RamBaut—On the Great Meteor of February 8th, 1894. 259 
I may, perhaps, take this opportunity to point out that obser- 
vations of meteors should be principally directed to obtaining 
estimates, with as high a degree of accuracy as possible, of the 
altitude and bearing of the object at epochs during its flight, 
which can afterwards be identified. At night it is best to note 
its position at first appearance and at disappearance, or at the 
moments when explosions take place, with reference to the stars 
which lie along its track. In the daytime its position must be 
referred to terrestrial objects, such as trees or houses. The 
observer should also note the exact spot on which he stands, so 
that he can subsequently determine the direction of the meteor 
accurately with the proper instruments. 
To determine with precision the length of time for which the 
meteor remains visible is more difficult. Of course it is impossible 
to get out a watch and to compare it with sufficient rapidity, and 
the usual course is to repeat some familiar piece of poetry all the 
time the object is in view, noting the exact syllable at which it 
disappears. If then the same passage is afterwards repeated before a 
clock, the duration of the meteor’s flight can be very approximately 
obtained. 
The observer ought to devote his principal attention to the 
bearing of the object at the beginning and end of its flight. 
From this datum alone, as observed at two different stations, it is 
possible to determine the region over- which the meteor passed. 
In order to determine its height in miles above the EHarth’s 
surface it is, of course, also necessary to know the altitude, but a 
single reliable observation of this sort is sufficient for our purpose, 
whereas it is absolutely necessary that we should have the 
bearing determined at two stations, at least, before we can decide 
as to the track of the body. 
Accounts of this meteor have reacied me from the following 
places :— 
IRELAND. 
Dublin. Templeogue. Dundrum. 
Rathgar. Clondalkin. Kilcock. 
Monkstown. Malahide. Ballinasloe. 
Cloniarf. Raheny. EKdenderry. 
Blackrock. Drumecondra. Glaslough. 
Kingstown. Terenure. Belturbet. 
Sandycove. Glenageary. Drumree. 
