S72 Mr. E. Cooper's Observations of Shooting Stars 



excite the organ on the other side into action ? or if sent 

 through in the contrary direction, will it produce the same or 

 any effect on that organ ? Will it do so if the nerves pro- 

 ceeding to the organ or organs be tied ? and will it do so 

 after the animal has been so far exhausted by previous shocks 

 as to be unable to throw the organ into action in any, or in 

 a similar, degree of his own will ? 



1795. Such are some of the experiments which the con- 

 formation and relation of the electric organs of these fishes 

 suggest, as being rational in their performance, and promising 

 in anticipation. Others may not think of them as I do ; but 

 I can only say for myself, that were the means in my power, 

 they are the very first that I would make. 



Royal Institution, Nov. 9, 1838. 



LV. Observations of Shooting Stars made on the Night of 

 August 10, 1839. By Edward Cooper, Esq. 



To the Editors of the Philosophical Magazine and Journal. 

 Gentlemen, Birmingham, Aug. 31, 1839. 



"VrOUR insertion of my letter to Dr. Robinson last year, in 

 -*- the London and Edinburgh Philosophical Magazine, 

 giving an account of observations on shooting stars made on 

 the 10th of August at Geneva, induces me to trouble you 

 with the present communication. 



I was stationed at Brandsbury House, about three miles 

 N.W. of London, on the night of the last 10th of August, and 

 v/as assisted in my observations by two friends of mine, Messrs. 

 Jones and Fenton. We confined our range to the ViaLactea, 

 and expanse of sky to the north of it, as I had requested Sir 

 James South, and the Messrs. Gwielt of London, to direct 

 their attention to the south. During the preceding day the 

 wind was pretty "fresh from the S.W. and S.S.W. with 

 flying clouds. An almost perfect lull of wind and a clear 

 sky succeeded at about 7'', and continued till about l\^ 4.5™. 

 At about V2^ SO'" it was cloudy towards the N.W., and 2™ 

 or 3°^ later also towards N.E. At \2^ 50^ all was again 

 clear, and the stars appeared to be set on a perfectly black 

 ground. These favourable circumstances continued until 

 13'' 35"*, when the wind began to stir, and seemed northing a 

 little, and several clouds of dark hue rose from the N. and 

 N.E. horizon. These however partially passed away, but in 

 10™ more the N.W. horizon showed symptoms of spreading 

 a more formidable veil. This gradually extended itself^ with 

 occasional openings, over the entire heavens, till at 14'' \5^ all 

 was shut out, and after waiting some time witliout any change 



