of the 14th of November, 1866. 87 



The increase in numbers, and the subsequent decrease, as we 

 passed through the group, show that the meteoric bodies are 

 more abundant in the middle than near the outside ; yet the 

 very sudden increase and as sudden decrease in numbers seem 

 very inexplicable. 



It is supposed that the meteors, on coming in contact with 

 our atmosphere, become luminous by the arresting of their mo- 

 tion. The height of meteors has been found to average ninety- 

 five miles at first appearance, and sixty miles at extinction. 

 Now it seems wonderful that our atmosphere at a height of 

 ninety-five miles can have such an effect. 



Another curious fact is, that we have not yet heard of any me- 

 teoric matter having been found on the earth's surface since the 

 late shower. Now, where do they go to ? It is exceedingly 

 improbable that they get free from our atmosphere ; and that 

 they should be dissolved into meteoric dust seems unlikely, 

 since they did not appear to be diminished in size during their 

 progress; and, as has been already stated, the nucleus was seen 

 in many cases after it had ceased leaving a train. 



These and other questions must be settled by the accumula- 

 tion of observations; and all who are interested in this depart- 

 ment of astronomy must look forward with expectation to the 

 Report of the Committee on this subject to the British Asso- 

 ciation at their next Meeting. These reports have for some 

 years past contained the fullest accounts of meteors and me- 

 teoric showers. The progress which has been made from the 

 observations of the last thirty years fully warrants the expecta- 

 tion that much information will now be gained in this branch 

 of science from the observations which have been made, in many 

 different parts of the world, of the late remarkable shower. 



Note on the Curves. (PL III.) 



In each of the curves the time marked is the mean of the 

 period during which the observations were made* 



In the curve deduced from Mr. Tannage's observations, the num- 

 bers visible in five minutes were first counted at 12 h 52 m , from 

 which time, till 12 h 57 m , he counted 127. In the preceding 

 four minutes (from 12 h 48 m to 12 h 52 m ) he had counted 107, 

 and between 12 h 47 m and 12 h 47 m 30 s he had counted 39. 

 Hence, whatever number was visible between 12 h 47 m 30 s and 

 12 h 48 m , the number in the five minutes preceding 12 h 52 m 

 must have considerably exceeded that in the five minutes fol- 

 lowing. This is mentioned merely to show the remarkable 

 coincidence in the three lowest curves in marking this increase 

 in the numbers at 12 h 40 m . And it should be noticed that 



