Mefeoric Slones. 155 



tion. I regret that I have not been able to procure his Arma- 

 ntefitarmm NaUirce et Art'is, s. Compendium Physkum, pub- 

 lished at Giessen in 1709. In this work, it seems, the learned 

 author has recorded, or mentioned, a rain of crystals, or pellucid 

 stones, " pluvia gemmea," which was observed by Balbinus in 

 Bohemia. B. S. B. 



It is to be regretted that Valentin has not given us some 

 more minute information concerning the size and form of the 

 crystal, the exact season of the year in which it fell, &c. These 

 are points of some importance, and should have been attended to. 

 But notwithstanding those omissions, the general truth of the 

 fact ought not, perhaps, to be called in question: and, at any 

 rate, the falling of a solitary rock-crystal from the clouds, or 

 even a whole shower of such stones, are circumstances not more 

 improbable than the falling of masses of iron, of nickel, and other 

 metallic and similar substances. And who knows, as we live in the 

 days of bold and ingenious speculations, but that some naturalist 

 may step forward, and endeavour to ])rove that millions of those 

 beautiful hexagonal and other siliceous crystals, which are so 

 abundantly distributed upon, and immediately under, the surface 

 of the earth, in North America and in other countries, have had 

 similar, or meteoric, origin ? 



With much respect. Sir, Yours, &e. 

 London, Aug. 28, 1815. BenJAMIN SmITH BaRTON_, M. D. 



FALL OF METEORIC STONES IN INDIA, 



A phaenomcnon of this description, \yhich was witnessed in 

 November last, is thus described by a native philosopher: "A 

 singular phaenornenon has occurred in the Doab ; 1 have heard 

 the facts related I)y various persons, who all concur in the same 

 account; the circum<«tances are as follow : On the 5th of No- 

 vember ISI4, being Saturday, while half a watch of the day still 

 remained [i, e. half past four P. M.) there was first of all heard 

 a dreadful peal of thunder, and then stones rained down in sight 

 of the inhabitants of tbe country, each stone being 13 to 15 

 seer* in weight. In the fir-st place, wheresoever they fell a great 

 dust rose from the ground; and after the dust subsided, a heap 

 of dust (chakri) was formed, and in that dust (chakri) were 

 found the stones, a piece of one of which is sent herewith. 



" In the district of Lapk seven stones were found; in the district 

 of Bhaweri, dependant on Bezum Sumroo, four; in the district 

 of Chal, belonging to the pergunnah of Shawlif, five ; at Ka- 

 bout, belonging to the jjergunnah of Shawlif, five. In all nine- 

 teen stones were found." 



* The Bengal seer weighs 2 lb. and 2 dr. 



LECTURES, 



