560 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [anNO 1743. 



space of a. few seconds, and nearly in form of a large paper kite, projecting 

 a long tail towards the north-west, not unlike those of slips of paper set on 

 fire; in this state it continued so long, that he made the waterman lay his oars 

 in, that he might the more easily observe whether it was the work of art or 

 nature, as he was in some doubt. It had from its first appearance expanded 

 itself considerably, so that the extreme breadth was seemingly equal to the 

 diameter of a full moon arising from a dusky horizon. In this form it conti- 

 nued ascending for the space of 2 minutes, gently shooting to the north-east, 

 till it arose to about 45°; then suddenly quitting its tail, which vanished, colour- 

 ing the neighbouring clouds with a yellow on their separation, it formed itself 

 first into a ball of fire; then shooting quickly to the south-east in a stream of 

 light, disappeared, making a noise like a clap of thunder at some distance, and 

 leaving behind it a smoky substance in its track. 



The weather was moderate and cloudy, wind nearly, west south-west. It 

 continued in sight upwards of 5 minutes. 



Concerning the Fire-ball seen Dec, 11, 1741. By the Rev. Mr. William Gost- 

 ling, of Canterbury. N° 463, p. 6o. 



As the fire-ball appeared at noon-day, and the sun shining, few people saw 

 it, and they could only guess at the course. The best account he had is at se- 

 cond-hand, from two farmers who saw it together, and make its course from 

 north-west by north to south-east by south, and right over Littleborn, which is 

 the first village in the road from Canterbury to Deal. Their way of telling its 

 course was by saying, it went from Westbere towards Ratling, and they heard 

 only one explosion. 



Observations on Mr. Sutton's Invention to extract the Jbul ^irfrom the Well and 

 other parts of Ships, with Critical Remarks on the Use of Windsails. By 

 William Watson, F. R. S. N" 463, p. 62. 



As nothing is more conducive to the health of the human body, than taking 

 a sufficient quantity of wholesome air into the lungs, so the contrary is attended 

 with pernicious, and often with destructive consequences. 



One of the great uses of air in inspiration is, to cool* the blood passing 

 through the lungs; where nature has provided, according to the excellent Mal- 

 pighi, that the blood should be distributed through a vast number of exceed- 

 ingly fine arteries, which are applied all round the thin vesicles of the lungs; 



* A very different theory of respiration has been adopted in later times, founded on a more ac- 

 curate knowledge of the composition of atmospheric air, and on the changes produced in it and 

 upon the blood during its inhalation into the lungs. 



