Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-08-10
FORMS OF LIGHTNING

A flash of lightning is very large
spark of electricity,-just the same thing
that one sees given by an electric ma
chine in lecture on Natural Philosophy
the only difference being that the best
machine will not give a spark more than
a yard. long, while some flashes of light
ming have been estimated t, be several
miles in length. According to their APP
pearance, various names have been given
to these sparks in the sky, though in re-
ality all the several kinds are one and the
same thing. On a warm summer even
ing one often sees the clouds onsthe hor-
lion lit up with brilliant glows of light.
ming, unaccompanied by any sound of
thunder. To this appearance the name
'heat-lightning" has been given, and the
warm weather is often assigned as it's
cause. In point of fact, the headlight
ming is only that of thunder-shower so
far off that, while the observer can see
the flash, no sound Of thunder reaches
him, and the intervening clouds veil and
reflect the flash until it becomes q glow,
instead of the sharp streak usually seen.
Where the flash, starting from one point
branches out and divides in several parts
it has received the name of '.iurked-
lightning" This is usually seen when
the discharge is near the observer. Sin
gle flashes bearing a zigzag or crinkled
aspect are denominated "chain-light-
ming" probably from their resemblance
to chain thrown loosely on the ground.
Again, when several discharges occur from
about the same place at the same time,
and are screened by rain or clouds SO as
to light up the heavens with broad,
bright glow, the title of ''sheet-lightning
is applied. These four comprise all the
common forms There is, however, one
rare manifestation, called "ball-light-
ming" In this phenomenon a small ball
or globe Of apparent fire rolls slowly
along the ground, and after time sud
denly explodes, scattering destruction
around. There are few instances of this
on record, and no very satisfactory ex-
PLANTATION has ever accounted for this Gu
rious appearance.
There is bald-headed boom in En-
gland. Two or three dozen of capillary
professors ar" proposing to plant hair on
bald heads much as lawns are covered
with fresh sods of grass. First they ad-
minister "bald bolus," which is swal-
lowed TO produce composure Then
cones a detailed method Of removing the
scalp piece by piece, and the while grow
ing a new scalp by a system of grating.
The experience of surgeons in scalp
wounds by this grating or cutaneous
planting, gives every hope of genera
ton that will never be bald Unfortu-
nately mistakes will occur with the most
scientific surgeons Lately a bald-head
curer planted or grated by error, some
colored brothers scalp upon blonde
Anglo-SaXon pate, and the result was
one crop Of fine flaxen hair and another
of crisp, curly wool. Where this mania
of "baldness-cured" will end no one
knows. But now is the time to part ones
hair down the middle with two different
colors and crops of transplanted hair.
The prevailing craze has been happily
hit off by Du Maurier, who sketc hes a
barber saying. you're very bald, sir.
Have you tried our tonic lotion?" And
the bald-headed patient in the chair
replies, ooh yes, but that's not what
made all my hair fall off,
LESSONS IN SwD1MING.-Pro w.
Matthew Williams says;
81 have taught many to swim, aud my
first lesson is on balancing the body. The
easiest formula for attaining this power is
to keep the hands down and look at the
sky, while the chest is expanded as much
as possible by throwing the shoulders well
back, in military attitude. Any man or
woman of ordinary specific gravity who
can do this can float and breathe, but t.
do it, simple as it is, requires practice Or
training Of the mus
cles, and cerebral training in order to ac-
quire that command Of all the faculties
without which there can be no treading