﻿and Acoustic Phenomena attending the Fall of Meteorites, 251 



illustrate such a supposition. The largest fragment possesses, 

 of course, the greatest amount of momentum ; although pressed 

 backward it still leads in the van, the smaller ones being likewise 



Fig. 4. 



pressed backwards. Those next to the larger ones cannot totally 

 remain behind, as the larger leading fragments have determined 

 the elements of the igneous globe by producing a centre of elas- 

 ticity (C) before it. All of them (E, F, G, H) must move for- 

 ward within the anterior portion of the igneous globe, each single 

 fragment in rotation on its own axis and around the axis of 

 the line of course, and thus probably frequently come into mu- 

 tual contact, by which their enamelled crust is damaged, as at 

 Knyahynia, where nearly all the specimens collected were found 

 more or less damaged. Of course the smaller fragments will 

 follow the largest mass — although instances of several groups fol- 

 lowing each other have been frequently observed. 



Ad 5. The meteor, having reached the term of its cosmical 

 course, becomes stationary. 



Ad 6. The development of light and heat ceases ; the surround- 

 ing air, suddenhj rushing into the vacuum within the igneous globe, 

 causes a detonation. 



The igneous globe becomes stationary the moment the action 

 of the vis viva of the movement has reached its term. At the 

 same moment its equivalent has occurred to our senses. We 

 have perceived the last seconds of the movement, together with 

 the great display of light and heat into which it has been trans- 

 muted. Electricity has not been mentioned, as its presence has 

 not yet been ascertained by direct observation, although its 

 action may fee supposed. Lightning itself is but " a transmuta- 

 tion of electricity into light ;" and the late Professor Fliicker, 



