CHAP. 3. 2. OF AEROLITES. 127 



necessity for supposing with Aristotle and M. 

 De Luc that the gases, to form the Meteors, 

 should ascend from the earth, nor any proof of 

 their ascent ; but it may be by means of gases 

 somewhere formed aloft and taking fire that 

 the meteoric stones are formed. The way, in 

 which electricity may be concerned in these 

 processes is at present unknown : and the 

 accounts of the fall of these stones, and the 

 various hypotheses about their causes, are too 

 numerous to admit of a detail of them here. 

 I merely wish to call the attention of Meteo- 

 rologists to the apparent similiarity of principle 

 of those flaming Meteors which are, and of 

 those which are not, visibly attended with the 

 fall of Aerolites * 



* For Analyses of Aerolites/ see Thomson's System of 

 Chemistry, Phil. Mag. &c. For further particulars see also 

 the Chapter on Electricity. 



One of the largest Meteoric Stones which has been found, 

 is preserved in M. Sowerby's Museum, at Lambeth in Surry. 



