Meteoric Observations at Canto?i, in August, 1839. 301 



rises to 100° or 110° F. This should be done two or three times 

 before running any risks by venturing to handle the apparatus 

 while charged. 



It has been our object to construct an apparatus for forming the 

 soUd acid merely, but the gauges for ascertaining the pressure, 

 &c. might of course be added as in Dr. Mitchell's apparatus. 



The above apparatus, including the expense of testing three 

 times, cost us about nineteen dollars. 



Art. XII. — Observations made at Canton, China, on the Shoot- 

 ing Stars of the lOth and llth of August, 1839, in a letter 

 from- Rev. Peter Parker, M. D. of Canton, to E. C Herrick. 



" In accordance with your request I have made observations 

 for shooting stars on the evenings specified in your letter. On 

 the 3d of August, 1839, a gentle South v/ind prevailed during the 

 day. The evening was beautiful ; but discovering only tv>o me- 

 teors between 8 and 9 o'clock, I gave up the watch. Aug. 4. 

 Cloudy. Wind N. At 3 P. M., came on a sudden and violent 

 squall from S. S. E., which drove the cargo boats with their an- 

 chors against a six-knot tide. Several lives were lost in the river 

 front of the factories. Aug. 5. Cloudy. Aug. 6. From 10/i. to 

 10/i. 30m. P. M. saw but three meteors. Aug. 7. Strong gale 

 from S. E. Aug. 8 and 9. Storm continued. Aug. 10. Extremely 

 pleasant during the day and evening, with a gentle breeze from 

 the South. At 8A. P. M. three meteors fell simultaneously : at 

 Sh. 5m. a fourth. At 8h. lOni. a very beautiful one from Cas- 

 siopeia to the S. It had the singular appearance of being propel- 

 led by three distinct successive forces, and moved in an irregular 

 but graceful undulating course. At 8h. 30m., another, similar to 

 the last : at 8^. 45m., one from a Serpentis to the S. Other du- 

 ties then interrupted the observations. At 10 o'clock observations 

 were commenced by two persons and continued about two hours, 

 during which time the following meteors were seen by them. 



lOA. 



