McCliine.] 356 [November. 



The following communication was read from Prof. James 

 McClime, reporting his observations on the meteors of the 

 4th inst., made at the High School Observatory in this citv. 



Meteors of the \ith of Novemher, 1867. 



The meteors were observed by myself and assistants, from one 

 o'clock until six o'clock, a.m., with the following results: 



12 meteors were observed between one and two o'clock. 



78 ^' " " between two and three " 



864 '' '' '' between three and four " 



2110 " " '' between four and five " 



480 '* " " between five and six " 



Whole number three thousand and forty-four. 



Maximum of frequency, 28 to 29 minutes past four o'clock, wheo 

 seventy-three were counted. Almost all of them appeared to radiate 

 from a point near to Gamma Leonis, though some were observed in 

 other constellations. 



We succeeded in tracing the course of several of them on a map, 

 and of noting the period of duration of a few. This in no instance 

 exceeded ten seconds. In most instances, the most brilliant disap- 

 peared in less than five seconds. 



The greater part of the brightest exhibited an orange tinge just 

 before disappearing, while a few assumed a greenish hoe. 



The line of light which they described in their course disappeared 

 gradually rather than instantaneously, as is the case with the trace 

 made by the ordinary -'shooting stars." 



A large number took a southeasterly direction; but the greater 

 portion of the brightest appeared to take a north, or northwesterly 

 course. 



The strong light of the moon prevented many from being seen, 

 and I have no doubt that we could have counted as many between 

 three and four o'clock, as we did between five and six, if the point 

 of radiation had been as far above the horizon, and the moon as far 

 distant from that point. 



The course of a comparatively small number was serpentine, while 

 three or four described a curve approaching a spiral form. 



Does not the appearance of these meteors prove, that they are 

 bodies revolving around the sun, and appearing in the greatest 

 number, at least in America, after an interval of thirf t/-f our years f 



