Official Report of a Fall of Aerolites near Grenade. 103 



5. At Pradere, there fell, about a pace from the house, with 

 considerable noise, and more than a minute after the detona- 

 tions, an aerolite weighing two pounds. It vvas not entirely 

 sunk in the earth, and was not ))erceived until two days after- 

 wards. A few seconds afterwards a smaller stone fell 40 paces 

 in front of the house. 



We did not learn for certain, notwithstanding some informa- 

 tion to that effect, that any aerolites fell beyond the limits 

 marked by the places whicii we have mentioned. 



The quantity of the aerolites which actually fell must not be 

 inferred from the small number which was collected. It was 

 night when they fell, and most of the inhabitant^ were in bed : 

 the ground on which they fell was partly in grass and partly 

 ploughed up : into the latter many were no doubt sunk, so that 

 it is more than probable, that a much more considerable quan- 

 tity fell that what is mentioned abo%-e : in short, all that were 

 collected fell close to tlie house«, and of course were easily dis- 

 covered. The whole that fell, therefore, may fairly be estimated 

 at upwards of 100 ; nay, perhaps at 1000. 



^Jineralu^ical Character (f ike Aerolites. 



Thev were so like each other that the description of one will 

 suffice. They were from three to eight ounces ni weight, and 

 one only weighed two pounds. Tiiev consist of a homogeneous 

 paste of a stony nature, containing a very great quantity of 

 small particles of iron in the metallic state, and very malleable. 

 They do not affect any particular form. Their surface presents 

 every where so.tcued and rounded angles, nearly like those of a 

 body which had begmi to fuse. It is a very thin crust, like a 

 coarse varnish or sujjcrficiul coating ; sometimes however it is 

 thicker, but rarely exceeds a (juarter of a line. 1 1 is of a blackish- 

 brown colour. 



The interior is of an a'^h gray. It becomes deeper, and ex- 

 hibits spots of yellow oclire, when ex})osed to the contact of the 

 air. The fracture is earthy with coarse grains, or rather gra- 

 nulous like freestone : it is rough to the touch. 



With the exception of the metallic points, it is entirely dull : 

 rasping makes it shine a little, in consequence of the ductility of 

 the Ton, ;js we shall soon see. 



These aerolites are easily broken and easily pulverized. Their 

 fall even udor soft earth has broken most of them. They are 

 sem>-hrtrd [i. e. they scratch glass). The crust only is hard, and 

 giv"s some sr»arks with steel. 



The speciiic gravity of six specimens varied only from 3'66 

 to^iVl. 



G 4 They 



