398 On the Meteors oflSih JVovember. 



bow, and shooting from the horizon ahnost to the zenith. This scene 

 was followed by a splendid exhibition of fire works. Lunninous balls 

 might be seen darting about with great velocity, leaving behind them 

 a train resembling that of a comet. The whole was closed by the 

 formation of a triumphal arch which vanished before the coming 

 light of morning. (Professor Caswell.) 



(4.) The aurora borealis during the whole time of my observa- 

 tions, which was about half an hour, [from half past 4 to 5 o'clock] 

 was distinctly visible, though by no means so brilliant or so active, as 

 that meteor usually is when visible here. (Buffalo Journal.) 



(5.) There was also [at Cincinnati,] an aurora or boreal light in a 

 direction a little north of east. The lower edge of this bank of light 

 appeared to be several degrees above the horizon. (Letter of Mr. 

 Darius Lapham to Professor Silliman.) 



(6.) At Poland, Ohio, at 10 o'clock in the evening, the aurora 

 borealis was very distinct. (Dr. J. P. Kirtland.) 



12. Concurrent phenomena. — Near the time of the meteors, 

 there were several remarkable events, which it may be well to re- 

 cord, although they may not have the least connexion with the phe- 

 nomenon under review. 



(1.) Woodburn, near Hudson, Nov. 15. 



A singular occurrence took place on my farm some days ago, 

 which has excited a good deal of speculation among all who have 

 visited the spot. A wood containing about an acre and a half, sud- 

 denly sunk down about thirty feet, most part of it perpendicularly ; 

 so that, where not long since the trees were to all appearance firmly 

 imbedded, the topmost branches now peep out. (Quoted in the 

 New York Evening Post.) 



(2.) Soon after 10 o'clock, I felt a slight repetition of the trernu- 

 Jous motion of the earth, which has repeatedly been observed in this 

 vicinity of late. (W. F. G. Smith, Lynchburg, see p. 376.) 



(3.) At Harvard, in this state, at about 8 o'clock on the morning 

 of the 13th [Nov.] there was a slight shower of rain, when not a 

 cloud was to be seen, the weather being what is called perfectly 

 fair. (Boston Mer. Journal.) 



(4.) The writer of this article observed an appearance resembling 

 zodiacal light, between the hours of 7 and 8 on the evenings of Dec. 

 1st and 3d. That of Dec. 3d. was observed by Messrs. Forrest 

 Shepard, and J. N. Palmer, of New Haven. It consisted of an au- 

 roral appearance in the west following the twilight, being an apparent 

 prolongation of the latter. It reached to a length of about 25°, to- 

 wards the head of Aquarius. We imagined the galaxy, in that part 

 of the heavens, appeared more luminous than usual. 



After the foregoing synopsis of facts was prepared, and partly 

 printed, the writer received a letter from his valued friend and cor- 



