304 EXPEDITION TO THE 



have been collected to prove that the occurrence is much 

 more frequent than one would at first be led to expect. On 

 being informed of the existence of a painted stone, which 

 was held in great veneration by the Indians of the Mis- 

 sissippi, we entertained a hope that it might prove of this 

 nature ; we experienced therefore no slight degree of dis- 

 appointment in finding it to be merely a boulder of sienite. 

 We have, as we think, in our intercourse with the Indians, 

 been able to trace an indistinct notion on the subject of me- 

 teorites. The following belief, which is common to several 

 nations, but which principally prevails among the Sioux, 

 appears to bear upon this point. They state that whenever 

 a tree is affected by lightning, a stone of a black or brown 

 colour may be found at its foot ; it is said to be very heavy, 

 and to have been, in some cases, picked up while hot ; 

 several of our guides stated that they had seen them, and 

 had owned some of them. These stones are held in some 

 esteem, as being uncommon, but no supernatural or mys- 

 terious property is attached to them. We think it proba- 

 ble, from the respectable sources from which we received 

 this report, that the Indians may have mistaken the phe- 

 nomena which attend the fall of these aerolites for the 

 effects of lightning, and having in a few instances observ- 

 ed these stones and picked them up while still hot, been 

 led to consider them as the usual attendants upon lightning. 

 There seems to be reason to believe that an aerolite fell 

 a few years since at St. Anthony ; but all attempts to find 

 it proved fruitless.* We have, with a view to obtain fur- 



* Col. Snelling has kindly communicated to one of the party, the cir- 

 cumstances observed on that occasion ; and we have his permision to 

 insert the annexed letter on the subject. 



" Fort St. Anthony, July 8th, 1823. 



" STR — On the evening of Sept. 20th, 1822, while crossings the parade 



