16* 



necessarily be a decree of solidity equal to that of any known 

 substance of the mineral kingdom. The mass of iron which 

 fell in Sclavonia of 68lb. in weight *, Dr. Clarke considers as 

 the result of such an agency in the passive principle. If this 

 were really true, the iron so formed would be entirely destitute 

 of carbon; which is found to be the case. There is no body more 

 solid than water: yet water is brought by a similar process 

 from the atmosphere, and it becomes fluid at the temperature 

 to which the earth's surface is exposed. Iron may result from 

 the combination of many aeriform fluids. Like water, it 

 is capable of combustion ; and there is not more reason for 

 supposing it a simple substance, than there was for believing 

 water an elementary principle, before it was discovered to 

 result from the synthesis of hydrogen and oxygen. 



We now give the analyses from the ingenious account by 

 E. Hbwardj Esq. in Phil. Trans. 1802, part i. page 108 

 and following: 



Of the stone which fell in Portugal, by the Royal French 

 Academicians, 



Sulphur ----- 8^- 



Iron ------ 36 



Verifiable earth - 551- 



100 



Stone of Ensisheim, by Mons. Barthold, gave in 100 gi\ 



Sulphur ----- 2 



Iron - 20 



Magnesia ----- 14 



Alumina ----- 17 



Lime ------ 2 



Silica -.----- 42 



97 



* It is now in the Imperial cabinet at Vienna. 



