Note 8 — LECTURE I. LIGHTNING AND THUNDER.

In experiments with a Leyden jar, Feddersen has shown that the duration of the discharge is increased, not only by increasing the striking distance, but also by increasing the size of the jar. Now, a flash of lightning may be regarded as the discharge of a Leyden jar of immense size, with an enormous striking distance; and therefore we should expect that the duration of the discharge should be greatly prolonged. See American Journal of Science and Arts, Third Series, vol. i., p. 15.