considet^ed Geographically , Statistically, and Cosmically, 341 



eventually lead to mutual disturbances, which the attraction of 

 the larger planets cannot control. Although the strange coinci- 

 dences attending this group may be accidental, in general phrase, 

 yet their phsenomena cannot but be considered as evidence tan- 

 tamount to demonstration, of their having once composed a 

 single planet, and having diverged by the explosive force of a 

 tremendous cataclysm : and in addition to their orbital vagaries, 

 the bodies themselves are not round, as is said to be indicated 

 by the instantaneous diminution of their light on presenting their 

 angular faces /f. 



There is much here to the point, and confirmatory of the 

 theory and facts I am endeavouring to establish, that meteorites 

 belong to the planetary system, and are probably the minute 

 outriders of the group of fragmentary planets called asteroids, or 

 planetoids. It is not improbable that in the course of fifty or 

 one hundred years, supposing due care be used in collecting all 

 information possible regarding the dates and falls of aerolites, 

 and in placing the data properly together, that we shall not only 

 readily and certainly determine those epochs, but also the periods 

 in years when the epoch itself again comes round ; with such an 

 end in view I have constructed the Table G., but it is not yet 

 sufficiently rich in data to admit our arriving at definite results ; 

 yet I think there are indications of periods varying from two to 

 five years for some of the months*. 



Luminous meteors and falling stars (as well as meteor showers), 

 I would chiefly refer to a class of minute comets, which also no 

 doubt occasionally, like solid meteorolites, enter the earth's atmo- 

 sphere and are absorbed, but more frequently pass at a mode- 

 rate distance. 



Anything tending to clear up the confusion that exists in the 

 appearances of the meteor class generally, is of interest and value. 

 Some meteoric appearances are doubtless atmospheric and be- 

 long to electric or chemical phsenomena. It has lately been 

 hinted that others may be mere satellites of our own planet 

 revolving with great velocity and at a very moderate distance. 

 Indeed the phsenomena exhibited by these appearances are often 

 so linked together, that one might be ready (too hastily however) 

 to consider them all as one family, the relations of which are 

 not in reality distinguishable from each other. 



M. Arago, in his Popular Lectures on Astronomy, appears 

 favourably to view, what is termed the lunar theory, as best 

 adapted to account for the similarity chemically existing between 

 meteorites and our own earth. 



The Kev. Baden Powell, who has studied this question very 



* The planetoids Ceres, Pallas, Vesta and Juno vary from 3\ years to 

 4^ in their revolution round the sun ; Mars takes nearly two years. 



