May. 1902. Meteorite Studies, I — Farrington. 289 



The natural surface of the more conical part (Brustseite) of the 

 meteorite as it is at present joined together, is for the most part deeply 

 pitted with characteristic meteoritic thumb-marks (piezoglypten). 

 These pits vary considerably, as would be expected, in form and size, 

 but still exhibit a certain uniformity. The majority have the form of 

 an elongated ellipse whose major axis is about twice the length of its 

 minor. The following dimensions may be considered as representing 

 a fair average of the size of the pits: Major axis, 3.2 cm. (i^in.) 

 Minor axis, 1.5 cm. (^8 in.) Depth, 3 to 10 mm. (}i to }i in.) The 

 depression of each pit generally slopes uniformly toward the center of 

 the ellipse, but often there are to be found pits, the deepest point of 

 which is quite eccentrically placed and which have a more or less con- 

 ical shape. Some pits have a nearly circular outline as contrasted 

 with the more common ellipsoidal one. These circular pits are 

 usually of small size, but one of large size and unusual depth is to be 

 found at the point in the meteorite where the two planes A and C cut 

 each other. This pit has for the most part the shape of a deep regular 

 bowl, although the regularity of one portion is broken by two smaller 

 conical pits. The depth of this pit is 3.2 cm. (i^in.) and its diameter 

 6.4 cm. (2^4 in.) The point of junction of the planes is almost exactly 

 at the center of the pit. It is evident that this was a point of weak- 

 ness in the stone at which the erosive action of heat and friction pro- 

 duced during the passage of the mass through the atmosphere worked 

 more rapidly than on other parts of the surface. Its occurrence at the 

 point of junction of the planes is pretty good evidence that the latter 

 existed in the stone previous to its entry into the atmosphere. This 

 fact has also a bearing on the disputed question as to the origin of the 

 pits in general. It shows that they owe their origin chiefly to an 

 excavation by heat and pressure of the softer or more friable parts 

 of the surface of the mass which is acted upon. Wherever there is 

 a point of weakness there a pit will be formed. Vice versa, where 

 a pit is formed, there was a point of weakness. 



The rear side (Ruckseite) of the stone is not pitted. It has a 

 well developed crust, but the encrusted surface exhibits no marked 

 depressions or elevations. The only portion of the meteorite as now 

 restored which illustrates the Riickseite is that appearing in the upper 

 right hand part of Plate XLIII (Frontispiece). Here the surface is 

 slightly undulating, but there are no pits. 



The color of the crust of the meteorite is in general dark brown, 

 but varies from almost black to light brown. At a little distance it 

 appears perfectly smooth and in places shining, but on close examin- 

 ation it is seen to be quite uniformly and coarsely stippled by the pro- 



