8. Stellae cadentes, Shooting or Falling starres, are* 1.1 caused when an Exhalation hot and drie is gathered as it were on a round heap, but not throughly compacted, nor yet so apt to ascend as other Exhalations, which makes it therefore be beaten back again when it comes neare the cold confines of the middle Region; and so, hovering aloft, by an * 1.2 Antiperistasis, or repulsion by the contrary to it on every part, it is set on fire, and then sli∣ding away, it appeares as if a starre fell down or were thrown to the earth.
For, shooting starres these some do fondly call; As if those heavenly lamps from heaven could fall.
Moreover, sometimes it is generated after another man∣ner, which is but in respect of the disposing of the mat∣ter; and then the Exhalation is more long and narrow, which being kindled at the one end burneth swiftly to the other, even like a piece of waxed thread being light∣ed in a fire or candle.
Again, some think that this Meteor is not so much set on fire, as directly under some starre or other which gives it a shining. But how this can be I cannot well per∣ceive, seeing it shooteth obliquely as oft as directly downwards.