IGNIS-FATUUS, a kind of light, supposed to be of an electric nature, appearing frequently in mines, marshy places, and near stagnating waters. It was formerly thought, and is still by the superstitious believed, to have something ominous in its nature, and to preface death and other misfortunes. There have been instances of people being decoyed by these lights into marshy places, where they have perished; whence the names of Ignis-fatuus, Will-with-a-wisp, and Jack-with-a-lantern, as if this appearance was an evil spirit which took delight in doing mischief of
Ignition of that kind. For a further account of the nature and properties of the ignis-fatuus, see METEOROLOGY Index.