203 OF METEOROLOGICAL CHAP. 10. 1. 



ing some curious ancient records, that an im- 

 aginary power over the elements was by super- 

 stitious people ascribed to these waxen tapirs, 

 similar to that which some of the early Greeks 

 and Romans attributed to torches.* Whether 

 this superstition be susceptible of a physical 



* Nargeorgus observes 



Mira est candelis illis et magna potestas 

 Nam tempestates creduntur tollere diras 

 Accensae, simul ac sedare tonnitrua coeli 

 Daemonas atque malos arcere, horrendaque noctis, 

 Spectra atque infaustae mala grandinis atque pruinae, 

 Quam facile hi possunt omnes sedare tuniultus. 

 Et coeli et terrae pelagique, ut credere Christo 

 Nil sit opus, veroque Deo committere cuncta. 

 A paraphrase on these lines by Barnaby Googe says 



<( Whose candelle burneth cleere and bright, a wonderous 



force and might 



Doth in these candelis lie, which, if at any time they light, 

 They sure believe that neither Storme nor Tempest dare 



abide, 



Nor Thunder in the Skie be heard, nor any Divel spide, 

 Nor fearfull Sprites that walk by night, nor hurt by Frost and 



Haile," &c. 



In Wodde's Dialogues, under Palm Sunday and keeping 

 of Candles, he says, these are useful to light up in Thunder, 

 and to bless even when they lie a dying. See a curious Form 

 for the Benediction of Candles, recorded in Brand's Anti- 

 quities. 



