On Meteoric Showers in August. 359 
of August, which the results of observations of shooting stars, point out as one 
of those which are to be remarked for the abundance of meteors of this kind.” 
p. 270. 
“Tt would seem that a cause exists which produces from about the 8th to the 
15th of November, more frequent appearances of shooting stars. I have also 
thought that I remarked a greater frequency of these meteors in the month of 
August (from the 8th to the 15th).” p. 272. 
From the preceding statements it then appears, that on or about 
the 9th of August, in at least eleven different years (viz. A. D. 
1779, 1781, 1798, 1811, 1820, 1823, 1826, 1833, 1834, 1836, 
1837) there has occurred a meteoric shower, or in other words, an 
unusually abundant display of shooting stars. 
As no observations have yet been made for the purpose of de- 
tecting the August shower, it is somewhat remarkable that so many 
instances have been recorded. It should be noticed, that these Au- | 
gust showers have rarely been watched later than midnight. Since 
shooting stars are found to come mostly from that region of the 
heavens towards which the earth is moving, it cannot reasonably be 
doubted that each of these displays would have been found to be 
more abundant, during the hours of the next morning. That re- 
gion, (which for brevity may be called the tangential region,) rises 
of course about midnight, and comes to the meridian about 6 A. M. 
The memorable storm of stars of November, 1833, scarcely com- 
menced before 11 P. M.; and it is altogether probable, that every 
November metcorie shower which has occurred since that year, 
would have passed unseen, had not special watch been maintained 
after midnight. 
Characteristics of the August Meteoric Shower. 
i. This shower appears to be longer than that of November. 
As far as can be gathered from the accidental observations hitherto 
made, its duration may be considered about three days. It may 
perhaps be found to extend through ten or fifteen days, and to arrive 
at its maximum about the ninth. See 1, 3, (1), (5), (6), (7), (8). 
2. The ‘radiant,’ or apparent starting point of the meteors, ap- 
pears to be farther north than in the November shower. . On this 
point, however, nothing positive can be stated without more obser- 
vations continued during the whole night. See Mr. G. C. Schaef- 
fer’s paper, p. 133 of this volume, and 3, (5). 
3. Although its displays are in general superior to those of the 
November shower, yet it seems never to have risen to the mag- 
