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by Mayer us , upon Occafion of the Appearance of a 
iimilar P henomenon in thofe Northern Countries. 
And, indeed, the preceding Eruption of Vefuvius , 
the Contrariety of the moving Forces, the Readinefs 
of the Matter to take Fire, the unequal Intenfenefs 
of the Light, the Streaks, and all the other Circum- 
flances, obferved in this Meteor, are plain Arguments 
of a genuine and real Accenfion. And Wolfius , on 
the Appearance of a ‘Phenomenon much like this, 
which was feen all over Germany on the 17th of 
March 1717. is of Opinion, that it fhould be called 
imperfect Lightning, as being produced by the inflam- 
mable Matter of Lightning : And poflibly we fhall 
fee the fubfcquent Rains fall quietly, without Light- 
ning or Thunder. 
ijl, That it could be a Refraction, happens to be 
diametrically contrary to the Laws of Refraction s 
becaufe the Sun was then in the oppofite Tropic. 
idly, The Light ought to have been moft intenfe 
in the Eaft, and weak in its Elevation ; whereas quite 
the contrary was feen to happen. Thus the Whole 
is accounted for, not by Dioptrics, but by the foie 
Laws of direCt or reflex Vifion } and the Streaks, 
already taken notice of, were Spaces containing lefs 
of the inflammable Matter 5 whereby the luminous 
Rays of the neighbouring kindled Matter, being weakly 
reflected, made the Appearance of a fainter Colour. 
idly, The uneven Appearance of the Light at its 
Extremities cannot be accounted for by Refraction, 
but perfectly well by Acccnfion : Wherefore I think 
it rather deferves the Name of a Northern Light or 
Fire , than that of an Aurora ; But I leave the further 
Confideration thereof to better Heads, 
2. An 
