50 Account of a Fall of Meteoric Stones. 



this last stone, compared with its specific gravity, we 

 concluded that its weight could not have fallen much 

 short of 200 pounds. All the stones, when first found, 

 were friable, being easily broken between the fingers ; 

 this was especially the case where they had been buried 

 in the moist earth, but, by exposure to the air, they gra- 

 dually hardened. Such were the circumstances attend- 

 ing the fall of these singular masses. We have named 

 living witnesses; the list of these may be augmented, 

 but we consider the proof as sufficient to satisfy any ra- 

 tional mind. Farther confirmation will be derived from 

 the mineralogical description and chemical examination 

 of these stones. 



The specimens obtained from all the different places 

 are perfectly similar. The most careless observer would 

 instantly pronounce them portions of a common mass, 

 and different from any of the stones commonly seen on 

 this globe. 



Of their form nothing very certain can be said, be- 

 cause only comparatively small fragments of the great 

 body of the meteor have been obtained. Few of the 

 specimens weigh one pound, most of them less than 

 half a pound, and from that to the fraction of an ounce. 

 Mr. Bronson's piece is the largest with which we are 

 acquainted ; we possess the next, which weighs six 

 pounds, and is very perfect in its characteristic marks, 

 and we have a good connection of smaller specimens, 

 many of which are very instructive. They possess 

 every irregular variety of form which might be supposed 

 to arise from accidental fracture with violent force. On 



