64 PLnrr's KATrEAL histoet. [Book n. 



bonius. It was seen by Silanus, the proconsul, and hia 

 attendants \ 



CHAP. 36. (36.) — OF STAES WHICH MOVE ABOTTT IN VAEIOUS 

 DIEECTIONS. 



Stars are seen to move about in various directions, but 

 never without some cause, nor without violent winds pro- 

 ceeding from the same quarter^. 



CHAP. 37. (37.) — OF THE STABS WHICH AEB NAMED CASTOE 

 ANT) POLLUX^. 



These stars occur both at sea and at land. I have seen, 

 during the night-watches of the soldiers, a luminous appear- 

 ance, like a star, attached to the javelins on the ramparts. 

 They also settle on the yard-arms and other parts of ships 

 while sailing, producing a kind of vocal sound, like that of birds 

 flitting about. When they occur singly they are mischievous, 

 so as even to sink the vessels, and if they strike on the lower 

 part of the keel, setting them on fire"*. When there are two 

 of them they are considered auspicious, and are thought to 

 predict a prosperous voyage, as it is said that they drive 

 away that dreadful and terrific meteor named Helena. On 

 this account their efficacy is ascribed to Castor and Pollux, 

 and they are invoked as gods. They also occasionally shine 

 round the heads of men in the evening^, which is considered 



1 It would be difficult to reconcile this phsenomenon with any acknow- 

 ledged atmosplierical phsenomenon. 



2 Perhaps the phsenomena here alluded to ought to be referred to some 

 electric action ; but they are stated too generally to admit of our forming 

 more than a conjectiu'e on the subject. Virgil refers to the occurrence of 

 storms of wind after the appearance of a falling star ; GTeor. i. 265-6. 



3 These phsenomena are admitted to be electrical ; they are referred to 

 by Seneca, Nat. Qusest. i. 1. This appearance is noticed as of frequent 

 occurrence in the Mediterranean, where it is named the fire of St. Elmo j 

 see Hardouin in Lemaire, i. 311, and Fouche in Ajasson, ii. 382. 



4 Perhaps this opinion may be maintained on the principle, that, when 

 there is a single luminous appearance only, it depends upon the discharge 

 of a quantity of electrical fluid in a condensed state ; its effects are, in 

 this case, those that would follow from a stroke of lightning. 



This is said by Livy to have occurred to Servius TuUius while he was 

 a child ; Hb. i. cap. 39 ; and by Yirgil to Ascanius, .^n. ii. 632-5. 



