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OF A METEORIC FIRE-BALL. 
7 
apart, and 35 rods from Dr. Terry, in a direction S. 34° E.; and Mr. Case says: 
“ Their independent accounts agree too exactly for rough measurements to detect a 
difference.” He adds also: “No observed elevation, that can be measured, gives 
more than 25° for the maximum elevation. One with good ‘ markers’ gives (No. 
52) N. 5° E., elevation 25°, which is, perhaps, nearest correct. I think it would 
he right (for I made the measurements myself) to substitute this for Dr. Terry’s 
second observation, as his position at that time is slightly uncertain.” 
Clyde, New York, No. 184. At this place two estimates of the altitude of the 
meteor at designated azimuths were kindly made at my request, by the “ card 
method,” but not till more than two months had elapsed after the phenomenon 
occurred, and the results, showing a maximum altitude of not more than 19° (if I 
interpret the marks rightly), are widely at variance with the indications of other 
reliable observations. 
Copley , Ohio, No. 162. Observed by Dr. Ward, of Medina. “The meteor 
seemed to be due north when first seen, at an altitude nearly equal to that of the 
polar star. It passed in a southeasterly direction, and disappeared behind a cloud 
at an elevation of 20°. Was visible about, five seconds.” 1 
Cornwall , New York, Lat. 41° 26', Lon. 74° O'. Time by observation, 9h. 
40m. to 9h. 45m. 1 2 
Coudersport , Pennsylvania, Nos. 170 and 195. Observed by Dr. E. Joerg, who 
says of the meteor, in a letter to Prof. Lyman, of'Yale College: “It traversed the 
Ursa Major between Alioth and Megrez.” Also, that a report was heard exactly 
5 minutes after it disappeared in the horizon exactly in the east. Time of flight 
estimated at two minutes, and nearly that time after it passed between Alioth and 
Megrez; motion apparently due east. 3 
Cove Island , Lake Huron, Nos. 50 and 116. Observed by Mr. Bailey, Observa 
tory Attendant, U. S. Lake Survey. His statement is that, when first seen, the 
meteor appeared as one ball nearly as large as the moon, and at an altitude of 30° 
in a southwesterly direction—that it appeared to move horizontally, and in an 
easterly direction, for about 30°, when it burst, and one piece fell directly to 
the ground near the place of observation, setting fire to the vegetable matter 
around it; that the fire was put out, but the piece could not be found; that 
the remaining portion continued in the original direction, but seemed to be 
approaching the earth; that after passing over an arc of about 60° from the point 
where it was first seen, it disappeared in the S.S.E. “ No other pieces except the 
one spoken of, were seen to detach themselves. The time when the meteor was 
1 Communicated by W. P. Clark, of Medina, Ohio. 
According to the calculated path, the altitude, five seconds after it passed the azimuth of the 
north star, was about 24°. 
3 According to calculation, it passed the meridian of Cornwall at 9h. ITm. 55 sec. 
8 According to the calculated path, the meteor reached a due east azimuth 28 seconds after it 
passed that of the middle point between Alioth and Megrez ; but did not descend below the horizon 
till some 25 seconds later still, and then at about the azimuth S. 15° E. If the explosion heard was 
that which seems to have occurred nearly over Elmira in New York, it would not have been heard, 
according to calculation, till more than 8 minutes after the meteor disappeared.