The earth is always in a state of positive electricity, and the air when
pure in a state of negative electricity. Atmospheric air, however, is
subject to incessant variations, and hence its “electrical equilibrium”
or natural electrical state is subject to be disturbed. This equilibrium
will be restored when an explosion has taken place, and thus it is that
in peculiar states of the atmosphere thunder storms act a beneficial
part in restoring the air to a normal condition. The intensity of
electrical action is greater during the day than at night and also in
summer than in winter; and diminishes from the equator to the poles.
Electricity is perpetually effecting great changes in the earth’s crust,
and in very many instances acts on the principal of voltaic electricity,
the action in such cases being produced by long-continued currents.