On the Meteors of 13th JYovemher. 373 



appear to descend and to strike into the earth. The usual theory of 

 the inflammable gases, which have been generally supposed to ac- 

 count for these meteors, does not appear to explain the phenomena. 

 If we admit that the gases are generated and diffused sufficiently to 

 kindle up the whole heavens with light, the combustion of them would 

 not present those innumerable distinct sparks, which shot from the re- 

 gion of the zenith, with such perfect uniformity of direction. This 

 last circumstance was in fact, the most remarkable point, in the 

 whole phenomenon, so far as it was seen by the writer. To him, it 

 appeared to resemble a constant succession of vivid, electrical or mag- 

 netic sparks, presenting all the peculiar colors seen in the beautiful 

 experiments upon those fluids, or perhaps more accurately, that fluid 

 to which magnetism and electricity are attributed. It is believed, 

 the appearances in question, were owing to a sudden atmospheric 

 change, which took place, on the evening of the day previous. The 

 weather had been unusually warm, during the morning of Tuesday ; 

 but in the evening, it was cold, and even keenly so, while the stars 

 were shooting, as also, for the whole of the following morning. A 

 strong wind prevailed at Annapolis, for the greater part of Tuesday, 

 and also, during the middle of the day following ; but at the time of 

 the meteors, the air was tranquil. The wind on Tuesday, blew from 

 the south, at first, but veered suddenly and for the rest of the day, 

 was quite fresh from the northwest; and on Wednesday it blew 

 nearly as strong, but not so cold, from the south. The sky was un- 

 clouded, and the general state of the atmosphere was such as usually 

 accompanies the appearance of the Northern Lights." (Annapolis 

 Republican.) 



5. Phenomena as observed at Emmittshurg, Maryland, (Lat. 39° 

 40' N., Long. 77° 10' W.,) by W. E. Aikin, M. D., Professor of 

 Chemistry and Natural Philosophy in Mount St. Mary's College, 

 (from a Maryland paper.) 



" My attention was called to the heavens about half past four in the 

 morning, to observe an unusual number of the meteors known gene- 

 rally as shooting stars, that were then visible. From the number 

 constantly in sight, and from the frequency and splendor of their 

 corruscation, the scene was altogether brilliant beyond conception. 

 Instead of the usual intermediate course of such meteors, these de- 

 scribed paths in the direction of radii diverging from a central space. 

 This point was in the neck of Leo, near the star Gamma of that con- 

 stellation, and at the hour of half past five, a little to the south and 

 east of the zenith. It was of no great extent, not longer perhaps 

 than a circle ten degrees in diameter, without accurately defined out- 

 lines, but perfectly clear. From this center as a radiating point, pro- 

 ceeded the meteors in numbers exceeding the visible stars, and in in- 

 tensity of light often rivalling the rays of the full moon. All did not 



