SHOOTING STARS. '2'']^ 



from the dense and powerful masses of the 'planets. The giant 

 planet Jupiter is, we know, especially guilty in this respect, and it 

 is a well-remembered fact in astronomical history that Lexell's 

 periodical comet of 1770 was so much brought under his influence, 

 that the orbit was changed entirely, and the comet thereafter 

 pursued a new path in space. And in calculations of the returns 

 of certain periodical comets, it is found necessary to make 

 allowances for the effects of these planetary perturbations. Hence 

 the earth must exercise great influence upon the swarms of meteor 

 rings which she annually encounters, but as to the precise extent 

 or result of this influence little is at present known, because meteoric 

 astronomy is new and we are only just beginning to unravel its 

 vast and complicated nature. It is premature to speculate in the 

 present state of our knowledge, and equally certain is it that we 

 should be careful in adopting theories which are not most clearly 

 and ampl} substantiated by facts, and founded on the analogies and 

 laws of astronomy. There are some who believe that meteor 

 showers are of one kind and result from one and the same thing, 

 but that is going too far, and seems to profess a knowledge that 

 we have not nearly acquired of the vast mechanism of comet 

 strewn space. 



There is a great variety in celestial objects as to appearances, 

 motions, and magnitudes. There is a charming diversity throughout 

 the whole range of the solar system. May not, therefore, these 

 systems of shooting stars, admittedly vast in number and extent, 

 display the same variety to a large degree ? For the present we 

 must go on storing up the facts that shall ultimately bring about 

 a full solution of the question. This branch of enquiry is eminently 

 suited to the amateur. No costly and elaborate instruments, no 

 well-equipped observatory are required to enable him to pursue it 

 with advantage. But the one thing necessary herein to success is 

 patience, and of that he must have a large store, or he will never get 

 through long winter nights watching and waiting, and sometimes 

 seeing very little indeed to reward his vigils. What I have lately 



