[ 211 ] 
as hiftorians both ancient and modern have made for- 
mal mention thereof. But to this it may be replied, 
that it was not enough to know the fad:, unlefs people 
were enough acquainted with it to take it for what it 
really was; that is, the eledric virtue: for without that, 
obfervations of this kind could have very little weight 
with 
37, calls thefe appearances flars ; and tells us, not only that they 
fettled upon the marts, and other parts offhips, but alfo upon mens 
.heads : * * * 4 Exfiftunt (fays that hiftorian) ftellae et in mari terrifque. 
4 Vidi nodturnis militum vigiliis inhaerere pil is pro vallo fuigorem 
* effigie ea : et antennis navigantium, aliifque navium partibus, 
4 ceu vocali quodam fono inrtftunt, ut volucres fedem ex fede mu- 
* tantes : . . . . geminae autem falutares, et profperi curfus 
4 praenunciae; quarum adventu, fugari diram illam ac minucem, 
‘ appellatamque Helenam, ferunt. Et ob id Polluci et Caftori id 
4 numen affignant, eofque in mari deos invocam. Hominum quo- 
* que capiti vefpertinis horis, magno praefagio circumfulgent.” 
But (adds he) all thefe things are ‘ incerta ratione, et in naturae 
4 majelfate abdita.’ 
Seneca, in his Natural Queftions, chap. i. takes notice of the 
fame phaenomenon. e Gylippo (fays he) Syracufas petenti vifa eft 
4 ftella fuper ipfam lancem conftitifle. In Romanorum caftrisvifa 
4 funt ardere pi la , ignibus fcilicet in ilia delapfis.’ 
Csefar de Bello Africano , cap. 6. edit. Amftel. i686. We here 
find them attending a very violent ftorm. 4 Per id tempus fere 
4 Caefaris exercitui res accidit incredibilis auditu ; nempe Virgili- 
4 arum figno confedto, circiter vigilia fecunda noitis, mmbus cum 
4 faxea grandine fubito eft exortus ingens. . . . Eadem nodte 
4 V legionis pilorum cacumina fua fponte arferunt.’ 
Livy, chap. 22. mentions two fimilar fails : 4 In Sicilia militi- 
4 bus aliquot fpicula, in Sardinia in muro circumeunti vigilias 
4 equiti, fcipionem, quern in manu tenuerat, arfifle, et litora cre- 
4 bris ignibus fulfifle.’ 
Thefe appearances are called by both French and Spaniards in- 
habiting the coafts of the mediterranean, St. Helme or St. Telme’s 
D d 2 fires ; 
