The natural history of Stafford-shire by Robert Plot ...

CHAP. I. Of the Heavens and Air.

1.HAVING already in the Introduction to my Natural History of Oxford-shire prescribed my self a Method, whereof I have no reason to repent mea 1.1, I shall forbear all further Preface to this, than to acquaint the Reader in short, that I intend the same again, not only in the Whole, but in the particular Chapters; and that I shall make all Relations (as formerly) in a plain familiar Stile, without the Ornaments of Rhetorick, least the matter be obscured by too much illustration; and with all the imaginable brevity that perspicuity will bear; it being an indisputable truth, that an Author by enlargeing to the utmost compass of his Theme, some∣times advances his Papers to so disproportionable a Bulk, that by writing too much, He had almost as good have writ nothing, Experience convincing us that voluminous Works have but few Buyers, and much fewer Readers.

2. Upon this account too, I have industriously set my self this irrepealable Law, to remain inviolable in all other Histories I shall write of this kind: That whatever I meet with in one County, already described in another, shall be only just men∣tioned as found, seen, or heard of, at such or such a place, al∣ways referring the Reader for the Description, or Philosophi∣cal account of it, to the former Book; unless the thing differ in some considerable circumstance, or be but imperfectly de∣scribed: thus whatever Curiosity either of Nature or Art (be it of the greatest moment) that I have met with in Stafford-shire, if sufficiently described already in Oxford-shire, shall be but barely mention'd here, reference being made to the Chapter and Section of that History, where it has been discoursed on be∣fore: Nor need I doubt but the Stafford-shire Nobility and Gen∣try (Learning and Ingenuity being so frequent amongst them) will allow me this privilege, without the least imputation of detracting from their Country, since hereby I avoid all vain re∣petitions, and yet shall amply repay them again, if I live to write the History of any other County, by referring in like man∣ner as much or more to theirs; which 'tis manifold odds, but I shall certainly do, if I ever meet hereafter with the like noble encouragement, that they have so plentifully and generously af∣forded me.

3. To come then forthwith to the subject in hand, the Na∣tural History of the County of Stafford; the first thing I met with relating to the Heavens, and one of the first too that I heard of after I set to work in earnest, was a pretty rural observation, of late years made by some of the Inhabitants of the Town of Leek in the Moorelands, of the setting of the Sun in the Summer Sol∣stice, near a Hill called the Cloud, about six miles distant, in the confines of Stafford-shire and Cheshire; which appearing almost perpendicular on the Northern side, to such persons as are stand∣ing in Leek Church-yard, the Sun seems so nicely at that time of year to cut the Edg of it at setting, as in Tab. 1. Fig. 1. that not∣withstanding what is taught by Astronomers, that the Sun whilst it occupies that Cardinal point, appears Stationary for some time without giving any sensible increase or decrease to the length of the days; they can plainly perceive by the help of this Hill, that no two days are equal, but that there is a sensible difference eve∣ry day: just as at the Temple of Tentiris in Egypt where there are as many Windows as days in the year, so placed, that the Sun rising in a different degree of the Zodiac every day, it also sends in its beams every day into a distinct Window from the day beforeb 1.2.

For when the Sun comes near the Solstice, the whole disk of it at first sets behind the Hill, after a while the Northern Limb first appears, and so every night gradually more, till at length the whole Diameter comes to set Northward of it, for about three nights; but the middle night of the three, very sensibly more re∣mote, than the former or the following, when beginning its re∣cess from the Tropic, it still continues more and more to be hid∣den every night, till at length it descends quite behind it a∣gain.

4. Which Phaenomenon though worth notice for its own sake alone, yet might be render'd of much more use to the Publick, would the Curious that for the most part reside thereabout, make annual and more strict observations for the future by suitable In∣struments, noteing every year the day precisely, that the Limb of the Sun first cuts the edge of the Hill, and how many Digits or parts of Digits, of its own Diameter, it daily advances; also carefully noteing the nearest distance 'twixt the edge of the Hill, and the Rim of the Sun, on the very day of the Solstice, and last∣ly the Mean between both: For by this means in time the Suns greatest Northern Declination (which Astronomers say is less now than heretoforec 1.3) may be gradually adjusted, and at length per∣haps limited; Which I take to be an Experiment of so valuable a Consideration, that I cannot but recommend it to my worthy friends the Worshipful Thomas Rudyerd of Rudyerd Esquire, M^r. Parker, and M^r. Thomas Gent; at least that they would take care in some one year or other, when there is least of Refraction up∣on account of the Atmosphere, from some fixt point, so to adjust the distance betwixt the Hill and the Sun on the day of the Sol∣stice by an Azimuthal Quadrant, the new Micrometer, or some other agreeable Instrument, that future Ages however (if it cannot be in this) may see the difference.

5. Next the true and genuine, the Spurious or Mock-Suns that have been frequent in this County fall under consideration, so frequent indeed (their causes already having been hinted in Ox∣ford-shired 1.4) that they scarce deserve any; at most but bare men∣tioning: Such were the Parelia seen about twenty years since, by that great Example of Valour and Fidelity to his Prince, the Worshipful Collonel John Lane and Mr. Persehowse of Nether Gournall; as they were walking between Bentley and Willings∣worth (near Darlaston) they appear'd in the West, the Sun not above half an hour high standing in a line parallel to the Horizon; and so did the Mock-Sun seen July 12. 1678. by the virtuous,

learned, and most ingenious Gentleman the Worshipful Walter Chetwynd of Ingestre Esquire, and Mr. Fisher Dilke as they were walking on Hopton Heath. I was also informed by the same in∣genious Gentleman Mr. Fisher Dilke that on August the 28. 1679. He saw much such another at or near Haselour, neither of them having any Circle of light about them, or passing through the Disks of Mock or true Sun, as is usual, and both of them of so strong and even a light, as hard to be distinguished from the true Sun; only differing in this, that the first Mock-Sun ap∣pear'd about ten degrees to the South of the true one, and the latter to the North, but both of them in Almicantars or lines pa∣rallel to the Horizon.

6. And thus it seems they generally do, nec supra ipsum nec in∣fra, says Pliny, sed ex obliquo, neither above nor beneath the true Sun, but on either side; nec noctu, sed aut Oriente aut Occidentee 1.5, nor in the night season, but when the Sun either riseth or setteth, only once indeed he says in the same Chapter, that such were reported to have been seen at noon day in Bosphorof 1.6; and we are informed by the learned Monsieur Hevelius that near Marien∣burg in Borussia Feb. 5.1674. He saw in the Evening the true Sun sending forth very long reddish rays tapering gradually up∣ward for 40 or 50 degrees toward the Zenith, and under it a Mock-Sun nearer to the Horizon of the same bigness (to sense) with the true one, and in the same Vertical or Azimuth lineg 1.7.

7. Which though instances amongst Authors so very rare, that we hear of but these two, now in sixteen hundred years, yet one of them seems to have happened so very lately as Dec. 4. 1680. and to have been carefully observed, by my worthy, learned, and most ingenious friend, the Worshipful Francis Wol∣ferstan of Statfold Esquire, who riding between his own house and Clifton Campvill, as near as he could guess about twelve at noon, His Man first espyed somewhat unusual in the Heavens, which not without amazement quickly shewing to his Master, He presently perceived about the Azimuth or hour line of two (viz. two hours before the Sun or thereabout) a more than ordinary brightness of the same altitude with the Sun, which through the tenuious clouds that were passing over it, appear'd for a while not unlike another Sun, the true Sun shining at the same time.

8. But immediately after (the clouds passing away) there appeared in the same place the usual colours of the Solar Rain∣bow, somewhat of an oval form, with smaller beams issuing from

each side, and a larger white ray or stream of light darting downward from the bottom, as in Tab. 1. fig. 2. most remark∣ably differing from the Phaenomenon of Hevelius, the ray of light in his issuing from the true Sun and tending upward, this from the Mock-Sun (for I can call it no less) and tending down∣ward: Its colours whilst it continued in that form were strong and beautiful, but languishing by degrees, it became at length a small portion or Segment of a Solar Iris as in Tab. 1. fig. 3. which because so notoriously imperfect, and thus irregularly posited in the Heavens, may deserve perhaps as much or more of our admiration, as was given the imperfect Iris drawn by the great Master Aristidesh 1.8, beyond what would have been afforded to the most perfect one he could have painted: not only because appearing in the South contrary to the known rule amongst the Meteorologists, nullae ad Austrum pinguntur Irides, but for overthrowing in a manner the whole doctrine of Rainbows. As first that the Center of the Sun, the Rainbow, and the Eye of the Beholder, must be in one right line; secondly the Spectator be∣tween the Sun and the Rainbow; and thirdly the horns or shanks of the Bow always terminating in the Horizon: whereas this, being but 30 degrees from the Sun, the Concave toward it, and the Con∣vex Westward from it, and consequentially the Cornua one above another in the same Vertical, can be no way agreeable to any such Axioms.

9. Nor yet was this Phaenomenon so very irregular, but that somwhat of this kind seems to have happen'd before, for says For∣tunius Licetus, bis jam vidimus Irides in Meridiano ad Austrum,i 1.9 that He had twice seen Rainbowes in the South; And Cornelius Gemma acquaints us that on the 25 of September in the morning Anno 1560. He saw a Rainbow of a like in the whole, though quite contrary position to ours in the parts, Stabat enim convexa parte Solem versus, concava vero versus cujusdam Parhelli subobscu∣rum typum, qui quasi ad Circium annuebatk 1.10Cornua igitur, says Fro∣mondus, non in Terram spectabant, sed aversa ab exoriente Sole, di∣recte in Occidentem intendebanturl 1.11: For it stood, says He, with its Convex part toward the Sun, and its Concave toward a somwhat obscure representation of a Mock-Sun to the Southward; whence Fromondus rightly concluded, that the Horns could not respect the Earth, but being averse from the rising Sun, must needs be stretched to the Westward. And what comes yet nearer to the business, Gisbertus ab Isendoorn saw two exactly of the same

kind with ours at the same time Apr. 8. 1645. both of them standing with their Concavities to the Sun clasping it on each side at equal distance, whereof He has given us a Diagramme in his Medulla Physicae Lib. 2. cap. 5.

