VOL. XXVII.j PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 643 



this had all the colours of the solar iris, exceedingly beautiful and distinct ; only 

 faint in comparison of those we see in the day; as must necessarily be the case, 

 both from the different beams that cause it, and the disposition of the medium. 

 What puzzled him the most was the largeness of the arc, which was not so 

 much less than that of the sun, as the different dimensions of their bodies, and 

 their respective distances from the earth seem to require : but as to its entire- 

 ness, and beauty of its colour, it was surprising. It continued about 10 

 minutes, before the interposition of a cloud hindered his further observation. 



The beginning of the same month had been remarkable here in Yorkshire, 

 for such thunder and lightnings, as are not common at that time of the year ; 

 particularly the evening of the 5th day, and the morning of the 12th ; when a 

 man and two women coming early for this market, were so furiously encounter- 

 ed, that the women took shelter at the first house they came at ; but the man 

 proceeded on his journey, though the lightning was so severe, as he was riding 

 over Bramham-Moor, that he thought his hair had been burnt, and face 

 scorched, at one flash; which being more severe than the rest, did actually set 

 on fire the stick he had in his hand, as he was ready to depose upon oath. 



An Account of a Meteor, which was seen in Yorkshire^ and other neighbouring 

 counties, May 18, 1710. By Mr. Ra. Thoresby, F.R.S. N°331, p. 322. 



A strange meteor was seen at Leeds on Holy Thursday, 17 10, which the 

 common people call a flaming sword. It was seen in the neighbouring towns, 

 but a great way north, as also above 50 miles south of Leeds. It appeared 

 here at a quarter past 10 at night, and took its course from south to north : it 

 was broad at one end, and small at the other ; and was by some thought to re- 

 semble a trumpet, and moved with the broad end foremost. The light was so 

 sudden and bright, that people were startled to see their own shadows, when 

 neither sun nor moon shone upon them. This is remarkable, that all persons, 

 though at many miles distance from each other, when they saw it, thought it 

 fell within 3 or 4 furlongs of them, and that it went out with bright sparklings 

 at the small end. An ingenious clergyman told me, that it was the strangest 

 deceptio visus he was ever sensible of, if it was not absolutely extinguished 

 within a few paces of him; and yet others saw it many miles off, further north, 

 in a few moments. It was likewise seen in the counties of Nottingham and 

 Derby, as well as those of York and Lancaster. 



Account of an Ancient Tesselated, or Mosaic JVork^ at Leicester. By the Rev. 

 Samuel Carte, of Leicester. N°331, p. 324. 



This tesselated work, in a cellar here, near All-Saints Church, is generally 



4 N 2 



