On the Origin of Meteoric Stones. 85 



outset, in a high degree of ignition. It passes, therefore, with- 

 out doubt, in a melted state, though probably only of moment- 

 ary duration, from the elastic to assume the solid form, by which 

 the consolidation of the mass is rendered still more comprehen- 

 sible. 



In what way electricity operates this reduction I venture not to 

 determine. But it is easy to perceive that the obscurity which 

 here reigns, does not arise from the vagueness of our hypothe- 

 sis, but from our still more deficient knowledge of electricity. 

 For it is obvious, if we knew with certainty how electricity acts 

 upon every species of matter, in all circumstances, we could at 

 once determine, with confidence, for or against our hypothesis. 



It seems to me, however, that all the observations of whatever 

 kind hitherto made on electrical phenomena, fall quite naturally 

 in with our hypothesis, and we proceed, therefore, to examine 

 some of these more in detail. 



We remark, then, the similar composition of all meteoric 

 stones, explained by no other hypothesis. According to ours, 

 it necessarily follows that the exhalations which ascend from the 

 earth are always the same, and that only the relative quantities 

 of their admixture are varied by currents in the atmosphere. 

 We hence ascertain also why these atmospherical productions 

 are of quite a different nature, from the concretions found in the 

 interior of the earth. 



Perhaps an objection may be brought against our hypothesis, 

 tliat in all meteoric stones, certain metals (nickel, for example) 

 occur which are not found any where but in small quantity, and, 

 for the roost part, at some depth. But why should not Nature 

 be able to form such metals, since we must admit that she pos- 

 sesses power, in many other cases, to produce metals out of sub- 

 stances not metallic .? 



Farther, fire-balls move with the greatest velocity in all direc- 

 tions, nay, according to Chladni''s observations, sometimes even 

 upwards, which certainly it would be difficult to reconcile witli 

 an origin distinct from the earth. Since, according to our hy- 

 pothesis, the reduction of a quantity of vapour takes place with 

 extreme rapidity, or rather momentaneously, while the entire 

 mass aggregates into a very small place, it is to be supposed that 

 the greater part of the particles must be put into very violent 



