ii4 Field Columbian Museum — Geology, Vol. 111. 



scriptions of this meteorite* it has merely been stated that the mass 

 was "irregularly triangular and much broader than thick" — and no 

 dimensions have been given. 



The form of the Iron Creek meteorite, as seen from its cast, is that 

 of a low cone, 8}4 inches (22 cm.) high and 22 inches (56 cm.) in diam- 

 eter. The outline of the base of the cone is an incomplete circle, an 

 approximately straight contour cutting off one side so that only about 

 three-fourths of the circle is present. The width of the mass in this 

 direction is 17 inches (43 cm.) Were the circle complete the apex of 

 the cone would occupy a position near its center, but with the mass 

 shaped as it is the apex is situated close to the straight side. At one 

 point where the straight side joins the circular outline there was evi- 

 dently, in the original mass, a prolongation perhaps a few inches in 

 length, which having formed the most convenient part of the meteor- 

 ite for removal has been sawed off for purposes, doubtless, of analysis 

 and distribution. While the form of the meteorite as a whole is coni- 

 cal, it is also arched, the base being concave and the sides convex. 

 The greatest depth of the concavity of the base is about one and a half 

 inches and occurs opposite the • apex. This general concavity is 

 also subdivided by two secondary concave areas, one about seven 

 inches (18 cm.), the other about ten inches (25 cm.) in diameter. 

 These are again subdivided by broad, shallow pits from two to four 

 inches in diameter. The perimetral edge formed by the meeting of 

 the sides and base is irregular in contour and from one to two inches 

 in thickness. The broad, shallow pits of the base, which by their 

 form characterize this as the rear side of the meteorite are, as has 

 been stated, from two to four inches (5-10 cm.) in diameter. Their 

 form is approximately circular although they at times tend to be oval 

 or polygonal. The ridges between the pits are low, rounded and 

 merge into the pits. The pits of the convex surface of the meteorite 

 present considerable contrast to these. They are smaller, rarely ex- 

 ceeding two inches (5 cm.) in diameter, are deeper in proportion to 

 their diameters, more irregular in shape and the ridges between them 

 are higher. They lack uniformity of shape or arrangement. Some are 

 long and narrow, others three-sided, others again more nearly circular. 

 The apex of the cone appears to have been less oxidized than the rest of 

 the mass, indicating that the crust had sprayed off at this point. 

 It presents a smooth surface about two inches (5 cm.) in diameter, 

 convex except for a small, saucer -like depression about yi inch (1 cm:) 

 in diameter in its center. The base and the sides of the cone meet in a 

 sloping edge except on the side already described as approximately 

 ♦1887 Proc. Trans. Roy. Soc. Canada, Vol. IV. p. 97. 



