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Referring to the existence of Iron in Nature, I may observe 
that it has been discovered in the distant heavens; the sun and 
certain stars contain it; the sun being surrounded by a solar 
atmosphere estimated at from 500 to 1000 miles in depth, which 
spectroscopic analysis has proved to contain iron in addition to 
twenty-one other metals. It is known also to exist in the blood 
which circulates in the body of man, giving health and vigour to 
his energies. 
The fall of meteoric iron is much more frequent than is 
generally believed. Hardly a year passes without some instances 
occurring. On the morning of 12th November, 1799, thousands 
of shooting stars, mingled with large meteors, illuminated the 
heavens for many hours over the whole continent of America. 
From Brazil to Labrador, the display extended to Greenland and 
even Germany. During many hours on the morning of the 13th 
November, 1832, prodigious multitudes of shooting stars and 
meteors fell at Mocha, on the Red Sea, in the Atlantic, in Switzer- 
land, and at many places in England. 
But by far the most splendid meteoric shower on record 
occurred in November, 1833, lasting for ten hours. It extended 
from Majara and the northern lakes of America to the south of 
Jamaica, and from 61° of longitude in the Atlantic to 100° of 
longitude in Central Mexico. Shooting stars and meteors of the 
apparent size of Jupiter, Venus, and even of the Moon, darted in 
myriads towards the horizon as if every star in the heavens had 
started from its sphere. 
The Emperor Jehangire had a sword forged from a mass of 
meteoric iron which fell in 1620 at Jahlinder, in the Punjab. 
Sixteen instances of the fall of meteoric stones in the British 
Isles are well authenticated. Four instances have been recorded 
of persons being killed by falling meteors. 
Iron in its native form is chiefly found in meteoric stones ; 
doubtless from these the earliest implements of iron were forged. 
I must not omit to refer to the remarkable discovery of altars 
by Mr. H, P. Senhouse, near to the Roman Camp at Maryport, 
