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5

affinity there may exist between the gas in iron pipes and the thunderbolt, I will not [[strikethrough]] speculate on [[/strikethough]] question, but will only remark, that [[strikethrough]] so [[/strikethrough]] thus far I have not learned of a single case acting [[strikethrough]] thus [[/strikethrough]] upon water-pipes in the houses or in the streets. 

From these three cases we learn that a single thunderbolt requires more [[strikethrough]] than [[/strikethrough]] metalic surface than what is contained in a lightning rod to satisfy its projectile force, or, perhaps more plainly speaking, to dissipate its energy: And that the earth, though moist or wet, will not take it from the metalic termination of a lightning-rod sufficiently rapid to render the bolt harmless.

During the early part of last summer, commencing as early as May, [[strikethrough]] until [[/strikethrough]] the City of Philadelphia was the recipient of an extraordinary number of thunderbolts. I examined 29 cases. [[strikethrough]] a number [[/strikethrough]] many of them quite severe in their projectile force, and in two instances they were the cause of the destruction of very valuable property from the Electrical fire. I refer to the extensive pattern shop of J. P. Norris & Co. and the [[blank space]] Woolen Mills at Manayunk. Both these buildings were surmounted with Lightning rods, and both were [[strikethrough]] struck [[/strikethrough]] ignited, [[strikethrough]] so say eyewitnesses, [[/strikethrough]] around or under the rod - so say eyewitnesses. Some of the other cases that I examined presented the effects of great projectile force in the bolt, - in one case killing two animals, in others battering and shattering the parts that were struck, but in none of them setting fire to the buildings, and in none of these cases were lightning rods upon them.