10. To these add an Iris seen about nine years since, at the Parish of Tresle by Mr. William Barnesley, a good old Gentleman, whose assistance in riding about and shewing me the Country (notwithstanding his Age) must by no means be forgotten, which though perfect indeed in figure, was yet irregular in position; the Horns of the Bow terminating in the Horizon, the Centers of it and the Sun, and the Eye of the Beholder being also in the same right line; But the Spectator not between the Sun and the Rainbow: for it appear'd it seems in the Clouds on the same side of the He∣misphere with the Sun it self, and not on the opposite; so that the Sun and Spectator were the two extreams, and the Iris in the mid∣dle, and not the Beholder: A Phaenomenon (if not a Segment of some vast Halo* 1.12) I think not very easy, if at all to be parallel'd: But I am inclined indeed to believe it was only so, for though Seneca acquaints us with certain Graecians that deny'd there could be any such Circle about the Sunm 1.13; to whom Epicurus also seems to give his assent, only mentioning them to happen about the Moonn 1.14; and though Aristotle himself (who allowes them indeed to both Planets) is positive that they still appear of a uniform white colour, and not adorn'd with the colours of the Solar Rainbowo 1.15: yet so frequently has there appear'd such about the Sun (not to mention those two eminent instances of Seneca and Cardan, to be met with almost in all writers on this Subject) that Gassendus alone professes he had seen them himself at least an hundred timesp 1.16: And that they are many times large enough for such a purpose, especially when the Sun is near seting, is also evident from the joynt concurrence of all Authors, who assert the Diameters of these Circles to take up usually 45 degrees, an eighth part of the Heavens.

11. And such a large Halo as one of these it was, that was seen about the Sun May 17. 1681. at Edingall in this County, by the above mention'd curious and observing Gent. the Wor∣shipful Francis Wolferstan Esquire, and many others, having the lively colours of the Solar Rainbow, and extending its Diameter as near as he could guess (for he had no Instrument with him) about 40. degrees; which yet was not so remarkable in these

respects, as for the unusual form it appear'd in, for though the colours were apparent in all the parts, yet the Circle was not every where (as commonly they are) equally broad, but nar∣rower on each side to the East and West, and much broader above and below the Sun, toward the Zenith and Horizon as in Tab. 1. fig. 4. And in this form it moved along with the Sun from half an hour past ten in the Morning, to as much past one in the Afternoon: what should occasion this Phaenomenon indeed is hard to determine, yet certainly it must arise from some pe∣culiar position of a rorid cloud or vapor, whose parts were made up of small threds (as 'tis also in Parelia's and Rainbows) having the figure of equilateral triangular Prismes which cause the colours, that must accompany the Sun for all that time; for should it be ascribed to the Sun it self, we should certainly before now have heard of others of the kind: I know it is the opinion of the ancient Philosophers, that the motion of this Me∣teor is not true but apparent, i. e. that the same Halo does not continue, but that a new one is still generated, as the Sun holds on its course* 1.17, as may sometimes be seen by some faint remains of the old ones left behind in the Clouds which the Sun has de∣serted; yet certainly in this case of ours it must be granted to be otherwise, unless we shall groundlesly allow that the same Cloud, of the same make and position did stretch it self before the Sun for 45. degrees together (for that the Halo continued in this form no less than three hours) which seems to lye under so great an improbability, that it can hardly be admitted.

12. But that which seems to put all out of doubt, on the Tuesday sevenight following May 24. being Whitsun-Tuesday, ei∣ther the same, or another of the like kind, was seen again by the same worthy person, which appeared also for several days in the following week, and was seen not only in Stafford-shire, but at Oxford, and Rochester in Kent by my worthy friend Robert Conny M. B. of Magd. Coll. Oxon. Whence it plainly appears probable, not only that the same Cloud did accompany the Sun for some time at least; but also that notwithstanding the ancient Philo∣sophers, have restrain'd the Clouds to the middle Region, viz. that they never transcend the tops of Mountains, yet they are some∣times mounted much higher, being strongly attracted by the Rays of the Sun, and then easily upheld, and thus carryed about with it for some considerable time; for otherwise how could such a Halo be seen at so far distant places as Stafford-shire and Kent, at the same time.

13. From the Sun, both Nature and my Method direct me, to de∣scend

to the Moon, and the Accidents attending Her, which are much of the same kind with those of the Sun, though they happen not so frequently, such as Irides Lunares whereof (though Aristotle profes∣ses that He could see but two in above fifty yearsq 1.18) there have as many been seen here in less than two years; One at Tunstall near Wolverhampton in October 1678. by Mr. Franc. and Mr. Jo. Wight∣wick; and another the very next year following Aug. 6. 1679. by the ingenious and every way accomplisht Gentleman the Worship∣ful Thomas Broughton of Broughton Esquire, who in the way between Lichfield and Ashinbrook in company with six other persons, a∣bout Nine at Night, the Moon then wanting five days of the full, and at that time of night possessing the S. S. W. part of the Hemi∣sphere, saw an Iris Lunaris of a faint whitish colour, entire and well determined, which after a quarter of an hours time spent in beholding it, they left as strong and compleat as they found it, not knowing how long it had been there before they saw it, or how long it continued.

14. Which is not the first time that two of these have hap∣pen'd in so few years, for Willebrordus Snellius in his description of the Comet in November Anno 1618. tells us of two that were seen in the same space, one in December 1617. and another the day before the Calends of January 1618r 1.19: That which is most re∣markable is, that the increasing Moon presently upon her entrance into the second quarter (being then but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and of a weak light) five days before the full, and so near her Southing, should cause such an Iris, for they have always hitherto been thought never to happen, but at, or very near to the full of the Moon, and when few degrees above the Horizon. And yet Albertus gives us an instance almost equal to this viz. that He saw such a Lunar Iris, when the Moon was 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in her decrease, and possessing at that time the very point of the Meridian, the Bow be∣ing in the Norths 1.20. Which shall suffice at present for Lunar Irides the nature of them, and why not adorned with those beautiful colours we see in Solar Rainbows, having been already discoursed of in the History of Oxford-shiret 1.21.

15. Next to these impressions made in the clouds, I descend to others made from them, such as the amazing and sometimes de∣plorable effects of Thunder and Lightening, which though they most commonly happen together, yet because the Lightening first affects the Sense, I give it the precedence as is usual amongst Na∣turalists. That Lightening should happen in the VVinter-quarter

has been always accounted a great rarity; yet not only this, but a more unusual accident (perhaps not to be met again in many Ages) was shewed me at Statfold, by the foremention'd worthy Gentleman the Worshipful Francis Wolferstan Esquire, who having built a new Gate before his house Anno 1675. and placed fair Globes of the finest and firmest stone over the Peers of it (where∣on He depicted with his own hand two Globe Dials in oyl co∣lours, and on the terrestrial the several Empires and Kingdoms of the VVorld, that He might see how day and night succeeded in each of them) in January 1677. had them both struck with lightening in the same point (where the great Meridian of the VVorld, and the North part of the Polar circle meet) there appear∣ing first a little hole just in that place, and cracks radiating from it to all parts on that side, and the stone it self swelling forth so far as the cracks went, and quickly after dropping from the rest of the Globes (the parts coming away being as soft and as much dis∣joyned as moist Sand) as in Tab. 1. Fig. 5.

16. Yet the Globe on the left hand the gate going forth, seem∣ed to have been stricken first, and the other not till the day fol∣lowing; which if so, the accident was so much the more strange, that they should be stricken exactly in the same point at different times: But doubtless they both received these impressions the same instant, and that by Lightening too, which being of a very sub∣tile nature (Des Cartes thinks like Aqua fortis* 1.22) and solvent of the parts of bodies to that degree that it is said by the Ancients, to melt Swords in their Scabberdsu 1.23, and Mony in mens pocketsw 1.24, did doubtless dissolve the parts of the stone (all being made of Salt and Sulphur) by consuming the Sulphureous parts, which knit the Saline ones of the stone together; as it happens in the burning of Lime where the Sulphureous parts of the Lime-stone being burnt away, the Saline parts separate and swell to a greater bulk upon the access of moisture; as I suppose these Globes did, being expo∣sed to the rains and mists, that frequently happen at that time of year.

17. And here perchance by the way it may be no great di∣gression, to enquire into the nature and efficient cause of those Rings we find in the grass, which they commonly call Fairy cir∣cles: Whether they are caused by Lightening? or are indeed the Rendezvouzes of VVitches, or the dancing places of those little pyg∣my Spirits they call Elves or Fairys? And the rather, because 1. a Question (perhaps by reason of the difficulty) scarce yet attempt∣ed,

and 2. because I met with the largest of their kind (that per∣chance were ever heard of) in this County: one of them shewed me in the grounds between Handsworth Church and the Heath being near forty yards Diameter; and I was told of another by that ingenious Gent. (one of the most cordial encouragers of this work) the Worshipful Sir Henry Gough Knight, that there was one in his grounds near Pury-Hall but few years since (now in∣deed plowed up) of a much larger size, he beleived near fifty, whereas there are some of them not above two yards Diameter; which perhaps may be near the two extremes of their Magni∣tude.

