24 
STONES FALLING FROM THE AIR 
Showers of 
red matter, 
&c. 
fell in Wesphalia in 1543*, at Lowen in 1560, and at Embden 
in 1571 . The latter was so extensive, that every thing exposed 
to the air was stained red within the circumference of ten or 
twelve leagues. It is also related, that in the year 1653, in 
Zealand, a rain of the same description dyed everything red, 
and lastly that at Brussels, in l646, a violent rain fell on a 
sudden, and all the water that was collected was very decidedly 
tinged with redf. It was even remarked, that all the rivers 
wdiich flowed near that town had after eight hours, assumed 
the same colour. This rain was at first purple ; its colour 
changed by degrees to yellow ; and its taste was sourish like the 
waters 'of spa, which appeared to indicate the presence of 
carbonate of iron, a substance which undoubtedly forms an 
essential part of it. This rain, as well as that which fell at Ulra 
in 1755 , were chemically examined j. 
At this period, about the end of the year 1755, showers of 
the same kind took place in Russia, Swabia, near the lake of 
Constance, and at Lucania in upper Italy. The heavens were 
• Uber Wunderregen. Ulm 1755. This work contains a minute 
history of all the rains of this kind that have hitherto been known up 
to the present time. In it are also found the analysis of these show ers. 
t Tliis water which was collected had a sourish taste, nearly the 
same as the spa water. On a small quantity of vinegar being poured 
to it, it formed a thick red precipitate, \riien kept for some time in a 
vessel that was well closed, the water of itself became tm bid, and pre- 
cipitated a viscid matter of a purplish colour, with some whitish (lakes. 
On distilling this water a liquor was obtained of a sharp bitter taste. 
The taste and smell of the residue resembled that which is afl'orded by 
turf, and was thought, by those who examined it, to indicate the 
existence of organic substances. This shower lasted for near eight 
faburs, its colour was a deep red when it began to fall, but became paler 
as this singular phenomenon approached its conclusion. See the 
work before cited. 
:} This show'er afforded results similar to those of the shower which 
fell at Bru'sels on the 6th of October, 1646. 'I'he taste of the water 
was constantly sub-acid. The residue w as of a deep red inclining to 
black, and in part attracted by tue ma:;net w hich indicated the presence 
of iron. See U bei VV uuderrcgcH. Ulm 1755. 
obscured 
