121 



The seventh and last letter to Dr. Woodward, composing 

 this series, relates to cures deemed mortal. This was re- 

 jected by the Secretary as containing but little philosophical 

 information. 



The first letter sent by Dr. Mather to Mr. Waller, gives an 

 account of the Indians, and is interesting. It also furnishes 

 a method discovered by him, for finding the Julian Period. 



The evening glade* is mentioned as being constantly ob- 

 served in February, and first noticed by Dr. Childrey, adding 

 the cause of that appearance must be sought for above the 

 atmosphere. 



The second letter relates to rainbows and mock suns. 



The third letter has a relation of a savage murder discov- 

 ered by a dream, reminding the reader of the strange stories 

 related in the Magnalia. This letter is at once dismissed by 

 Mr. Waller, with the quiet remark, " as this does not direct- 

 ly relate to natural philosophy the particulars are omitted.'* 



The fourth letter gives an account of the Rattlesnake, and 

 the wonderful effect of its bite upon the edge of a broad axe, 

 causing the part bitten to break out, leaving a gap ! As 

 this letter relates particularly to Natural History, it is pub- 

 lished in full in the transactions. 



The filth letter informs us of the effects produced by thun- 

 der and lightning, earthquakes, hail storms, and tornadoes. 

 Hail stones it is said, are sometimes formed five times larger 

 than hens' eggs, and lie upon the ground to the depth of 

 three or four feet ! The effects of violent whirlwinds or tor- 

 nadoes are noticed, and the sad ruin produced sometimes in 

 winter by the ice loading the trees and causing their limbs to 

 break under its weight. Mention is made of some ancient 

 works, or remains, above the hideous falls of the Merrimack. 



In the sixth letter Dr. Mather gives us an account of the 

 famous Dighton rock, accompanied with a figure, which is 

 now known to be very inaccurate. This is one of the earli- 

 est notices of this interesting picture rock. 



The seventh and last letter to Mr. Waller relates to the 

 longevity and fruitfulness of New England. Dr. Mather in 

 this letter gives us several instances of persons living about 

 him who had arrived to the age of one hundred years. One 



*This is the luminous tract, known as the Zodiacal light seen in the evening 

 -after twilight. 



ESSEX INST. PROCEED. VOL. iii. 16. 



