400 On the Meteors of 13th November. 
an hour and a hall, Capt. P. observed them. During that time they 
were seen only in the north-east, above the cloud, and the eye at first 
would take in nearly the whole space of their action, which extended 
6 or 7 points along the horizon, and about 45° in altitude above it; 
but towards the latter part of its obscuration, the space was more ex- 
tended, say 12 or 14 — we and a few degrees higher in 
altitude. During its whole period of obscuration, not one was seen 
an the west ; although Capt. P. Sooked particularly to this fact, and 
called the mate’s attention to it at the time. Capt. Parker distinetly 
remembers a radiant point in the N. E., from which all the courses 
were directed, some shooting horizontally, some vertically, and oth- 
ers at all inclinations between the two, but none upwards,—some shot 
towards the north, and some towards the east. This radiant at first 
held about 45° of altitude, but seemed to rise 5° or 10° in the pe- 
riod of his observation ; without, however, moving from the N. E. at 
all. ‘The meteors resembled common shooting stars, and were most- 
ly as minute in magnitude as the stars themselves,—ten or twelve, 
overt: would compare in size with the morning star. Some of the 
r moved over a space of 15° to 20°, and some of them seemed 
Stone igi not far from the point, and to go behind the 
cloud. All that descended Jow enough, passed behind the cloud,— 
not one between the cloud and the observer. Near to the radiant: 
the courses of some that were observed were very short—not more 
han 2° or 3°. All, both large and small, left a luminous trace, in 
which no prismatic colors were observed ; ‘and no one of the traces 
was observed to continue visible more than two seconds. The after- 
- noon of the preceding day had been squally, and wind variable; but 
at the time of observation there was light wind from 
_ At nearly half past four, Capt. Parker yielded the deck to his 
mate, who states that soon after he came on deck, the stars appeared 
passing over from the N. E. into the west. In the west their courses 
were very short, and they seemed “ just to let go their hold.” The 
ship was heading S. E. He continued on deck till eight o’clock, 
A. In the mean time, the meteors increased in number, and 
spread over the whole heavens, and were most brilliant about six 
o’clock. The sun rose at half-past six 
The ship Tennessee, Lat. 233° N., Lon. 82° W., was in view of 
the meteors on every side, from 4 to 60 ’clock, A. M. They seem- 
ed to follow the direction of the wind, which was E. 
Of all the observations, Capt. Parker’ s are the most definite and 
accurate. It follows as one consequence from them, that the radiant 
lay more to the north to his view than to ours; for at 3 o’clock, to 
him the Lion’s neck lay E. 5° N. and 45° high, while he observed 
the radiant at E.45° N. and 45° high. With his rgd St agrees 
pretty well the general observation made by the mate of the Ten- 
essee.” 
