7 6 Sir H. Davy’s researches on flame. 
which threw down showers of stones, was estimated at seven- 
teen miles high. The velocity of motion of these bodies must 
in all cases be immensely great, and the heat produced by the 
compression of the most rarefied air from the velocity of motion 
must be probably sufficient to ignite the mass ; and all the 
phenomena may be explained, if falling stars be supposed to 
be small solid bodies moving round the earth in very eccentric 
orbits, which become ignited only when they pass with im- 
mense velocity through the upper regions of the atmosphere, 
and if the meteoric bodies which throw down stones with 
explosions be supposed to be similar bodies which contain 
either combustible or elastic matter. 
Cobkam-hall , Kent, 
January 8,1817. 
