A 
432 ATMOSfHEBICAI. PHENOMBKA. ^ 
of being dense or solid, they are uniformly rare pf y 
and, instead of originating in the loftiest a 
atmosphere, or beyond its range, are general , 
greater part in low marshy plains or valleys, 
and superstitious they are a source of as much 
ter^lA, 
nobler and sublimer meteors which have 
0C< 
templated ; and it is probable that they have 
been the source of real and extensive daniag®' pii ^, 
state of actual combustion ; and that they 
frequently seduced a timid and benighted ‘ / 
dangerous bogs and quagmires. 
In Italy, in the Bolognese territoR'*'' V 
j - - - y ^ 
frequent, in the morassy grounds, that they " , jigV 
mucn 
every night, some of them affording as rnir 
kindled torch, and others not being larger a j 
1- _ Il._ 1-.., -II _J- .l-.,_ 1 : to sa 
of a candle, but all of tliem so luminous as ’“ij, A;/ 
They are constjmtlf 
on the surrounding objects, 
but this motion is various and uncertain 
nse, 
and at other times sink,' occasionally V 
. , ,, 
sudden, and appearing again in an iiistanc gi y 
jildce. 'I'hey usually hover about six feet froni ^,pt^ 
diffaing both in figure and size, and spread*' y 
contracting themselves alternately. Sometim®f a/y 
to appearance into two parts, soon after nni jg[ti>'vjy 
one body ; and at intervals float like waveS/ 
portions of ignited matter, like sparks from 
noiS^ 
are more frequently observed in winter than io *!*., Aj 
cast the strongest light in rainy and 
jj..- J . J,,,- .# 
They are most friendly to the banks of 
and to morasses ; but are likewise seen on , ‘ ,jiiiiif', if' 
where they arc, however, of a comparatively 
In the month of M.irch, 1 / 28 , a 
mountainous road, about ten miles 
travel!^’ 
soutli 
jrerceived, as he approached the river \A[f 
eight and nine in the evening, a light shina'S r ^ 
on some stones which lay on the banks. , 
about two feet above theinj its figure ,d AAJ 
more than a foot in length, j* j,, tl'‘{fy 
laralh’* , di>' * ' ■ 
.rallelopid, 
inches high, its 
zon. Its light 
a loot in 
longest side lying iwr 
,iaf/.,/ 
= 
was so strong that he 
by it veiy plainly a part of a neighbourin; , 
water in the river. On a near approacli 
clr 
