Meteoric Observations. 327 



source or other circumstance which could lead to a generalization. 

 The ohservations made at the same season of the year in other 

 places have appeared to indicate a remote connexion with the 

 constellation Leo. I find on looking with this view at my obser- 

 vations that a larger number of meteors emanated from this part 

 of the heavens than any other, although the constellation Leo is 

 so large that this fact will hardly lead to any inference. But 

 what particularly struck me was the fact that so large a pro- 

 portion of the meteors radiated to Leo. I find that the direc- 

 tions of more than two thirds, if traced back, converge to this 

 part of the ecliptic. It is but fair to remark, however, that the 

 remainder are exceedingly anomalous and deviate widely from 

 the mark. It is a point to be carefully taken notice of by future 

 observers, whether there be any general radiating point, whether it 

 is fixed if there be one, in regard to the horizon, as it would be if 

 connected with the earth's magnetic axis, or whether it partakes 

 of the apparent diurnal motion of the stars : and especially whether 

 it be the same at all seasons of the year. The connexion in so 

 great a proportion of cases between the November meteors and 

 the constellation Leo, has suggested the idea that the meteors 

 have only an appare?ii motion ; for the earth itself, at that time 

 moving towards Leo, would give every foreign body which it 

 should meet the appearance of coming from Leo. If a cloud 

 of nebulous matter beset the path of the earth so as to be trav- 

 ersed by it, the denser parts might be condensed into different 

 nuclei and the earth's atmosphere grinding by them might possi- 

 bly set them on fire. The appearances under such circumstances 

 would resemble those actually witnessed in a great number of 

 instances, and we should also be able to account for the great 

 abundance of meteors seen two hours before sunrise ,• as at that 

 time we ourselves are facing the point to which the earth is mov- 

 ing, and must take directly into the atmosphere around us the 

 encountered cloud. Till midnight we should have the earth be- 

 tween us and the vapor, and could only see the small quantity 

 that escaped, being taken up in front and passed off at the sides 

 of the earth. If every one of the observations made at Cambridge 

 had indicated one radiating point without any exception, I should 

 not consider them alone as sufficient foundation for any theory. 

 As it is, what I have said will only bear to be thrown out as a 

 suggestion, and will serve to fix attention more strongly on this 

 part of the subject. It is desirable that observers at other seasons 



