526 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



twinned monoclinic pyroxenes, the individual laminae of which give 

 maximum extinctions of 28°. In but few cases were observed the 

 grate or barred structures so common in olivine chondrules. The 

 usual cryptocrystalline forms are common. The groundmass of the 

 stone is plainly fragmental, consisting of a dense aggregate of mmute 

 particles of the three silicates mentioned, throughout which are 

 scattered abundant larger fragments, and in addition numerous 

 granules of metallic iron and iron sulphide. Rarely do these last 

 occur surromiding the chondrules, wholly or in part, but rather as 

 disseminated particles. The fragmental structure of the stone is its 

 most pronounced feature, and relegates it to Brezma's class of chon- 

 dritic tuffs (Cc) or spherical chondrites. 



The staining of the stone through oxidation renders the detec- 

 tion of minor constituents difficult if not impossible. No phosphatic 

 mineral could be recognized microscopically. The pulverized stone, 

 however, digested in cold dilute nitric acid (1 part HNO3 to 10 HjO) 

 for but 15 minutes reacted distinctly for calcium and phosphoric 

 acid. It is well to remember in this comiection, however, that the 

 stone had been soaking for an undetermined period in the waters of 

 Lake Okechobee, and that the lake itself must receive a portion of its 

 waters from the phosphate fields to the north. Whether or not these 

 facts have any bearing upon the chemical reactions noted, the writer 

 is not prepared to even guess, 



Tliis is the first reported find of a meteorite within the state limits 

 of Florida, and while in itself it presents nothmg of unusual interest, 

 the manner of its findmg is decidedly unusual. So far as I am aware 

 there is no other record of a meteorite having been found mider 

 similar conditions. It will be known as the Lake Okechobee stone. 



