On the Meteors of 1 2th November, 1 833. • 161 



one of the results of that disturbance. This uncommon mildness 

 of weather, has pervaded a large portion of our country ; but we are 

 aware of the danger of ascribing loo much to a natural agent which 

 has taken possession of our minds, and would rather suggest this 

 last conclusion, in the form of a query deserving of farther attention, 

 than as a point fully established. If it should be found that the sea- 

 son in other latitudes has been colder than ordinary, it would strength- 

 en the supposition that both effects were due to the cause assigned.* 

 7. The Meteors, were combustible bodies, and were constituted of 

 light and transparent materials. 



(1.) The fact that they burned, is sufficient proof that they be- 

 longed to the class of combustible bodies ; but as this class is very 

 numerous, embracing various substances in each of the three king- 

 doms of nature, this fact alone is insufficient to decide upon their 

 specific constitution. 



(2.) They must have been composed of comparatively light ma- 

 terials, otherwise their momentum would have been sufficient to en- 

 able them to make their way through the atmosphere to the surface 

 of the earth. To compare great things with smal, we may liken 

 them to a wad discharged from a piece of artillery, its velocity being' 

 supposed to be increased to such a degree that it shall take fire, as 

 it moves through the air. Although it would force its way io a great 

 distance from the gun, yet if not consumed too soon, it would at 

 length be stopped by the resistance of the air. 



Although it is supposed, as already intimated, that the meteors did 

 in fact slightly disturb the atmospheric equilibrium, yet had they 

 been constituted of dense matter like meteoric stones, they would 



* A recent account of a shower of aerolites in Asia, exemplifies both the inten- 

 sity of heat and light produced by powerful condensation, and the sudden cold, (for a 

 dense fog is known to be owing to the influx of cold air,) that is occasioned by vol- 

 umes of air brought down by falling meteors. " Kandahor. — A heavy shower of 

 aerolites fell lately in this city; owing to the weight of the shower, the roofs of ma- 

 ny of the houses fell in, and others were perforated. Zelfekar Aly Khan, the son of 



Olimala, having (although forbidden by his parents) gone to the court-yard of their 

 house to gather some of these pebbles, which were very round and smooth, was kill- 

 ed by the fall of one of these fiery meteors, which struck him with such violence on 

 the head, as to fracture his skull in three places. The flash which accompanied 

 the stroke was so vivid, that it dazzled the eye of those sitting in the balcony of the 

 house. The stone was found to weigh three seers, and many of the stones weighed 

 upwards of two seers. This phenomenon was succeeded by so dense a fog, that the 

 rays of the sun could not be perceived for three days that it lasted/'— JV". F. Jour* 

 nal of Commerce. 



Vol. XXVI— No. 1. %l 



