960 Meteors observed at Allahabad, 10th August 1842. [No. 130. 



Tike observations themselves are very easily made when a person 

 knows exactly what he has to do, and does not allow himself to be 

 distracted by attempting too much. Besides general attention, the 

 most useful qualification I believe to be, the ability readily to estimate 

 altitudes at sight. I know by experience, that persons in the habit of 

 such observations, may train themselves to estimate altitudes at sight 

 within 2° of the truth, for I have practised it along with another person, 

 proving our estimates by an altitude and azimuth instrument. In 

 the present observations, the altitudes I believe to be within 5° of the 

 truth, and the azimuths within 15°. But as the meteors come some- 

 times very quickly after each other, there is no time for deliberation, 

 and it becomes necessary to write down at once whatever is to be 

 recorded, so as to be ready for the next. 



In order to judge of the azimuths, I had my cot put in an open 

 place, and laid duly East and West, because I had a straight road, with 

 well marked objects in that direction. I lay on my back, and had 

 a faint oil light on the ground, just sufficient to let me see my watch 

 and what I was writing. I wrote lying on my back, and holding the 

 paper over my head, and in this way saw several meteors which other- 

 wise would have passed unnoticed. 



It is an obvious fact, to whatever conclusions it may ultimately lead, 

 that a considerable majority of these meteors have a Westerly course 

 in or near to the Zodiac. Such being the case, it is desirable that some 

 observers should be situated as nearly as may be at right angles to the 

 Zodiac, and at considerable distances from each other, in order that 

 the errors in estimating the altitudes have the least possible effect on 

 the computed heights from the surface of the Earth. 



In order that meteors observed at distant places may be readily 

 identified, it is desirable that observers should set their watches either 

 to mean or to apparent time, by means of an astronomical observation, 

 or by a well-set sundial. Provided it be distinctly stated, whether 

 the watch shews mean or apparent time, it is of no great importance 

 which is used ; though as a general rule, apparent time is the most con- 

 venient for meteorological observations, because the tides, &c. of the 

 atmosphere, like those of the ocean, have a direct relation to the appa- 

 rent, rather than to the mean course of the sun. 



