The discharge of the battery is attended by a considerable report, and if it be passed through small animals, it instantly kills them; if through fine metallic wires, they are ignited, melted, and burned; and gunpowder, cotton sprinkled with powdered resin, and a variety of other combustibles, may be inflamed by the same means.
Why is the fireside an unsafe place in a thunder-storm?
Because the carbonaceous matter, or soot, with which the chimney is lined, acts as a conductor for the lightning.
Why is the middle of an apartment the safest place during a thunder-storm?
Because, should a flash of lightning strike a building, or enter at any of the windows, it will take its direction along the walls, without injuring the centre of the room.
Combustion.
Why does amàdou, or German tinder, readily inflame from flint and steel, or from the sudden condensation of air?
Because it consists of a vegetable substance found on old trees, boiled in water to extract its soluble parts, then dried and beat with a mallet, to loosen its texture; and lastly, impregnated with a solution of nitre.—-Ure.
Why is a piece of paper lighted, by holding it in the air which rushes out of a common lamp-glass?
Because of the high temperature of the current of air above the flame, the condensation of which is by the chimney of the glass.