On the Meteors of 13th November, 1833. 333 
paring Prof. Olmsted’s cbservations with Prof. Thompson’s—made at 
a distance from it of 16° of longitude, while there ought to be, on the 
supposition of parallax, a difference of A.R amounting to 25° at least, 
there is in fact a difference only so great as might be accounted for 
by indefiniteness of observation; and that difference, such as it is, in 
-the direction opposite to parallax. Again, in consequence of the move- 
ment of the earth on its axis, the observers themselves, who noticed 
the fixed position of the radiant, changed place, during the period of 
their observations, 15°, 20° and, in one case (that of Prof. Aikin) 
30° of longitude ; and the absence of a large parallactic motion to the 
west is only to be accounted for either by the absence of parallax or 
by a supposed easterly motion of the meteoric magazine, so to call it, 
just keeping pace with the earth’s revolution. ‘The latter supposi- 
tion is astronomically untenable except at a distance which would not 
account for more than one tenth of the parallax observed. We are 
compelled therefore by these two equally decisive circumstances— 
namely the absence of both parallax and parallactic motion, to ap- 
ply elsewhere for a solution of the apparent progressive augmenta- 
tion of north declination as the observer’s place moves southward. 
It is worthy of remark that if we investigate, by means of the da- 
ta furnished in the table, the parallel in which the radiant was verti- 
cal wher on the meridian, we shall find it to be that of lat. 34° N.; 
and in like manner we shall find that in lat. 3° N. the radiant would 
lie in the northern horizon; and that, in lat. 65° N., it would lie in 
the southern horizon: beyond these two parallels therefore, of 3° 
N. and 65° N., it would seem that the meteors could not be visible. 
Additional observations upon the radiant are highly desirable; and it 
is hoped, even now, that such persons as may have it in their pow- 
er to collect and give them to the public will not fail to improve 
the opportunity,—particularly persons far to the south, or west. 
The statements of Capt. Parker of the ship Junior, which have. 
been alluded to already, deserve a special notice. Capt. P. it will 
be remembered being in the gulf of Mexico, lat. 26° N. lon. 853° 
W., saw the meteors confined to a small space of action, and the ra- 
diant, at 3 o’clock, in the due N. E. 45° high; the space of action 
spread wider during, an hour and a half, and the radiant rose 5° to 
10° in the mean time, without however moving from the N. E. at 
all, and about 5 o’clock the meteors spread over the whole heavens. 
The analogy between these appearances and those which Humboldt 
witnessed at Cumana in 1799 is striking. In that year while Mr. 
