Periodicity of the meteor-swarms; radiant points; number of swarms recognised at the present day–Periodical maxima and minima in certain meteoric currents; thirty years period of the November swarm–Parabolic velocity of shooting stars ; the swarms of shooting stars come from the sidereal depths.

These considerations bring us to the theory recently elaborated by the learned Italian astronomer M. G. V. Schiaparelli, Director of the Observatory of Brera, at Milan.

According to this theory there exists between comets and shooting stars a connexion and community of origin, which henceforth we may regard as certain, as it is supported both by logical deduction and observation. We shall now explain by what train of ideas this assimilation between phenomena which at first sight appear so foreign to each other has passed from the phase of simple hypothesis into that of a theory which observations of great value permit us at the present time to consider demonstrated.

Let us first of all pass in review the facts upon which the theory is based.

The shooting stars which may be observed on any clear night throughout the year are notably more numerous at certain times, the dates of which are nearly fixed, as, for example, August 10, November 13 or 14, and April 20.