It is without question that fierce and most destructive fluid called lightning.

It was wrested, in its container, from its storehouse in the clouds, by the resistless might of the flying planet, and hurled at our feet as she sped by.

An interesting discovery here results.

Which is, that lightning, kept to itself, is quiescent; it is the assaulting contact of the thunderbolt that releases it from captivity, ignites its awful fires, and so produces an instantaneous combustion and explosion which spread disaster and desolation far and wide in the earth." After another day devoted to rest and recovery, the expedition proceeded upon its way.

Some days later it went into camp in a pleasant part of the plain, and the savants sallied forth to see what they might find.
Their reward was at hand.