SERVICE OF LIGHTNING-CONDUCTORS.
Sir David Brewster relates a remarkable instance of a tree in Clandeboye Park, in a thick mass of wood, and not the tallest of the group, being struck by lightning, which passed down the trunk into the ground, rending the tree asunder. This shows that an object may be struck by lightning in a locality where there are numerous conducting points more elevated than itself; and at the same time proves that lightning cannot be diverted from its course by lofty isolated conductors, but that the protection of buildings from this species of meteor can only be effected by conductors stretching out in all directions.
Professor Silliman states, that lightning-rods cannot be relied upon unless they reach the earth where it is permanently wet; and that the best security is afforded by carrying the rod, or some good metallic conductor duly connected with it, to the water in the well, or to some other water that never fails. The professor’s house, it seems, was struck; but his lightning-rods were not more than two or three inches in the ground, and were therefore virtually of no avail in protecting the building.