38 PROCEEDINGS OP THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



classify them lithologically, which has already been so admirably done 

 by Tschermak and Brezina. In this catalogue no natural system of 

 classification has been attempted, but the falls have been arranged 

 chronologically, and, in the absence of any generally accepted system, 

 this appears to be the most convenient order for reference. 



In the arrangement of the catalogue, the left-hand column gives 

 the dates of fall or find of all recorded meteorites, and in making out 

 this list the catalogues of all the well-known museums were consulted ; 

 but where there were discrepancies the catalogue of the Vienna Col- 

 lection was followed, in absence of positive evidence derived from 

 original authorities. In the case of observed falls, the dates given 

 must be very generally correct. It is quite different, however, with 

 the " date of find," and we were constantly unable to reconcile the 

 conflicting evidence on this point, which greatly interferes with the 

 definiteness of a chronological arrangement. 



The numbers in the second column, which we may call the cata- 

 logue numbers, designate the successive falls thus chronologically 

 arranged. On the same line with the catalogue number is given the 

 locality, the names by which the meteorite is commonly known being 

 printed in small capitals ; and these names alone appear in the index. 

 In the third column are given the weights of the various specimens in 

 the Harvard collection, and, at the right, a brief description of them. 

 Before the description of the largest specimen under each fall, it is 

 stated whether the specimen is an iron or a stone, without any attempt 

 at a more exact specification, the object being merely to assist in the 

 identification. In order to add authority to the catalogue, after the 

 description of each specimen it is stated in brackets from whence it 

 came into the possession of the College. 



As it was found impossible to reconcile the statements of different 

 catalogues in regard to pseudo-meteorites, no separate list of them has 

 been made, but the opinions which we have formed in regard to the 

 specimens in the Harvard collection are expressed in the context. It 

 is impossible in this collection, as it must be in others, to establish be- 

 yond doubt the authenticity of some of the specimens, and discrep- 

 ancies may readily arise on this account. 



The specimens starred in the catalogue are duplicates intended for 

 exchange, but will only be exchanged for masses of approximately 

 similar weight and value. 



The Harvard Cabinet also contains a great quantity of the Green- 

 land iron, together with the associated rocks, which we hope to de- 

 scribe in detail in a subsequent paper. 



