THE TRAVELS OF PETER MUXDY IN DORSET. 49 



this and the Maine, the distance being soe small. From the 

 foote of the Island to the passage 1 is about a mile along by 

 the beach, where in tyme past were store of Connies, now 

 none, only their burroughes and holes yett to bee scene. And 

 soe, leaveing the Island, I returned to the Mayne. 



WEYMOUTH SXAILES. 



" When I came over to Weyinonth side, I found there on 

 the grass a multitude of small Coulord shell snailes, ^ as bigg 

 as pease 2 . The people report they dropp out of the Ayre, 

 rindeing them on their hatts as they walke the feilds :i . The 

 like is reported of the raineing of small froggs in the Isle 

 of Jersy (where I had formerly bene) 4 . My brother 5 also 

 told mee that neere Weymouth 'hee himself e saw one of theis 

 walking Fires called Ignis fatuus, which only Crosse[d] his 

 way without any more hurt". The natural Cawses of theis 

 things must be left to the decision of the Learned, as also of 

 that light which is reported to appear on Shipps in or after 

 stormes, termed by the Spaniard St. Elmo 7 , heere being of 

 our Company that have scene them, gon to them and found 

 a Jelly or froth, which soe shined by night, stickinge on their 

 Mast Yards, etts. 



DORCHESTER MAIDEN CASTLE. 



" From Weymouth I went to Dorchester. About the 

 Middway is a place called Maiden Castle, because they say it 



3 The mouth of the Fleet, now known as Ferry Bridge. 



2 These shells now also swarm on Portland, and are said to give the 

 Portland mutton its excellent flavour, being eaten by the sheep! [N.M.R.] 



> For notes on showers of living creatures, see Notes and Queries, 8th 

 series, vol. vi. 104, 189, 395; vn. 437; vni. 493. 



l Mundy went to Jersey in 1627. See vol. I. 144. 



n No further clue is forthcoming with regard to this individual. See 

 vol. ii. p. Ixxv. 



Ignis fa tints, popularly called Will-o'-the-wisp, Jack-o'-lantern, corpse- 

 candle, &c. 



7 St. Elmo is the patron saint of navigation. 



