Professor Brandes 07i Falling Stars. 125 



the greatest number had a motion almost exactly the opposite 

 of the earth's motion in its orbit. I calculated, therefore, for 

 the observed times of the appearances of the meteors, the azi- 

 muth of the direction of the earth's motion, and, by taking the 

 mean of the results, I found the direction exactly opposite of that 

 of the earth's motion to be 48 1° to the west of the meridian. 



Beginning from this point, T divided the whole horizon into 8 

 equal parts, so that the azimuth 48 J° from south to west would 

 be the middle of the first octant. Then, for every octant, I 

 found the courses of the 34 meteors to be as in Fig. 4. Plate I. 



1^^, 9 directly opposite to the earth's motion ; 



2d, coinciding with the earth's motion ; 



Sd, 7 and 4 in the two octants adjacent to the first. 



4}th, 3 and 2 in the two octants adjacent to the second. 



5th, 6 and 3 in the two octants which are in the middle. 



It seems to me, therefore, that falling stars disclose to us the 

 earth's motion ; and although they have doubtless a proper mo- 

 tion, yet the greater part of their celerity is only apparent, and 

 arises from the proper motion of the earth, which passes near 

 them in its course round the sun. 



If this be true, might it not be desirable that the result 

 should be confirmed by a great number of observations ? But 

 I shall not trouble you with my reasonings on the subject. 

 Have the goodness to communicate these observations to such 

 of your countrymen as feel an interest in meteorology. I trust 

 you will pardon me for troubling you with this letter. I am. 

 Sir, &c. Brandes. 



Breslau in Silesia, ) 

 Sd April 18^6. j 



On the Management of the Water-Melon and the Cucumber in 

 Russia, By William Howison, M. D. Lecturer on Ma- 

 teria Medica and Botany. (Communicated by the Author.) 



JjiFFERENT kinds of water-melon, or arbouse, are cultivated 

 in surprising quantities in the southern parts of the Russian 

 Empire, from the Don to the Ural ; and particularly along the 



