[485 ] 
Society on the 17th of May takes notice, that 
as the electrical attraction has been obferved fo early, 
as to be mentioned by Theophraftus ; fo its luminous 
appearance, tho’ only conlidered as a meteor, is 
mentioned by Plutarch in his life of Lyfander, Pliny, 
and other antient as well as feme modern authors. 
Seneca particularly affirms, that Gylyppo Syracufas 
petenti vifa eft fella filter ipfam lancem conjlitifje : 
And that in Romanorum caflris vifa pint ar.lere pila y 
ignibus f cilice t in ilia delapfis. Csefar, in his hiitory 
of the African war, fays, in a violent ho may night, 
Legionis pilorum cacumina fua fponte arferunt : And 
Livy mentions two fimilar faCts. To thefe I ffiall 
now add one from Mr. Fynes Moryfon, a writer 
of unquestionable authority, and eminent for his 
learning, curiolity, and ten years travels through molt 
countries of Europe, and part of Alia. This gen- 
tleman, who was fecretarv to Charles Blount, lord 
Montjoy, lord deputy, and afterwards lord lieutenant, 
of Ireland, and earl of Devonffiire, of whofe great 
fervices, in the reduction of that kingdom, he has in- 
ferted a very particular hiftory in his Itinerary y ob- 
ferves, in that work, Part II. Book ii. p. 176. edit. 
Lon. 1617. fol. that at the liege of Kingfile by the lord 
deputy Montjoy, where Mr. Moryfon attended him 
in the camp, on the 23d of December 1601. all the 
night was clear, with lightning (as in the former nights 
were great lightnings with thunder), to the aftonilh- 
ment of many, in refpeCt of the feafon of the year. 
” And I have heard, adds he, by many horfemen of 
“ good credit, and, namely, by captain Pikeman, 
“ cornet to the lord deputy's horfe, a gentleman of 
“ good ellimation in the army, that this night our 
“ horfemen 
