On the Meteors of 1 3iA JVovemher. 385 



Its altitude might be seven or eight degrees. A little before five 

 o'clock, Mr. P. endeavored, with a theodolite, roughly to divide the 

 great circle, which passed through the radiating point and the north 

 and south points, into definite spaces. Of those meteors that marked 

 their path on the sky, none descended below an altitude of 37°. 

 Those which fell into the space rising 20° above this, were of a red- 

 dish hue, and had longer trains than any others. These trains sub- 

 tend an angle of 40°, meteors of the same altitude having trains of 

 uniform length. In the next space above (57° — 77°) the meteors 

 were of a paler hue, but more in number. In the third space of 

 25°, (77° N. — 12° S.) which reached to the confines of the circu- 

 lar space above mentioned, the meteors were white, their trains short, 

 and number greatest of all. These observations were made on the 

 northern arc ; no measurements were made on the southern side, but 

 he judged the phenomena to be the same, except that the meteors 

 were not so numerous as on the northern side. 



From these and various other documents before us, we proceed to ar- 

 range and classify the principal facts so far as they are ascertained ; and 

 as these must form the basis of all correct reasonings on the nature and 

 origin of the meteors, it is deemed advisable to make the collection 

 very full, to state them, generally, in the language of the narrator, 

 and to indicate the sources whence they are derived, not only as 

 vouchers for their accuracy, but for the purpose of enabling readers 

 who may desire it, to have recourse to the original statements, 



II. Synopsis of the Facts. 



1. Weather. — Throughout the entire region where the Meteors 

 were observed, there was a sudden and extraordinary change of 

 weather from warm to cold, accompanied by an wncommon transpar- 

 ency of the atmosphere, 



(1.) Boston. — The thermometer yesterday at 2 P. M. was 63° ; 

 this morning at 4 o'clock, it was 39°. There was Ktde wind, and 

 this from the west. (Columbian Centinel.) 



(2.) Hartford, Con. — The day preceding, it rained, and the air 

 was very mild^ the wind from the S. E. In the evening, the wind 

 changed to the N. W. and it came off remarkably clear and cool, 

 temperature 31°. (Independent Inquirer.) 



(3.) Philadelphia. — The sky was clear, stars shining brilliantly, 

 and wind high. (National Gazette.) 



(4.) Annapolis, Md. — The heavens exhibited an aspect to gladden 

 the heart of the astronomer. The winds were hushed ; the wkile 

 firmament was absolutely cloudless ; and all the starry host twinkled 

 with a dazzling lustre. (Saml. B. Smith, M. D.) ♦ 



Vol, XXV.— No. 2. 49 



