On the Meteors of 13th November. 373 
appear to descend and to strike into the earth. The usual theory of 
the inflammable gases, which have been generally supposed to ac- 
count for these meteors, does not appear to explain the phenomena. 
If we admit that the gases are generated and diffused sufficiently to 
kindle up the whole heavens with light, the combustion of them would 
not present those innumerable distinct sparks, which shot from the re 
gion of the zenith, with such perfect Sevoney of direction. This 
last circumstance was in fact, the most remarkable point, in the 
whole phenomenon, so far as it was seen by ce writer. ‘To him, it 
caps to resemble a constant succession of vivid, electrical or m 
netic sparks, presenting all the peculiar colors seen in the besutitid 
experiments upon those fluids, or perhaps more accurately, that fluid 
to which magnetism and electricity are attributed. It is believed, 
the appearances in question, were owing toa sudd atmospherie 
change, which took place, on the evening of the day previous. ‘The 
weather had been unusually warm, during the morning of Tuesday ; 
but in the evening, it was cold, and even keenly so, while the stars 
were shooting, as also, for the whole of the following morning. A 
strong wind prevailed at Annapolis, for the greater part of Tuesday, 
and also, during the middle of the day following; but at the time of 
the meteors, the air was tranquil. ‘The wind on Tuesday, blew from 
the south, at first, but veered suddenly and for the rest of the day, 
was quite fresh from the northwest; and on Wednesday it blew 
nearly as strong, but not so cold, from the south. The sky was un- 
clouded, and the general state of the atmosphere was such as usually 
accompanies the appearance of the Northern Lights.” (Annapolis 
Republican.) 
5. Phenomena as observed at Emmittsburg, Maryland, (Lat. 39° 
40’ N., Long. 77° 10’ W,,) by W. E. Arxin, M. D., Professor of . 
Chemistry and Natural Philosophy in Mount St. Mary’s College, 
(from a Maryland paper.) 
** My attention was called to the heavens about half past four in the 
morning, to observe an unusual number of the meteors known gene- 
rally as shooting stars, that were then visible. From the number 
constantly in sight, and from the frequency and splendor of their 
corruscation, the scene was altogether brilliant beyond conception. 
Instead of the usual intermediate course of such meteors, these de- 
scribed paths in the direction of radii diverging froma central space. 
This point was in the neck of Leo, near the star Gamma of that con- 
ppg and at the hour of half past five, a little to the south and 
€as the zenith. It was of no great extent, not longer perhaps 
that a es ten degrees in diameter, without accurately defined out- 
lines, but perfectly clear. From this center as a radiating point, pro- 
ceeded the meteors in numbers exceeding the visible stars, and in in- 
tensity of light often rivalling the rays of the full moon. All did not 
