CHAP. 3. 2. OF AEROLITES. 125 



which would induce a belief of their existence.* 

 The well known Meteor, called Ignis Fatuus, 

 which appears over marshy grounds, and the 

 Electric Light seen about plants hereafter to be 

 described, which one would naturally attribute 

 to the combustion of terrestrial exhalation, lead 

 us to ascribe more elevated Accensions to a 

 similar cause. 



SECTION II. 

 Of Aerolites, 



THE large masses -of substance which occa- 

 sionally fall from the air vulgarly called Lunar 



* On Sunday evening, Aug. 11, 1805, I observed a very 

 unusual exhalation from an elm tree at Clapton, in the Parish 

 of Hackney ; the particulars of which are as follow. Between 

 six and seven P. M. the sky being clear, and the weather 

 warm and dry, and wind South East, a column of darkish 

 vapour appeared to arise from the top of an elm tree at some 

 distance : it looked about two or three feet high : after it had 

 continued a few seconds, it disappeared; and, after a few 

 seconds more, reappeared ; and continued in this manner, on 

 and off, for nearly half an hour, when it became too dark to 

 distinguish it any longer. More particulars may be found in 

 the Gent. Mag. for 1805, p. 816. 



