374 On the Meteors of ISth JVovember. 



originate in the immediate vicinity of the center : more became first 

 visible, between that and the horizon ; but all proceeded in nearly 

 regularly radiating lines. None were visible for more than a few sec- 

 onds, although their luminous trains remained sometimes much longer. 

 These trains were straight lines of light, except upon a few occa- 

 sions they appeared tortuous. All the meteors were not equally bril- 

 liant, varying from points and lines barely perceptible, to broad flash- 

 es of light, sufficient to cause distinct and well defined shadows. 

 No noise of any kind accompanied them, that I could distinguish, 

 nor did I observe any thing like scintillations, as indicating ex- 

 plosions. 



It would be difficult for one who had not witnessed the grand ex- 

 hibition, to conceive the effect of this uninterrupted succession of in- 

 numerable meteors, proceeding from a point so nearly vertical to- 

 wards the whole circumference of the horizon, and this too during 

 the stillness of night, and with an atmosphere perfectly transparent. 

 It could only be compared to one grand and continued discharge of 

 fire works, occupying the whole visible heavens. It is difficult to say 

 how long these appearances lasted. They were first observed by a 

 gentleman of the college about 3, A. M. and from that time till the 

 light of approaching day overpowered their own, they continued with- 

 out intermission.— The most light was observable at the instant pre- 

 ceding their complete extinction; then they seemed to blaze out, as 

 as it were, and vanish, — generally disappearing before reaching the 

 horizon, though occasionally seen sinking beneath it with undiminish- 

 ed splendor. Their light was pecuHar, but similar to what has hereto- 

 fore been noticed on analogous occasions — white, with a tinge of blue, 

 comparable to nothing more nearly than that of the flame of burning 

 zinc. A good refracting telescope, directed to the center whence 

 the radii diverged, discovered nothing peculiar. While directing the 

 glass to other points, many of the meteors darted across the field of 

 vision ; but their relative motion over so small a space was too rapid 

 to admit of satisfactory examination. If any thing could be inferred 

 from their apparently increased size and light, as seen in such a hur- 

 ried manner, it would be their probable proximity. In reference to 

 the nature of these luminous bodies, it was the prevailing opinion of 

 those who witnessed them that they were solid masses. All writers on 

 the subject have appeared willing to admit a difference, although that 

 difference is difficult to prove, between solid meteorites which at dif- 

 ferent times have fallen from the heavens, and those appearances 

 known as shooting stars, visible every night in the year. It appears 

 to me most probable, since probabilities only are attainable on this 

 subject, that this difference is real, and that there may sometimes oc- 

 cur in the upper regions of the atmosphere, what we know takes 

 place nearer the surface of the earth — the production and ignition of 

 gaseous matter. If it is objected that we are ignorant of any gas 



