^ The j\(amral Htjlory 
colour, entire and well determined, which continued fo for 
bout half anhourafter Ifirftfaw it. The reafon why fuch ap- 
pear not of divers colours, as Rain-bows do that are made by 
the Sun, has been alwaies afcribed by Philofophers, to the weak- 
nefs of the Moons raies, not entring fo deeply into the opacity 
of the clouds. But if we may give credit to ^Dan: Senmrtus^ 
it has once to his knowledge happened otherwife, z/i^. in the 
year 1593, ^^^^ ^^^^^ ^ ^^^^^ ftorm of Thunder and Lightning, 
he beheld zn Iris Lunaris adorned with all the colours of the 
Rain-bow. As for ours, though I could not perceive in any 
part of it, that it had the leaft (liade of any colour but white ; 
however, I thought it not unworthy our notice, not only for 
the infrequency of the thing(they never happening but at or near 
the Moons full, and then but fo very feldom too, that ArhJotk 
profeffes, that he faw but two in above fifty years ; and I know 
feveral learned and obferving Men, that never faw fuch an Iris 
IB their lives) butalfo becaufe of the great clemency of the wea- 
ther, that followed upon it at that time of the year ; there fal- 
ling not one drop of rain, nor any wind ftirring for fixtecn days 
after, but fo great a ferenity, that the waies were as clean and 
paffable then, as we could wifh or ever enjoyed them at Mid- 
fummcr. 
8. From the Firmament (waving all confiderations of the 
pure /Ether^ of which we know fo little, that I (ball fay nothing) 
I naturally defcend to the loweft Heaven, I mean that fubtile Bo- 
dy that immediatly incompafles the Earth, and is filled with all 
manner of exhalations, and from thence commonly known by 
the name of the Atmofpbere, Whether befide thefe exhalations, 
there be any peculiar fimple body, called Air, Heave to the more 
fubtile Philofophers, and confider it here only, as 'tis the fub- 
jed of ftorms, of thunder and wind, of Echo's^ and as it has 
relation to ficknefs and health. 
9. As to Tempefts that have happened in this County,though 
perhaps there have been fome heretofore attended with as deplo- 
rable effefts as any where elfe ; yet becaufe they are no where 
tranfmitted to pofterity, I fliall only mention two within our 
memory, vi^^ The llorm of wind that happened one night In 
February, Anno \ which though general (at leaft all over 
' SemertusinBfJom.Phyf ^v'i-nm-cfr^ lu 7 . Meteor. Uh. cap- 2, 
England) 
