LIGHTING THE GAS WITH ONE'S FINGER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5496, 28 June 1879, Page 7

LIGHTING THE GAS WITH ONE'S FINGER.

While the public mind is absorbed in the question of producing light by electricity, it is interesting to note a curious natural phenomenon which may be observed in certain climates where the circumstances are favourable for the development of a display of tb.e earth's- magnetism. In Canada, for instance, during the winter months, the somewhat striking feat can be performed of lighting the gas by merely holding any piece of metal, or even the finger aione, close to the gae jet, but without actually touching it. The only necessary preparation for this rather Btartliog performance is to rub the boots on the carpet, or on one of the skin rags so common in the country (particularly in a dry, warm room), when the body, which is a "con. ductor" of electricity, becomes charged with electricity, which the carpet, being a "non-conductor," is unable to carry back to the earth, as would be the case if ifc were damp. The electricity thus cellested in the body seeks some mode of escape; and if the gasaUer or any other metal body or other conductor communicating with the earth is touched, it passes off quietly. If, however, the finger be held close to the gasalier in a dark room, without actually touching it, the electric spark, produced by the "break in the circuit" of the elecricity pa3ssing to it from the body, may be obsorved. If the finger, however, is placed close to tho gasjet, while the gas ie turned on by another peraon, the spark ia sufficient to fire the gas, just as the gas-lamps in Waterlooplace are lighted by the experimental wires connecting them with each other and with a central electric battery. Canada is not the only part of the world in which these phenomena can be seen, In all climates where there is little moisture the same results may be observed. Travellers to the Arctic and Antartio regions, and readers of their works, are familiar with similar displays, which are more easily noticeable in extremely cold than in extremely hot climates, in consequence of the absence of moisture in the air, and objects exposed to the air, whence the electricity generated by friction is with difficulty passed earthwards.—The Colonies and India.