172 Misceilanies. 
trains Vanished as‘soon as the meteors which they followed, but in some 
cases they remained for one or two seconds, and were occasionally 15° 
or 20° long. The velocity of those meteors which were conformable was 
much less than that of those meteors which were unconformable, and 
much. less also than that of those which are commonly seen. hose. 
whose course was longest were visible from one and a half to two seconds. 
The color of these meteors was remarkably uniform, and was a reddish 
yellow, or flame color. In some cases the train was of a deeper ool 
than its attendant meteor.” 
No facts concerning the appearance of this meteoric shower have yet 
been received from abroad. If the weather was favorable, observations 
were doubtless made in many parts of Europe. Especially may we expect 
a full report from M. Quetelet, of Brussels, who has done. more than any 
one in Europe towards directing public attention to the eps of the 
occurrence of ‘a meteoric shower in August. 
= Remarks on the neues: statements. 
Before we can determine whether the exhibition of lat files ; 
unusual, it is necessary to know the average number of shoc 
visible at other times. Numerous observations made in conjunc 
my fellow-laborer, Mr. A. B. Haile, and occasionally with ot 
furnish some materials for the detenninstin of this qui 
were made chiefly in the fall, winter and spring months, b 
beg probably apply without sauch error to the summer season. — ord- 
to these observations, if the light of the sun and moon be absent, the 
eas. number of meteors visible at the most abundant season of the 
night, viz. from 3 to 6 A. M., is about fifty per hour; and from 6 to 10 
P.M. about twenty five ‘per: hour. Of these a single observer would 
probably detect one fourth or one fifth part. Much difference however 
exists in the fertility of the different quarters of the sky at different hours, 
ing stars 
with 
and many more observations must be made, before exact data on this part 
of the subject can be obtained. In the present state of our knowledge 
it seems not improper to multiply by four, the number seen by an indi- 
vidual, in order to obtain the whole number visible at the place during 
the period-of his observation. What proportion of these meteors is con- 
cealed by the light of the, moon at its different stages, cannot be fixed with 
minute accuracy. If we assume, that in the present instance one half 
were rendered invisible by the moonlight, it will doubtless be considered 
a liberal allowance. Looking at the foregoing accounts with these pril- 
ciples in view, it is evident that the number of meteors seen in this country 
about the 108 of August, 1838, was from three to eight times beyond the 
r To specify a single instance ;—Mr. T. R. Dutton, near Sa- 
between 3h. and and 4h. A. M. of the 11th, fifty five meteors. 
