OF A METEORIC STONE. 321 



We now proceed to detail the consequences which fol- 

 lowed the explosion and apparent extinction of this lumi- 

 nary. 



We allude to the fall of a number' of masses of stone in 

 several places, within the town of Weston, and on the con- 

 fines of adjoining towns*. The places which had been well 

 ascertained, at the period of our investigation, were six. The 

 most remote were about 9 or 10 miles distant from each other, 

 in a line differing little from the course of the meteor. It is 

 therefore probable that the masses tell in this order — the most 

 northerly first, and the most southerly last. We think we 

 are able to point out three principal places where stones have 

 fallen, corresponding with the three loud cannon-like reports, 

 and with the three leaps of the meteor, observed by Mr. 

 Staples. 1'h ere were some circumstances common to all 

 the cases. There, was in every instance, immediately after 

 the explosions had ceased, a loud, whizzing or roaring noise in 

 the air, observed at all the places, and so far as was ascer- 

 tained, at the moment of the fall. It excited in some, the 

 idea of a tornado; in others, of a large cannon-shot, in rapid 

 motion, and it filled all with astonishment and apprehension 

 of some impending catastrophe. In every instance, immedi- 

 ately after this, was beard a sudden and abrupt noise, like that 

 of a ponderous body striking the ground in its fall. Except- 

 ing two, all the stones which have been found were more or 

 less broken. The most important circumstances of the parti- 

 cular cases were as follows : 



1st. The most northerly fall was within the limits of the 

 town of Huntingdon on the border of Weston, about 40 or 50 

 rods east ot the great road leading from Bridgeport to New- 

 town, in a cross-road, and contiguous to the house of Mr. 

 Merwin Burr. Mr. Burr was standing in the road, in front 

 of his house*, when the stone fell. Ihe noise produced by 

 its collision with a rock of granite, on which it struck, was very 

 loud. Mr. Burr was within 50 feet, and searched immedi- 

 ately for the body, but, it being still dark, he did not find it 



* It may be necessary to remark that the" term town, is, in Connecticut, a territorial de- 

 signalion, meaning a given extent of ground, (anciently 6 miles square) and lias no necessary 

 ict'erence to a collection of houses. 



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