The Biela comet is often mentioned as furnishing the best example of comet disintegration. This comet, which was discovered in 1826, had a period of 6.6 years. In 1846, after a lapse of twenty years, it was noticed to be considerably more elongated than usual and a month later it had separated into two comets, each developing a tail of its own. Before long these twin comets had become separated by 200,000 miles. On its next return, in 1852, the two halves of Biela appeared for the second time, with the distance between them increased to 1,500,000 miles. Once again they flew around the sun, but it was a farewell tour, for one streak of light followed the other out into space, grew fainter and fainter and finally disappeared, never to be seen again. [Figure 145: COMET 1910a. Photograph with 6-inch Bruce Lens by Yerkes Observatory.] But just here is the best part of the story, for although the comets have completely vanished, in their place every year comes a radiant display of meteors! These meteors--the Andromids, coming on the 27th of November regularly--are believed to be the "fragments of the lost comet of Biela"! Thus, Serviss, with a touch of art, gives the shivery atmosphere of Poe to such an uncanny proceeding. Although comets have here been placed with planets and planetoids under the heading of "The Children of the Sun," we are not sure, as yet, of the origin of comets. There is one theory which suggests that comets may be the waste material of the solar system; the left-overs, as it were, after the planetary system was formed. Again, perhaps, a great comet may be material drawn in from outside space, perhaps flying back and forth between two stars until it becomes so exhausted that one of the stars is able to capture it. At least we know that the solar system now possesses a great number of comets who bow to the mastery of our star and never wander beyond the orbits of his planets. If these are not true children of the sun they are at least his adopted ones, and there is nothing that will ever lure them from his magnetic personality. _Meteors_ Meteoric showers are popularly called "shooting stars." At least one shooting star may be seen every ten minutes but at certain times of the year they appear in showers. Three of the most profuse of these "star" showers appear from the 9th to 11th of August--Perseus (radiant point) 13th to 15th of November--Leo 27th to 29th of November--Andromeda The Perseids, radiating from a point in the constellation of Perseus, are best seen about three o'clock in the morning. These meteors are called the "Tears of Saint Lawrence" and are noted in ancient legends as the "fiery tears" of this saint who was cruelly persecuted and burned at the stake. His festival is celebrated on the 10th of August, but his "tears" fall for three whole nights.