1 72 Miscellanies. 



trains vanished as soon as the meteors which they followed, but in some 

 cases they remained for one or two seconds, and were occasionally 15° 

 or 20° long. The velocity of those meteors which were conformable was 

 much less than that of those meteors which were unconformable, and 

 much less also than that of those which are commonly seen. Those 

 whose course was longest were visible from one and a half to two seconds. 

 The color of these meteors was remarkably uniform, and was a reddish 

 yellow, or flame color. In some cases the train was of a deeper color 

 than its attendant meteor." 



No facts concerning the appearance of this meteoric showier have yet 

 been received- from abroad. If the weather was favorable, observations 

 were doubtless made in many parts of Europe. Especially may we expect 

 a full report from M. Quetelet, of Brussels, who has done more than any 

 one in Europe towards directing public attention to the subject of the 

 occurrence of a meteoric shower in August. 



Remarhs on the preceding statements. 



Before we can determine whether the exhibition of last August was 

 unusual, it is necessary to know the average number of shooting stars 

 visible at other times. Numerous observations made in conjunction with 

 my fellow-laborer, Mr. A. JB. Haile, and occasionally with other friends, 

 furnish some materials for the determination of this question. These 

 were made chiefly in the fall, winter and spring months, but the results 

 will probably apply without much error to the summer season. Accord- 

 ing to these observations, if the light of the sun and moon be absent, the 

 average number of meteors visible at the most abundant season of the 

 night, viz. from 3 to 6 A. M., is about fifty per hour ; and from 6 to 10 

 P. M. about twenty five per hour. Of these a single observer would 

 probably detect one fourth or one fifth part. Much difference however 

 exists in the fertility of the different quarters of the sky at different hours, 

 and many more observations must be made, before exact data on this part 

 of the subject can be obtained. In the present state of our knowledge 

 it seems not improper to multiply by four, the number seen by an indi- 

 vidual, in order to obtain the whole number visible at the place during 

 the period of his observation. What proportion of these meteors is con- 

 cealed by the light of the moon at its different stages, cannot be fixed with 

 minute accuracy. If we assume, that in the present instance one half 

 were rendered invisible by the moonlight, it will doubtless be considered 

 a liberal allowance. Looking at the foregoing accounts with these prin- 

 ciples in view, it is evident that the number of 7neteors seen in this country 

 about the \Qth of August, 183S, was from three to eight times beyond the 

 average. To specify a single instance ; — Mr. T. R. Button, near Sa- 

 vannah, saw between 3h. and 4h. A. M. of the 11th, fifty five meteors. 



