Shooting Stars of December 6 and 7, 1838. 357 
and in a few instances from other parts of the heavens. A few 
left trails of light, but the most of them did not. The greatest 
number was seen between 8 o’clock and 12, after which compar- 
atively few were observed.’ Capt. D. informed me that he must 
have noticed as many as two hundred, during the four hours 
above mentioned. His testimony is worthy of entire confidence.” 
None of the observers, whose statements are cited above, were 
apprised (so far as I can learn) that any thing unusual was expect- 
ed to occur at the time. On this account, their testimony will 
perhaps by some be considered more satisfactory. It is to be re- 
gretted that the observers did not notice, with more attention, the 
region of the heavens from which the meteors appeared to radiate. 
In regard to the question of the annual occurrence in December 
of an uncommonly large number of meteors, I annex the follow- 
ing extracts. 'The evidence which they contain is quite indefi- 
hite, and each one may allow them what importance he pleases. 
(1.) “The meteors called Falling-stars were much more fre- 
quent during this winter than we ever before saw them, and par- 
ticularly during the month of December,” [1824, at Port Bowen, 
N. lat. 70° 20’; W. lon. 80° 40]. Then follows a particular ac- 
count of several meteors observed on the 8th, 9th, 12th, and 14th 
December. Compend of the Journals of Capt. Parry’s Three 
potas to the Arctic Seas, (5 vols. 18mo, Lond. 1828, ) vol. 5, p. 
9, & 
, &e, 
(2.) M. J. Milbert, in chap. 3, of his Voyage Piitoresque a ['Ile 
de France, etc. (Paris, 1812, 8vo,) gives a sketch of the meteor- 
Slogy of that island, (S. lat. 20°; E. lon. 57° 30’.) In his ac- 
count of the character of the month of December, he states that 
this season is the time in which luminous meteors are seen trav- 
etsing the heavens.* It cannot be determined whether his state- 
ment refers to any particular part of the month. 
(3.) “During the severe concussions [of the earthquake] of the 
4th and 5th, [December, 1809, at the Cape of Good Hope, | the 
Watches and clocks lost a good deal of time, a fire-ball was ob- 
—___ 
** Cette saison brdlante est celle aussi ou les méteéores brillent dans le ciel et se 
Présentent quelquefoi un énorme globe de feu ou comme une longue fusée 
{Ui traverse lentement l’espace, jetant une lumiére trés vive ; d'autres fois ils pro- 
duisent une détonation aussi forte qu’un coup de canon; il n'est pas rare de voir 
paraitre tout-’-coup dans le ciel ces jets de lumiére qui, parfois, se divisent aprés 
Vexplosion, en laissant une trainée blanchatre qui forme un léger nuage, et bient6t 
ui se perd dans l'espace.” Tome 2, p. 83 
