Meteoric Shower of November, 1838. 369 
that the exhibition was so remarkable as tobe properly denomi- 
nated a “meteoric shower.” I find, however, that some of my 
friends and correspondents abroad were more fortunate. The 
most decisive communications which I have seen on this subject, 
are from Professor A. C. Twining of Middlebury College, Ver- 
mont, and from Mr. E. Fitch, Professor of Mathematic$.in the 
United States moh who wus then on a cruise in the Gait of 
Mexico. 
According to the statements of a Twining;: published 
in a Middlebury paper, a vigilant watch was maintained by him- 
self and nine of his pupils, from the 10th to the 15th of Novem- 
ber. The results of their observations were as follows : 
Nov. 10.—From 3 to 6 A. M., the whole number of shooting stars 
observed was 70, of which 40 were from the constellation Leo, 
within the bend of the sickle. Hight were attended with trains. 
The observations on the two following mornings presented noth- 
ing differing much from those of the 10th. The night of the 
13th was cloudy, and no observations could be obtained. . : 
Nov. 14th.—The morning Was mostly clear from 4 to 6 ota. 
which was the period of observation. The phenomena differed 
remarkably from those of the preceding mornings, both as respects 
the number of falling stars, and their appearance. A large portion 
of the whole were attended by trains. ‘The number was more 
than three times as great as- on either of the previous mornings, 
being at the rate of 105 per hour. -One meteor of remarkable size 
and splendor, shot from the common radiant, to the Great Bear, 
where it exploded, leaving a bright streak about two degrees feng, 
which turned slowly to a-vertical position, then expanded into 
a cloud which continued visible nine minutes, and moved ina 
westerly and descending direction about seven degrees before it 
Pate invisible. 'The flash of this meteor was seen by observ- 
ers looking i in the opposite direction, to illuminate the earth’s sur- 
face like a faint flash of lightning. The spot where the explosion 
took place, was in Right Ascension 182°, and Declination 463°. 
Of all the meteors observed on this occasion, nine out of ten had 
their courses in a direction from a common radiant, situated i in the 
upper part of the bend of the sickle 'in Leo. - 
On the morning ofthe 15th, shooting stars were e very aineus 
: but. less so, on an average, ‘hina on the preceding morning, and 
far less regular with regard to a common rcs or radiant. 
Vou. et —No. 2. 
