“After about an hour, a bank of mist began to overspread the meadows, but I saw the light still glimmering through it, whilst I dressed myself, in order to examine the phenomenon in its laboratory. However, when I reached the meadows, the atmospheric conditions which gave rise to the ignes fatui had ceased to exist.” Weissenborn then expresses his belief that the phosphoric hydrogen gas, exhaled by certain swamps, is kindled into flame by coming in contact with the atmospheric air; but, as the hydrogen is not saturated with phosphorus, (the greater portion of the latter being precipitated in passing through the water as red oxide of phosphorus,) there is a certain electric condition of the atmosphere necessary to cause the combustion. Thus, under common circumstances, the gas is evolved and dissipated without being observed; but when the state of the atmosphere is competent to effect its combustion, the proper degree of electrical tension is lost at the place where the explosion is effected; and, until it is restored, or the gas comes in contact with that layer of the atmosphere which possesses the requisite degree of electrical tension, a considerable body of bog gas may collect, and be carried in the direction of the wind, so as to give rise to a sort of quick fire, with occasional flashes; in those places of the stream of gas where there happens to be a considerable volume of it. The lights, which still frequently excite apprehensions in Wales, and are popularly termed “corpse candles,” have the same origin as the “ignes fatui.” At the village of Wigmore, in Herefordshire, there are fields which may be, and two houses which really are, illuminated with a natural gas. This vapour, with which the subjacent strata seem to be charged, is obtained in the following manner:--a hole is made in the cellar of the house, or other locality, with an iron rod; a hollow tube is then placed therein, fitted with a burner similar to those used for ordinary gas-lights, and immediately on applying a flame to the jet, a soft and brilliant light is obtained, which may be kept burning at pleasure. The gas is very pure, quite free from any offensive smell, and does not stain the ceilings, as is generally the case with the manufactured article. Besides lighting rooms, etc., it has been used for cooking; and, indeed, seems capable of the same applications as prepared carburetted hydrogen. There are several fields in which the phenomenon exists, and children are seen boring holes and setting the gas on fire for amusement. It is now several months since the discovery was made; and a great many of the curious have visited, and still continue to visit, the spot.