Meteorologia, Ignis Fatuus, Marsh Light, 1709

Plate 11. Ne quid nimis. A will-o'-the-wisp, will-o'-wisp or ignis fatuus is an atmospheric ghost light seen by travelers at night, especially over bogs, swamps or marshes. It resembles a flickering lamp and is said to recede if approached, drawing travelers from the safe paths. The phenomenon is known by a variety of names, including jack-o'-lantern, friar's lantern, hinkypunk, hobby lantern, bog light, marsh light, and swamp light. Franz Reinzer (1661-1708) was an Austrian Jesuit professor of rhetoric, philosophy, and theology. His Meteorologia philosophico-politica, in duodecim dissertationes per quaestiones meteorologicas and conclusiones politicas divisa, appositisque was first published in 1697. A third edition was published posthumously in 1709. Meteorologia philosophico-politica is a meteorological, astrological, and political compendium. Subjects covered include comets, meteors, lightning, winds, fossils, metals, bodies of water, and subterranean treasures and secrets of the earth. Illustrations in the 1709 edition were done by Wolffgangus Josephus Kadoriza. Rare Book and Specials Collection, Library of Congress

Picture No

12696009

Media ID

47668343

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3750px x 3750px (3.1MB)

Credit

LOC/Science Source/Mary Evans