Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 024.djvu/670

periment. Upon the Repetition of which, the Mercury did not only appear as a Shower of Fire, but from the Crown of the Included Glass were darted frequently Flashes resembling Lightning, of a very pale Colour, very distinguishable from the rest of the Light produc'd. The Flashes seem'd then to be darted Horizontally, altho at other times I have observ'd them to incline upwards, and sometimes downwards, sometimes from divers parts, as well from the outward Receiver, as Included Glass. Sometimes they would be thrown in a figure so odd, that I have no Idea of any Comparison. I have likewise observ'd them to proceed directly from the stream of Quicksilver, as it descended from the Funnel, before it reach'd the included Glass. They generally fly to the side of the outward Receiver, (unless their Origin begins there, as sometimes I have observ'd) where the Light breaks, and spreads in a very odd form. Something farther observable was, That the Crown of the Included Glass appeared sensibly more Luminous than any other part of it; which Light was Constant without Alteration, during the Descent of the Mercury through the Funnel, and that was at least two minutes of time. The Quantity of Mercury us'd for this Experiment was about 3l.

The Title of this Experiment, at first sight, would seem to Contradict the Accounts given of all the foregoing Experiments, relating to the Production of the Mercurial Phosphore: in some of which I assert that the Phosphore of Quicksilver is not produceable but in such a Medium; now there I would be understood; A Light of the same nature and quality of that discover'd in the Barometer, by putting the Mercury in Motion: Which Light is very differentfrom