- 
326 J. Lawrence Smith on Meteorites. 
The inference of the absence - ae te in a gaseous condi- 
tion, or in water, is drawn from such substances as iron and 
nickel being in their metallic rel as has been just mentioned : 
but it must not be inferred that oxygen is absent in all forms at 
the place of origin of the meteorites ; for the silica, magnesia, pro- 
toxyd of iron, &c., contain this element. The occurrence of one 
class of oxyds and not another would indicate a limited supply 
of the element oxygen, the more oxydizable elements as silicon, 
magnesium, &c., having appropriated it in preference to the iron. 
Many other elements worthy of notice might be mentioned 
here, and some of them for aught we know may be constant in- 
aredients, but in the absence of strong presumption at least on 
this head, they will be passed over, as those already mentioned 
suffice for the support of all shaciatieal views to be advanced. 
I cannot, however, avoid calling attention to the presence of 
carbon in certain meteorites, for although its existence is denied 
by some chemists, it is nevertheless a fact that can be as easily 
established as the presence of the nickel. The interest to be 
attached to it, is due to the fact that : is so commonly regarded 
in the light ‘of an organic element. It serves to strengthen 
the notion that carbon can be of pure mineral origin, for. no 
one would be likely to suppose that the carbon found its way 
into a meteorite either directly or indirectly from an organic 
source 
Baniog thus noted the predominant physical, mineralogical 
and chemical characteristics of meteorites I pass on to the next 
head. 
Marked points of similarity in the Constitution of Meteorite 
Stones.—Had this class of bodies not possessed certain sae 
ties distinguishing them from terrestrial minerals, much dou 
would even now be entertained of their celestial origin, and “Ae 
rious would be the explanations made even in those cases where 
the bodies were seen to fall and afterwards pinay Chemistry 
It is the object of this part of the. roe o explain more 
prominently perhaps than has yet been done, how it is that chem 
ay pecs ith suc 
certain bodies; and I propose ‘to: go even ‘a ‘step ) farther, a see 
if the chemical chemical constitution of the meteorites can indicate. from 
* what part of the heavens they may have come. 
oc emsieetieinemaemen 
