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Observations mi the Ignis Fatuus^ 07' Will- with -the- Wisp, 

 Falling Stars, and Thunder Storms. By L. Blesson, 

 Major of Engineers, Berlin. 



X HE first time I saw the Ignis Fatuus, or Will-with-the-Wisp, 

 was in a valley in the Forest of Gorbitz, in the Newmark. This 

 valley cuts deeply in compact loam, and is marshy on its lower 

 part. The water of the marsh is ferruginous, and covered with 

 an iridescent crust. During the day bubbles of air were seen 

 rising from it, and in the night blue flames were observed shoot- 

 ing from and playing over its surface. As I suspected that 

 there was some connexion between these flames and the bubbles 

 of air, I marked during the day-time the place where the latter 

 rose up most abundantly, and repaired thither during the night; 

 to my great joy I actually observed bluish-purple flames, and 

 did not hesitate to approach them. On reaching the spot they 

 retired, and I pursued them in vain ; all attempts to examine 

 them closely were ineffectual. Some days of very rainy weather 

 prevented farther investigation, but afforded leisure for reflecting 

 on their nature. I conjectured that the motion of the air, on 

 my approaching the spot, forced forward the burning gas ; and 

 remarked, that the flame burned darker, when it was blown 

 aside ; hence I concluded that a continuous thin stream of in- 

 flammable air was formed by these bubbles, which, once in- 

 flamed, continued to burn — but which, owing to the paleness of 

 the light of the flame, could not be observed during the day. 



On another day, in the twilight, I went again to the place, 

 where I waited the approach of night: the flames became 

 gradually visible, but redder than formerly, thus shewing that 

 they burnt also during the day : I approached nearer, and they 

 retired. Convinced that they would return again to the place 

 of their origin, when the agitation of the air ceased, I remained 

 stationary and motionless, and ol>served them again gradually 

 approach. As I could easily reach them, it occurred to me to 

 attempt to light paper by means of them, but for some time I 

 did not succeed in this experiment, which I found was owing 

 to my breathing. I therefore held my face from the flame, and 

 also interposed a piece of cloth as a screen ; on doing which I 



