410 On the Meteors of 13th November. 
at Harvard, was an interesting meteorological fact, and may have had 
a strict connexion with the meteors, a connexion which may be more 
fully developed when the cause of meteors shall be better understood- 
The luminous appearances in the west following twilight, are also re- 
markable. ‘The same appearance has been exhibited as late as the 
evening of December 29th, in a form much more imposing than on 
either of the preceding occasions. It was observed immediately 
after the twilight, (which ended at eighteen minutes after six,) and last- 
ed until fifteen minutes before eight. It illuminated all the western 
sky and strongly resembled the twilight, being brighter than the zo- 
diacal light, not lenticular like that, and not extending along the 
Zodiac, but having its apex in a vertical circle near Alpha Pegasi. 
Ridges of dark clouds, (cumulo-stratus) with intervals of clear sky, 
contributed to heighten the effect by contrast; and higher than these, 
was a thin vapor that became visible as it crossed Jupiter, which was 
near the meridian, being illuminated in a circular space around the 
planet, and presenting much the same appearance as the light in the 
west, a circumstance which led to the conjecture that the latter was ow- 
ing to the same vapor elevated so high as to fall into the sun’s light, after 
the ordinary cause of twilight biel ceased to operate. The vapor 
was so thin as hardly to diminish the light of Jupiter. Was this va- 
por such as remained from the combustion of the meteors? 
An aurora borealis of moderate height was visible in the north at the 
same time, and faded away simultaneously with the western aurora. 
12. It has been thought an object of so much importance, to present 
a full view of the facts which have reached us, as noticed by a great 
number of intelligent and accurate observers in various parts of our 
wide country, and the neighboring parts of the ocean, that we have 
already, through the indulgence of the Editor, been permitted to 
swell this number of the Journal beyond its ordinary dimensions ; 
although we have not yet entered upon the two last heads proposed, 
namely, to give a historical sketch of the same phenomenon as it has 
appeared before at different times, and, finally, with the whole body 
of facts before us, to inquire what explanation, if any, can be given 
of them. ‘These topics must be reserved for the next number of the 
Journal. 
At least four hypotheses proposing to account for the facts in ques- 
tion, are already before the public. Electricity, Magnetism, the Com- 
bustion of Hydrogen Gas, or of some of its compounds, and Terrestrial 
Comets, have severally been made the basis of explanations. Whether 
