108 J. L. Smith—Incrustation of Aragonite. 
dil he sur- 
face of it is irregular and granular. If broken perpendicularly 
to the surface of the iron and ground down, it will receive 4 
yellow and dark brown streaks like the Gibraltar limerock; it 
effervesces with acids, and is an incrustation of aragonite. 
The following is the composition of the minera 
Cerpouata oC Tote... a 93°10 
RPRGUOAIGG WE 180M... cs ok oes eee 1-00 
NE ce cued. a ua ees eee trace 
Insoluble residue _..___.... 4°60 
Water. .:, Pee! ie 
As regards its formation, I am satisfied that the crust has 
been made on the iron since the fall of the latter. Conca 
this to be the case, I desired to know the nature of the ro¢ 
and soil where these meteorites were found, and I have beed 
able to gather the following particulars from Dr. Butcher who 
collected the specimens under examination. This spot is in a0 
alluvial valley or plain between two ranges of high mountains 
running parallel with each other varying in distance from one 
three miles. The mountains at the base are calcareous in for 
ravines and depressions of the valley, and this water is alway$ 
brackish to the taste, containing a large amount of mine 
matter. 
