And In
Fact, Whatever May Be The Relation Between This Phenomenon, And The
Motion Of The Atmosphere, Or Whether It Was Accident, Their
Predictions Were Verified The Same Night, When A Brisk Gale Sprung Up,
Which Settled At South." - G.F.
If the opinion of some philosophers as to the origin of these fire-
balls, be correct, viz.
That they are produced by the combination of
animal or vegetable products suspended in the atmosphere, it is easy
to understand, how, the equilibrium of the atmosphere being destroyed
by the condensation, if one may so call it, of a large part of its
constituent principles, those meteors should be followed by
considerable gales or storms. Perhaps, indeed, this opinion best
explains all the circumstances of this phenomenon, and especially the
occurrence so constantly observed of such agitation. The subject,
however, is still involved in a good deal of difficulty, from which a
long and very accurate course of examination is requisite to deliver
it. Much has been effected in this respect, since the publication of
Forster's work; and there is no reason to doubt, that the application
of an improved chemistry to a careful comparison of all the authentic
relations of such phenomena, will issue in a satisfactory
solution. - E.
SECTION XI.
Sequel of the Passage from New Caledonia to New Zealand, with an Account
of the Discovery of Norfolk Island; and the Incidents that happened while
the Ship lay in Queen Charlotte's Sound.
The wind continuing at S.W., W.S.W., and W., blowing a fresh gale, and now
and then squalls, with showers of rain, we steered to S.S.E, without
meeting with any remarkable occurrence till near noon on the 6th, when it
fell calm.
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