8 H. HENSOLDT ON FLUID CAVITIES IN METEORITES. 



from the most gigantic planet to the minutest meteoric dust, we 

 have to deal with the same class of existences ; that the same pro- 

 cesses led to the formation of all ; that they are so interlinked by- 

 mere gradations regarding size and physical aspect that the term 

 "meteorite" becomes vague, as we cannot draw the line where the 

 planet ceases and the meteorite begins. 



Now, such an assumption could be quite brought to harmonize 

 with the hypothesis of Laplace respecting the origin of the 

 heavenly bodies. The same laws which, in accordance with it, 

 caused the formation of bodies, from the largest fixed star down to 

 the smallest planet, might well lead to the origination of meteor- 

 ites, if we only allow them a more elaborate scope of operation. 

 Given favourable conditions, there is practically no limit in the 

 grasp and grandeur of their achievements. " The solar system " (to 

 quote Prof. Judd) " was formerly conceived of as a vast solitude 

 through which a few gigantic bodies moved at awful distances from 

 one another. Now, we know that the supposed empty void is 

 traversed by countless myriads of bodies of the most varied dimen- 

 sions, all moving in certain definite paths in obedience to the same 

 laws, ever acting and reacting upon each other, and occasionally 

 coming into collision." 



Now, however plausible the independent formation of the so- 

 called meteorites may appear, that is, how r ever feasible it may be 

 to identify their existence with the same process which led to the 

 origination of the planets, and however well such a presumption 

 may harmonize with the teachings of a widely recognised hypothesis, 

 I believe I am justified in saying that the discovery of fluid en- 

 closures in a meteorite must cause us to pause before we indulge in 

 any further speculations from that starting point, as it is altogether 

 antagonistic to it. The presence of these minute quantities of 

 liquefied carbonic acid in a mass of meteoric origin is fatal to the 

 presumption that meteorites are minute planets, formed under con- 

 ditions similar to those which accompanied the development of 

 those larger celestial bodies, which we have hitherto recognised as 

 planets. These drops of carbonic acid, infinitesimal though they 

 are, speak in a language which cannot be misunderstood, con- 

 vincing us in the most conclusive fashion that at least the meteorite 

 in which they occur has existed, or found existence, under circum- 

 stances which are incompatible with the assumption of its isolated 

 development. 



