126 OF AEROLITES. CHAP. 3. 2. 



Stones, Meteoric Stones, Aerolites, &c. of 

 which accurate analyses have now been pub- 

 lished, seem to be made up of ingredients 

 composed in proportions different from those of 

 any known terestrial compound ; and are pro- 

 bably formed in our atmosphere ; at least such 

 is my opinion, the result of an examination of 

 all the evidence I have been able to collect on 

 the subject. These terrific thunderbolts of 

 Jupiter seem in general to have come down to 

 the earth accompanied by such loud explosions, 

 blazes, and other circumstances as in a less 

 degree attend the larger sort of Fiery Meteors. 

 Indeed all these Meteors may be owing to some 

 common principle of chemical action going on 

 in the higher regions of the atmosphere ; which, 

 when more gentle and slow, may only cause 

 the blazing Meteors ; but which, when more 

 intense, may go on to consolidate large masses 

 of newly composed substance, and may manifest 

 itself by the fall of Aerolites.* I see no 



* An extensive collection of accounts of these phaenomenon 

 was made and published in France. This work was said to 

 be compiled by command of the Emperor Napoleon, who, 

 amidst a life of campaign, imbibed sufficiently the spiritual 

 character of the French nation, to encourage philosophers of 

 all countries, and to attend to the encouragement and pro- 

 mulgation of science. 



