Notice of several Meteors. 315 
tions of a more powerful nature, and having the same use, 
fou dD 
as, for instance, the roche ’a few of the French, usually 
called fire-stone ; a composition which is either used in 
lumps and put into shells with powder, or made into car- 
casses, or fire balls. We do not know of any imitation of 
the original Greek fire having been used in modern war- 
fare, but have no hesitation in believing, that naptha pre- 
pared as already stated would in many cases prove advan- 
tageous. It seems to be well calculated for close naval 
combat, if the object be to destroy the sails and rigging of 
anenemy’s ship. The rapidity and extent of its combus- 
tion, added to the circumstance of its peculiar properties, 
that of resisting the action of water in particular, contribute 
altogether to this opinion. . 
West-Point, Dec. 11th, 1822. 
Arr. XII.—METEORS.* 
Tue appearance of the Meteor, which in March 1822, 
passed over some of the northern states, brought to our 
recollection, some statements of similar events, which have 
been a good while on our files.. Perhaps we cannot offer 
Meteor in Ohio. 
Evctract of a letter from Dr.Henny Mannine, to the Editor, 
dated Youngstown Ohio, Jug. 9, 1819. 
A large meteor made its appearance on the evening of 
July 24th. I had a clear view of it at the time it exploded 
* This article was prepared for the June No. of this Journal 1822, but har 
been unavoidably postponed to this time, April 1823. 
