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existence. We should be at the mercy of those 

 wandering comets whose fringes strike our at- 

 mosphere more or less deeply at frequent in- 

 tervals. It is not impossible that the earth 

 may at some time pass directly through one, 

 and yet there is little danger that in such a 

 case there would be more than an unusual dis- 

 play of celestial fireworks. 



From the facts that have been above stated 

 it will be apparent to anyone that the number 

 of these meteoric stones in the air is being 

 constantly reduced by their constant collision 

 with the atmosphere and consequent reduction 

 to ashes or dust. Another conclusion is that 

 the earth must be gradually, but imperceptibly 

 perhaps, increasing in size on account of the 

 constant settling upon its surface of meteoric 

 dust. 



