The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-11-13

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forms us that we have perfect synhess as we'll as ana
sis In the formation of two common substances Water
decomposed gives oxygen and hydrogen these collected
and reunited again form water So too azote and hydro.
gen compose ammonia and ammonia subject TO analysis
gives azoe and hydrogen If we cannot in all instances
reproduce the bodies changed by chemical action,
plain their NODES successfully initiate nature In their
formation u is because Of the present feeble state OF
science and the imperfection Of our senses
Phosphorus, sulphur, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon and
tho electric fluid enable solve satisfactorily the
variety of light familiar senses but which Of these
were concerned in the beautiful phenomenon of which
have been speaking cannot say with absolute
tanty; and how. In this temperate latitude, such
unusual quantity of nflammable riform fluids could be
collected cannot even hazard conjecture Your
spectfui, obedient servant,
SAMUEL b. SMITH M. D., United States Army
Views Of Professor Olmsted.
The following paper on the remarkable meteorc phe
nomenon which was exhibited over all parts Of the
United States the morning Of the 18th Of November
1885, has furnished by Professor Olmsted of Yale
College, New Haven
On comparing the accounts that wore given Of the
fang stas In various places IL is found that the ap
pearances everywhere nearly the same being with
slight variations, foows:-The meteors began
on The preceding evening: the exhibition became srk
ingy brilliant about eleven, but most splendid Of all
about four O'Clock and continued with but little diminu
tion until merged IN the light OF day few largo fire
balls after the had arisen The entire
extent of the exhibition is not yet ascerained with pre-
cision, but II covered inconsderable portion OF the
earths surface II has been traced from the longitude
Of sxtyone degrees in the Atlantic ocean, to longitude
one hundred degrees 10 central Mexico and from the
North American lakes to the southern side Of the Island
Of Jamaica It was not seen, however, anywhere In
Europe nor in South America, in any part of the
Pacific Ocean yet heard from. Everywhere within the
above named limits FIRST appearance that OF fire.
works OF the most imposing grandeur covering the onre
vault Of heaven with myrads Of fire balls resembling
eky rockets. On attentive inspection 1t scen
that the meeos exhibited three distinct varieties the
nrst, consisting Of phosphoric lines. apparently de-
scribed BY point; the second, OF large fire
balls, that at intervals darled along the sky,
leaving luminous trains which occasionally re.
m.,ned IN view f9r number OF minutes and IN some
luminous bodies which remained nearly stationary the
hcavens for long time Those Of the first variety were
snow driven with inconcevable velocity TO the north Of
west The second kind appeared more like falling stars
were actually falling from the ssy-s spectacle which
was contemplated by the more unenlighted beholders
with great amszemen. aud terror These fire balls were
oina describes which appeared larger than the full
moon rising y wss," he says, startled BY the spen-
rendering small objects quite visible"
One Of the most remarkable circumstances attending
this display was that the meeors all seemed 70 emanate
from and the point-that H. II their lines OF d.
reoton had been continued backward they would have
met 10 the same point southeast little from the zenith.
following the arch Of tho sky. along the vault with
mmensc velocity, describing In instances Of
The which they were commonly wS
we're sometimes tinged with various prismatic colors
One ball tseen at New Haven, and supposed 70 have
that shot or in the northwest direction and exploded
lc norhward Of the star Cspella left just behind the
place Of explosion phosphoFsscsns train q peculiar
ssd Gss Of :'s ss!S. e
or vapor This cloud borne eastward by the wind
as was supposed, which was blowing gently In that d.
recton opposite 70 tho course in which tho meteor had
proceeded, remaining in sight several minutes
or the third variety Of meteors the following are
markabie examples Al Poland, Ohio. luminous body
was distinctly visible in the northeast for than
hour 1t was very brilliant, In the form Of pruning
hook, and apparently twenty feet long and eighteen
until !, disappearea Al Niagara Falls large re- luminous
BODY shaped like square table, nearly in the
zenith, remaining for some time almost stationary emit
r OF extraordinary size was seen to the heavens
f great length Of timc, and then heard 70 explode
with the noise OF a cannon.
The apparent rad,An., 6f the point from which tho
mceors seemed TO emanae, observed by those who
liked lite position among the stars TO be in the copsela
ton Leo At New Haven II appeared in the bend Of the
sickle "a collection OF stars In the breast Of Leo) little
TO the westward OF the star Gamma Icons BY observ-
ers at other places remote from each other II was seen
IT. change OF position supposed 70 be owing 10 the effect
OF paralax An important observation. first published
by the writer OF this article and confirmed by the
concurrent testimony OF all the observers who remarked
the position Of the foregoing radiant point among the
nAea s,ais ~ .ns' tns pom. was stationary anon. the
that II did not move along with the earth In Its diurnal
revolution eastward, but accompanied the their
According TO the testimony OF by far the greater nam.
Der OF observers, the meteors unaccompaned by
any peculiar sound. but the other hand such sound
supposed to proceed from the said be dis
tincy heard BY aew observers In various places II
well known however, that persons unaccustorned TO
making observations In the Stiffness OF night apt
when listening al such times 10 hear sounds when they
associate with any remarkable phenomenon that happens
10 be present, although wholly unconnected with H. The
question: therefore, whether any sound proceeded from
the mcteors must rest for Its decision circum-
s star s o. inc case such a. the Of the sounds
In the present case the sounds euppoed 10 have been
heard by few observers are r.. resented either a.
slight explosions like the bursting OF the same bodies
ncse comparisons thought 10 occur TOO uniformly
ana 10 700 many instances 70 permit the superstition
that they were either imaginary or were derived from
trsneous sources.
II is not held as fact well established that any sub.
stance reached the ground which be considered
resduum or deposit from the meteors although indca
ona Of such substance we're supposed 70 be discovered
A remarkable change Of weather from warm 10 cold
accompanied the mcteoric shower, or Immediately fol.
lowed In all parts OF tho United States this change
was remarkable Tor iu suddenness and intensity. In
many places the day preceding had been unusually
warm Tor the season. but before morning severe frost
ehsued unparalleled for the time OF year Indeed the
seasons and atmospheric changes exhibited remarkable
anomalies long after that period fact which il NAV be
wei TO place on record compare with future observa.
TONE although may be impossible decide al present
vhcther or not these irregularities had any
Win the phenomenon In question. Thus, nj Mlehili.
mackinar, so uncommony mid was the season through.
out the latter part Of November and the whole Of Deem
Dor that the Indians made maple sugar during this
month"; and The contiguous lakes remained unfroyen as
late the Sd OF January Al the same period The
In the southwestern States. far rs New Orleans was
unusually cold In most parts Of New England an un.
oommonly mild winter was succeeded by q remarkabIy
cold and backward spring, requiring domestic nres 10 be
kndlcd throughout the mouth OF May and freouentiv
In the month OF June succession OF gales CON
about the time Of the meteorc shower nrst IN the A.
iantic Ocean and Afterwards In various partp OF The
United states, almost uncqualled In this country for
their frequency and violence
In entering on the explanation Of these mysterious
phenomena, 10 u argued, in the fret place that tho
eeors had their origin beyond the limits Of our a,mos
pherc that they Of course did not belong this earth
but 10 the regions Of space exterior TO H. All bodies near
the earth, including the atmosphere itself have com.
east the radiant point that Indicated the source
from which the meteors emanated followed the course