15 
induction coil, Mr. Cumminc expressed dissent from the theories 
on Aurora, advanced at the last meeting by R. SHawe. He 
considered Aurora as caused by the passing through rarified air of 
a spark analogous to that utilized in the secondary coil of the 
machine. ‘This he illustrated by vacuum tubes. 
Attended by 65 members of the College. 
MEETING HELD NOVEMBER r1th. 
The following were exhibited :—Plants and Diagrams, by H. 
S. Skipron ; Semi-petrified Eyes, taken from the heads of dead 
Indians in a Cemetery in Panama, by W. F. WELLs. 
The November Meteors were discussed by W. Hinp. After 
refuting some false theories, he proceeded as follows :— 
‘* The generally received theory of the present day, which satisfies all the 
phenomena which these bodies present, is that they are small masses of cosmical 
matter circulating about the sun, tiny little planets in fact, coming at times 
within the earth’s atmosphere, and sometimes falling to the earth in the form 
of those mysterious half-metallic half stony little masses which we call 
aérolites. But if they be mere lumps of metal, why do they shine out with 
such brilliancy? Are they always in a burning state or do they only take fire 
when they come within our atmosphere? The latter is undoubtedly the case. 
The earth’s atmosphere is the cause of their inflammation ; it would seem at 
first as if this combustion had a chemical origin, and that the meteors were 
composed of some highly inflammable matter, which is ignited by combination 
with our atmosphere. But such an idea seems now no longer necessary: we 
can amply account for it by the mechanical theory of heat, according to which 
that ignition is a consequence of the immense resistance which these bodies 
meet with on entering our atmosphere, and the enormous friction and heat 
produced thereby. 
‘*It seems anomalous that so soft a body as the air should offer such immense 
resistance to the meteors, but we must remember that the resistance is also 
proportional to the speed with which they travel, and when we remember that 
the average velocity of the meteors is 30 miles in one second, a speed beyond 
human conception, the anomaly vanishes, 
** Question begets question when we cross-examine inexhaustible Nature, and 
we ask the character and composition of these celestial fireworks. By analyzing 
their light by means of the spectroscope, we find that the burning matter is of 
a metallic or earthy nature, that in their composition they are closely connected 
with the common aérolites ; and, a striking fact, no substance foreign to our 
earth has been fonnd to exist in any aérolites or meteoric bodies. Such a fact 
points to a unity of composition in some at least of the members of our planetary 
system, and favours the supposition of a common origin to all that family of 
bodies of which the sun is the grand centre and chief. 
‘*It is well known that there are certain nights in the year famous for their 
display of shooting stars; the most famous being August 10, when, according 
to the Irish legend, St. Lawrence sheds his fiery tears ; and Noy. 11 and 14. 
A careful examination of the meteoric lists shews that although some shower 
has taken place every year, yet there are certain years when the display reaches 
an extraordinary magnitude and the meteors appear in stupendous numbers. 
The years recorded are 902, 934, 1002, 1202, 1366, 1533, 1602, 1793, 1832. 
Now, it will become evident, on examination of this account, that grand 
November displays take place 3 times a century, or about every 33 years; and 
now we come to the question, why is it that these showers occur on certain 