18. Nor is their difference only in the extent of their Diame∣ters, they varying also in divers other respects, though not pro∣portionably so much: for I have always observed that the Rims of these Circles, from the least to the bigest, are seldom narrower than a foot, or much broader then a yard; some as bare as a path way in many parts of them, others of a russet singed colour (both of these having a greener grass in the middle) and a third sort of a dark fresh green, the grass within being of a browner co∣lour; the first kind seldom less than five or six yards Diameter, and the other two of various Magnitudes; And all these parts of a Circle, others being Semicircular; some of them Quadrants, and others not above Sextants of their respective Circles.

19. Now that Wizards and Witches have sometimes their field Conventicles, and that they dance in such rings, we have ample Testimony from divers good Authors, some of them Judges, who received it in confession from the Criminals themselves condemned by them, all agreeing (if to be beleived) that their dances were always circular, but that as they served a different Master, so they performed this exercise in a different manner from other Mortals; Porro circulares esse omnes Choros qui sic agitantur, at∣que ab aversis saltatoribus tripudiari affirmant, says Nicholaus Re∣migiusx 1.25, i. e. that they affirmed all their dances to be circular, their faces being turned away from one another; for which he alledges the Confessions of Achen Weher, Johanna Gerardina, Do∣minicus Petronius, Hennel Armentaria, Anna Ruffa, Zabella the Wife of John Deodat, Odilla Gaillarda, and many others; to which Sybilla Morelia it seems added another circumstance, that the Circle was always led to the left hand, as Pliny observes the ancient Gaules did, though they danced single, totum corpus circumagendo, quod in Laevum fecisse, Galliae religiosius credunty 1.26.

20. Which Relations (especially if compared together) being somwhat obscure may in part at least be cleared out of Baptista Codronchius, who speaking in like manner of the same Conventicles and dancings, which they call Dianae ludos, the sports of Diana; Choreas, says He, à nostris penitus absimiles ducunt; foeminae namque post dorsum masculis in haerentes retrocedendo saliunt, terga dando in∣clinant, caputque non ante, sed retro, &c.z 1.27 that the dances they lead are quite unlike ours, for the Womens faces standing to the Mens backsides, they dance retrograde, bowing their bodies forward, and their heads backward, as the same Codronchius says they wor∣ship the Devil, non faciem, sed terg a illi obvertentes, caput que non in pectus, sed in scapulas inclinantesa 1.28, not turning their faces, but their backs towards Him, and bowing their heads not downward toward their brests, but backwards upon their shoulders: which though it pretty well explain the phrase of Remigius [ab aversis saltatoribus,] yet how this posture can agree with leading the Ring always to the left hand according to Sybilla Morelia's information, I freely confess I do not understand.

21 But to come close to the business, let us return again to the forecited Remigius, who was a Judg in Lorrain, and perhaps the best skill'd in matters of this nature that the world has yet known (having had the Examinations, Confessions and Condemnations of no less than nine hundred Wizards and Witches in fifteen years time) who, to omit many others of the like kind, gives us a most remarkable relation of such a Conventicle, and no less suitable (if true) to our present purpose. On the eighth of the Calends of August (says He) An. 1590. one Nicolaea Lang-Bernhard having been grinding at a Quern not far from Assenuncuria, and returning about noon, as she walked by a hedg side, saw in an adjoyning field, an assembly of Men and VVomen dancing in a Ring, but in a quite different manner from the usual practice of others: for says my author, aversi terga ostendentes id faciebant, i. e. that they did it turning their backs upon one another; but at length viewing them more attentively, she perceived some amongst them to have cloven feet like Oxen and Goats, at which being sore astonished, and al∣most dead with fear, and calling upon the auxiliary name of Jesus to help her well home, they forthwith all vanisht except one Petter Gross-Petter, whom quickly after she saw snatcht up into the Air, and to let fall his Maulkin (a stick they make clean Ovens withal before they set in their bread) and Her self was also driven so for∣cibly with the wind, that it made her almost lose her breath, and when she was got home to keep her bed no less than three days.

22. The fame of which matter being quickly spread by her self

and Relations through the whole Village, this Petter at first brought an action of slander against Nicoloea, but knowing his own guilt, and fearing to proceed too far, he desisted again; which breeding suspition in the Judg, upon enquiry into his life and manners, he was at length apprehended, and at last freely confest the whole matter, and discovered others of his Companions, as Barbelia the wife of Johannes Latomus, Mayetta the wife of Laurence Super Major, both which though examined a part, yet confest expresly in the same words, de saltato à se aversis una cum intermediis Cornupe∣dibus choro, &c. i. e. that they had danced intermixt with those cloven footed creatures at what time Petter was amongst them.

23. And for further evidence of the business John Michael Herdsman did also confess that while they thus danced, he plaid upon his crooked staff moving his fingers upon it, as if it had been a Pipe, sitting upon a high bough of an Oak; and that as soon as Nicolaea called upon the name of Jesus, he tumbled down head∣long to the ground but was presently catcht up again with a whirlwind and carryed to Weiller Meddows, where he had left his herds a little before: Add hereunto (which is most of all to the purpose) that there was found in the place where they danced a round circle, wherein there were the manifest marks of the treading of Cloven feet, as plain as are made by Horses that run the Ring, as was testifyed by Nickel Clein, Desiderius Vervex, Gasper Sutor, and divers others that had been to see it, and were examined by the Judg as Witnesses upon it: which circle remained from the day after Nicolaea had discover'd the business, till the next winter when the Plow cut it outb 1.29.

24. And a the Devils and Witches do sometimes leave the live∣ly marks of their dancings after they have held such Conventicles, so Athanasius Kircher expresly acquaints us from the informations of Cysatus and Schulzius, that the Viruli or Virunculi montani, little Pygmy Spirits that infest the Mines of Helvetia and Hungary, do sometimes also leave the prints of their feet in the moist sand and soft tenacious earth of the Mines, about the bigness of the feet of Children of three years oldc 1.30: whence some men perhaps may think it probable enough, that some few of these Circles (especi∣ally the bare ones that have but little grass) may sometimes in∣deed be made by the forementioned mixt dances of Devils and Witches, and others by those little dwarf Spirits, we call Elves and Fairies.

25. Not that there are any Creatures of a third kind distinct from Men and Spirits of so small a stature, as Paracelsus fancied,

which he was pleased to stile non-Adamical Men; but that the De∣vils as they are best pleased with the sacrifices of young Children (which are frequently offered by Midwife-VVitches in some Coun∣tries, their fat being the chief ingredient wherewith they make the Oyntment indispensably necessary for their transportation to their Field-Conventiclesd 1.31) so it seems they delight themselves chiefly in the assumtion of the shapes of Children of both Sexes, as we are credibly informed by sober Authors, such as Georgius Agricolae 1.32, Wierusf 1.33, and others; who affirm them so frequent, especially in the German, Hungarian, and Helvetian (Mr. Bushell seems also to hint the same in our VVelsh Silverg 1.34) Mines, that they have given them divers names in their respective places, as in Germany those in the shapes of Men they call Cobalos, and those in the shapes of Women, Trullas, and Sibyllas albas; so in Italy they call them Fol∣letos and Empedusas, and in other places Screlingeros, Gutelos, Berg∣manlin, &c.h 1.35 More particularly such were the Annebergius and Snebergius of Agricola, and the Hutgin of Trithemius. Nay so fre∣quent has been the appearance of these Demunculi (as some re∣port) in the more Northern parts of the world, that perhaps it has given the occasion to the stories of Pygmies mentioned by Olaus Magnusi 1.36 and the antient Geographers, Ctesias having given them a most agreeable colour making them all Negroes, and placing them in the midst of India, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 are his very words, i. e. that in the midst of India there are a sort of black men called Pygmies which are very little onesk 1.37: For 'tis hard to believe there is, or ever was, any such dwarfish sort of people considering them nationally, and not as rare and single instances; notwithstanding the Testimonies of the ancient Poets and Historians; or now of late, of Van Helmont, who would perswade us from the Relation of a Canarie Merchant, that there were formerly of them in those Islandsl 1.38; or of Marcus Marci who belyes Pigafetta making him say that he saw Pygmies in the Isle Aruchet near the Molucca'sm 1.39; whereas indeed he only says, that an old Pilot of the Molucco's told his Company of such, that lived in Caverns there, and had so very long Ears that they slept upon one, and cover'd themselves with the other; but that the wind and stream being against them thither, and his Men di∣strusting

the relation, would not go to see themn 1.40. Which makes me also suspect that he may also abuse the two Oderici, whom also he cites to have found such in their Travels.

26. And not only the bad but the good Genii also appear in the shapes of young Children, if we may credit the relation of a pious man an acquaintance of Bodinus, who had constantly the assistance of such a guardian Angel, which indeed he never saw but once, and that when he was in great danger of his Life, it appearing to him in the likeness of a Child, clad in white rayment somewhat inclining to purple, of a most lovely visage and delicate formeo 1.41. And to come nearer home if we may believe the story of Anne Bodenhom the Witch of Fisherton Anger in the County of VVilts, set forth at large by Edmund Bower, and the Reverend and Learned Hen. More D. D. The Spirits which she raised (as confest by Anne Stiles who was frequently at her Conjurations) always appear'd in the shape of little ragged boys, who ran round the house where the Witch had drawn her Staff, her Dog and Cat dancing with them, &cp 1.42. Some of the Witches also executed at Exeter An. 1682. uncon∣strainedly confest, that the Devil appeared to them like a short black Man about the length of one's Arme. All which put together seems not a little also to favour the opinion that such Demunculi may be the Fairies so much talk't of, and that they may indeed sometimes occasion such Circles; but herein every Man is left to choose his own Creed.

