Meteorology. 205 



The apparent distance of this phenomenon would, by a sea- 

 man, be estimated at fifteen or twenty miles, and if it really was 

 what I have always considered it, namely, a nocturnal shower 

 of meteoric stones, it was perhaps fortunate for all on board we 

 were net within the sphere of its action ; whatever it was, never 

 shall I forget the splendour of the spectacle. — I remam, ^c. 



Tho. Bagnold. 



See Humboldt's Personal Narrative, Vol. III., p. 331, 335. 



9. Earthquakes. — A very violent shock of an earthquake 

 happened at Corfu on the 11th of Se'ptember last, and in an 

 instant set the bells of the churches ringing. The time was 

 nine in the evening ; the moon shone very bright, and the air 

 was quite serene. Earthquakes here are generally ascribed to 

 eruptions of Vesuvius or Etna. 



A strong earthquake also occurred at Comrie in Perthshire, 

 about half-past one o'clock in the morning of November 

 23th. It was more powerful than any that has happened there 

 for the last ten years. It continued for nearly ten seconds, 

 with the usual hollow grumbling noise, and whilst passing im- 

 mediately under the place, very much disturbed the timber of 

 the houses, and the moveable things in them. It extended 

 several miles round the village, and appeared to commence in 

 the north-west, and pass in a south-easterly direction. 



A slight shock of an earthquake was felt at Montreal, pre- 

 ceding an awful storm which occurred there about the middle 

 of November last, and rain fell of an inky colour and appa- 

 rently impregnated with a matter like soot. 



About half-past seven o'clock in the evening of December 

 4th, a smart shock of an earthquake was felt at Amulree, in 

 Scotland. It lasted two or three seconds. Its direction was 

 by the Grampian hills eastward. Houses and furniture shook, 

 and the whole went away with a noise like the s|ow passing 

 of carts'. 



