OF A METEORIC FIRE-BALL. 31 



elevation of about 10° above the horizon. It moved through a descending path 

 to the E.N.E., and faded away in the clouds. It consisted of two bodies, each as 

 bright as Venus when close to the earth, and lasted about 30 seconds." Nos. 82, 

 86, and 90 were observed by Mr. Yeatman, of the Coast Survey, with reference to 

 the towers of the Smithsonian Institution, and the altitude estimated by W. S. 

 Nicholson, also of the Coast Survey. No. 183 was observed by Prof S. F. Baird, 

 who says that the meteor " emerged from behind a house at the north at an altitude 

 of about 20° ;" that it " became invisible about E.N.E.," and that it was seen 

 " about 20 or 30 seconds."^ 



In the Washington Star of July 23d, it is stated that the meteor was seen 

 about 20 seconds before the first disruption ; about 15 seconds between that and 

 the second disruption, and that the whole time was about a minute. 



Dr. A. W. Miller, who observed the meteor from Sixth Street, says it exploded 

 when N.N.E., and disappeared nearly due east, at 9h. 35m., by Navy Yard time.^ 



In another report from this place it is said to have been visible 30 seconds after 

 the first disruption. All observers at Washmgton agree that the motion at 

 first appeared perfectly horizontal.^ 



Washington, New York (Dutchess County). Reported time 9h. 30m.^ 



WasJiingfonville, New York, No. 65. Communicated to Profs. Lyman and New- 

 ton, of Yale College, as follows : "As it approached, and when at an angle of 40°, 

 it appeared to separate into two bodies."* * # * * uj^^ j|. passed over our 

 heads it appeared to be about 300 or 400 feet directly over us, or a little to the 

 south." Another report says that the meteor passed about 10° south of the zenith. 



Welchfield, Ohio, No. 78. Communicated by B. Z. Abell, who measured the 

 altitude by the " card method," from an observation by others, which he thus de- 

 scribes : " Four persons (good judges) had the rare opportunity of seeing the me- 

 teor pass over about three-fourths of its arc, and were so situated with reference to 

 the meteor, that in the required direction, N. 58 j° E., a material object very nearly 

 marked its altitude," and adds that he thinks the angle as measured must be very 

 near the truth. 



Wellsville, New York, Lat. 42° 7', Lon. 78° 6'. The following estimates of the 

 altitude of the meteor at different azimuths that I had designated, were kindly 

 made for me by Dr. H. M. Sheerar, by the " card method," from observations by 

 Charles Collins, Esq. : — 



* According to the calculated path, the altitude did not vary half a degree through the first 30° of 

 azimuth, and the meteor occupied 32 seconds in passing from due north to E.N.E., viz : 2 seconds 

 before the first disruption, 16^ seconds between the first and second disruptions, and 13|^ seconds 

 after the second disruption. 



=" If seen at a due east azimuth it must, according to calculation, have been within 8° of the hori- 

 zon, and the time of its disappearance must have been 9h. 36m. 33 sec, 59 seconds after the first 

 disruption. 



' Calculated time of meridian passage about 9h. 48m. 15 sec. 



* According to the calculated path, the meteor did not attain an altitude of 40° (if that is what is 

 intended by the word " angle") till some 5 or 6 seconds after the disruption. Possibly the parts 

 were not separated far enough at first to attract notice. 



