( i3» > 
forced to content my felf with fuch Obfervations only 
as I could make with my naked Eye, without any 
other Abidance. 
I fhall begin with a Vhanomevon in Natural Phi- 
lofophy, which ha3 fomething new in it to thofe 
that never were at Sea 3 and perhaps thofe that 
have been there, never obferved it with fufficient 
Attention. 
You have read what Philofophers fay concerning 
thofe Sparkles of Light which appear in the Night time 
on the Surface of the Sea 3 but you muft obferve at the 
fame time, that they pafs over this Vhanomexon very 
flightly, or at lead endeavour more to give a reafon 
for it, that may be agreeable to their own Principles, 
than to explain it as it really is* Before they undertake 
to account for the Wonders of Nature, in my Opinion 
they ought to enquire very well into all Particulars ^ 
which I thought neceflary to do on this prefent 
Subject. 
I. When the Ship ran apace, we often obferved 2 
great Light in the Wake of the Ship, or the Water 
that is broken and divided by the Ship in its Paf~ 
fage. Thofe that did not view it nearly, often attri- 
buted it to the Moon, the Stars, or the Lanthorn at 
the Stern 5 as I did my felf, when I firft perceived it : 
But having a Window that look’d dire&ly down upon 
it, I was foon undeceived \ efpecially when I faw it ap- 
pear more bright, when the Moon was under the Hori- 
zon, the Stars covered with Clouds, and no Lights in 
the Lanthorn, or any other Light whatfoever cad upon 
the Surface of the Water. 
II. This Light was not always equal 3 fome Days k 
was very little, others not at all 5 fometimes brighter, 
others fainter; fometimes it was very vivid, and at: 
other times nothing was to be feen* 
II L As- 
