Meteors. 105 



CHAP. VII. 



Of the Meteors. 



WE have seen that the atmosphere is 

 a vast laboratory, in which nature ope- 

 rates immense analyses, solutions, preci- 

 pitations, and combinations ; it is a grand 

 receiver, in which all the attenuated, vo- 

 latilized productions of terrestrial bodies 

 are received, mingled, agitated, combined 

 and separated. Considered in this view, 

 the atmospheric air is a chaos, an inde- 

 terminate mixture of mineral, vegetable, 

 and animal effluvia, which the electric 

 fluid is pervading and traversing contin- 

 ually. The grand changes it experiences, 

 and of which we are sensible in ex- 

 tensive spaces by the appearance of wa- 

 ter, light, or noise, are called meteors* 

 As the state of the atmosphere is ever 

 varying, the meteors assume different 

 forms ; some delighting us with their ap- 

 pearance, while others wear a terrifying 

 12 



