132 On the Meteors of 13th November, 1833. 
Art. XXV.—Observations on the Meteors of November 13th, 
1833; by Denison Otmsrep, Professor of Mathematics and 
Natural Philosophy in Yale College. 
(Continued from Vol. XXYV. p. 411.) 
‘Having in the former part of this article, recited the leading facts 
that have been ascertained respecting the meteors of Nov. 13th, 1833, 
we proceed, as was proposed, to review the principal facts respecting 
similar occurrences that have taken place at various other periods. 
In this sketch our limits compel us to use as much brevity as possible. 
Ill. Or merroric BODIES SEEN AT VARIOUS PERIODS. 
With the hope of increasing our materials for arriving at correct 
conclusions on the subject before us, we have examined all the ac- 
counts within our reach of bodies that have at different times present- 
ed the appearance of fiery meteors.* 
The accounts of single balls of fire, traversing the atmosphere 
with great velocity and projecting stony bodies to the earth, are 
very numerous and well attested. A synopsis of these facts may 
be found in various scientific works.- Although bodies of this 
class, or JMeteorites, may occasionally present the same appear- 
ance as a “shooting star,” yet the horizontal direction which they 
take, the explosions which accompany them, and the solid masses 
which fall from them to the earth, distinguish them from the class 
of bodies now under consideration. ‘The chemical constitution of 
aérolites is well understood. ‘They have generally yielded to chem- 
ical analysis a large proportion of silex and iron, with a smaller pro- 
portion of magnesia, nickel and sulphur, and occasionally, small por- 
tions of other substances, as lime, manganese, cobalt, chrome, &c. 
As we do not suppose the meteors of JVov. 13th to have been thus 
constituted, it will be more to our purpose to inquire what other kinds 
of meteors have occasionally made their appearance, and what other 
substances have fallen from the skies. 
* We regret not having been able to obtain aceess to several foreign publications 
which are supposed to contain more ample information on this subject; particularly, 
Gilbert’s Annals, and the Works of Brandes and Chladni. 
t See particularly, Ed. Encyclopedia, in loc., Ed. Phil. Journal, 111. 403. 
