J. Lawrence Smith on Meteorites. 333, 
which the consolidation of these bodies are assimilated in this 
theory) they should fall perpendicularly or nearly so, from their 
points of condensation. And lastly (under the head of physical 
objections) how can bodies so formed be precipitated in such very 
oblique directions as many are known to have, and that too from 
st to West and not from the North.. 
We pass on to a concise statement of some of the chemical ob- 
jections to this theory of atmospheric origin, and if possible, 
they are more insuperable than the last mentioned. Contemplate 
for a moment the first meteorite described in this paper ;—here 
is a mass of iron of about sixty pounds of a most solid structure, 
highly crystalline, composed of nickel and iron chemically united, 
Containing in its centre a crystalline phosphuret of iron and nickel, 
and on its exterior surface a compound of sulphur and iron also 
in atomic proportions, and then see if the mind can be satisfied 
State of things that must exist to form bodies in atomic propor- 
tions, where no agency is present to dissolve or fuse the particles 
concerned. One other objection and I am done with this theory. 
The particles of iron and nickel supposed to be ejected from 
the volcano, must pass from the heated mouth of a crater ascend 
through the oxygen of the atmosphere without undergoing the 
slightest oxydation, for if there be any one thing which marks 
he meteorites more strongly than any other it is the freedom of 
the masses of iron from oxydation except on the surface. Buta 
still more remarkable abstinence from oxydation would the 
