364 On Meteoric Showers in August. 
the sun. Owing to their distance and comparatively small size, 
they might however, while in their celestial courses, be totally invisi- 
ble. Frequent observations of the sun, for the purpose of detect- 
ing these transits, are highly desirable. The only important facts 
known to me, which relate to this point are these :—on the 17th 
June, 1777, Messier saw myriads of small dark bodies passing over 
the sun; and at Geneva, May 19, 1880,* from 1 to 2 P. M., mul- 
titudes of “small luminous emanations” were discovered passing 
across the field of a meridian telescope. Both these facts are of 
great value and deserve attentive consideration. 
When the earth is in that part of its path which is interior, it 
might not be unreasonable to suppose that we should see the zone 
by reflected light; but while we are ignorant of the density, num- 
bers, size and distance of the bodies which constitute it, we cannot 
assert that it ought to be visible. 
The only known celestial appearance to which this zone can be 
referred is the Zodiacal Light. Our great distance from the equa- 
tor renders it impossible for us to make observations upon this light, 
which will determine whether its position at various periods of the 
year is such as to-permit us to consider it the source of shooting 
stars. Satisfactory observations can be made only at or near the 
equator. 
The limits which circumstances prescribe to this article, compel 
me to omit the consideration of many important particulars relating 
to this subject, and to speak of others with too much brevity. 
My thanks are due to Prof. B. F’. Joslin, for the important assist- 
ance which he has afforded me in relation to this inquiry ; and also 
to various friends in this city, especially to Messrs. A. B. Haile and 
J. D. Dana, for whose codperation and counsel I am under great 
obligations. 
New Haven, Conn. Nov. 29, 1837. 
P.S. Since the preceding article was written, I have, through the kindness of 
Mr. R. W. Haskins of Buffalo, N. Y., been furnished with his translation of M. 
Arago’s reports to the Academy of Sciences, at the sessions of August 14 and 
28, 1837, concerning unusual numbers of shooting stars seen that month in various 
parts of Europe. The translation is published in the Buffalo Daily Commercial 
Advertiser, of Nov. 25, 1837. There is no room to quote it here. Witha single 
exception, its statements do not contravene any fact or conclusion contained in 
the foregoing paper. 
* The details are related by Gautier, at p. 206 of his account of the extensive 
meteoric shower of Nov. 13, 1832, Bib. Univ. de Genéve, 1832, Sci. et Arts, tome 
3, pp. 189—207. These bodies may possibly have been in our atmosphere. 
