Peripateticall institutions. In the way of that eminent person and excellent philosopher Sr. Kenelm Digby. The theoricall part. Also a theologicall appendix of the beginning of the world. / By Thomas White Gent.

LESSON VIII.

Of fiery Meteors appearing in the Aire.

1. WHo'd expect Fire out of water? Yet we have it sometimes out of the Clouds, and even out of Rain: Nay, in a very Tempest, there stick to the Masts things, the Ancients call'd Castor and Pollux; a wonder familiarly seen by the Mariners.

2. But these and many such like seem rather to rellish the nature of vapours that reflect light, then of Fire: for, both (Will of the wispe, or) Ignes fatui do not burn nor flame out, but only shine; as also those Dioscuri (or Ca∣stor and Pollux) have the form of a globe, which is not the figure of Fire. Again, Flames, in a thin and tenuous

matter, are not long-liv'd; as appears in Lightning, and in a Candle, which we see sometimes blaze up, enflaming the smoak about it; but suddenly extinguish again and retire to the Wiek: The flames, too, which belch out of the Vulcanian Moun∣tains are often but short-liv'd.

3. Be this therefore a sure rule; where∣ever the figure is determin'd and constant, 'tis no fiery or flaming matter: For, the way of Fire is, to brandish Pyramids up∣wards, with an uncertain motion; the crasser matter pressing downwards.

4. Besides, an Ignis fatuus has been found fallen down in a slippery viscous substance full of white spots: The same, too, is the matter of Falling-starres; as, both a learn∣ed man hath found it; & amongst our selves, when any such matter is found in the Fields, the very Countrey-men cry it fell from Heav'n and the Starres, and, as I remember, call it the Spittle of the Starres.

5. Ignes fatui (or Wills of the Wisp), then, are a certain viscous substance, re∣flecting light in the dark, evaporated out of a fat Earth, and flying in the Aire. They commonly haunt Church-yards, Privyes, and Fens; because they are be∣gotten

out of fatnesse: They fly about Rivers, Hedges, &c. because in those places, there's a certain flux of Aire: They follow one that flies them and fly one that follows them; because the Aire does so: They stay upon Military Ensigns and Spears; because such are apt to stop and tenacious of them: In the Summer and hot Regions they are more frequent; be∣cause the good concoction produces fat∣nesse.

6. Flammae lambentes (or those we call Haggs) are made of Sweat or some other Vapour issuing out of the Head; a not∣unusuall sight amongst us when we ride by night in the Summer time: They are extinguisht, like flames, by shaking the Horse Mains: But, I believe rather, 'tis onely a Vapour reflecting light, but fat and sturdy, compacted about the Mains of Horses or Men's Hair.

7. Cardanus tells of a certain Carme∣lite, that as often as he thrust his head into his Coul, it flam'd out; and that 'tis usu∣all enough in Spain, for sparkles to fly out of woollen garments rubb'd upon ones head: Nor doubt I but these are reall fire such as uses to fly out of Wood, Canes, or Flints, by rubbing or striking them,

for these and such like are full, both of fire, and a certain vapour which is fewell for it; whence, when many hot parts light upon a considerable part of the va∣pour, they scorch and kindle it; where∣upon, after such a production of fire, there remains in some an offensive sent, as of burning.

8. The Hair of Horses, and Cats, as also Sugar rub'd together in the dark, are said to produce the same effect: The Eyes, too, of some are said to spar∣kle, viz. when they shine with spirits, and reflect the light as if they were glasse. Yet doubt I not but the Eyes may, by some preternaturall disposition, yield reall light; it seeming evident in Cats.

9. But, that the most part of these are idle stories, I collect from this experi∣ment, that it has seem'd, even to my self sometimes, that my Chamber was all light; and I saw every thing plainly: when, notwithstanding, I have often catch't my self in it, and found mine eyes shut all the while; and that my memory within, was working upon those thiings which I thought I saw: and some∣times I found that I err'd, too, imagining

some things to be in this or that Place, which indeed were not.

10. Falling-Stars are a certain viscid or slimy matter, rais'd out of the Earth in very minute parts, and coagulated in the Aire; which, when, in its fall, it comes within our sight, beautifies all its way with reflected light: Yet, some∣times, it falls not downwards; but, being carry'd traversly by some moti∣on of the Aire, 'tis call'd a Gliding star, 'till, either being dissipated, or by some o∣ther Accident, 'tis seen no more.

11. Caprae, Trabes, Bolides, Faces, Dolia, Clypei, (as the Ancients call them), or whatever other names such Meteors may have; whether they are reall fires, or only certain Clouds brighter then ordinary; neither is it deducible clearly enough out of Histories, (they relating scarce any thing save that they burn in such a figure; but that they take burning for shining 'tis very credible, even from hence, that they mention no tokens of their bur∣ning); nor have I ever met with any ve∣ry curious observer treating of this sub∣ject.