276 METEOES AND AEROLITES. 



Cobalt and nickel are the most invariably present ; but 

 the proportion of all is trifling compared with that of 

 iron. Further, there have been found in different aerolites 

 six alkalies and earths ; namely, soda, potash, magnesia, 

 lime, silica, and alumina; and in addition to these, car- 

 bon, sulphur, phosphorus, and hydrogen. Finally, oxygen 

 must also be named as a general constituent of aerolites, 

 entering, as it does, into the composition of several of the 

 substances just mentioned. 



As respects the manner of conjunction of these elements, 

 it is exceedingly various in different aerolites. A few there 

 are, especially examined by Berzelius and Eose, containing 

 olivine, augite, hornblende, and other earthy minerals ; and 

 closely resembling certain crystalline compounds, which we 

 find on the surface of the earth. But in much the larger 

 proportion, as we have said, Iron is the ruling ingredient ; and 

 we are justified in concluding that this metal, so remarkable 

 an element in the composition of our globe, exists yet more 

 abundantly in those parts of space, or those aggregations of 

 matter, whence such stones are projected upon the earth. 



We need not expatiate on the value of these results. 

 Curious and unexpected in themselves, they will be found, as 

 we pursue our enquiry into the origin of aerolites, to possess 

 a still higher interest as the exponents of conditions of matter 

 extraneous to our own globe. We shall revert to them after- 

 wards in this sense ; expressing, meanwhile, our hope that 

 these analyses will be sedulously multiplied as occasions may 

 occur, so as to obtain some larger and more exact generali- 

 sation of facts, or perchance the discovery of some element 

 hitherto unknown to us. The same age which has created a 

 circuit for human language and intelligence through wires, 

 water, and earth ; and has made the sunbeam execute in a 

 few seconds the most delicate delineations of man and 

 nature, may well aspire to carry its Chemistry into space ? 



