152 Observations on Shooting Stars. 



the region through which it passed. In one instance (in 

 November, 1836), the train, as it is termed, was projected 

 without the appearance of any concentrated body ; and the 

 origin had not become extinct by the time that it had reached 

 its termination. In all these instances of a star with a train, 

 the projection has been rapid and horizontal. 



The distinctness of form, as well as of colour and motion, 

 with which these meteors are seen ; their change of direction, 

 often within a small space; the apparent obstruction they 

 meet with from the air ; and their evidently occasionally low 

 position ; are proofs that they exist at no great distance from 

 the earth. But, although I have seen them fall so low as 

 only to be hidden from me by a rather lofty hedge, I never 

 yet saw one that actually reached the ground ; a circumstance, 

 however, that has been reported to me by an authority which 

 I cannot doubt. Two ladies, of veracity and intelligence, 

 assured me that they witnessed together the fall of a star- 

 shoot, from a considerable elevation in the air, to the gravel 

 walk on which they stood, the place of descent being at the 

 distance of but a few yards ; and from this spot the meteor 

 ran along for some distance before it disappeared, leaving no 

 impression or mark of its existence. 



The following, which occurred to myself, is equally inca- 

 pable of explanation on any principles " of our philosophy," 

 though, perhaps, of a different kind from either of the preced- 

 ing phenomena: — On July 1. 1832, riding homeward in the 

 evening, whilst the lightning was vivid, and thunder loud and 

 frequent, a ball of light, of about the size of a large orange, 

 met my view on the right, towards the north-west, distant 

 about 20 yards. As if projected from a cannon, it passed 

 straight and rapidly across the lane, close before me, and was 

 instantly lost sight of on the other side. The whole was the 

 work of an instant ; the ball, of a steel blue, passing but at 

 the elevation of my head, unattended by any noise or explo- 

 sion, and evidently unconnected with the lightning that glared 

 around. 



The following may, perhaps, have still less connexion with 

 the phenomena of a star-shoot, but deserves to be recorded, as 

 being combined with a sudden developement of light, and, at least 

 in some of the particulars, of more frequent occurrence than, 

 from the paucity of observations connected with it, might be 

 supposed. The particulars of the instance now given I derive 

 from some intelligent fishermen, who were thrown into great 

 danger by the occurrence: — Aug. 10. 1835. The weather 

 fine, rather calm, warm and cloudy. In the evening, at a few 

 miles from land, a light was first seen to fall from the clouds 



