FIRE-BALLS. 2*7 



a meteor can be explained by the supposition that some 

 particles of these phosphorescent substances have been 

 present in the meteoric mass. These particles have been 

 ignited to brilliance during the progress of the meteor, 

 and they still continue to glow until their store of 

 luminous energy shall have become exhausted. 



The meteoric streak is subjected to the same influences 

 as those which affect an aqueous cloud in the lofty regions 

 of the atmosphere. It must be dissipated by air currents, 

 and accordingly we observe that the trail, which was at 

 first so nearly straight, becomes bent and curved, some- 

 times even serpentine, ere its outlines have gradually 

 softened out and all visible traces of the meteor have 

 vanished. 



