On the Meteors of 13th November. 361 
avoid the conclusion, that this change was greatly concerned in the 
production of the recent meteors; and that ~— they must 
have had an ire ge — 
"Ths re tioy Pet 2k ak L p (Pee ke | 
to the lat of the magnetic needle. This is by far the most de- 
cisive argument; if I have committed no mistake as to the fact, and 
if the optical characteristics be considered as not opposed to an iden= 
tity of origin. 
There is, however, one important circumstanee that may be 
thought inconsistent with such an identity. Admit that in both cases 
the jets of light moved parallel to the magnetic needle when freely 
suspended, yet the aurora borealis proceeds from the north towards 
the zenith: whereas the meteors in the present case had a contrary 
direction.* The cause of this contrariety we may not indeed, be 
able to explain: but why should not electro-magnetic exhibitions in 
the heavens emanate from the south pole of the needle as well as the 
north? ‘The mystery is, rather, why the corruscations should not as 
often move from the zenith towards the horizon, as from the horizon 
towards the zenith. ‘The rarity of the former teres risen 
ought to lead us to expect some remarkable modifications 
phenomena when it does take place; since a peculiar oonbidaiion of 
circumstances is probably necessary to its production 
May we not then be permitted, on the principles of rational phi- 
losophy, to regard the splendid meteoric phenomenon which we 
have recently seen, as a mere modification of the aurora borea- 
lis: or rather, might it not be appropriately styled aurora austra- 
lis; and we can hesitate to regard it as an electro-magnetic phe- 
* Their apparent direction, if, as I suppose, they are influenced by electromag: 
fom ayn ie south. In an Lamgtaee 60°, the meteors were seen to rise above the ho- 
orth-east describe arcs more or Jess extended, falling to- 
— the south; after having followed the direction - the nn Very proba- 
to 
iar been unfavorably situated for determining this poi int. The same phenomenon 
was observed in the Gulf of Florida, by Mr. Ellicott, in Labrador and Greenland by 
the Moravian anleslonaries,, and? in esticosail by M. —s and the meteors ap- 
ar to have had l of these places. Whether the 
differences observed in these respects may not be eanliend by the great differences 
in the position of the needle i in countries so remote, I have not now the leisure for 
determining. 
Vor. XXV.—No. 2. 46 
