Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 221 



determined by a series of observations. The variations in its inten- 

 sity probably depend on atmospheric changes only. Prof. Heis? 

 expressed his desire that further observations should be made, and 

 proposed, as a problem still requiring solution, the question whether 

 the jjhsenomena of zodiacal light observed at different stations are 

 not reallv different from each other. The phsenomenon may be alike 

 perceived in the evening and in the morning ; e. g. on February 3, 

 1856, when in the evening the light was very conspicuous in the 

 western part of the firmament, and ajipeared again, nine hours later, 

 in the eastern part ; its figure being an ellipse with a major axis of 

 116°, and a minor axis of 33°. It has not yet been possible to 

 observe the polarization of the zodiacal light on account of its feeble 

 intensity. 



Prof. Heiss pointed out the desirability of corresponding observa- 

 tions on the aurora borealis, especially for determining the distance 

 of these two peculiar lights. He himself had made the so-called 

 "rays" of the aurora borealis a particular subject of observation, 

 making use, for the grouping of the results, of diaphanous maps to 

 protect the eyes against the excessive intensity of the light. The 

 aurora borealis is known to be visible at great distances ; e. g. the 

 same phaenoraenon was observed by Prof. HeIss at Alx-la-Chapelle, 

 and by M. Schmidt at Naples. Although the last aurorse boreales 

 were very feeble, there Is no reason to su])pose a general diminution of 

 the phaenomenon, or the beginning of a period of periodical decrease. 

 Prof. HeIss has observed the phfenomenon of falling stars conti- 

 nuously since 1849, during the whole course of the year. The 

 results of his observations have been graphically represented on 

 wooden tables of a peculiar construction, and so jjlaced that they 

 exactly answer to the region of the firmament actually before the 

 eye of the observer. Falling stars observed at the same time at dif- 

 ferent places are not always Identical ; they may be distinguished 

 from each other by means of several geometrical constructions. 

 The Igneous globular meteor of February 3, 1846, was seen at places 

 very distant from each other. According to Prof. Heiss's observa- 

 tions, It took its origin at a vertical height of 30 German (about 

 150 English) miles above the St. Gothard, it progressed towards the 

 north of France and disappeared above Chalons, passing through a 

 distance of 54 German miles within the space of a few seconds. 

 Another igneous globe was seen in August 1856 at Brussels, Namur, 

 and other j)laces ; first apj)earlng at a height of 10 German miles 

 near Namur, and disappearing at a height of 3 German miles : its 

 real diameter was 300 Paris feet. 



Prof. HeIss expressed a wish that notice might be given him of 

 any phaenomena of this kind wherever sucli may have been observed, 

 and stated tliat his own observations on falling stars did not fall far 

 short of 9000. 



PROFESSOR SCIKENBEIN. 

 Wc have the satisfaction of recording, that the King of Bavaria has 

 presented a gold medal, accompanied by a prize of about 3500 francs 

 (£140), to M. Schocnbein for his investigations on ozonized oxygen. 



