GREAT METEORITE COLLECTIONS. I55 



Certainly, if we could have but three meteorites in our collec- 

 tion, we should wish one to be an Iron ; another a Stone ; the third 

 a Siderolite, mingling iron and stone in its composition. But of 

 the Irons we should want three or four of the most marked kinds, 

 as shown mainly by inner structure and composition. In the same 

 way, with the Stones we should want those of varied mineral com- 

 position, varied inner structure, varied outward structure, and 

 phenomena of appearance. These wants would soon increase to a 

 desire to have one kind which best shows each one of the many 

 mineral elements known in meteorites. A collection thus may 

 induce great study — which is the highest, truest aim in any col- 

 lecting. It would contain many common meteorites ; but also 

 there would be need of rare ones like Bishopville, Lograno, Orgueil, 

 Indarch, Veramin, etc. Historical falls, such as Elbogen, Ensis- 

 heim, L'Aigle, etc., would claim prominent place in such a collection. 



Meteorites are now collected eagerly in all countries of the 

 earth. Exchanges are active. So specimens are growing individ- 

 ually smaller, but the number of kinds in each collection, as well as 

 the number of collections, is rapidly increasing. In the middle of 

 the last century but three or four collections numbered a hundred 

 kinds. Now there are about twenty noted in catalogues, which are 

 over three hundred in number. Four of these are in the United 

 States. 



These meteorite collections are fast becoming one of the lead- 

 ing adjuncts to a large museum, and by reason of the activities of 

 collecting, and the distribution, study and comparison of the cata- 

 logues, the question is brought up which has long been considered 

 as to libraries, picture galleries, and others, that is : Which is the 

 most valuable collection, and what are the reasons ? 



We are disposed to answer this question abstractly by a care- 

 ful consideration of some of the most prominent 



FACTORS OF VALUE OF A COLLECTION OF METEORITES. 



1. Number of distinct, well-authenticated kinds — "Falls" and 

 "Finds." 



2. Average weights and sizes of the individual specimens of 

 the collection, including also the possession of one or more great 

 masses. 



3. The proportion of specimens of interest in the growth of the 

 science. Also type-specimens. 



