Elisha Foote

“ Thus, if the passage be a stopcock, while cold it excites electricity with what is supposed to be steam only; but as soon as it is hot the electricity ceases to be evolved; if then, while the steam is issuing, the cock be cooled by an insulated jet of water, it resumes its power. If, on the other hand, it be made hot by a spirit-lamp before the steam be let on, then there is no first effect. On this principle I have made an exciting passage by surrounding one part of the exit-tube with a little cistern, and putting spirits of wine or water into it." Experiments with air were also made. ”

“ Small sparks were even obtained when the rod was wholly removed from the steam and held in the atmosphere at the distance of two or three feet from the jet; and the electricity thus drawn from the air was positive like that of the steam. When the rod was extended into the cloud of vapor which accumulated in the upper part of the shed, electricity was drawn down as by a lightning-conductor from a thunder-cloud. ”

“ We may well conceive, therefore, that a cloud forming water should become surcharged with electricity, that will escape in violent explosions when the accumulation is too rapid or the circumstances are unfavorable to its being carried off by the surrounding moist air.
It is not, then, the formation of vapor, but its condensation to rain, that produces thunder and lightning. And this, it is believed, accords with all our experience. Clouds are constantly forming and disappearing ”

“ The tops of the mountain, are covered with perpetual snow. During the summer months the snow-line gradually recedes up the sides of the mountain, and from it flow considerable streams of water, that are finally lost in the plains below. ”