An account of a surprizing meteor, seen in the air, March the 6th, 1715/16, at night. Containing, I. A description of this meteor, from the author's own observations. II. Some historical accounts of the like meteors before; with extracts from such letters, and accounts of this, as the author has receiv'd. III. The principal phænomena of this meteor. IV. Conjectures for their solution. V. Reasons why our solutions are so imperfect. VI. Inferences and observations from the premises / By William Whiston, M. A.

William Whiston

Date:: 1716

Credit: An account of a surprizing meteor, seen in the air, March the 6th, 1715/16, at night. Containing, I. A description of this meteor, from the author's own observations. II. Some historical accounts of the like meteors before; with extracts from such letters, and accounts of this, as the author has receiv'd. III. The principal phænomena of this meteor. IV. Conjectures for their solution. V. Reasons why our solutions are so imperfect. VI. Inferences and observations from the premises / By William Whiston, M. A. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$[ <58 ] V. Reafons why our Solutions are here fo Imperfect. (ijrpHE Air, in which this Meteor was, JL is an invifible Fluid, in its own Na¬ ture ; and accordingly, the fmall Parts of Vapours and Exhalations therein contained, (whence it mud have arifen) are generally in an almoft invifible State alfo. So ’tis no great wonder, that the preparatory Actions and Fer¬ mentations, that happen in this Fluid, are to us in a manner invifible ; and the grofter Effe£b of them little underftood, any otherwife than by fuch vifible Phenomena themfelves. Not to fay here, that were thofe Preparations never fo perceptible in themfelves • yet do the great- eft Part of Mankind live too much in Valleys or Plains, and too far remote from the Regions of the Air, which are here concern’d, to be well acquainted with them, (2.) This Imperfe&ion of our Philofophical Knowledge, is the Cafe not only in this, but in all the reft of the Meteors, or particular Vhano- menci of the Air. We are not yet able fully to folve any of them ; excepting fo far as they are of an optical Nature, and belong to the Re- fraction or Reflexion of the Rays of Light by the Aerial Particles in certain Circumftances therein. We are not able to give a ftrict or pro¬ per Mechanical Account, of even the Wind it felf, the moft common of all Meteors, with its Horizontal Dire&ion, Intervals of Pulfation, Change of its Quarter, and its other Circum¬ ftances. Nor can we, with any Certainty, or$

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