376 report— 1878. 



The apparent path of the meteor is often represented by a line like a 

 bow : in other words, the meteor apparently ascends, culminates, and 

 then takes a downward course. This motion is, however, for the most 

 part, as has been stated, apparent only ; and is a consequence of the 

 varying inclination which a straight line appears to form with the 

 horizon at different points along its course. The observer should endea- 

 vour to determine as accurately as possible the apparent inclination at 

 those points of the meteor's arc, or line of flight, which can be most 

 readily identified, such as the beginning and the end of the track, or 

 those where a break in the luminous train occurs, as well as that portion 

 which lies parallel to the horizon. The point of extinction should 

 especially be noted, and this is the more readily accomplished from the 

 fact that the attention has been steadily directed to observing the 

 luminous phenomena preceding it. In regard to the point of appearance, 

 it is of importance to determine whether the impression made on the 

 observer was that he had witnessed the blazing forth of the meteor in the 

 sky, or whether the meteor had entered his field of vision, and a portion 

 of its luminous track had not been seen by him. 



It is, moreover, of importance to arrive at a knowledge of the length 

 of time occupied by the meteor in traversing the sky ; this may some- 

 times be learned by counting the ticks of a watch, or by advancing in 

 the direction of the object at a uniform rate, and counting the paces 

 taken during the observation. It should also be noted whether the 

 meteor moves onward with an accelerating or diminishing velocity. 



The brilliancy of a meteor larger than the fixed stars of different mag- 

 nitudes can most conveniently be compared with the light of Venus 

 or Jupiter ; and in the case of the largest meteors, with the apparent 

 brilliancy and magnitude of the moon in her several phases. The 

 colour exhibited by the meteor should also be carefully observed, and 

 any change of hue along any part of the path should be recorded. The 

 luminous train left after the disappearance of the meteor is sometimes 

 very persistent, and often terminates in a cloud, faintly visible. Any 

 peculiar structure exhibited by the train, or cloud, should be sketched on 

 paper. 



The sound attending the flight of a meteor usually consists either of 

 several distinct explosions, or a crackling rolling detonation. The 

 closest attention should be given, after the extinction of the meteor, for 

 the arrival of the sound and the length of the interval, carefully noted 

 with the watch. 



Of the many points which, as has been shown, it is desirable that a 

 record should be made, an individual observer can obviously determine 

 but a few ; all those of them, however, to the accuracy of which he can 

 certify, are of value, since other observers may supply the missing data, 

 and the whole may be collected. 



V. Stonefalls and Ironfalls. — If a meteorite have fallen, visit the spot 

 where it struck the ground, and examine the hole which it has formed. 

 Determine the .depth, and especially notice the direction of the cavity in 

 respect to the points of the compass. Ascertain whether the meteorite 

 was removed from the ground soon after its descent, and whether any 

 observation had been made at the time respecting its temperature. 

 Make a note of the material forming the surface layer, and state whether 

 it was moist or dry. Further inquiries in the neighbourhood may lead 

 to the discovery of other meteorites which had fallen at the same time, 



