ET 
< Meteoric Observations. = 327 
source or other circumstance which could lead to a generalization. 
The observations made at the same season of the year in other 
places: have ‘appeared to indicate a remote*connexion with the 
constellation Leo. I find on looking with this view at my obser- 
vations that a larger number of meteors emanated from this part 
of the heavens than any other, although the constellation Leo is 
so large that this fact will ‘hardly lead to any inference. But | 
what particularly struck me was the’ fact that so large a pro- 
portion of the meteors radiated to Leo. I find that the direc- 
tions of more than two thirds, if traced back, converge to this 
part of the ecliptic. It is but fair to remark, however, that the 
remainder are exceedingly anomalous and deviate widely from 
the mark. It is-a point to be carefully taken notice of by future 
observers, whether there be any general radiating point, whether it , 
is fixed if there be.one, in regard to the horizon, as it would be if 
a 
- connected with the feathis magnetic axis, or whether it partakes 
of the apparent diurnal motion of the stars: and especially whether 
it be the same at all seasons of the year. The connexion in so 
great a proportion of cases between the November meteors and 
the constellation Leo, has suggested the idea that the meteors 
have only an apparent motion; for the earth itself, at that time 
moving towards Leo,. would give every foreign body which it 
should meet the -appearance of coming from Leo. If a cloud 
of nebulous matter beset the. path of the earth so as to be trav- 
ersed by it, the denser parts might be condensed into different 
nuclei and the earth’s atmosphere grinding by them might possi- 
bly set them on fire. 'The appearances under such circumstances 
would resemble those actually witnessed in a great number of 
instances, and we should. also be able to account for the great 
ance of meteors seen two. hotirs-beforé sunrise ; as at that 
ime e Ives a are facing the point to which the einttir ¢ is mov- 
ing, and , must take directly into the atmosphere around us the 
encountered cloud. ‘Till midnight we should have the earth be- 
tween us and the vapor, and could only see the small quantity 
that escaped, being taken up in front and passed off at the sides 
of the earth. If every one of the observations made at Cambridge 
had indicated one radiating point without any exception, I should 
not consider them alone as sufficient foundation for any theory. 
As it is, what I have said will only bear to be thrown out.asa 
Suggestion, and will serve to fix attention more strongly on this 
part of the subject. It is desirable that observers at other seasons 
