MUSEUM METEORITES—HONEYMAN, 129 
wanting among the meteorites. It is only to the profound 
regions that we must go to find the analogues of the latter—that 
is to say, in the basic silicate rocks which do not reach us except 
by eruptions, which make them come forth from their initial 
abode. 
This contrast shows how just and profound is the division of 
the Silicate rocks into acid and basic, which M. Elie de Beau- 
mont has established in his memorable work “On the emana- 
tions, voleanic and metalliferous.” 
At all events the absence in the meteorites of all the series of 
rocks which form a thickness so important of the terrestrial 
globe, whatever may be the cause, is a thing altogether remark- 
able. 
This absence can be explained in different ways. It may be 
that the meteoric fragments which reach us only come from the 
interior part of the planetary bodies, which may be constituted 
like our globe. It may be that these planetary bodies them- 
selves fail in Silicate rocks, quartziferous or acid, as well as in 
the stratified rocks. 
In this latter case, which is the more probable, they would 
have followed evolutions less complete than the planet which we 
inhabit, and it would be to the co-operation of the ocean that the 
earth would be indebted for the origin of her granitic rocks 
(Archzean) as she is indebted later for the stratified rocks. 
One can conclude from the preceding that the oxygen so 
essential to organic nature would also play an important role in 
the formation of the planetary bodies. 
We add, that without it we cannot at all conceive of an ocean 
or of those grand functions, superficial and profound, of which 
water is the cause. 
We arrive, so as to touch the foundation of the History of our 
Globe, and to draw closer the bonds of relationship (already re- 
vealed by the similitude of composition) between the parts of 
our planetary system, of which it is given us to knew the nature. 
We present this as a very interesting article by a recognized 
authority on meteorites. It isto be borne in mind, that it is over 
20 years since it was written. It is therefore possible that in 
