404 



REPORT 1867. 



FiK. C. 



those observed elsewhere, but always rippled 

 and waved, and varying from one to two 

 lunar diameters in length. 



" In fig. 6, rt, h, c represent three successive 

 stages of change of such a streak, from its 

 first appearance, a, when it shortly began to 

 separate and expand as at h, and finally to curl 

 up as at c, and dissolve like a trail of smoke. 



" These small trains frequently branched out from the radiant-point like 

 the spokes of a wheel, three or four at a time. A group of four radial 

 streaks, 2° or 3° in length, Avas thus suddenly formed round the radiant at 

 12'' 36"' 15' A.M., indicating its place very exactly, as already given. 



Fig. 7, 





" At 2'' 16'", a green meteor, brighter than Venus, moved from the 

 radiant-point to R. A. 135° (9"), N. Decl. 20°, leaving a broad green streak 

 4' or 5' in width upon its course (fig. 7, a). This meteor was the brightest, 

 and its streak was the broadest and the most enduring seen. The latter 

 rem.ained as a bright green rippled and waved bar of light for six seconds 

 before either fading, curling up, or dissolving away. It then gradually, in 

 the space of about two minutes, assumed the form of fig. 7, h. 



" Between one and two minutes after its first appearance, I perceived the 

 spot c (fig. 7), resembling in size and appearance the Pnesepe Cancri, a very 

 little in advance of the spot where the meteor disappeared. "WTiether it 

 was formed there by drifting from h, or if it was independently formed by 

 the meteor, I cannot say, but I incline to the latter opinion." 



The streaks, when fii'st deposited, were remarkably straight, and fine, 

 bright, lance-like lines. They then, as described by Mr. T. Morris at Man- 

 chester, " in many instances appeared to swell in the centre of their length 

 — the point of greatest ignition probably — and taper towards the extremity, 

 forming an approach to a double cone." 



In a letter to a Member of the Committee, describing some of the pheno- 

 mena of the shower as it appeared at Hawkhurst, Sir John Herschel re- 

 marks : — " In a r/rm^ mnnn instances (indeed most commonly) the head 

 SHOT AHE.vn of the train, as a star or planet of a very high red colour. All the 

 trains were sparkling like star-dust, but in two or three cases there was a 

 remainder of cometic phosphorescent light, very persistent. In one which 

 exploded with a flash close to a, ft, y Arietis [see Catalogue, l*" 12'" 30* 

 A.M.], this cometic appearance lasted by the watch six minutes." 



In illustration of this peculiarity the foUonying was observed at Hawk- 



