124! Professor Brandes on Falling Stars. 



fer to extreme heat a less ardent climate. Depression of tem- 

 perature being a consequence of elevation of the soil, we may 

 consider as the principal abode of these ferns, the mountains, 

 which rise to a height of from 2000 to 3000 feet above the level 

 of the sea. The tall-stemmed ferns accompany, in south Ame- 

 rica, that beneficent tree whose bark prevents fever. The pre- 

 sence of these two vegetables, indicates the happy region where 

 the mildness of spring continually reigns."*"* 

 (To he conti7iued.) 



On Falling Stars. In a Letter from Professor Bhandes of 

 Breslau, to Professor Jameson. 



Sir, 



X HE phenomena known by the name of Falling Stars, have 

 for some time past attracted the attention of naturalists : I 

 therefore hope that you will read with interest a small work on 

 the subject, which I have the honour of transmitting to you, 

 (entitled, " Beobachtungen Uber die Sternschnuppen,'^ — Leip- 

 zig, 1825.) 



I am exceedingly anxious that there should be observers of 

 these phenomena in your country also, and you will therefore 

 pardon me for requesting you to insert a short notice of the re- 

 sults of our observations in your Journal. 



Those which seem to me the most worthy of attention, may 

 be expressed in few words. 



1. Although falling stars move in all directions, in respect of 

 the vertical, yet those which fall, that is to say which approach 

 the earth, are more numerous than those which recede from it ; 

 and it might therefore be concluded, that they are subjected to 

 the earth's attraction, during the short period of their appear- 

 ance. 



2. Falling Stars move in almost every direction, in respect of 

 azimuth, yet those whose course is directed toward the south- 

 west, are much more numerous than those that follow the opposite 

 direction. 



Our observations furnish us with the direction of the paths of 

 34 of these meteors, and it would seem from calculation, that 



1 



