394 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [anNO IZSQ. 



the foregoing facts, as they seem to contradict an opinion generally received, 

 that the solution of metals by lightning is effected by a kind of cold fusion ; for 

 it appears very evident that the melted iron-wire, in the several preceding cases, 

 had all the marks of heat and ignition that usually attend the fusion of that 

 metal, when brought about by common fire. 



Some Remarks on the Preceding Letter. By Gowin Knight, M.B., F. R.S., and 

 Principal Librarian of the British Museum, p. '294. 



The facts contained in Mr. Mountaine's letter, says Mr. K., are an evident 

 proof that the fusion of metals by lightning is, sometimes at least, attended with 

 heat and ignition, as in the case of common fusion. And since the reading of 

 those facts he had been more and more induced to suspect that the received opi- 

 nion of a cold fusion is a vulgar error, though too generally adopted, and of very 

 long standing. From some of the circumstances attending these facts, com- 

 pared with what is to be found in authors relating to the same subject, he thinks 

 it possible both to show whence this opinion first took its rise, and how it be- 

 came so general ; and at the same time to prove that there is no clear evidence 

 for the truth of it from any relations hitherto published. Accordingly Mr. K. 

 mentions several cases of both kinds, whence he draws that general conclusion. 



XXXL Of a Meteor seen at Shefford in Berkshire, on Saturday, October 20, 

 1759. By Rd. Forster, M.J., Rector of Shefford. p. 299. 



About 6 in the evening a ball of fire fell nearly east from this place. His ser- 

 vant, who is a very sober honest fellow, says it was nearly of the same size with 

 the moon, and full as bright as she ever shines : its motion was very swift, and 

 as far as he could judge (for it was out in a moment) quite downright, i. e. per- 

 pendicular to the horizon. 



XXXII. Of the same Meteor, seen at Bath. By Mr. J. Colebrooke, F.R.S. p. 301. 



Between 5 and 6 in the afternoon, as Mr. C. walked over the north parade, a 

 ball of fire, of the size of a tennis ball, of a very bright colour, with a train of 

 4 or 5 feet in length, darted from the n.w. and describing the arch of a great 

 circle on his left hand, sunk behind the hills to the s.e.: just before it sunk, 

 several large sparks of bright blue fire issued from it; but it did not seem to 

 burst: it was not more than 2 seconds in its passage, and he could compare it to 

 nothing but the most glorious sky-rocket he had ever seen. 



Mr. Peers, a gentleman of London, was at Bath at the same time, and being 

 in a room fronting the east, that looked over the meadow between Bath and 

 Bathwick, he told Mr. C. with some surprize, the next day, that he saw the 

 largest star he had ever seen fall into the meadow; and what was more particular. 



