Curiosities of Science, Past and Present / A Book for Old and Young

by John Timbs

ANCIENT LIGHTNING-CONDUCTOR.

Humboldt informs us, that “the most important ancient notice of the relations between lightning and conducting metals is that of Ctesias, in his Indica, cap. iv. p. 190. He possessed two iron swords, presents from the king Artaxerxes Mnemon and from his mother Parasytis, which, when planted in the earth, averted clouds, hail, and strokes of lightning. He had himself seen the operation, for the king had twice made the experiment before his eyes.”—Cosmos, vol. ii.