27. For my part though my faith be but weak in this matter, (notwithstanding it cannot be deny'd but the bad as well as good Angels may be Ministring spirits and converse with Mankind) yet if I must needs allow them to cause some few of these Rings, I must also restrain them to those of the first kind, that are bare at many places like a path-way; for to both the others more natural causes may be probably assigned: As first according to the opini∣on of the ingenious Mr. Lister, that at least some of them may be occasioned by the working of Moldwarps, which however for the most part irregular they may be, yet may have a time when per∣haps by instinct of nature they may work in Circles; as 'tis certain fallow Deer do in the time of Rutting, treading the same Ring for many days together: indeed the strange fertility of these green Circles, even upon the most barren Heaths, beyond any place else about them, doth argue some extraordinary dung or compost, which he supposes to be the Excrements of Moles, or Moldwarps: others have fetcht their Origin from the dung and urin of Cattle

fed in winter time at the same pout of hay, for their heads meeting at the Hay as the center, and their bodies representing as it were so many radii, has made some imagin that such Circles are describ∣ed by their dung and urin falling always from them in due di∣stance, and fertilizing the ground in a more than ordinary manner by the largeness of the quantity. Others again have thought them described by the water and some of the Hay it self, falling plentifully in wet weather from the Eaves of round hay-stacks, that have been situate within them, which rotting into dung thus fer∣tilizes the Earth in a circular manner; and indeed 'tis possible that some of them may be made either of these ways.

28. But for the Circles mentioned §. 17. of this Chapter of 30, 40, and 50 yards Diameter (too too large for the situation of any Hay-rick, or to be described by Cattle feeding at a hay-pout) and some of them running through hedge and ditch as shall be shewn in fit place, we must seek for other causes: In order whereunto (having good opportunity in New-Parks near the City of Oxford, where there is always plenty of them) I thought fit to examin the nature of the Soile under the Rims of them, especially how it dif∣ferd from the adjoyning earth, and found by digging up several, that the ground under all of them, was much looser and dryer than ordinary, and the parts interspersed with a white hoar or vinew much like that in mouldy bread, of a musty rancid smell, but to tast insipid, and this scarce any where above six inches deep, the earth again below being of its due consistence and genuin smell, a∣greeable to the rest of the soils thereabout.

29. Whence it being equally plain that I was no longer to en∣quire for the origin at least of these larger Circles, either from any thing under or upon the ground; it remained that I should look for some higher principle, and indeed after a long and mature de∣liberation, I could think of none nearer than the middle region; viz. that they must needs be the effects of Lightning, exploded from the Clouds most times in a circular manner; perhaps for this very reason by the ancient Naturalists called fulmen discutiens: which though of a viscous sulphureous consistence, yet taking fire and violently breaking the Cloud wherein it was pent, must natu∣rally expand it self every way obliquely, for the most part in a uni∣form conical manner so as at due distance to become a Circle as in Tab. 1. Fig. 6. and in that forme to strike the Earth as may be seen sometimes in arable grounds, but chiefly in wide and open pastures, whether Meddows or Ʋplands, where Trees and Hedges interrupt least.

30. And not only in a single, but sometimes in a double and treble Circle one within another, as was lately shewn me by my

Worthy and Ingenious friend John Priaulx M. A. of Ʋniversity Colledge in the field between St. Giles's Church near Oxon and the garden called Jericho: They are rarely also seen of a quadrangular forme, encompassed with another larger of the Circular kind, as in Tab. 1. Fig. 7. whereof there were shewn me no less than two ex∣amples by my Ingenious and observing friends John Naylor and Hugh Todd M. M. A. A. and Fellows of Ʋniversity Colledge in the same St. Giles's fields: which yet may all be reconciled to the same Hypothesis; the former proceeding from three different flashes, the second widening the orifice of the Cloud more than the first, and the third than the second, and so consequently the Circles; the latter from the Clouds breaking first in a quadrangular, and after in a wider Circular forme as in the same Tab. 1. Fig. 7. All these Rings and Squares being greater or less in proportion to the di∣stance of the Cloud from the Earth, and tenaciousness of the mat∣ter, and all appearing at first of a russet colour, the grass just then being singed with the Lightening; but the year following of a dark luxuriant green, the earth underneath having been highly im∣proved with a fat sulphureous matter (received from the Lighten∣ing) ever since it was first striken, though not exerting its fertiliz∣ing quality till some time after.

31. Yet we must not esteem this improvement by Lightening to be so natural and genuin, as what is made by our ordinary Compost, for these only stimulat the principles of vegetation, whereas in this case the bonds of the natural mixtion seem to be dissolved, the parts of the body opened, and the true spirit of vegetation flying away, the Salt also and Sulphur (having lost the spirit which was their common vinculum, and preserved the temperament) endeavour a divorce, get into exaltation, and joyning with the adventitious sulphur of the Lightening, seem unnaturally to enforce this luxuri∣ant vegetation, leaving behind them in the dry effete earth, that hoary white substance, of a musty soure smell, which I take to be the faeces of both sulphurs; in which opinion I am the rather con∣firm'd for that the Cattle which feed in these pastures, unless driven to it by extream drought, will never touch this rank sort of grass, it not having the genuin tast of the rest.

32 And hence it is that so many Borasco's, or stormes of Thun∣der and Lightening have such effects upon liquors, as to make them stink and acquire a soureness viz. by opening the bodies of them, and leting flye that spirit that before secured the temperament, by restraining the Sulphur; which being also of a volatil nature and the principle of odours, geting into exaltation (in this dissolution or rather corruption of the Compositum) endeavours the like divorce and causes the stink; as the Salt in like manner freed from the

bonds of the Sulphur, gets at length the dominion and causes the sourness; which no question they likewise did under the Rims of these Circles, for having kept some of this earth by me but a natural day, it smelt just like the soure tappings of dead beer in a Cellar.

33. Yet that this is the true Philosophical account of them, I will not be so confident as firmly to pronounce; but for the mat∣ter of fact that they are caused by Lightening, I take it to be most certain, haveing not only observed them my selfe after Thunder and Lightening to be first russet and afterwards of a dark luxuriant green; but received it also from divers other sober persons of in∣disputable credit: more especially we may relye on the faithful testimony of one Mr. Walker a man eminent not only for his skill in Geometry but in all other accomplishments, who by chance one day walking in a Meddow amongst Mowers (with whom he had been but a little before) after such a storme of Lightening present∣ly espyed one of these Rings about five yards diameter, the Rim whereof was about a foot broad, newly burnt bare as the colour and brittleness of the grass roots did plainly testify, which the year following came more fresh and verdant in the place burnt, than in the middle, and at mowing time was much taller and rank∣er grass than any in the Meddowq 1.43.

34. If it be objected; that if Lightening causes these Circles, it must also be allowed that it descends vertically; which we know to be seldom or never seen. And that secondly if their origin be ascribed to Lightening, they must always remain of the same mag∣nitude, never enlargeing themselves to a greater diameter than they had at first; which yet we cannot but acknowledge some of them certainly doe; having not only took notice of the thing my self, but had it from others of unquestionable fidelity, that remarked the same in two of the Circles mention'd §. 17. of this Chapter: That at Handsworth having been observed for divers years by the Reverend Mr. Ange Rector of the place, who seriously told me that when he first knew it, it exceeded not 4. yards diameter at most, whereas when I measured it Anno 1680. it was increased almost to 40. haveing run through the hedg into another field: As that other at Pury-Hall, being in a field near the River (as I was in∣formed by the aforementioned Sr. Henry Gough) so increased from a smaller to a larger extent, till at length it came to be of near 50. yards diameter, and to run into the water. If I say these mat∣ters be objected,

35. It must be answered first, that though it be true, that

Lightening indeed seldom descends vertically, yet that it is as sel∣dom found too that any of these Rings are Mathematically round, (unless they happen to be on Hils or Banks sides, which may be ob∣verted in right Angels to any point of the Heavens between the Zenith and Horizon) most of them being rather of a parabolical figure, coming so much the nearer to a round, or receding farther from it, in proportion as the Lightening comes forth nearer or more remote from the Zenith: whence also it comes to pass that when Lightening is exploded (as most frequently it is) in an ob∣lique Line, these Circles are imperfect, and that there are more Se∣micircles, Quadrants, and Sextants amongst them, than any other, according to the aforesaid proportion as the Lightening breaks forth of a Cloud more remote from the Zenith, or nearer to the Ho∣rizon; thus if it proceed from a Cloud not above 15. degrees above the Horizon the lower part only of the circular explosion will brush the surface of the Earth as in Tab. 1. Fig. 8. and will make per∣haps but the Sextant of a Circle; if 22. degrees and ½ above it, a Quadrant; if 45, a Semicircle; if 67 ½, three fourths of a Circle, and so proportionably more or less in the intermediat degrees.

36. And as to their growth, though it press much harder than the former, yet the difficulty appeareth not so insuperable, but that it may be replyed, that as the Explosion of Lightening when it first breaks the Cloud presses equally outward on every side, so 'tis like it may retain the same tendency after it has striken the Earth in such Rings as are intire, such being supposed to be made by streams of lightening descending in a Conical figure, and to strike the Earth in oblique lines on every side pointing all outwards, which possibly too infecting the Earth (for I look on them as a disease) with some noxious quality that may have somewhat of the nature of the Herpes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a sort of Shingles which Sen∣nerius describes to be Morbus, qui una parte sanescente, in proxima serpit, or Malum ubi medium sanescit, extremis procedentibusr 1.44, i. e. a Disease that creeps on in the out parts, the middle growing well; these Circles I say being infected thus at first from the Clouds with something of this nature, may continually perhaps extend themselves in the like manner.

