A CATALOGUE OF OBSERVATIONS OF LUMINOUS METEORS. 57 



8. Full-sized drawings of the models having been prepared in conformity 

 with the programme, the models were made from those drawings. Both 

 drawings are now exhibited, and also model B ; model A, being now in use, 

 has not been sent to Birmingham. 



9. The actual performance of the experiments was entrusted by Mr. Russell 

 to Mr. J. Quant, Naval Architect, who has performed that duty with great 

 skill and assiduity. 



10. Twenty-eight experiments have already been made on model A, upon 

 a run of about 98 feet in length on a lake in Blackheath Park, the use of 

 which for that purpose has been liberally granted by Dr. Joseph Kidd. 

 Further experiments on model A are in active progress ; and when they are 

 finished those upon model B will be begun. 



11. The Committee deem it advisable to defer giving a detailed account of 

 those experiments until the whole series shall have been completed, because 

 the separate publication of the portion of that series which has hitherto been 

 made would be but imperfectly useful, and also because, having only yesterday 

 (11th Sept. 1865) received the account of those experiments, they have not 

 had time to give them due consideration. 



12. The following general results, however, may be stated : — 



I. The resistance of model A when immersed so as to be just covered with 

 water, and no more, is more than double of its resistance when half immersed 

 at the same speed. 



II. When the after-body of model A is turned so as to convert the water- 

 lines into buttock-lines, its resistance is increased, and that whether the 

 model is half immersed or just covered. 



Report on Observations of Luminous Me teors, 1861-65. By a Committee, 

 consisting of James Glaisher, F.R.S., of the Royal Observatory, 

 Greenwich, Secretary to the British Meteorological Society, fyc. ; 

 Robert P. Greg, F.G.S., §•<;.; E. W. Brayley, F.R.S., Professor 

 of Physical Geography and Meteorology in the London Institution, 

 fyc. ; and Alexander S. Herschel, B.A. 



The Chairman, in presenting the Eeport, said, The class of phenomena 

 known as Luminous Meteors includes the familiar appearances of shooting- 

 stars and fireballs — in the words of M. Quetelet, (i a much despised phe- 

 nomenon, long neglected by astronomers," but which now justly claims their 

 attention, and, as shown by the papers contained in this Report, commands 

 the consideration of those best able to speculate upon cosmical phenomena. 



The number of meteors observed during the past year has been unusually 

 small, partly owing to the cloiidy state of the sky, partly owing to the absence 

 this year of certain acknowledged star-showers, namely, those of January, 

 April, and August. The November shower, although concealed in England 

 by clouds, did not disappoint expectation. It attracted attention, and was 

 observed with considerable interest at Malta, as described in the Report. If 

 the sky is clear, the circumstances are altogether favourable for its reappear- 

 ance in the present year and the next, in the morning of the 13th of No- 

 vember. Its greatest display is expected to visit us in 1866 ; but even in the 

 present year it is advisable to be prepared for its appearance by organizing a 

 competent staff of observers, and furnishing them with the proper means for 

 determining the radiant-point, and the heights and velocities of the meteors. 

 The British Association in the past year having sanctioned a set of Maps to 

 be printed for the use of the Committee, which are now completed and are 



1865. t 



