Miscellaneous Intelligence. 143 
plane of rotation exactly in the same way ; the law of the motion being 
also the same as that of the well-known pendulum experiment. Lastly, 
‘he set the ring gyroscope in motion, and by placing a small pointed 
piece of brass at the end of the axle on the ring, the instrument went 
immediately through all the evolutions of a boy’s top on the floor, hum- 
ming meanwhile loudly also. 
5. On Meteoroliies and Asteroids; by R. P. Gruc, Jr., (Proc. Brit. 
Assoc., 1854, Athen., No. 1405.)—Mr. Greg brought forward some 
facts respecting meteorites and asteroids, not hitherto noticed, in 
favor of the theory that they are identical in nature and origin. After 
stating some arguments against the theory of the atmospheric origin of 
aerolites, Mr. Greg proceeded to give an abstract of some results he had 
Jately obtained in analyzing a very complete catalogue of aerolite falls. 
It would appear that since the year 1500 a.p., there are authentica- 
ted instances of falls of aerolites, the month of whose fall is known. 
é number for each month being as follows :—For January 9, Febru- 
ary 15, March 17, April 14, May 15, June 17 falls,—tfirst half of the 
year, 87 falls; July 18, August 15, September 17, October 14, Novem- 
r 16, December 8 falls,—second half, 88 falls. Giving an average 
of 14°6 for each month. The most important thing to notice is the 
lon, that the meeting with aerolites is rendered most probable. This 
1s what would appear really to be the case, for the earth is at her great- 
est distance from that luminary on the side of the summer solstice, i. e. 
in June and July, precisely the months shown to be most abundant in 
aerolites, 
_ Mr. Greg then referred to a recent number of the Comptes Rendus, 
In which there is a paper by Le Verrier on the asteroids. M. Le Ver- 
ner shows’by calculation that the sum of the mass of the fragmentary 
planets called asteroids cannot exceed one-fourth of the earth’s mass : 
and also shows it probable that their mean mass or system is at its peri- 
helion, and consequently nearest the earth, at the time when the earth 
herself is on the side of the summer solstice. This would appear agne 
ta : 
shows 
following the order of their distances from the sun :—Mercury, oT: 
Venus, 5°8; Earth, 5-9; Mars, 5°2; Aerolites, 3-0 3 Asteroids, (?), 
‘Waplter, 84 <a nosey ‘circanistance relating to aerolites which was 
