M. Haidinger on the Original Formation of Aerolites. 447 



the present case, that first supposed may in reality have been 

 precedent to the second mode or condition of existence. 



Such a supposition may be considered more admissible than 

 the views now more prevalent, that cosmical space possessed such 

 an elevated temperature that the whole of matter existed in a 

 gaseous state at the rate (as Vogt has calculated*) of only 

 t ooo 5 ooo ^ s °^ a 8> ram w ^hin the space of one cubic (German) 

 mile. Such a supposition, however, lies far beyond us as regards 

 experimental proof, even should we succeed, by connecting the 

 past with the present, in producing correlations that might com- 

 paratively be considered "initial" ones. If the heavier metallic 

 particles tend downwards along with others of less density which 

 are pushed aside or even forced to ascend, while the whole sur- 

 face pressing towards the centre is consequently continually 

 diminishing in bulk, friction must unavoidably follow, and with 

 it (as experience teaches) development of electricity and heat. 

 We are, however, sufficiently acquainted with the phenomena 

 attending the mutual combination of several among the above- 

 named substances, as connected with combustion, oxidation, and 

 chemical action in general, to enable us to pursue this part of 

 our examination further. 



On a former occasion (in " eine Leitform der Meteoriten," &c, 

 Imp. Acad. Proceedings, vol. xl. p. 539) I mentioned an im- 

 portant communication from my respected colleague, Professor 

 Schrdtter, concerning the fact that substances whose mutual 

 action under ordinary temperature goes on violently and with 

 every appearance of intense combustion (as chlorine acting upon 

 phosphorus, antimony, arsenic, or ammonia), when refrigerated to 

 —80° in a mixture of solid carbonic acid and ether (so that 

 chlorine is liquified under ordinary barometric pressure), remain 

 in a state of complete mutual indifference. Under these circum- 

 stances, a slight elevation of temperature, especially if care has 

 not been taken to keep up a low temperature by rapid evapora- 

 tion, may be the cause of dangerous explosions. 



The same is the case with alcohol and chromic or chloro- 

 chromic acid, with ammonia and chloride of phosphorus, with 

 iodine or bromine and phosphorus (see Professor Schrotter's Die 

 Chimie nach ihrem gegenwiirtigen Zustande, fyc, Vienna, 1847 

 vol. i. p. 129). Professor Dumas reported on this fact in the 

 Paris Academy (Comptes Rendus, January 1845, No. 3, p. 193), 

 remarking that he had not been able to observe a complete in- 

 activity, — probably, as Professor Schrotter now objects, because, 

 accelerated evaporation having not been duly provided for, the 



* Noggerath in " Geognosie and Geologie," in Badeker's above-quoted 

 ' Collective Publication.' 



