326 



Meteoric Observations. 



past two it became cloudy, and at three the sky was almost en- 

 tirely obscm-ed. 



It is now to be remarked that the state of the atmosphere was 

 not peculiarly favorable, on any one of the nights of observation. 

 It was occasionally hazy, and floating clouds were continually 

 obscuring some part of the firmament. It was thought, however, 

 that the morning of the 13th was as favorable in this respect as 

 either of the other mornings, and yet it happened that a smaller 

 number was seen then than before or after. It was particularly 

 noticed that the meteors of the 13th were inferior in splendor to 

 some observed on the other mornings. For many of them had 

 tails and trains, and shone with the brilliancy of Sirius. 



Now it is clear that no conclusion is to be drawn from this or 

 any other single set of observations. They are only valuable in 

 connexion with all others made at the same or any other time. 

 We still want a continued series, extending through every day of 

 the year, and reaching from midnight till sunrise. Without these 

 data, we are not prepared for the question whether one period or 

 any number of periods is particularly supplied with meteors ; nor 

 are we competent to investigate the cause of these phenomena. 

 A longer series of observations has been made in Germany than 

 elsewhere, and, as far as they go, they seem to indicate an equal 

 and uniform distribution of meteors throughout the year. No 

 hypothesis can be received which aims simply to account for 

 what are considered by some periodic showers ; since no one can 

 deny that meteors are seen every clear night in great abundance ; 

 and no theory is complete or exhausts the subject, which leaves 

 these unexplained. 



The members of the Senior class whose names I have given 

 above, and by whom the observations at Cambridge were made, 

 deserve an honorable mention for the zeal and fidelity with which 

 they have discharged their trust. The notes which I have before 

 me permit me to see from what point of the heavens each meteor 

 first became visible, and in what direction it afterwards moved. I 

 have carefully examined to discover, if possible, some common 



