The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-05-29

the difference OF their eastward motions, and
we have this result, namely, that the body's
velocity is to this difference OF velocity as the
cosine 10 the sine of rs degrees, or nearly as
l-i to I. Let us assume now that the yeloci-
~ of the mass, on reaching the EARTH was 100
feet per second, very little less than the veloci-
" Of sound, then we should have the velocity
OF approach of the earth and mass equal TO
about $40 feet per second, or about 3ii miles
per hour and as the motion of the earth, at
the required latitude, is about $50 miles per
hour. the difference would give $40 miles as
tne amount OF eastern absolute motion of the
mass. Now, granting that these bodies enter
Ell our atmospheric bearing some degrees west
OF meridian plane, and we see that the resist
ance of the atmosphere has not only destroye ed
the component OF western motion in them, but
over and above This has impaired to them
absolute motion in space equal to 3l0 miles per
hour. In THIS connection, there is one inte-
resting particular to he noticed. paper now
before me, containing an extract from the
-Barnesville 1nteliigencer, says that at the lat
ter place houses were shaken to their very
foundations, and that at Malaga the 'rum-
bling beneath and dbore the earth was so loud
fhat the citizens rushed out Of doors nlasss
70 see what was the natter and also, that 1T
Bellaire, the conclusion was strong that the
large doors of The car house were Jared apart.
Now. we think it may be fairly assumed,
that the greatest effect Of the copcussion must
have been felt on that part of the earths sur
face, Immediately under the point at which
the explosions took place. and from what we
must have been the case at or near Malaga IA
town lying somewhat between Barresvii!e
aud Beiaire, though sou IN of the former place.
Il must not be supposed that the motion OF
the atmosphere would effect the sound.
Now, Malaga Is about 80 miles east Of the
locality at which the meteorites fell and as
suming the approximate truth of our suppo-
sition, it would appear that from the time of
the explosions to the time they reached the
ground, the earth had gained upon them in
the eastward direction, distance of 30 miles.
But since, according to our previous calcula-
ton, the velocity of this gain was 3il miles
per hOur-if we take other view of the
matter, the time required to gain the 81 miles
would be some II minutes. AS this quantity
is evidently too great, ii must be taken into
consideration that 34i miles is the assumed ve-
masses came into collision with il, but at the
time of the explosions and during the inter-
val of the fall the gain was of course very
much greater. SO that really this res ult must
be very much reduced to arrive at anything
like the truth. We do not pretend, from the
unreliable data which we have taken, to have
arrived at anything very definite in our re-
suits, nevertheless the suggestions that have
been made as TO a method Of observing ana
Interpreting facts, may call forth some atten-
ton and be OF some TO those who devote
muci, time TO the subject As this article has
grown more lengthy than was expected, any
further consideration OF the subject must. for
the present, be postponed K.