212 BREZINA — COLLECTIONS OF METEORITES. [April 8 



to complex bodies, free and in combination; artificial pro- 

 ducts, meteorites and their minerals formed synthetically. 



VI. Slices through whole meteorites from all petrographic 

 groups, showing the general structure on large surfaces. 



VII. A series of specimens of equal size and normal con- 

 stitution of all groups of meteorites, free from extraordinary 

 inclusions, but showing the differences between pieces of the 

 same fall; this series was intended to allow of a quick deter- 

 mination of the group to which a new meteorite belongs. 



VIII. A collection of microscopic slides of all meteorites 

 fit for microscopic study. 



IX. The systematic collection, containing the main mass of 

 the collection, arranged from the petrographical and minera- 

 logical points of view. 



X. Casts of all meteorites of characteristic outer form. 



A collector who has considerable means at his disposal 

 should begin by forming a systematic collection. An excel- 

 lent example of such a collection built up within a moderate 

 number of years is the Ward-Coonley collection, whose cata- 

 logue has lately been published. It represents a greater 

 number of localities than any other public or private collec- 

 tion in the world, nearly 90 per cent, of all meteorites known; 

 and it averages so high in weights, that later it may from 

 its surplus furnish the material for all kinds of researches and 

 for exchanges on the largest scale, so that it will be indepen- 

 dent from acquisitions by purchases for a long time and will 

 permit of the formation by and by of a synoptical collection. 



In the following pages I give the description of a collection 

 of this second kind, which I have formed since 1896, derived 

 from a small number of monopolized falls by numerous ex- 

 changes. This description may serve as a guide for collectors 

 who intend to develop a synoptical collection out of the 

 material of a systematic one. 



I. Betyl Coins. 



The ancients supposed the stars to be the domiciles of 

 the gods; falling stars and falling meteorites signified the 

 descending of a god or the sending of its image to earth. 



