Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-10-25

ratios Beech I, pine 5, fir 80, oak 81. But
such lists. though they may have been
made out with considerable care, are
based upon local observations, and are
not likely to represent any very wide
state of facts. However, 1t has been
noted in different parts of the world
that the beech tree seems to be espe-
cially immune to lightning. If this be
due, as some have suggested, to the
smoothness of the bark of the beech,
which causes 1t to be readily wet in
a uniform manner, from top to bot
tom, thereby acting as an easy line
of discharge for atmospheric electricity
during thunderstorm, that tree might
perform the function of lightning rod
for a house standing close to it.
An oak. or a fir, on the other hand,
would appear to be relatively danger
Gus neighbor during a bombardment of
lightning. While such tree might
catch a stroke that would otherwise
attain nearby house, yet violent
bolt often tears huge branches from
trees, so that the silent action of the
beech, harmlessly drawing off the ac-
cumulating electric charge, would be
preferable. The Indians knew the
lightning-shielding property of the
beech, and were accustomed to seek
shelter under trees of that family dur
lnB Violent tnunQerStOrInS.
With regard to warding off lightning
by artificial conductors. there is con-
siderable difference of opinion as to the
effectiveness as to the methods used
From the nature of the case, the evil
dence of success can only be statistical,
and the statistics are more or less
doubtful on account of wide practical
differences in the arrangement of the
conductors, and particularly in the OBJ
servance of the many precautions re-
quired. The consequence is that when
failure occurs 1t is ascribed to some
imperfection in the apparatus. and no
certainty can be arrived at.
Moreover, there is reason for think
ing that there is one kind or type of
lightning against which it would be
practically impossible to protect a
building. This is what has been called
by Sir Oliver Lodge the "B FASH"
which is distinguished from the more
simple, and less dangerous, "A fash"
in this way: when a charged cloud
approaches the earth without any other
clouds intervening, the air between
the earth and the cloud experiences a
steadily increasing electric stress, and
the points of lightning-rods, on ac-
count of their form. are we'll suited to
drain off this charge, or to receive and
SOi9ibSI II oeiLSlJ away IL IL Dulolo lOI
in a flash.
But when there is an intervening
cloud between the charged cloud and
the earth, the two virtually form an
electric condenser, and if flash takes
place from the first cloud to the sec
ond, the disruptive discharge to the
earth becomes so "erratic," or goes
with such an "impulsive rush." that
the points of the conductors are un-
able to receive and dispose of it
However. it is a great comfort to
know that, generally speaking, the
danger to man and his constructions
from lightning is one of the least press
ing that we have to encounter. But
OF course, If a case should occur in
which it could be conclusively shown
that a particular locality was specially
subject to lightning strokes, the wise
man would choose some other spot
where to build his house. AS to any
attempt to neutralize the unknown
source of attraction for the lightning,
that might prove scientifically interest
ing, but economically expensive.