436 



METEORIC STONES AND SHOOTING STARS. 



pronounced to be established according to the rigid rules of inductive phi- 

 losophy. 



The nebular hypothesis can scarcely be regarded in a more definite point of 

 view than as a conjecture. We have no observation to prove what the nature 

 of the nebulous matter is, nor whether it is solid, liquid, or gaseous. We know 

 that as it exists in the stellar regions it is self-luminous ; but there is no indi- 

 cation of such a quality in any matter existing in the solar system. It 

 may also be contended that if it exist within the solar system in the quantity- 

 contemplated in this hypothesis, we might expect it to be visible, if not by its 

 own light, at least by the reflected light of the sun. 



From the exposition I have here given it will be perceived that the origin 

 of meteoric stones is still involved in much obscurity. We may, perhaps, pro- 

 nounce with some degree of confidence that they are not of terrestrial origin, 

 nor generated in the atmosphere, and that strictly speaking they are cosmical. 



But we are not yet in possession of all the information which observa- 

 tion may supply respecting them. It is not yet clearly ascertained whether 

 they are identical with the appearances so often exhibited in the heavens, call- 

 ed shooting stars, nor has the cause of this latter meteor been explained. A 

 great impediment to the correct information of these phenomena, arises from 

 the fact that their exhibition in the heavens is not preceded by any circumstance 

 which can prepare the observer for them, and their continuance is seldom long 

 enough to afford opportunity for correct observations. We are, therefore, com- 

 pelled to collect from scattered sources, and loose records, much of ths infor- 

 mation which is available respecting them. 



One of the most interesting narratives of this kind on record is that of a 

 meteor which appeared in America, on the 13th of November, 1833. It was 

 published in the American Journal of Science, and is entitled to especial notice. 

 The following is an abstract of this narrative : 



The meteors began to attract notice by their frequency as early as 9 o'clock 

 on the preceding evening (November 12) ; the exhibition became strikingly 

 brilliant about 11 o'clock, but most splendid of all about 4 o'clock, and continued 

 with but little intermission until darkness merged in the light of day. A few large 

 fire-balls were seen even after the sun had risen. The entire extent of the 

 exhibition is not ascertained, but it covered no inconsiderable portion of the 

 earth's surface. It has been traced from the longitude of 61 in the Atlantic 

 ocean, to longitude of 100 in central Mexico, and from the North American 

 lakes to the southern side of the island of Jamaica. Everywhere within these 

 limits, the first appearance was that of fire-works of the most imposing gran- 

 deur, covering the entire vault of heaven with myriads of fire-balls resembling 

 sky-rockets. On more attentive inspection, it was seen that the meteors ex- 

 hibited three distinct varieties ; the first consisting of phosphoric lines, appa- 

 rently described by a point : the second of large fire-balls, that at intervals 

 darted along the sky, leaving numerous trains, which occasionally remained in 

 view for a number of minutes, and in some cases for half an hour or more ; 

 the third, of undefined, luminous bodies, which remained nearly stationary for 

 a long time. 



One of the most remarkable circumstances attending this display was, that 

 the meteors all seemed to emanate from one and the same point. They set out 

 at different distances from this point, and proceeded with immense velocity, 

 describing, in some instances, an arc of 30 or 40 in less than four seconds. 

 At Poland, on the Ohio, a meteor (of the third variety) was distinctly visible in 

 the northeast for more than an hour. At Charleston, South Carolina, another 

 of extraordinary size was seen to course the heavens for a great length of 

 time, and then was heard to explode with the noise of a cannon. The point 