37. Wherein I am the more confirmed, having observed some of the imperfect Segments of these Circles, especially the Semicircles, and such as obtain three parts of a Circle, to grow inward in the middle, where the Lightening hath struck the Earth strongest, much faster than elsewhere, so as to render them on that side irregular and crooked, as in Tab. 1. Fig. 9. which had they not done might have been an unanswerable objection against this Hypothesis it being

impossible indeed that such as these, made by a circular explosion of Lightening, that only brushes the earth on the lower side, the up∣per part vanishing in the thin Air should extend themselves other∣wise. And thus much for these Circles, and enough too perhaps may the Reader say to break my promise so solemnly made in the first §. of this Chapter, of not enlarging to the utmost compass of my theme; but herein I do not doubt but he will easily give me par∣don (as in all other subjects of the like kind) it haveing scarce ever been treated on before, by any other Author that I could ei∣ther meet with, or hear of.

38. Next Lightening I proceed to the effects of Thunder that have sometimes happened in this County, which though not quite so deplorable as many mentioned by Authors, yet being as wonder∣ful in operation as any of them, are therefore no less remarkable: That Thunder now and then proves mortal to Animals, where the bolt has fallen any thing near though it never touch them, is evi∣dent from what happened at the Town of Ʋttoxater Anno 1678. at the House of the worthy and most courteous Gent. the Worship∣ful Thomas Kinnersley Esq where the bolt piercing the roof of his new Stable and cleaving the Timber in several places, and passing through two floores, and so through a Saddle that hung by the Walls into the pavement, though it never touched Mr. Wodenoth's horse of Rocester then in the Stable (that could be perceived by any mark upon him) yet kill'd him out right: But that Thunder should mortally affect Animals at a great distance, and not near any pro∣bable fall of a bolt, is a much greater difficulty; and yet even this we find asserted from long experience, as I was informed by the forementioned worthy Gentleman the ingenious Thomas Broughton of Broughton Esq who June the 14^th 1680. haveing 15. dosen of Crevices brought him by a poor man that made it his business to catch them, and finding the better half of them dead, made enquiry of him what the reason might be; to whom the Man gave this rea∣dy reply, that the late Thunder had done it, and that he had ob∣served it to have the same effect on them divers times before; wherein I am very much inclined to believe him, haveing found it also at Queenborough in the Isle of Shepey in Kent, to kill their Lob∣sters in the like manner, and more especially those of the larger sise, a fish so altogether analogous to a Crevice, that they seem only to differ in magnitude, and place of abode.

39. Now that the Horse was kill'd by the pestilential sulphure∣ous steam that the bolt brought with it (as I suppose all other A∣nimals are in the like Circumstances) is plain from the Testimony of the Groome, who had he not been near the door had hardly escaped it: But how the Crevices should be thus secretly destroyed

where no such stench is perceptible, at least to human sense? is a much harder problem; nor can it be resolved but in such general termes, as that the Air is certainly indued by the Thunder with a peculiar quality that pestilentially affects the juices of these Ani∣mals so as to destroy their temperament; perhaps in the same man∣ner as in §. 32. of this Chapter, which yet may not be perceptible to other Animals: Nay it has sometimes fallen out that a certain Individual of the same species of Animals ha's had a temperament so peculiar as to be violently moved by Thunder, though at a great distance, others of the same kind being wholly indisturbed, as is avouched to us by the Learned Dr. Nathaniel Fairfax, concerning one Mrs. Raymond of Stow-Mercat in the County of Suffolk, who when ever she hears Thunder even a farr off, begins to have a bo∣dily distemper seize on her, growing faint, sick in her stomach, and ready to vomit, &cs 1.45.

40. After Thunder, that which next falls under consideration, are other more uncommon Meteors, that have been observed here; such as that seen at a place called Broad-heath in the parish of Seighford between that and Ranton Abbey about seven at night near Michaelmass time Anno 1676. by Mr. John Nas•• the worthy Vicar there; which at a distance (he told me) appeared like a great fire, but coming nearer, its forme and motion were plainer to him, it being of a globular figure, moveing by jerks and makeing short rests, at every one of them letting fall drops of fire, which were part of its body, for it decreased in magnitude the farther it went, and the oftner it dropt, so that it wholly disappeared at about 3 quar∣ters of a mile's distance: which upon computation of time, and o∣ther circumstances, I take to be the very same mentioned in our Phi∣losophical Transactions that was seen in so many distant places of England, Sept. 20. 1676. about the same time of night, viz. in Kent, Essex, Sussex, Surry, Hamp-shire, Devon-shire, Sommerset-shire, Glocester-shire, Oxford-shire, Northampton-shire, Worcester-shire, and (1 believe I may add) Stafford-shire; whereof there being al∣ready so large an account given by the Reverend and Learned Dr. John Wallis Savilian Professor of Geometry in the Ʋniversity of Oxford* 1.46, I shall add little more concerning it.

41. But that, notwithstanding it appear'd at Oxford and Seigh∣ford in somewhat a different shape, and motion; at Oxford somewhat long with a round knob at the end, and moveing equally swift; at Seighford globular, and makeing short rests; yet it still might be the same individual Meteor, which (not to mention the mistakes perhaps occasioned through the inadvertency of the surprized Relators) might possibly alter a little in so great a distance: How∣ever

the thing were, it was certainly no other than one of the Me∣teors called Caprae Saltantes, for I find them both of a round and long figure, and to be so called, not from any thing they have of a goat, but their moveing by jerks, somewhat like the lascivious leaps of that Animal, and the little languets of fire that hang at, and some∣times fall from them, which antiquity ha's been pleased to fancy like the beard, or locks of a Goats wool: These frequently fly so high (notwithstanding they seem very low) that Meteorologists have placed them in the upper Region, but have not so firmly fixt them there, but that they allow the like also in the middle, and lower: How high this might be is not easy to determin, but cer∣tainly it could not be very low, it being seen at so many distant pla∣ces both in Longitude, and Latitude, so near the same time; which I presume that an ordinary Meteor in the lower Region could by no means be, though we allow its motion never so swift. Such a Ca∣pra it was that was seen about the bigness of the Moon, when Pau∣lus Aemilius waged War against Perseus King of Macedon, Nos quo∣que vidimus (says Seneca) non semel flammam ingentis pilae specie, quae tamen in ipso cursu suo dissipata est, i. e. that he also had seen a flame in the form of a great ball which disperst it self in its flight: such another he says was seen upon the departure of Augustus; a∣nother upon the Tragedy of Sejanus; and that the death of Ger∣manicus was signaliz'd by anothert 1.47.

42. To which add another Meteor also of a globular figure, seen Nov. 22, Anno 1672. about 12. or one at night, not in motion but stationary, against the West door of Wednesbury Church, by the In∣genious Mr. Miller Vicar there, and two others in his Company; which shon so bright, that it gave them light (though a very dark night) at half a miles distance; where it continued for about ⅛ of an hours space, and then of a sudden disappeared; whereup∣on there immediately followed a great storme of Hail and Rain: And of such as these we have also plenty of parallel Examples in ancient Histories, Si minore vi mittuntur ignes, defluunt tantum & insident, non feriunt, nec vulnerant, says Seneca, i. e. that many times these fiery Meteors only slide down and rest upon fit subjects, such as the Masts of Ships at Sea, the Spears and Ensignes of Soldiers at land; Gylippo Syracusas petenti, visa est stella super ipsam lanceam constitisse; in Romanorum castris visa sunt arderepila, ignibus &c. in illa delapsis, says the same Senecau 1.48, that there was a fiery Meteor in the shape of a Star that sate upon the spear of one Gylippus as he was marching to Syracuse, and that the like were sometimes seen, to be fix't upon the Javelins, amongst the Tents of the Romans.

43. Nor want there instances of the like kind near our own

times, for Fromondus informes us that such another fire sate qui∣etly upon the Standard of the valiant Collonel William Verdug be∣fore the decisive battle of Prague Anno 1620. All which, toge∣ther with this of ours at Wednesbury, I take only to be the Helena of the Ancients foretelling great stormes and ensuing devastations, such as the Rape of the Lady whose name they bear, brought up∣on Greece; the Physical reason whereof perhaps may be assigned right enough by the Ancients, viz. that while the Meteor remains compact and indisperst, it is a signe that the matter of the ensuing tempest is no where spent, as it proved in this of ours at the Church of Wednesbury, a great storme of hail and rain immediatly following it; whereas when such Meteors are divided, the prognostic is quite different, it being thence presumed that the matter of the tempest is weak and broken, the parts whereof antiently were called Castor and Pollux, Deities it seems so favourable to Seamen, their appear∣ance always boding a prosperous voyage, that they usually made them the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of Ships, as we find them on the Ship of Alex∣andria in which St. Paul sailed from Melita to Syracusew 1.49.

