202 SCIENTIFIC INTELLIGENCE. 



of large dimensions, — the phenomenon expanded nearly over-head, 

 and apparently not more than 300 or 400 feet high, dispersing in 

 large globes, the size of 421b. shot, of quicksilvery appearance ; then 

 fell for a few seconds toward the earth, and vanished." Neither Mr. 

 Menzies nor Mr. Thompson heard any noise. On reaching the Bok- 

 keveld, they ascertained that the meteor had fallen there about the 

 time they witnessed the phenomenon above described. 



Extract of a letter from the Rev. Mr. Zahn, of Tulbagh, addressed 

 to F. Watenneyer, Esq., and dated 6th November, 1838 : — 



" The object of these lines is to fulfil my promise of sending to you herewith one of the stones, 

 which fell simultaneously during the atmospheric tremor in the Cold Bokkeveld, on the 13th of 

 October. This stone was found between the estates of Jacobus Jooste and Pet. du Toit. Several 

 have fallen on the place of Rudolph van Heerden, where one fell on the hard road, and was 

 smashed to pieces. Another on a ploughed field, sunk a few inches into the ground ; and a third, 

 falling on a moist place near the water, lodged itself to the depth of several feet. Some people 

 say tliey observed smoke whilst the stones fell; and also, when they were picked up a smell was 

 observable, between sulphur and gunpowder. 



" The stone which you receive lay an hour distance from the place where others were found, 

 in tlie same direction in which the agitation was perceptible, viz., from N. W. to S. E., more 

 stones were found. Some people saw in the same direction also, a dark blue streak, which lost 

 itself in a south-easterly direction. 



" 1 have another, somewhat larger stone in the Bokkeveld, which was too heavy for me to 

 carry on horseback. If the latter can be of service to you, 1 shall not fail to send it. The 

 present stone was found in two pieces, as it is at present." 



This specimen sent by Mr. Zahn, Mr. Watermeyer was so kind as 

 to place in my hands for Sir John Herschel, and is the same which 

 was analysed by Mr. Faraday. It was found by P. du Toit, between 

 his habitation and Jacob Jooste 's. It weighed 27 ounces, troy. The 

 other was aftei-wards forwarded by me to Sir J. Herschel, by permis- 

 sion of Mr. Watenneyer. It weighed about 4 lbs. 2 oz., avoirdupois, 

 and is the same, I believe, that fell in the moist ground, close to R. van 

 Heerden's house. I suspect its destination will be the British Museum. 



When Dr. Truter, the civil commissioner of Worcester visited Cape 

 Town, in November, 1838, I called upon him. He told me he was 

 sitting in his office on the before-mentioned morning, when the win- 

 dows suddenly shook in such a way, that he apprehended the shock of 

 an earthquake. He examined his barometer, and found the mercury 

 depressed to the lowest point of its range throughout the year. He 

 likewise mentioned the leading occurrences related in Mr. Zahn's letter. 

 Dr. Truter aftei*wards was so kind as to send me a map of the Bokke- 

 veld, whei^eon the path of the Meteor was laid down, together with the 

 affidavit of Kieviet, reported in your Journal of the 27th, also several 

 specimens of the Meteorolite, including the one recognised by Kieviet. 

 These have been forwarded to the Admiralty, together with two inte- 

 resting letters from the Doctor ; copies of which, I am sorry to say, I 

 did not retain. 



I'will now proceed to describe the result of my visit to the Bokke- 

 veld, accompanied by Mr. Watermeyer, Lieut. Jacob, of the Indian 

 Service, and Mr. Bailey, of the H.E.I.C. Civil Service. 



It may be proper to state that the Cold Bokkeveld is an irregular 

 valley or basin, bounded by high rugged mountains, which is the 

 character of the basins enclosing the towns of Worcester and Tul- 

 bagh. Within the valley of the Bokkeveld the ground undulates. 



