The first two chapters contain a popular view of what is known in regard to the star-showers of August and November, and also of some other epochs. The third is a description, in chronological order, of the most important falls of meteoric stones, together with the phenomena attending their descent. The fourth and following chapters to the eleventh inclusive, discuss various questions in the theory of meteors: such, for instance, as the relative number of aerolitic falls during different parts of the day, and also of the year; the coexistence of the different forms of meteoric matter in the same rings; meteoric dust; the stability of the solar system; the doctrine of a resisting medium; the extent of the atmosphere as indicated by meteors; the meteoric theory of solar heat; and the phenomena of variable and temporary stars. The twelfth chapter regards the rings of Saturn as dense meteoric swarms, and accounts for the principal interval between them. The thirteenth presents various facts, not previously noticed, respecting the asteroid zone between Mars and Jupiter, with suggestions concerning their cause or explanation. As the nebular hypothesis furnishes a plausible account of the origin of meteoric streams, it seemed desirable to present an intelligible view of that celebrated theory. This accordingly forms the subject of the closing chapter. The greater part of the following treatise, it is proper to remark, was written before the publication (in England) of Dr. Phipson's volume on "Meteors, Aerolites, and Falling-stars." The author has had that work before him, however, while completing his manuscript, and has availed himself of some of the accounts there given of recent phenomena. CANONSBURG, PA, _May, 1867_. CONTENTS. PAGE INTRODUCTION 7 CHAPTER I. The Meteors of November 12th-14th 13 CHAPTER II. Other Meteoric Rings 26 CHAPTER III. Aerolites 35 CHAPTER IV. Conjectures in Regard to Meteoric Epochs 50 CHAPTER V. Geographical Distribution of Meteoric Stones--Do Aerolitic Falls occur more frequently by Day than by Night?--Do Meteorites, Bolides, and the matter of ordinary Shooting-stars, coexist in the same Rings? 56 CHAPTER VI. Phenomena supposed to be Meteoric--Meteoric Dust--Dark Days 65 CHAPTER VII. Researches of Reichenbach--Theory of Meteors--Stability of the Solar System--Doctrine of a Resisting Medium 74 CHAPTER VIII.