44. Nor have the Heavens and Air only presented the Eye with unusual Objects, but also the Ear has sometimes been as much sur∣prized from them: for not to mention some unknown noises pre∣tended to have been heard about Alrewas, nor the shreeks as it were of persons about to be murdered said to be heard about Frod∣ley: We need go no farther for an instance than the same Town of Wednesbury, where the Colyers will tell you that early in the morn∣ing as they go to their work, and from the Cole-pits themselves, they sometimes hear the noise of a pack of bounds in the Air, which has happened so frequently that they have got a name for them, calling them Gabriels hounds, though the more sober and judicious take them only to be Wild-geese, making this noise in their flight; which perhaps may be probable enough, for upon consulting the Ornithologists I find them one of the gregarious migratory kind, to fly from Country to Country in the night, noctu trajiciunt says Al∣drovandus of themx 1.50, and to be very obstreperous either when wea∣rye with flying, or their order is broken, they flying ordine litera∣to after the manner of Cranes.

45. And this perhaps may be the Musick that was heard in the Air by Francis Aldridg of Hammerwich a sober person about two in the morning near Michaelmas An. 1668. though he described it to be a sort of whistling in the Air, and the tune more melodious to him than any he ever heard in his life time, before or since; it be∣ing performed he said (as he judged) by some winged creatures, for he could hear their wings beat the Air, though he could not

see any thing by reason of the darkness: Though some will needs have it a consort of Angels transporting some blessed Soul that ex∣pired hereabout at that time, from grace to glory, haveing the un∣questionable Testimony of St. Augustin, Nicephorus, Gregory the great, and divers others, that such things have happened; for he sayd they seemed to take the tune from one another, as if they bore different parts in the same Antiphone for a quarter of an hour toge∣ther; much after the same manner as Johannes Herbinius reports it happen'd upon the death of Christopher Suessenbach Pastor of Bicine in Silesia, where such a Consort was heard also for a quarter of an hour together, all the Town over; some thinking it in the Tower of the Church, others in the Town-house, others upon the Walls; nay so distinctly was it heard, that the Organist of the Town being present, attempted to prick it down as a celestial pattern for all Church Musick, but all to no purpose, it so far transcended his skilly 1.51.

46. More common are the noises of Storms and Tempests whe∣ther of Hail, Rain, or Wind, though sometimes too, these happen to be very extraordinary, as at Chebsey the Sunday before St. James tide An. 1659. there fell a storm of Hail, the stones near as big as pullets eggs, which beat the young apples and leaves from the trees, and the Cabbage leaves from the stalks so that they appeared naked; nay so violent was it that it raised a steam in the street so thick that they could not see cross it; and yet falling perpendicular it broke none of their windows; as did another storme of Hail that on June 16. An. 1676. fell at the Village of Dunstall in the Parish of Taten∣hill, which as I was informed by my worthy friend Mr. John Bott also cut the stalks of the Wheat and Barley (then in spindle) quite asunder, and so the very grass it self; the stones being some of them near four inches about, and most of them of unequal various figures. It spoiled also the Peas that were then upon the ground, yet they came so well again as to be fit for fodder; the Barley also sprang again so well that they had little less than they expe∣cted, only some of it was lighter and not so fit for Mault: Both which stormes were but of small extent, the former of the two being circumscribed every way within a furlong of the Towne; and the latter (as appear'd by the mischief it did) not above a quarter of a mile broad; and about a mile, or a mile and ½ long.

47. Hither also must be referr'd all unusual sorts of Rain, where∣of the Ancients have transmitted to us some very prodigious ones, as of Milk, Blood, Flesh, Iron, Wool, Til¦es, bricks, and great Stonesz 1.52; to which Munster, and others add Rats, Mice* 1.53, and Froggs, the lat∣ter

whereof ha's been thought by some to have happen'd in this County at the Parish of Tixall, at the house of the right Honorable Walter Lord Aston, and more especially about the Bowling-green, where after a showre of Rain they have appear'd so thick, that it has been found difficult not to tread on them in walking: Nor will it suffice to say that they came out of their holes where they lay hid before, upon tast of the sweetness of the celestial distillattion as some have fancied; for as I was told by that severely inquisitive Gent. the Worshipful Walter Chetwynd of Ingestre Esq a near neighbour to the place, they have been sometimes found in great numbers up∣on the Leds of the stately Gate-House there; whither how they should be brought otherwise, ha's been thought equally strange, as that they should come thither by rain; it being very improbable that they should either crawle up the walls, or leap up the stairs (could they come at them) they being always but small, and all of a Size; which too seems to imply that these are not produced in the ordinary course of Nature, for then we should have had them of different sizes, according as the Spawne came to perfection soon∣er or later; so that Cardan's opinion seems almost necessary to be embraced, that the Spawn or Seed of Frogs may be either blowne from the tops of Mountains, or drawn up with the vapours out of uliginous places, and be brought to perfection in the Clouds, and discharged thence in Showers.

48. And indeed I think we must have acquiest in it, but that the same difficulty seems to press this opinion, as the former; for why should they not fall from the Clouds, as well as come forth of their caverns, in different sizes? Besides in all likelyhood we should find them all bruised against the ground, trees, or building, and half dead with their fall, should they come from thence; than which nothing less: Much rather therefore should I think them produced upon the surface of the earth. and tops of houses where they are first found, by a fermentation excited in the dust (which in some places may have a peculiar disposition for it) by the fall and commixtion of rain water with it, in hot soultry weather. The ingenious Mr. Bohun Fellow of New-Coll. Oxon, acquaints us that Sr. Thomas Roe in his East-India Voyage met with a sort of rain, that accompanies the Tornado blasts of that Country, so noisome that it made their cloaths who stirred much in it, to stink upon their backs; and that the water of those hot and unwhosome showers, would presently bring forth worms, and other offensive Animalsa 1.54: And we are told that the rain that falls in the plain called Magotti Savanna in the Isle of Jamaica, as it settles upon

the seams of any Garment (where dust, if any where, usually lodges) turns in half an hour to Maggotsb 1.55.

49. Now if some rains or earths be disposed for the producti∣on of worms and Maggots, why may not others for frogs? especi∣ally since the opinion seems to be strengthen'd by the concurrent Testimonies of Scaliger and Fallopius: Nos complutam terram sola a∣qua (says the former) sine ranis, Gyrinulis tamen post semihoram scatere totam vidimus, i.e. that he had seen the ground wet only with water at first, and no frogs appearing, which yet within half an hour has abounded with imperfect onesc 1.56: To whom agrees the latter. vidi inquit aliquando cecidisse guttas quasdam magnas in pul∣verem, & statim abortas esse ranulas, that he had sometimes seen great drops of water fall into dust, and presently after frogs to spring thenced 1.57. Which solves all the difficulties of their being found on the tops of houses, as well as below on the ground, that they are all of a size, &c, it being allowable enough, that an agre∣able dust for such a purpose may be carryed with the wind, or o∣therwise, to such high places, where meeting with rain also well disposed for the same purpose, may produce such animals there, as well as below. And thus I suppose it comes to pass for the most part, that some places on a sudden are thus infested with frogs; I say for the most part, for if it be true what the ingenious Author of Mercurius Centralis delivers to us viz. that there is one at this time living, that walking through a low marish ground in England a foggy morning had his hat almost covered with little frogs that fell on it as he walkede 1.58; we must allow Cardan's opinion at least sometimes to be true.

50. As to such rains as are usual and frequent amongst us, I met with nothing observable concerning them, but an uncommon prognostick when they should happen, communicated to me by the learned and ingenious Gent. Edwin Skrymsher of Aqualat Esq who had it from one Samuel Taylor a person belonging to the Se∣verne, but imployed by Mr. Skrymsher in making his boats for the large, deep, and most pleasant Meer that stretches it self before his house for above a mile in length; who foretold them by the Winds backing to the Sun as he call'd it, i. e. opposing its course; viz. the Sun moving from East by South to West and North and so to East again; and the wind from West by South to East and North and so to West again: Ex. gr. suppose the wind now in the North, if it shift thence to the East agreeable to the Suns course, it most times proves fair; but if it back to the Sun and shift Westerly and thence Southerly, &c. so as to oppose its motion, it seldom fails of

bringing rain* 1.59; and so in all the other Cardinal and intermediat points: The reason whereof may be, that the Sun by the same power by which at first it raised the vapours (of which Clouds con∣sist) now drawing them along with it from East to West, and the Westerly winds compressing the contrary way, does so condense the spungy parts of them upon meeting in the South, that thereby they become aqueous, too weighty for the Sun any longer to sustain, to preponderate the subjacent Air, and so to descend in showers or rain: whereas when the winds accompany the motion of the Sun imprest upon the Clouds, as they doe from the East, they attenuat and disperse them, and force a serenity; which seems to be the thing that Virgil intends by his Juppiter Densans and Rarefaciens.

— Et Juppiter humidus Austris Densat erant quae rara modo, & quae densa relaxatf 1.60

51. Much more accurat and certain was the same Samuel Tay∣lor in predicting the winds, than the rains that attend them, though even in this too he made use of the Clouds themselves, which when ever he perceived to rise in the form of the letter V, jagg'd on each side, and therefore called by the water-men the Harts-head; he forth with concluded infallibly that the next point of the Compass to which the wind should shift, would be either the oppo∣site one to the most patulous part of the V or Harts-head (which though happens but seldom) or the point to which the acute angle of the same Harts-head seems nearest to direct it self, and this most frequently happens, always one of the two; which I am told is a truth that no water-man whatever that sailes the Severne will call into question: And indeed I do not doubt but the latter of the two must needs be most frequent, since we see in Aeolipiles, Winde-Guns and all other explosions of Air, that it still spreads as it pro∣ceeds from the terminus à quo; well therefore may it be conclud∣ed that the wind must proceed from that quarter, whence the Clouds appear more patulous and open; as the Ancients observed it in Halo's, which if intire and well defined argued a calm season, but if rent or broken on any side, they expected a wind from that point of the Heavens, on which the Cirque of the Halo was inter∣rupted: Inde ventum Nautici expectant, unde contextus Coronae pe∣rit, says Senecag 1.61, that the Mariners expected a wind from that quarter of the world on which the parts of the Circle were disconti∣nued: with whom agrees my Lord Verulam, who amongst his prognosticks numbering this, quâ parte is Circulus se aperuerit, expe∣ctetur

ventus says heh 1.62, let the wind be expected from that point of the Horizontal arch, where the Circle opens it self.

