1822.] Scientific Intelligence. 73 
noise resembling fire-works, or a battery of cannon at a distance. 
When it is extinguished, a small white cloud is seen in the same 
spot, which is quickly dissipated, and it falls upon the ground, 
sometimes, in large fragments, but more frequently in small quan- 
tities, and even single stones. In falling, the stone pierces the 
ound for a considerable distance, according to its size and hardness. 
At the time of its fall, it is hot, and gives out a sulphurous smell ; 
it is covered entirely with a black crust, without it has struck, in its 
fall, against a rock or very hard substance; then it flies into a 
thousand pieces, and shows no crust. : 
‘With these preliminary observations, persons the least instructed 
in meteorological phenomena, will be able to form an exact idea of 
the facts contained in the following account, of which the copy is 
duly certified. 
We, Mayor of the Commune of Juvinas, Canton d’Antraigues, 
Arrondissement de Privas, departement de 1’ Ardéche, report, that on 
the 15th of this present June, warned by a frightful noise, which was 
heard in our commune, and those which surround it: about three 
o'clock in the afternoon, we apprehended that some great and extra- 
ordinary event was about to effect a general destruction in nature, 
which obliged us successively to adopt regulations to satisfy us, that 
~ no one in our jurisdiction had been the victim of the phenomenon 
which at first appeared to be inexplicable. 
At length, after some days had elapsed, we were informed that a 
meteor, of which history furnishes no similar account, had burst upon 
the mountain de l’Oulétte, inthehamlet of Crosdu Libonez, forming a 
part of our commune; and, according to Delmas, who is seventy years 
of age, its appearance was preceded and announced by two strong 
explosions, occurring nearly together, resembling the discharges of 
two large cannons, and followed by a frightful noise, that con- 
tinued for more than twenty minutes, which spread alarm and con- 
sternation amongst the inhabitants, who believed they should be 
immediately swallowed up by some abyss ready to open under their 
feet: the flocks fled, and the goats and sheep collected in groupes. 
At the same time a black mass was seen coming from behind the 
mountain de |’Qulétte, describing, as it descended in the air, a quarter 
of acircle, and sinking into the hollow of the valley of Libonez. 
This remarkable circumstance was scarcely perceived by any but 
children, who, less alarmed than more competent persons would have 
been, followed the direction, and have since pointed out the exact 
spot where this mass was swallowed up. Delmas adds that he heard 
in the air a confusion of voices, which he thought were, at least, fiye 
hundred devils, and whom he considers as the agents that transported 
this alarming phenomenon: at the moment he said to Claude Vaisse 
one of his neighbours (who, like himself, was in the fields) “Do you 
hear; do you understand the language of all these people?” This 
person replicd frankly,—‘ I do not comprehend them;” but they 
were both persuaded that this mass was carried by infernal spirits. 
Delmas, for the latter reason, said to Vaisse, “ we have only time for 
one act of contrition,” cast his eyes on the ground, bowed his 
head, and tranquilly waited for death. Such was the consternation 
of all the witnesses of this terrible event that, according to their con- 
