5° Correspondence. [January, 
In the two former of these cases it is difficult to see that the 
girl is other than a criminal whose career ought to be arrested, 
coute que coute, as a danger to the community. 
This consideration naturally leads me to the witch-trials of past 
ages. If witchcraft was a simple delusion, then, and only then, 
these trials and the ensuing executions were revolting outrages. 
But if the witches really possessed the superhuman and malefi- 
cent powers ascribed to them, or if, powerless in themselves, 
they enabled evil “ spirits ” to do mischief which would other- 
wise not have occurred, their elimination was then a most for- 
tunate circumstance. 
Such “ mediums ” are like rat-holes in a ship, or chinks in a 
soil-pipe, channels through which destruction and possibly death 
may enter. — I am, &c., 
Varro. 
THE AFTERGLOW IN THE SKY. 
To the Editor of the Journal of Science. 
Sir, — W ith regard to the singular ruddy glow observed in the 
heavens before sunrise and after sunset, no one seems yet to 
have enquired whether any similar phenomenon has been recorded 
as occurring after former great volcanic eruptions. 
An answer to this question would go far to decide the contro- 
versy between two rival astronomers (and editors) whether the 
phenomenon is due to volcanic dust or cosmic dust. — I am, &c., 
T. B. P. 
