Show I 1 ball lightning said to be harmless to humans ball lightning has baffled explanation declares a writer in the indianapolis news that it occurs can not be doubted A german work on the subject by dr walther brand contains an elaborate disi cassion 0 of cases reported by careful observers such lightning occurs during thunderstorms in the form of a small luminous ball or pear shaped body averaging a few inches in diameter which either moves freely in the air or travels along objects as i if attached to them the hall ball may be visible only an instant or may remain tor for several minutes its appearance often but not always is preceded by an ordinary flash bash of lightning it is accompanied compa nied by a hissing or humming sound it disappears either silently or with a light crack or with a loud explosion and leaves behind it a sharp smelling smoke or mist in some cases several balls are seen at once the unattached balls display a fondness tor for entering houses not only by way of doors windows and chimneys but also through sin small all cracks they are said to be harmless to human beings whom they seem to avoid as they avoid all other good conductors the attached balls on the other hand travel along good conductors and cause serious burns if they touch the human body |