1851.] The Shalka Meteorite. 307 



claim for a share of it. Almost the whole of the pieces which formed 

 any part of the exterior of the Meteorite (as known by the usual black 

 crust) have surfaces more or less curved, shewing that it mast have 

 really been as described of very considerable size, though it evidently 

 broke into pieces on reaching the earth. 



For, in compliance with my note to query No. 4, Mr. Mactier has 

 most obligingly sent us a large mass of the earth in which the stone 

 embedded itself on its fall, and this is almost as great a curiosity as 

 the stone itself, as will presently be seen. 



This mass of earth in its extreme dimensions is about a foot long and 

 a foot broad. It contains two cavities, being the marks of two large 

 curvilinear masses (like great shells) having fallen close to each other ; 

 and these are divided by a rough ridge about two inches across at its 

 narrowest part. At the side of one of these spherical, or rather curved 

 cavities, a mass of perhaps half a pound of the shattered stone, 7 inches 

 long by 2 J broad, is firmly embedded, and on examining the cavities 

 themselves several black specks are seen here and there, which the mag- 

 nifier shews to be parts of the external crust detached from the stone 

 and adhering to the earth !* 



The question as to whether the stone was hot or cold at its falling 

 seemed to me at first, as it will seem to every one, settled in the negative 

 by the replies, but a close examination of the state of the earth in the 

 cavities has induced me to change my opinion, and I feel now satisfied 

 that the stone, if not red hot so as to burn and scorch the grass or other 

 vegetationf was sufficiently hot to scorch slightly the soil on which it 

 fell, for not only is the interior of the cavities slightly altered in colour, 

 but upon examination with the magnifier at the edge it is seen to be 

 burnt to a thin film of a yellowish white colour. The whole has 

 exactly (and this to Indian readers will be a familiar comparison) the 

 appearance of part of an old native chula.% 



* I need scarcely add that this invaluable specimen has been carefully preserved 

 in a glass case made on purpose for it. 



fit seems to have fallen upon bare land of some sort, for there is not a trace of 

 any grass, or of grass roots, about the large lump of earth we have. 



% Earthen cooking place, portable or fixed, which by long use becomes of a 

 dirty yellowish white colour where the fire is strong. 



2 s 