52. Which perhaps indeed may be some of the most certain prognosticks we can hope for of winds, but then we must restrain them to such as have their origin in the middle Region, from the rarefaction of vapors by the Sun, either before or after their coali∣tion into Clouds: which rarefaction making a greater repletion, and consequently a protrusion that way where the Medium is most yeild∣ing, causes a wind from such or such a peculiar point of the Com∣pass rather than any other, and is certainly shewn by the opening of the more loose and floating Clouds (those whence we expect wind being not so dense or opacous as those pregnant with showers) which are sensible of the impression for some time, before the Air here below is assimulated to the motion begun at so great a di∣stance; where nothing intervening to controul or interrupt its course, it is propagated in a right line, and is much more certain than any wind generated either from the Aeolian caverns of the Earth, or the lower Region, which are obnoxious in great measure to the situation of the Countries through which they pass, making Maeanders, deflections and undergoing various repercussions, ac∣cording as they meet with Forrests, Promontories, Mountains, or winding Valleys betwixt them, in their way; though indeed in the wide Seas, and open level Countries, these winds are near as regu∣lar, as those that blow aloft; as they really would be every where, were the terraqueous Globe of a uniform superficies.

53. Nor heard I of any thing more relating to winds, but that not long since betwixt Offley-hay and Slindon, there happen'd a Typhon or Tornado-wind, which though not above forty yards broad (as appeared by the mischief it did) or extending it self in length a∣bove three or four Miles, yet was so powerful as it pass't through a Coppice near Sr. John Pershal's house of great Sugnal that it tore up the greatest Okes by the roots and made as it were a Vista through it, as was shewed me by the courteous and obliging Gent. Mr. Bos∣vile of Byanna, which I take to have been done by a dip of wind, express't obliquely from a narrow passage betwixt two Clouds as in Tab. 1. fig. 10. which meeting with some cross wind or denser part of the Atmosphere at A, was thrown violently towards the ground at B which take for Offley-hay, was strongest at C which suppose to be Sugnal, and rose again at D which may pass for Slindon, and so mounted into the Air again to E, out of all distance for doing any further harm, curleing it self into a Helix after the manner of Tor∣nado's, as Mr. Bohun in his discourse of the Origin of Winds has in∣geniously

express't iti 1.63: whence 'tis easy to collect both the reason of the narrowness and brevity of this wind, and why the greatest force must be needs in the middle. As also of the narrow and short storm of Hail that happen'd at Dunstal, mention'd §. 46. of this Chapter.

54. And now having so long entertained the Reader with the serious and sometimes Melancholy effects, let me refresh him a lit∣tle with the Sports, of Nature; such as a new discourse with the Nymph Echo, a Mistris notwithstanding what is discover'd in Ox∣fordshire, yet has new intrigues, and must farther be courted, be∣fore she will throughly be understood; not but that I think the distribution and admeasurement of Echo's is rightly and fully as∣signed in that History; but that I have met with some here, that though they may all be reduced to some one or other of the spe∣cies there mentioned* 1.64, yet differ from them all in some considera∣ble circumstances, by no meanes to be past by without observation: And such is the Echo near the Church at the parish of Tatenhill, which will return four or five syllables at least, though spoken al∣most with as low a voice as we ordinarily use in our common dis∣course; the object of which Echo or the Centrum phonocampticum, is certainly enough the Tower of the Church, and the place of the speaker or centrum phonicum an opposit Hill due Westerly from it, up∣on the bank side under the Hedg, whence a line being drawn to the Tower, directly falls upon it at right angles; the distance be∣tween the two Centers being not above 70. yards or thereabout, which is the thing wherein this Echo is extraordinary: for where∣as Blancanus will not admit that any one syllable can be return'd clear and distinctly under 24. Geometrical paces, 120 feet, or 40 yards distance from the objectk 1.65; and Mersennus by no meanes un∣der 69 feet or 23 yards: this returnes a syllable in 42 feet or 14 yards. i. e. five syllables at least in 210 feet or 70 yards account∣ing modestly (for I believe it will returne more if spoken quick) which is the most by far in so little a space, that I ever yet read or heard of.

55. At the same Town of Tatenhill I was told of another by the Reverend Mr. Masters Rector of the place, that near his Parsonage house, there was once an Echo that so strangely depended on Frosty weather, that it returned an answer at no other time: And I was informed by the ingenious Mr. Miller Vicar of Wednesbury that there is a very distinct Echo there, when the wind-mill windows stand open towards the Church, otherwise none at all, two of the three windmils there, answering the five Bells orderly and distinct∣ly, which seems to be a cogent argument that though the Cavities

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1.

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2.

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3.

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4.

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5.

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6.

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7.

[illustration]

8.

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9.

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10.

Offley Hay. o o Slindon.

[illustration]

To the learned and ingenious Gent. FRANCIS WOLFER STAN of STATFOLD Esq This first Table consisting cheifly of ••uch matters as relate to his owne objecvations, in memory of his asai••tance is gratefully de∣dicated by R. P. L. L. D.

Burgh. sculp.

of buildings do contribute to Echo's, yet they avail but little, un∣less there be actual admission of the voice into them. Both which are extraordinary in their respective kinds, but wholy depend up∣on the authority of the Relators, for being at Tatenhill in August, and at Wednesbury when the wind did not serve for my purpose, I had no opportunity of examining either.

56. Other Echo's there are none so very different from those of Oxfordshire as the three above mentioned, nor indeed are there any of the same kind, so very considerable as that of Woodstockl 1.66; the best polysyllabical articulat Echo's we have in this County, are 1. that of Dunston in a field west of the Chappel, where in the path way at due distance from it, you may have a return of seven or eight syllables; and so you may 2. From Elmhurst-Hall in a Meddow to the South-East of it. But 3. that which comes nearest to Wood∣stock, and indeed is the best of the kind in the County, is that at Norbury, North-easterly from the Manor near a little bank under the wood side about 80. poles or 440. yards distant, which in a still day will repeat 10. or a 11. syllables distinctly, or 12. or 13, if spoken quick; the Object whereof must needs be the Manor for there can be none nearer whatever there may be further off, and yet in this, as at Woodstock (however it was at Tatenhill) if we take the Manor for the object, there will go 120 feet or 40 yards to each syllable, or if further off (for the voice methinks seems to pass by the Manor, to the trees on the left hand of it) perhaps twice as much; which instructs us we must allow a much greater Latitude in these matters; though of the same kind, than has hitherto been thought of.

57. But as for Tautological polyphonous Echo's, such as return a word or more often repeated from divers objects by simple refle∣ction, there are as good here, or perhaps better than any in Oxford∣shire; there being one at Beaudesart in the little Park about the middle of the path that leads from the pale to the House, that from a treble object answers distinctly three times: And another near Hampsted (The seat of the much honored and my truly noble Patron, the right worshipful Sr. John VVyrley Kt.) on the bank side in a field South-easterly from the house, that from a quadruple Ob∣ject, answers as distinctly four times, though the objects indeed be as obscure as the matter of fact is plain und evident; which per∣haps may be as good an one of this kind, as one shall easily meet with, all the objects and returnes being still more remote, and weak∣er, than one another; the second than the first, the third than the second, and the fourth than the third, and so onward; so that af∣ter

four returns, the fift is most commonly out of the reflex action of the voice.

58. Unless in such Echo's as have divers objects placed so near together, and near at hand, that though they scarce will admit of a Dissyllable, yet by numerous reflections to and froe from one object to another, will return a Hum or clap with the hands much more quick and frequently, perhaps some of them ten or a dosen times or more, the voice or clap fadeing as it were, or dying away by de∣grees in a trembling manner, rateably to the remoteness and weak∣ness of the reflections. And such a tremulous Echo there is (for I cannot fit it with a better Epithet) at Elmhurst-Hall on the tarras walk in the Garden behind the house, where the various windings and angles of the walls, return a hum or clap with the hands (the weather being calm) ten or a dosen times, so thick and close that it admits of nothing articulat unless we may account a monosyllable so. Which was shewn me by the Worshipful Michael Biddulph Esq the Proprietor of the place, whose favours have been so signal in promoting this work, that I could do no less in gratitude than represent the House in Sculpture Tab. 2. it being one of the chief seats of the Family, and as uniform, splendid, and commodious a building as most in the County.

