from Meteors, Aerolites, and Falling Stars, 1867

(pages 139-140)

“When the globe came just overhead, it appeared to stand still for an instant and exhibited such rapid vibrations that it was feared it would fall upon the observers themselves. At this time it was easy to perceive that the bolide had a rapid movement of rotation, that it turned rapidly on its axis during the whole time it was visible. This curious vibratory motion has been often observed in bolides; I have already alluded to in a former chapter; it does not appear, however, to be generally noted.”