116 REPORT—1850. 
from that paper and other sources, bearing on the physical characters of the 
meteor. [The numerals refer to those in Mr. Glaisher’s paper. ] 
(iii.) It had a train, besides which it threw off sparks literally. 
(xx.) Before disappearance it emitted numerous sparks from the end of 
the tail. 
(xxxv.) At first it was of the size of an ordinary meteor ; it increased as it 
went on. 
(xxxvi.) The tail was conical from the head, throwing out sparks before 
disappearance; it had a wavy motion. 
(xli.) Fireballs in profusion fell from the tail. 
(xliii.) It burst at alt. 30°, but did not disappear till it had descended to 
25°; at 2° or 3° above 30° it separated into six bodies, which spread very 
little laterally. 
Mr. Glaisher thinks (p. 271) from the violence of the report that it must 
have been the bursting of a solid body by expansion of an elastic fluid. Some 
fragments may probably have fallen near Biggleswade (Bedfordshire). It 
seems certain it must have come from regions beyond the influence of our 
vapours: this circumstance, its extreme velocity, and intensity of light, are 
more conformable to the nature of a solid than a gaseous body. 
One of the most remarkable observations is that of Mr. Hind, who says, 
(x.) “the appearance of its light was such, that in my idea no doubt can be 
entertained but that it was of electrical origin; it moved precisely in the 
direction in which the wind was blowing at the time.” 
No. 19.—At Oxford, Mrs. Baden Powell described the appearance as of a 
small globe advancing, and rapidly expanding by three or four successive 
jerks or bursts, at each burst remaining stationary for an instant, and thus 
forming successively larger globes—intensely bright and blue, all the while 
emitting a stream of sparks on each side, till the final globe was nearly as 
large as the moon, which dissipated into brilliant globules, shot off in all 
directions, and appearing to fall. It was compared by another person present 
to an umbrella pushed onwards, and alternately opened and shut rapidly. 
The subjoined sketch gives an idea of this peculiar appearance, it being 
understood that the globes here represented were in reality seen in succession. 
== sili, -“Ξ--Ξ- Ξ- 
= Hi HH 
See SSE Ξ 
».---τ 
This peculiarity bears a close resemblance to that represented in Mr. 
Wyatt’s engraving. Also in the accounts collected by Mr. Glaisher several 
of the observers allude to what was apparently the same appearance. Thus 
(xxvi.) “ A bar of light with sparks issuing on every side, advanced with 
a jerking motion.” : tit ae 
(vi.) After explosion it was followed by three globes in the same direction. 
