On the Meteors of 13th’ November, 1833. 161 
one of the results of that disturbance. ‘This uncommon mildness 
of weather, has pervaded a large portion of our country ; but we are 
aware of the danger of ascribing too much to a natural agent which. 
has taken possession of our minds, and would rather suggest this 
last conclusion, in the form of a query deserving of farther attention, 
than asa point fully established. If it should be found that the sea- 
son in other latitudes has been colder than ordinary, it would strength- 
en the supposition that both effects were due to the cause assigned.* 
7. The Meteors, were combustible bodies, and were constituted of 
light and transparent materials. 
(1.) The fact that they burned, is sufficient proof that they be- 
longed to the class of combustible bodies; but as this class is very 
numerous, embracing various substances in each of the three king- 
doms of nature, this fact alone .is insufficient to decide upon their 
specific constitution. 
(2.) They must have been composed of comparatively hght ma- 
terzals, otherwise their momentum would have been sufficient to en- 
able them to make their way through the atmosphere to the surface 
of the earth. To compare great things with sma'l, we may liken 
them toa wad discharged from a piece of artillery, its velocity being 
supposed to be increased to such a degree that it shall take fire, as 
it moves through the air. Although it would force its way to a great 
distance from the gun, yet if not consumed too soon, it would at 
length be stopped by the resistance of the air. 
Although it is supposed, as already intimated, that the meteors did 
in fact slightly disturb the atmospheric equilibrium, yet had they 
been constituted of dense matter like meteoric stones, they would 
* A recent account of a shower of aérolites in Asia, exemplifies both the inten- 
sity of heat and light produced by powerful condensation, and the sudden cold, (for a 
dense fog is known to be owing to the influx of cold air,) that is oceasioned by vol- 
umes of air brought down by falling meteors. ‘* Kandahor.—A heavy shower of 
aérolites fell lately in this city; owing to the weight of the shower, the roofs of ma- 
ny of the houses fell in, and others were perforated. Zelfekar Aly Khan, the son of 
Olimala, having (although forbidden by his parents) gone to the court-yard of their 
house to gather some of these pebbles, which were very round and smooth, was kill- 
ed by the fall of one of these fiery meteors, which struck him with such violence on 
the head, as to fracture his skull in three places. The flash which accompanied 
the stroke was so vivid, that it dazzled the eye of those sitting in the balcony of the 
house. The stone was found to weigh three seers, and many of the stones weighed 
upwards of two seers. This phenomenon was succeeded by so dense a fog, that the 
rays of the sun could not be perceived for three days that it lasted."—JV. Y. Jour- 
nal of Commerce. . 
Vou. XXVI.—No. 1, Q1 
