14 H. HENSOLDT ON FLUID CAVITIES IN METEORITES. 



state, I have found to be iron, combined with about 1 5 per cent, of 

 Oxygen, presenting a peculiar mineral somewhat analogous to the 

 sesquioxyde of iron, yet possessing most of the properties of pure 

 iron. I am inclined to attach considerable importance to this latter 

 circumstance, as a similar combination has not before been 

 observed in any known meteorite ; and if time only permitted me, I 

 would try to show its particular value in the study of these remark- 

 able objects. 



I would class the meteorite of Braunfels among the Syssiderites 

 of M. Daubree, that section of meteorites in which a network of 

 iron encloses a number of granular masses of stony materials ; for 

 although the substance which constitutes the network in this 

 instance is not pure metallic iron, its deviation from that metal is 

 not sufficiently apparent to warrant the drawing up of a new class 

 of meteorites, unless we consider them entirely from the basis of 

 their chemical components. 



Respecting the fluid cavities, it may be urged that, considering 

 that I have not as yet been able to attest the nature of their con- 

 tents by direct analysis, I am not justified in taking for granted 

 that the liquid which has come under my observation is carbonic 

 acid. To this I would reply that if my experiments do not enable 

 me to absolutely prove the presence of liquefied carbonic acid in the 

 cavities of this meteorite, their results at least permit me to say 

 that if the liquid should, contrary to all expectation, not be carbonic 

 acid, it must be an extremely volatile substance so closely resem- 

 bling carbonic acid in all its peculiarities, that those general con- 

 clusions which I have drawn from its presence respecting the origin 

 of the meteorite, &c, would not in the least be impaired. 



In concluding this paper, I must, in a certain sense, apologise 

 for bringing a subject which seems to involve so much of mineralogy 

 and physics before a Society so exclusively devoted to microscopy 

 as the Quekett Microscopical Club. I might have easily confined 

 myself to the mere aspect, under the microscope, of the sections of 

 the meteorite of Braunfels, and to my observations on their fluid 

 enclosures ; but I could not resist the temptation of drawing at the 

 same time attention to what in my humble opinion seem important 

 issues ; and if I should have erred here and there, or have been 

 too sanguine in my expressions, I trust that others better qualified 

 than myself will investigate the subject and arrive at truer con- 

 clusions. 



