Electrical Oaks
We have experienced the most surprising electrical storm within my memory. It was not so violent or curious in my immediate neighbourhood as in some parts, notably Merioneth, where all sorts of electrical apparatus were put out of action or emitted strange and frightening noises ; but there was just one immense explosion of light, if one may say so, and in spite of its great brilliance no thunder was heard. A few days afterwards we had further evidence of a phenomenon I noted in a thunderstorm some months ago. More wounded oaks were found and no record has been found of any other species being struck. One scar is very curious. It runs along a bough, reaches the trunk, making a mark only an inch or so across and very shallow. On its way down the trunk it leaped over an intervening bough, which bears no mark, and continued its narrow and superficial track down to the base of the trunk. No explanation of the peculiar vulnerability of the oak has been vouchsafed, though I have inquired of several specialists in electrical theory.
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