^58 



PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION E. 



sky was quite clear, excepting for a few fleecy clouds that were 

 thinly obscuring it in places, so that I knew it was not lightning, 

 or, at any rate, did not proceed from thunderclouds. After thet 

 first flash I saw nothing more of the kind, and rode on, concluding 

 that I must be mistaken in thinking it was not a shooting star, 

 as I could account for it in no other way. I had ridden at a walk 

 about 100 yards, got off my horse, and led it through a gate, 

 and was preparing to vault lightly and gracefully into the saddle, 

 when I was startled by an explosion which appeared to come from 

 some high and rough granite ranges and gorges that lay about 

 2 miles behind me. 



" The first report or explosion was followed by five or six 

 others, about as quickly as one could fire off a self -cocking revolver, 

 with a loud, vibrating, rushing noise running through the reports 

 and linking them together. I should think it was fully a minute 

 before the rushing sound and vibration died away. I am quite 

 positive it was not the falling of rocks and their echoes, as it was 

 a most distinct explosive detonating sound, and was totally dif- 

 ferent to the noise of the discharge of firearms, also there was no 

 white man in that direction for 200 miles. I've read of such 

 sounds being often heard in the Sierra Nevada mountains, but I 

 had no idea that any colonial hills were equal to such mysteries." 



Mr. William Russell, of the Sem.aphore, near Port Adelaide, a 

 student in meteorology, has sent me the following : — 



" According to promise, I herewith enclose a few extracts 

 having reference to meteors, which show that sometimes these 

 interesting visitors from space, when not seen, cause disturbances 

 which may be mistaken for ordinary earthquakes. 



" ' Snowtown, 28th August, 1888. — The heaviest shock of 

 earthquake ever experienced here was felt this morning at half- 

 past 3 o'clock. The shock lasted about 30 seconds. It was 

 accompanied with a very distinct rumbling sound.' 



" ' Red Hill (same date). — Residents were rudely startled from 

 their slumbers about half-past three this morning, when the whole 

 place suddenly became brilliantly illuminated, followed by a loud 

 crash similar to that of thunder, and causing considerable vibra- 

 tion to buildings, &c. The sky was perfectly clear.' ' Same place, 

 same date. — ' At twenty minutes past three this morning a very 

 brilliant meteor was seen to fall. After travelling some distance 

 it burst with a terrific report. The inhabitants were greatly 

 alarmed, as the explosion made the earth tremble.' " 



Later Mr. Russell received a letter from a friend, who described 

 the meteor of 28th August as the most gorgeous and beautiful 

 spectacle he had ever witnessed. He said — " I was going home 

 from the ofl&ce with a friend, and was walking down Flinders- 

 street, when what seemed to be a flash of light, or rather the 

 reflection of one, attracted our attention to our left. We both 

 turned, and then saw a magnificent meteor steering away towards 



