278 
EASTMAN. 
notably contracted, and in 1834 the germ of the true theory 
of meteoric motion was presented, but not developed. 
The most accurate idea of the progress of the science of 
Meteoric Astronomy can be obtained, without doubt, from 
an examination of the principal theories. 
Abstracts of Theories. 
The following abstracts of these theories are presented in 
chronological order, and in each case the language of the 
author is employed if practicable. 
Probably the first paper printed in this country which ad¬ 
vances any theory of the nature or the motion of meteors 
was written by Rev. Thomas Clap, ex-president of Yale Col¬ 
lege, and was printed in Norwich, Connecticut, in 1781. He 
concluded that “ our observations have heretofore been so 
imperfect as that we cannot easily determine minute circum¬ 
stances ; but the general theory seems highly probable, if 
not certain, that these superior meteors are solid bodies, half 
a mile in diameter, revolving around the earth in long 
ellipses, their least distance toeing about twenty or thirty 
miles; that by their friction upon the atmosphere they 
make a constant rumbling noise and collect electrical fire, 
and when they come nearest .the earth or a little after, being 
then overcharged, ,they make an explosion as loud as a 
large cannon.” 
In 1819 W. G. Reynolds, M. D., of Middletown Point, N. 
J., published a paper 1 advocating the theory that “ Meteors 
proceed from the earth. They arise from certain combina¬ 
tions of its elements with solar heat, and meteoric stones are 
the necessary results of the decomposition of these combina¬ 
tions.” 
After the shower of 1833 elaborate accounts of the event 
were written by several scientific observers, and various con¬ 
clusions and theories were deduced. 
Prof. Edward Hitchcock , 2 of Amherst College, Mass., con- 
1 A. J. S., I v 266. 
2 A. J. s., XXYj, 354. 
