24 ON THE ORBIT AND PHENOMENA 



varied greatly from 25° at the position 'N. 26^° W.' Its altitude increased but 

 slightly, if at all; it crossed the meridian 12° to 15° below the pole star (perhaps 

 a little less), finally disappearing without falling below the horizon, at a point 

 N. 85° E., and at an altitude of perhaps 8°. For the last few seconds it seemed 

 nearly stationary, comparing well with Venus in brightness, then with Jupiter, and 

 so on to its disappearance. Its altitude diminished slowly after it crossed the 

 meridian — more rapidly, I think, as it approached the east. At a point ' N. 61^;° E.' 

 it may have been 20°. These are the results of my reconsideration of the matter 

 next day, and of a careful comparison of my impressions with those of several of my 

 colleagues, who also witnessed it. Their attention was, I think, in all instances 

 attracted by the reflected light. No one of them saw it at its first appearance. I 

 think I cannot be mistaken in the conviction that I saw it when it first became 

 visible." * * * * « There were various estimates among us, as to the 

 time during which it was visible — ranging from 10 to 30 seconds. My ovra feeling 

 inclines to the latter estimate.^ Upon reviewing what I have written, I think I 

 may have put the point of the disappearance of the meteor a little too low. When 

 it comes again (!) I hope to have my wits about me, so as to furnish you more 

 reliable information." 



Ogdensburg, New York, No. 13. Communicated by WiUiam E. Guest, Esq., 

 from the observations of several persons who were standing near each other, and 

 who all agreed as to the point upon a factory steeple with Avhich the meteor came 

 in range. The angle was measured by Mr. G. by the " card method." 



Olean, New York, Lat. 42° 5', Lon. 78° 34'. Visible "nearly or quite two 

 minutes" — passed near the zenith. 



Osceola, Illinois, Lat. about 41°, Lon. about 90°. Communicated by Dr. John 

 S. Pashley, as follows, under date of September 12, 1860 : " On the evening of July 

 20th, our attention was directed to a phenomenon similar to a falling star of unusual 

 magnitude and brilliancy, but so rapid was its motion, and so comparatively small 

 was the appearance of the same, that we paid very little attention to it, not suspecting 

 that it was anything of rare occurrence, nor have I since been decided as to whether 

 it was the meteor spoken of, although the time of its appearance, and its erratic 

 course, in many published accounts, correspond with our observation. Its general 

 course here (if my memory serves me) was from N.W. to S.E., and it Avas north 

 of the zenith."^ 



Oswego, New York, Lat. 43° 28', Lon. 76° 35'. Reported time 9h. 40m.^ 



Owego, New York, Lat. 42° 7', Lon. 76° 18'. Rev. Thomas K. Beecher, of Elmira, 



* The calculated interval between Prof. F.'s first and last observation is 58 seconds. 



° This description is inserted, not as affording any material aid in developing the path of the 

 meteor under discussion, but because Osceola is considerably farther west than any other place at 

 which the meteor was seen. If it was really seen from Osceola, the line of vision must have been 

 above the clouds that obscured the sky farther north — which might easily be. Its meridian altitude 

 must have been about 28i°, and the time about 8h. 42ra. P. M. Its apparent motion must have been 

 only about 2° per second, which could hardly be called "rapid." 



' Calculated time of meridian passage, 9h. 3Tm. 19 sec. 



