short rest ensued until
sufficient quantity Of electricity had
again accumulated. Those nearest the
point struck would feel heavy shock pass
through them. These Same phenomsna
we're noticed during three days Of contin-
uous storms. At many places the rocks
were glazed where the electric current had
passed. The formation of tubes in sand
from the same cause is well known.
A French meteorologist, NJ. Fournet,
has suggested that it would be an interes-
ting question for Science to determine
whether certain countries or regions are
in higher electrical condition than others,
and whether meteorological reactions do
not result from the unequal distribution
of the electricity. Similar phenomena to
those detailed above have been noted upon
the elevated plateaus of Mexico, and nearly
a century ago Volney recorded remarkable
noises occurring during thundsmtorms in
the neighborhood Of Philadelphia. In
South America, at Popayan, province Of
Granada, Boussingauli says that thunder
is heard every day and electrical phenofn-
ena are common. The extreme dryness
Of the Andins table lands also fayors sim
liar effects, and it is said that in the Chilian
desert involuntary erection Of the hair
upon animals, as well as the appearances
Of sparks leaping from clouds 70 soil. 4
common. DR.. Livingstone notes that
during the spring, period Of great dry-
ness, the African deserts are traversed bv
a warm north wind 80 highly charged with
electricity that the plumes Of the ostrich
stand upright, and that sparks are produ-
ced by the mere attrition Of the garments.
In India, atcertain localities, teleeraphic
wires are maintained with great trouble
It is stated that during storms Of exceed-
ing violence the conductors become char.
ged almost to melting. Professor Loomis
has observed abundant electricity IN tbs
atmosphere about New York city sspec;al.
ly during winter. We have repeatedly
remarked the high electrical condition q
the hair on cold nights, and also that the
mere act Of walking on soft carpet IN q
heated room viii cause cracking sound
under the foot.
From all the various examples which
have been collected Of this curious condition
1t would appear that the abundant presence
of electricity is not due necessarily to heat
of the season, since in this country L 4
never more strongly manifested than after
a cold northwest wind; nor are indications
in any other region more clear than IN the
dry and icy air Of Siberia. II would AZ.
pear that reservoirs Of slectric;tv ex;st II