Von Hoff ow the Origin of Meteoric Stones. 301 



of our earth is well known, and that it probably exists in ex- 

 tremely large masses in the interior of the globe, seems to be 

 indicated by magnetic phenomena. It is hence quite possible, 

 that, in the distribution of elementary matter existing in space, 

 the matter from which iron is formed * may occur in such 

 predominating quantity, that the obscure process of the forma- 

 tion of solid bodies when it reached those portions of original 

 matter, would give rise to masses of native iron instead of com- 

 pound meteoric stones. 



Since the defenders of the lunar hypothesis support their opi- 

 nion by the fact, that meteoric stones are granular rocks, and 

 since they thus assent to the supposition that the materials of the 

 two distinct heavenly bodies can be of similar or very analogous 

 constitution, which may also be the case with several heavenly 

 bodies, perhaps even, though with important differences in the 

 medium compactness of the mixed principal constituents, with 

 all the bodies belonging to one solar system, they cannot de- 

 ny, that, in the formation of new heavenly bodies, in the same 

 system, a material very similar to the mass of the others may, 

 nay> reasoning on the uniformity of operating forces of nature, 

 must, be produced. 



If, then, creative nature is not limited in the scale of its ope- 

 rations, it will continually bring forth bodies of all sizes, formed 

 from the inexhaustible supply existing in space of the elementary 

 matter which is constantly renewed by decompositions. Per- 

 haps within the limits of separate solar systems only smaller 

 bodies, such as subordinate planets, revolving fragments, shoot- 

 ing-stars, and meteoric stones are produced ; while in the vast 

 spaces between the solar systems, the formation proceeds of 

 larger infinitely larger heavenly bodies, of whose existence 

 we are only made aware by their becoming now and then vi- 

 sible, at immense distances, in the form of new stars. 



It will be remarked, that I have here enumerated shooting or 

 falling stars. Many of the appearances included by us under 

 this name, and which do not all belong to one and the same 

 phenomenon, -f- and also the small moveable luminous points that 



Iron belongs to our so-catted simple bodies. 



t Olbers has expressed the opinion that falling stars exhibit essential dif- 

 ferences among themselves. Vide *' Von Zach's Monatlichc Corrcspondenx" 

 vol. vii. p. 151). 



