1905.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 891 



principal locality for such finds is in the shape of a crescent surround- 

 ing the hole and strictly concentric therewith, and embracing its edges 

 from the northwest to the east and having its line of greatest density 

 about midway between these two points. These directions are taken 

 from the center of the hole. The above distribution is by the number 

 of finds regardless of their weight, as that of the scattering outlying 

 finds is as a rule so much greater than that of the nearer finds as to 

 entirely disturb the symmetry of the distribution. Moreover, the dis- 

 position of the smaller irons, which from their irregular forms and light 

 weight could not have been propelled far from the mass from which 

 they separated, is of more importance than that of the larger fragments, 

 which would have more liberty of independent motion. 



Distribution of Magnetic Oxide of Iron around the Hole. 



In addition to the irons found around the hole there is a very con- 

 siderable amount of magnetic oxide of iron similarly distributed, the 

 disposition of which does not differ materially from that of the irons 

 themselves. For although it is more generally distributed around the 

 hole and the radius of the area upon which it is found is considerably 

 greater, yet the fragments are arranged in the same general way with 

 the axis of the group, which is also the line of greatest density of their 

 deposition, extending away from the center of the hole in a direction 

 between north and northeast. 



Proof of the Meteoric Origin of the Magnetic Oxide of Iron. 



The fact that this magnetite is of meteoric origin is proved from the 

 following facts : First — It is found attached to and in some of the 

 cavities of some of the larger irons. Second — Some of the larger pieces, 

 although not the largest, are found to have centers of metallic meteoric 

 iron. Third — The chemical analysis of the iron and the magnetite 

 show a very close agreement between the proportion of metallic iron 

 and the other metals present in the magnetite and in the meteoric iron. 

 These other metals consist of nickel, cobalt, platinum and iridium, and 

 another metal or metals of the platinum group. Fourth — The mag- 

 netite is fused and massive and at the same time stratified and lami- 

 nated, and in general appearance different from any terrestrial mag- 

 netite known and closely resembles what would be thought, a 'priori, to 

 be the appearance of such a product of iron melted and burned on the 

 surface of a great meteorite in its passage through the air. 



