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different interpretation placed by his trained scientific mind to that 

 placed by a country farmer and various unscientific persons on the 

 same phenomenon. 



The following extract from Professor Jameson's Kdinhnruli Xew 

 Pliilosophical Journal, January, 1833 (quoted in Entoni. Alan., 1833), 

 gives more detailed observations on apparently kindred phenomena ; 

 " Observations on the L/nis Fatinis, or Will-o'-the-Wisp, Falling 

 Stars, and Thunderstorms," by L. Blesson, Major of Engineers, 

 Berlin. 



" The first time I saw the ///»/s Fatinis, or Will-o'-the-Wisp, 

 was in a valley in the Forest of Gorbitz, in the Neumark. 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 shooting from 

 and playing over its surface. As I suspected that there was some 

 connection between these flames and the bubbles of air, I marked 

 during the daytime the place where the latter rose up most abund- 

 antly, and repaired thither during the night ; to my great joy I 

 actually observed bluish-purple flames, and did not hesitate to ap- 

 proach them. On reaching the spot they retired, and J pursued 

 them in vain ; all attempts to examine them closely were ineffectual. 

 Some days of very rainy weather prevented further investigation, 

 but afforded leisure for reflecting on their nature. I conjectured 

 that the motion of the air, on my approaching the spot, forced for- 

 ward the burning gas ; and remarked that the flame burned darker, 

 when it was blown aside ; hence I concluded that a thin stream of 

 inflammable air was formed by these bubbles, which, once inflamed, 

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

 the flames, could not be observed during the day. 



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

 where I awaited the approach of night; the flames became gradually 

 visible, but redder than formerly, thus showing that they burned 

 also during the day ; I approached nearer, and they retired. Con- 

 vinced that they would return again to the place of their origin, 

 when the agitation of the air ceased, I remained stationary and 

 motionless, and observed 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 there- 

 fore held my face from the flame, and also interposed a piece of 



