ANALYSIS OF SOME ACEOLITES. 229 



I have supposed, that all the iron in the aerolite was in 

 the metallic rCte. Formerly such as could be extracted 

 by the maj^net was aione so reckoned, the rest being consi- 

 dered as oxrde of iron. But as there is no sign of oxida* 

 tion in this aerolite recently fallen, it is evident, that the 

 shining points, which did not adhere to the magnet, were 

 pyrites, in which the iron was contained originally in the 

 metallic state. 



The hypothesis of Proust, that aerolites are products of Proust's hypo* 

 our globe, expelled from the polar regions to fall nearer the ^*i«*'*« 

 equator, is founded on the total absence of oxigen. 



This circumstance, however, is equally favourable to the That of others, 

 opi-tiion of tli0!r.e, who suppose them to be thrown from the 

 moon ; since astronomers deny to this satellite an atmos- 

 pher containiiig oxigen, and saturated with watery vapours 

 like thai of oui glooe. 



But it IS certam, that the total absence of this principle fhe stone 

 completely refutes the opinion of those, who believe, that could not have 

 these aeiolues are formed in the regions of our atmosphere; ,^^heatm«5- 

 since the particles of iron and martial pyrites would not re- phere. 

 main evea so short a time without a commencement of oxi- 

 dation. 



This analysis of an aerolite so recent aifords a fresh proofs 

 that they are all nearly of the same nature ; as the preced- 

 ing account by Mr. Reuss shows, that they have all been 

 projected from higher regions. But the naturalist, who 

 would honestly build only on certain facts, must not be 

 '^ashamed to confess, that he is ignorant of their origin. 

 ■ T shall add, that a powdered specimen of an aerolite, jvfeteoric stone 

 which fell near Stannern, in Moravia, on the 22d of May, of i^t*nnem. 

 1809, and of which consequently I know not the external 

 characters, has been sent n»e. This stoqe would be a strik- 

 ing exception to all the aerolites known, since, from my 

 analysis of a very small quantity, it would appear to be a 

 decomposed basaltes. It is to be wished therefore, that the 

 analysis should be repeated with a piece of the stone in its 

 entire state, possessing all the characters necessary to pre- 

 vent suspicion respecting it*. 



* This stone hns been analysed by Vauquelin, see Journal, vol. XXV, 

 p, 54 ; and no doubt the pretended specimen sent to Klaproth in powder 

 was an imposition. C. 



XVIII. 