59. And these are all the Echo's I thought worthy notice, where∣of I have only given a summary discourse relating chiefly to matter of fact, the Philosophy of them having been already laid down in my History of Oxfordshirem 1.67, whither for brevity sake I refer the Reader least I should seem as Tautological as some of the Echo's: Nor have I more to add of Aerial matters but a very odd experiment relating to sounds, which as I was inform'd by the learned and ingenious the Worshipful William Chetwynd of Rugeley Esq is constantly pra∣ctised amongst the Operators in Iron, who carrying on their work day and night, and sleeping by turns, notwithstanding the great noise of the water and Hammers, take their rest as quietly and indi∣sturb'd as other Mortalls, yet when their time allowed for sleep is expired, and there is occasion for them, are all awakened with a little blow (or tanck) upon a pair of their tongues (which is the common means they use for that purpose) though a noise incom∣parably less, than what was made in the Mill before, during the time of their rest: Whence we may infallibly conclude that great noises if they are customary and constant do not affect so much as lesser noises provided they are sudden and unusual; nor sometimes so much as no noise at all; the absolute privation of a customary noise being as disturbing as an unusual one: as was attested to me by a Reverend Clergyman who living next door to a Brasier, though

[illustration] depiction of Elmhurt Hall

To the Wor••p the generous and much honored Gent. MICHAEL BIDDULPH of ELMHURST Esq This 2^nd. Table Shewing the N. E. Front of ELMHURT HALL as a pledg of my Gratitude for recevi'd favours is humbly dedicated by, R. P. L. L. D.

MBurghers detin. et sculp.

indeed he was disturb'd at first, yet the noise at last grew so agree∣able to him, that removing after to a Parsonage in the Country, he wanted his Brasier so much, that he protested to me he could not steddily apply himself to his business till after he had been there a considerable time. And as it is in sounds, so it is in motion, the absolute privation whereof, if it have been (though but a small time) constant, will disturb ones quiet, as I have found it by people a sleep in a Coach, who during the motion notwithstanding the jolts and rubbs, have continued their rest but upon the Coaches stoping though gradually done, have all presently awakened.

60. To conclude, these are all the observations I could make my self, or hear of from others relating to the Heavens and Air, and to this County; unless I should have taken upon me to have given some account of the late prodigious Comet in Dec. 80. which I might indeed have done from the accurat observations of my wor∣thy Friend the worshipful Francis Wolferstan of Statfold Esq but having lodged them in a much better hand than my owne for that purpose, and the Comet it self relating as well to other Countries and Kingdoms as this, I choose rather to pass it by, only taking notice that they generally happen in Winter; upon or after considerable Frosts; and (with Gaffarel) that they occasion great droughts, which inflame Mens blood and drive them into Frensiesn 1.68 (wit∣ness this following year 81) and as my Lord Bacon well observes, that those droughts bring an open beginning of winter, the former heat still bearing the sway, and yet hindering a sufficient multipli∣cation of vapourso 1.69. All which having happen'd precisely after this, will I hope procure our observation of them, after another Comet.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Nat. Hist. of Oxford-sh. Chap. 1. §. §. 1, 2, 3.
• b 1.2

  H. Vanslebius's present State of Egypt chap. ult. p. 246.
• c 1.3

  Joh. Bapt. Riccioli Almagestum Nov. Lib. 3. Chap. 27.
• d 1.4

  Nat. Hist. of Oxford-sh. Chap. 1. §. 5.
• e 1.5

  Nat. Hist. Lib. 2. Chap. 31.
• f 1.6

  Ibidem.
• g 1.7

  Philos. Transact. Numb. 102. p. 26 how this may be, see Des Cartes Meteororum Lib. 10. §. 5.
• h 1.8

  C. Plin. 2^di. Nat. Hist. Lib. 35. Cap. 11.
• i 1.9

  Fort. Licet. de novis Astric & Cometis, Lib. 6. cap. 2.
• k 1.10

  Corn. Gemm. Cosmocrit. Lib. 2 cap. 1.
• l 1.11

  Lib. Fromond. Meteorolog. Lib. 6. cap. 1. Art. 1.
• * 1.12

  Coronam si diviseris Arcus erit L. An. Senecae Nat. Quest. Lib. 1. cap. 10.
• m 1.13

  Ibid. Lib. 1. cap. 2. sub finem.
• n 1.14

  Diogenis Laertii Lib. 10. in Epist. Epicuri ad Pythoclem 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• o 1.15

  Aristotelis 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Lib. 3. cap. 3.
• p 1.16

  Pet. Gassendus in Lib. 10. Dio∣genis Laertii de Meteorologia Epicuri, Tom. 2. p. 1129.
• * 1.17

  Lib. Fromondi Meteorolog. Lib. 6. cap. 2 Art, 2.
• q 1.18

  Meteor. Lib. 3. cap. 2. I. An. Senecae Nat. Quaest Lib. 1. cap. 3.
• r 1.19

  Willebrordi Snellii Descrip. Cometae Anno 1618. cap. 5. p. 33.
• s 1.20

  Lib. Fromondi Meteorolog. Lib. 6. cap. 1. Art. 16.
• t 1.21

  Nat. Hist. of Oxford-sh. Chap. 1. § 7.
• * 1.22

  Ren. Des Cartes Meteoror. Cap. 7. §. 9.
• u 1.23

  Quod contigit M. Antonio Mureto Romae.
• w 1.24

  L. An. Senecae Nat. Quaest. Lib. 2. cap. 31, & cap. 52. Vid. etiam Plutarchum Sympos. Lib. 4. Quaest. 2.
• x 1.25

  Nich. Remigii Demonolatriae Sag. Lib. 1. cap. 17.
• y 1.26

  Nat. Hist. Lib. 28. cap. 2. vid. etiam Lucanum Belli Civilis Lib. 1. v. 450.
• z 1.27

  Bapt. Codronchii de Morb. Venef. Lib. 3. cap. 8.
• a 1.28

  Ibidem.
• b 1.29

  Nich. Remigii Daemonolatria Sag. Lib. 1. cap. 14.
• c 1.30

  Athonas. Kirch. Mundi subterr. Tom. 2. Lib. 8. §. 4. cap. 4.
• d 1.31

  Bapt. Codronchii de Morb. Venef. Lib. 3. cap. 8. & Joh. Bodini Mag. Daemonomaniae. Lib. 2. cap. 5.
• e 1.32

  Geo. Agricola de Animantibus subterraneis sub finem.
• f 1.33

  Joh. Wieri de praestigiis Daemonum Lib. 1. cap. 22.
• g 1.34

  Bushell's Remonstrance of his Majesties Mines Royal in Wales An. 1642. see also Mr. Hooks Lecture de Potentia Restitut. p. 41.
• h 1.35

  Athanas. Kircheri Mund. subterr. Tom. 2. Lib. 8. §. 4. cap. 4. & Lib. 10. §. 4. cap. 11.
• i 1.36

  Olai Magni de mira natura Rerum Septentr. Lib. 1. cap. 11.
• k 1.37

  Ex Ctesiae Indicis excerptae Historiae a Photio p. 681. Edit. Steph. An. 1592.
• l 1.38

  Joh. Bapt. Van Helmont Demonstr. Thes. p. 432. Edit. Venet. An. 1651.
• m 1.39

  Joh. Marc. Marci Idearum Operatr. Idea, cap. 6. de Pygmais & Gi∣gantibus.
• n 1.40

  Viaggio de'l Sign Ant. Pigafetta atorno il Mondo. tra gli Viaggi raccolti da Gio. Bart. Remusio p. 368. Stanpat. Venet. An. 1588.
• o 1.41

  Joh. Bodini Mag. Daemonomaniae Lib. 1. cap. 2.
• p 1.42

  Dr. More's Antidote against Atheism, Lib. 3. chap. 7.
• q 1.43

  Communicated in a Letter from the ingenious Mr. Jessop of Broom-hall in York-shire, to my Learned and Ingenious Freind Martin Lister Physician at York, Philosoph. Transact. Numb. 117. p 394.
• r 1.44

  Dan. Sennerti Oper. Tom. 3. Lib. 5. part 10. cap. 17.
• s 1.45

  Philosoph. Transact. Numb. 29. see more of the secret operations of Thunder Numb. 127.
• * 1.46

  Philosoph. Transact. Numb. 135. p. 863, 864.
• t 1.47

  L. An. Senecae Nat. Quaest. Lib. 1. cap. 1.
• u 1.48

  Ibidem.
• w 1.49

  Acts 28. v. 11.
• x 1.50

  Ulys. Aldrovandi Ornithologiae Lib. 19. cap. 18.
• y 1.51

  Joh. H••rbinii de Cryptis Kijoviensibus cap. 6. §. 8. com. 7.
• z 1.52

  C. Plinii secundi Nat. Hist. Lib. 2. cap. 56.58.
• * 1.53

  Vid. Olaum Wormium, Musaei. Lib. 3. cap. 23.
• a 1.54

  R. Bohun's discourse concerning Winds: pag. 240. 241.
• b 1.55

  Philosoph. Transact. Numb. 27. p. 500.
• c 1.56

  Jul. Scaligeri de Subtilitat. Lib. 15. Exercit. 191.
• d 1.57

  Gabr. Fallopii Tract. de Metall. cap. 9.
• e 1.58

  Mercurius Centralis p. 24. 25.
• * 1.59

  Vid. Camdens Britannia in Staffordsh. and chap. 2, §. 15. of this History.
• f 1.60

  Pub. Virgilii Georglc. Lib. 1. v. 418.
• g 1.61

  L. An. Senecae Nat. Quest. Lib. 1. cap. 2.
• h 1.62

  Hist. de Ventis inter prognostica ad Artic. 32. §, 8.
• i 1.63

  R. Bohun of Winds. p. 19.
• * 1.64

  Nat. Hist. of Oxfordsh. cap. 1. §. 14.
• k 1.65

  Jos. Blancani Echonometria Theorem. 5.
• l 1.66

  Nat. Hist. of Oxfordsh. chap. 1. §. 15.
• m 1.67

  Nat. Hist. of Oxfordsh. chap. 1. from §. 14. to § 31.
• n 1.68

  J. Gaffarel's unheard of Curiositys Part. 4. §. 11.
• o 1.69

  Nat. Hist. Cent. 9. Experim. 814.