374 On the Meteors of 13th November. 
originate in the immediate vicinity of the center: more became first 
visible, between that and the horizon; but all proceeded in_ nearly 
regularly radiating lines. None were visible for more than a few sec- 
onds, although their luminous trains remained sometimes much longer. 
These trains were straight lines of light, except upon a few occa- 
sions they appeared tortuous. All the meteors were not equally bril- 
liant, varying from points and lines barely perceptible, to broad flash- 
es of light, sufficient to cause. distinct and well defined shadows. 
No noise of any kind accompanied them, that I could distinguish, 
nor - I observe any thing like scintillations, as indicating ex- 
ie It ad be difficult for one who had not witnessed the grand ex- 
hibition, to conceive the effect of this uninterrupted succession of in- 
numerable meteors, proceeding froma point so nearly vertical to- 
wards the whole circumference of the horizon, and this too during 
the stillness of night, and with an atmosphere perfectly transparent. 
It could only be compared to one grand and continued discharge of 
re works, occupying the whole visible heavens. It is difficult to say 
how long these appearances lasted. ey were first observed by a 
gentleman of the college about 3, A. M. and from that time till the 
light of approaching day overpowered their own, they continued with- 
out intermission.—The most light was observable at the instant pre- 
ceeding their complete extinction; then they seemed to blaze out, as 
as it were, and vanish ,—generally disappearing before reaching the 
horizon, though occasionally seen sinking beneath it with undiminish- 
ed splendor. ‘Their light was peculiar, but las to what has hereto- 
fore been noticed on analogous occasions—white, with a tinge of blue, 
comparable to nothing more nearly than that of the flame of burning 
zinc. A good refracting telescope, directed to the center whence 
the radii diverged, discovered nothing peculiar. While directing the 
glass to other points, many of the meteors darted across the field of 
vision ; but their relative motion over so small a space was too rapid 
to admit of satisfactory examination. If any thing could be inferred 
from their apparently increased size and light, as seen in such a hur- 
ried manner, it would be their probable proximity. In reference to 
the nature of these luminous bodies, it was the prevailing ope of 
those who witnessed them that they were solid masses. All writers on 
the subject have appeared willing to admit a difference, anal that 
difference is difficult to prove, between solid meteorites which at dif- 
ferent times have fallen from the heavens, and those appearances 
petite as shooting stars, visible every night in the year. It appears 
me most probable, since probabilities only are attainable on this 
askjoes, that this difference is real, and that there may sometimes oc- 
cur in the upper regions of the ‘atmosphere, what. we know takes 
place nearer the surface of the earth—the production and ignition of 
gaseous matter. If it is objected that we are ignorant of any gas 
