Dr. Reynolds on Meteors. 271 
is doubtless owing to the conflict sustained at the moment of ex- 
Plosion ; their difference in size depends on the difference of 
magnitude in the disploding volumes ; something. like regular 
‘rangement is frequently perceived in the structure of these 
stones, because. in all productions of solid from fluid matter; 
the consolidating particles. possess a tendency. to arrange them- 
‘elves in the order of their affinities. It is: thus the-various 
“rangements in saline crystallization, the freezing of water; 
and cooling of melted metals, may be accounted for.. There is 
4 real, as well as-an apparent difference in the velocity: of mes 
teorie bodies; the first arising from their difference of magni-+ 
tude and‘the violence of the explosion, as wellias. from the né- 
sistance they meet ;- the latter, from. the different distances»at 
which they are seen. The gradation. of color, froma bright 
silvery hue toa dusky red; is owing, im a certain degree, to the 
state of the atmosphere. refracting different. colored rays, and 
also to the materials-in- the compound, similar to. the different 
hues in ‘artificial fireworks.. Reddish. and: white nebicula are 
“onletimes left in the. tracks of ‘meteors, which are» nothing but 
‘Suited vapors, or the particles: brushed off the burning. body 
_the resisting atmosphere. The velocity-or motion and | dix 
"ection “of tMieteors, depend’ upon principles well known and 
daily practised by engineers, and:the constructors. of fireworks. 
The immediate cause of these explosions is a little obscure, 
= Merits a fuller detail than is compatible with my present 
le ‘8; their analogy to the electric phenomena in the closes 
4Ves room to Suppose they are effected by certain modifica- 
