( M4 ) 
clock the Streams began to have an Horizontal Moti- 
on, propagating themfelves on both fides towards the 
South; and in a Minute or two the whole Heaven 
was furrounded with them. Immediately they all ex- 
tended themfelves up to a Point near the Zenith (I 
think, a little towards the Eaftl where their Points 
were blended together in a confus’d manner, i^t the 
fame time, every Stream, which before W'as white, ap- 
pear’d ftriped with all the Colours of the Rainbow ; 
but the moft prevailing Colour w'as a deep Red. It is 
impolTible to exprefs the Beauty of this glorious Um- 
brella, which cover’d the whole Hemifphere with its 
variegated Rays, the Colours of which fucceeded one 
another in a regular Order. In the Center of thefe 
Rays w^as a confus’d Rolling, Agitation or Ebullition 
of a luminous Cloud, appearing like Smoak. In about 
ten Minutes fas I imagine) the Colours di fa ppear’d, 
and the Streams began to retire from the Zenith; pre- 
fently after which, they would frequently dart and 
flioot with great Celerity up to the fame Point. This 
Darting and Flafliing, together with a tremulous Mo- 
tion from all fides of the Horizon, I obferved till 12. 
And I am informed by others, that it continued till 
Four in the Morning. The moft confiderable Rays 
came from the Eaft and Weft. Next Morning we had 
a Fogg. 
The beft Account which I can give of this ?ha»o- 
wemn is this : I imagine a thin Cloud compofed of a 
Sulphureous Exhalation, hanging over us in the Air, at 
a confiderable Height, parallel to the Horizon; the 
Length of it being very great from Eaft to Weft near- 
ly; the Breadth of it Cat firft) not fo great, but that 
we might fee the Stars from under it to the North and 
South. The North Side of it, I fuppofe, firft took 
Fire, 
