NOVUM ORGANUM. 311 



To the Second. 



7. Let the burning lens be also tried upon common flame. 



To the Third. 



8. Comets (if, indeed, we choose to reckon them among meteors) 

 are not found to possess any constant or manifest effect in increasing 

 the heat of the year, although droughts have been frequently observed 

 to follow their appearance. Moreover, beams, and columns of light, 

 and chasms, and the like, appear oftener in winter than in summer, 

 and most of all during intense cold, but always accompanied by 

 drought. Yet lightning, coruscations, and thunder rarely happen in 

 winter, but at the time of great heats ; while falling stars (as they 

 are called) are commonly thought to consist of some bright and in 

 flamed material of a viscous character, rather than to be of a strong 

 or fiery nature. But of this let further inquiry be made. 



To the Fourth. 



9. There are some coruscations which emit light, but do not burn ; 

 but these are never followed by thunder. 



To the Fifth. 



10. Eructations and eruptions of flame are found no less in cold 

 than hot regions, as in Iceland and Greenland ; just as also the trees 

 in cold regions are sometimes more inflammable, and contain more 

 pitch and resin, than in hot regions, as is the case with the fir, the 

 pine, and others. But sufficient inquiry has not been made as to 

 the position and nature of the soil in which eruptions of this kind 

 usually take place, to enable us to subjoin a negative to this 

 affirmative. 



To the Sixth. 



11. All flame is more or less hot, nor can any negative be subjoined 

 to it. And yet they say that the Ignis Faluns, as it is called, which 

 is sometimes projected on a wall, has not much heat ; perhaps it is 

 like the flame of spirit of wine, which is mild and gentle. But that 

 flame seems to be still more mild, which, according to some trust 

 worthy and weighty histories, is said to have appeared round the 

 heads and hair of boys and virgins, without singeing their hair in the 

 slightest degree, but flickering gently around it. And it is most cer 

 tain that a kind of coruscation, unaccompanied by manifest heat, has 

 appeared around a sweating horse when journeying in the night-time 

 during fine weather. And a few years ago it was a matter very much 

 remarked upon, and considered as a miracle, that the apron of a 

 certain girl gave forth sparks when slightly shaken or rubbed ; but 

 perhaps this was caused by alum or some other salt in the dye of 

 the apron, which adhered to it more thickly than usual, so as to form 

 a crust, which was broken in the rubbing. And it is most certain 

 that all sugar, whether candied or raw, if it be sufficiently hard, emits 

 sparks when broken or scraped with a knife in the dark. In like 



