370 Meteoric Shower of November, 1838. 
By aletter from Professor Fitch, dated from the Gulf of Mexico, 
I learn that he watched for shooting stars on the morning of the 
13th November, but considered the number and size of such as 
- fell, as not above the average in that latitude. On the morning 
of the 14th, from 3 to 4, he counted 40 shooting stars ; and from 
4 to 5, he counted 45. .He thinks the number obscured by 
clouds: ‘probably one fourth of the whole. The point of radiation 
. E. of gamma Leonis. It will be seen that these state- 
ments agree remarkably well with those of Professor Twining, al- 
though probably the numbers reported by Mr. Fitch ought to be 
considerably increased, in eee of there being at that 
station but a single observer. 
The unusual frequency of the aeenns seen on this: occasion ; 
the | precision with which they conformed in their courses to what 
re been observed at the same date; the occasional 
brillianey-of 1 individual meteors ; the number and brightness of 
the attendant trains; and the ri of the morning when the 
display reached its maximum ; these circumstances afford, in con- 
nexion, conclusive evidence of the identity of this exhibition with 
those heretofore observed on this anniversary, although, according 
to anticipations expressed several times in this Journal, the phe- 
nomenon is repeated on a constantly diminishing scale, 
As several of the most eminent astronomers of Europe, are now 
occupying themselves with the “ ‘Theory of Shooting Stars,” 
(which some of our own astronomers have supposed beneath their 
sce we may hope that, before long, the difficulties which 
1 the e2 ion of the “origin of shooting stars” will be 
y removed, and we shall know whether to regard them 
as atmospheric concretions, or as visitants from another sphere. — 
P. S.— Extract of a Letter from Mr. Witxu1s-Gariorp, dated Otisco, New York 
Nov. 22, 1838.—A brilliant. flight of meteors was seen from this place on the 
morning of the 14th instant. The nights of the 12th and 13th were cloudy, ren- 
rence. Of meteors a few minutes before 6 o’clock; and from that time until the 
moon and the opening =a caused their disappearance, there was an almost contin- 
ued succession of them. I have never, at any time, seen so many, in so small a 
space of time, except in the great meteoric shower of November, a few years since. 
The point of radiation was a few degrees 8. E. of the zenith, and every meteor. 
the same direction, viz..southeast. The trains of some were eattaat but’in ger- 
sib her they’ disappeared quickly, though some — their flight across @ lactase 
e heay 
r 
