Miscellanies. 4 1 9 



3. The Zodiacal Light, which we have observed to precede the 

 morning twih^ht on every favorable inornin2; since the 11th of Oc- 

 tober, began to be visible as early as four o'clock, and was seen to 

 extend from the horizon upward, terminating near the place from 

 which the meteors emanated." 



It will appear from the foregoing statements that the phenome- 

 non, if identical with that of November 13th, 1833, had nothing of 

 the magnificence of that. Those, however, who have watched our 

 sky for a long period, both before and after the 13th, concur in the 

 testimony, that the exhibition of meteors on that morning, in regard 

 to number, brightness and direction, was altogether peculiar, and 

 more remarkable than any similar occurrence before or since. We 

 have not heaixl, however, that any remarkable fall of meteors was 

 observed on that night any where south of this place although the 

 appearances, as observed by Mr. Twining, were extraordinary at 

 West Point, (which is in nearly tlie same latitude,) and at places 

 north of us, as at Andover in Massachusetts. By the following let- 

 ter, received since that time, from Mr. A. K. Wright, a member of 

 the Theological Seminary at Andover, we learn, not only that the 

 phenomenon in question was seen at Andover, but that a remarkable 

 shower of meteors was witnessed in Ohio on the 13th of November, 

 1831 ; which carries us back one year farther than any previous 

 accounts. The statement of Mr. Wright is as follows : 



" In a letter dated January Soth, 1834, which I received from my 

 father, who is a physician in the state of Ohio, after some remarks 

 respecting the meteoric exhibition in 1833, as observed in this coun- 

 try, and that in 1832, as observed in Arabia, I find a statement for 

 substance as follows: ' In 1831, on the 13th of November, between 

 three and four o'clock, A. M., I noticed an unusual shower of Me- 

 teors, while on my way to a neighbor's where 1 had been called on 

 professional business.' Knowing the care with which my father's 

 professional journal is kept, I am satisfied there is no room for mis- 

 take in respect to date. 



" It may be interesting to you to know that the meteoric exhi- 

 bition was noticed here, this year, as well as in other parts of the 

 country." 



P. S. — Jan. 1. The Zodiacal Light is still faintly visible in the 

 east. In the west, it reaches nearly to the meridian, but is feebler 

 than at this time last year. Indeed, all its exhibitions have been 

 less striking than they were in 1833-4. D. O. 



Yale College, January, 1835. 



