236 Scientific Intelligence. [March, 



IV. Chemical Examination of a Fragment of a Meteor Xvhich fell in 

 Maine, August^ 1S23. By J. W. Webster, MD. MGS. Lond. &c. 



This aerolite fell at Nobleborough in the State of Maine, on the 

 7th of August, 1S23, between four and five o'clock p.m. The only 

 information which I have been able to obtain of the attending pheno- 

 mena is from the papers of the day, and from a communication of 

 Professor Cleaveland, which is published in the American Journal of 

 Science, vol. vii. p. 170; this account he informs me was obtained 

 at his request by a gentleman of intelligence in a personal interview 

 with Mr. A. Dinsmore, who was at work near the place where the 

 aerolite struck. " Mr. Dinsmore's attention was excited by hearing 

 a noise which at first resembled the discharges of platoons of soldiers, 

 but became more rapid in succession. The air was perfectly calm ; 

 and the sky was clear, with the exception of a small whitish cloud, 

 apparently about forty feet square, nearly in his zenith, from which 

 the noise seemed to proceed. After the explosion, this little cloud 

 appeared to be in rapid spiral motion downwards, as if about to fall on 

 him, and made a noise like a whirlwind among leaves. At this 

 moment, the stone fell among some sheep, which were thereby much 

 frightened, jumped, and ran into the woods. This circumstance 

 assisted Mr. D. in finding the spot where the stone struck, which was 

 about forty paces in front of the place where he was standing. The 

 aerolite penetrated the earth about six inches, and there meeting 

 another stone, was broken into fragments. When first taken up, which 

 was about one hour after its fall, it exhaled a strong sulphureous 

 odour. The whole mass previous to its fracture probably weighed 

 between four and six pounds ; other fragments of the same meteoric 

 stone are said to have been found several miles distant from Noble- 

 borough." — Amer. Jour. 



To the politeness of Dr. George Hayward I am indebted for a 

 fragment of this meteor. 



Externally the specimen was in part covered with a thin semi- 

 vitrified crust or enamel of a black colour, the surface of which was 

 irregular and marked with numerous depressions, presenting every 

 appearance of having been subjected to intense heat. The crust was 

 hard, yielding with difficulty to the kuife. The quantity of this crust 

 which the small fragment I obtained afforded, was not sufficient to 

 allow of any separate analysis of it. 



The mass of the specimen had a light gray colour interspersed 

 with oblong spots of white, having the aspect of decomposed leucite, 

 and giving it a porphyritic aspect. Throughout the stone minute 

 points of a yellow substance, resembling olivine, were distributed, 

 with microscopic points of a yellow colour, which I imagine were 

 sulphuretted iron. The cement by which these substances were 

 united was of an earthy aspect, and soft texture, readily broken down 

 by the fingers. The general appearance of the mass was precisely 

 like that of some of the volcanic tuffas. 



The specific gravity was remarkably low, being but 2*05. 



Before the blow-pipe it exhaled a sulphureous odour, but was not 

 fused. 



The specimen was reduced to powder and submitted to the action 

 of a magnet of considerable power, but no attractable particles were 

 separated. A portion was heated to redness on a platina spoon ; it 



