A CATALOGUE OF OBSERVATIONS OF LUMINOUS METEORS. 209 
Lipari or Etna, though the limitation of the funds placed at his disposal 
renders this less probable. 
The author proposes to himself collaterally to examine some other dynamical 
and physical questions relative to the superficial phenomena of volcanic action 
that appear to him as yet not to have engaged sufficient attention, and is 
anxious to receive from vulcanologists suggestions as to such subjects for 
inquiry, with a view to which he has addressed himself by letter to a few of 
the leading minds in this branch of terrestrial physics. 
Report on Observations of Luminous Meteors, 1862-63. By a 
Committee, consisting of James GuatsHeR, F.R.S., of the Royal 
Observatory, Greenwich, Secretary to the British Meteorological 
Society, &c.; Ropert P. Gree, F.G.S., &c.; E. W. Bray ey, 
F.R.S., &c.; and ALEXANDER S. HERscuHEL, B.A. 
In presenting this Report upon the Luminous Meteors of the past year the 
Committee have much pleasure in drawing attention to the marked advance 
in the number of coincident observations of meteors, regarding it as a most 
satisfactory proof of increased vigilance on the part of observers. Thus, of 
one meteor, viz., that of November 27th, 1862, no less than thirty-eight ac- 
counts have been received, of which ten of the most trustworthy have been 
used for the determination of the path of this detonating meteor. (See Ap- 
pendix No. II.) Of many other meteors also, have duplicate accounts been 
received. 
To several meteors, of which accounts have been printed in previous 
Reports, satisfactory tracks have been assigned, which appear in the series of 
papers forming No. I. of the Appendix. 
For the better determination of the heights and velocities of meteors during 
the August epoch, many observations were made on the 10th of August, 1863, 
in the 8. and E. of England, and the paths and magnitudes of twenty have 
been calculated. (See Appendix No. V.) 
_ Respecting the Catalogue itself no change of form has been made from 
that followed in preceding years, but it is enriched by the addition of several 
ancient observations, collected from uncommon, and generally inaccessible 
sources. In selection of the observations, meteors inferior to the 3rd mag- 
nitude of stars have generally been excluded from the Catalogue. 
In the Appencix (following the papers bearing more immediately upon the 
observations contained in the Catalogue) will be found abstracts from some 
of the most important papers upon Meteoric Science which have appeared 
during the past and previous years. 
1863. bd 
