128 Mr C. G. Elirenberg's Observations on the 



dissimilar. Besides, this supposes that the sudden origin of 

 organic bodies from unorganized materials may be proved. 



As to the two cases of Lucerne and Mannsfeld, it is to be 

 remembered, that, in the latter case, the blood-spots found on 

 the soil, on the morning after the appearance and explosion of 

 a fire-ball, admit of a very simple explanation, that, in search- 

 ing for something extraordinary, as the sign of a mass that had 

 fallen, another fungus was found, the Telephora sanguinea, 

 which Agardh calls Palmella cruenta ; and which, on account of 

 its entirely superficial extension on moist ground, and from its 

 striking colour, exhibited completely the appearance of spots of 

 blood. 



The thick gelatinous masses of both the other cases is distin- 

 guished from the usual matter of shot-stars, the Tremella me- 

 teorica, by their red colour. It would therefore be of import- 

 ance to examine whether similar appearances are any thing else 

 than this, with a particular difference of colour ; whether they 

 are definitely marked by a peculiar structure ; or whether, in the 

 absence of any structure, it can be perceived to be an inorganic 

 meteoric concrement, — a matter hitherto undecided. 



These considerations do not indeed account for every case, 

 but may contribute to a comprehensive conception of such ap- 

 pearances, a multitude of uncertain accounts being of no value ; 

 while single cases, rigidly investigated, give a distinct and satis- 

 factory form to their connection. 



' IV. The atmosphere is loaded with red dust, by which the 



rain accidentally assumes the appearance of blood-rain, 



in consequence of which rivers and stagnant waters ap- 



, pear of a red colour. 



This red dust has been five times observed, viz. 1. In the 



time of the Emperor Michael III. at Brixen, 869 A. D. ; 2. At 



Bagdat, 929 A. D. ; 3. In the Crusades, 1096 A. D. ; 4. By a 



meteor falling into the Lake Van, 1110 A. D. ; 5. At Rome, 



during the blood-rain which fell at Viterbo, 1222 A. D. 



This kind of appearance belongs more probably to inorganic 

 than to organic nature ; and it is to be regretted that the ac- 

 counts are so very unsatisfactory. 



So much for animadversion on the meritorious Chladni's col- 



