2yS SHOOTING STARS. 



parent system. It has been calculated that a body ejected from the 

 earth with a velocity of six miles a second would not return, and 

 it is quite possible that meteoric fragments were formerly part of 

 the earth's material. It is a point strongly suggestive of connection 

 between planets and comets (which we may regard as simply a 

 vast assemblage of meteors) that Uranus and Jupiter each have 

 their families of periodical comets connecting as it were their orbits 

 with the sun. And in some of these numerous and probably 

 repeating and long-continued meteor showers, we may have 

 indication of terrestrial comets. 



In the apparitions of the zodiacal light, so clearly seen in the 

 evenings of March and mornings of October, we have further 

 evidence of the existence of a vast arrangement of scattered meteor 

 systems connecting, perhaps, the earth with the sun. This is 

 rendered extremely probable by the inferences we may put upon 

 observed facts, but as yet there is a good deal of mystery to shroud 

 it all. The veil of our incomplete knowledge keeps the clear 

 picture from our eyes, so that we can only comprehend it dimly, 

 for we contemplate it from afar off and through the clouds of 

 obscurity. Many years of watching will enable us to draw nearer 

 to this picture, to see it with a clearer view and perhaps to trace 

 out the harmonious blending and working of the details. In the 

 meantime we must continue to store up facts. There is a rich 

 harvest here to be gathered in, yet how scanty are the labourers 

 and how soon wearied they become ! The cold and solitary 

 stillness of night, though it has charms, attracts but. few, yet there 

 is no lack of help in convenient hours and seasons when the work 

 is pleasant and brief ! What we want is more self-denial, more 

 genuine workers — men of untiring energy who will put personal 

 comforts entirely on one side, and set themselves resolutely to 

 overcome all obstacles to the desired end. These are the real 

 astronomers, and it is fortunate for our science that there have been 

 many such since the times of Galileo and Kepler. The success 

 and extent of their labours stand the monuments of their zeal. 



