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Scientific Intelligence. [xo. 3, new series. 
They fell on the 2Sib cf February, Saturday, at about noon, a little South 
East of the Tillage of Parnallee, Latitude north, according to the Government 
Map, 9 » 14', Longitude 78 ® 21' East. 
The largest one fell a few seconds before the smaller one, acd from two to 
three miles North of it. As was manifest from ihe hole it made in the ground 
when it fell it came from a direction some ten degrees West of North, making 
an angle of about 15 or 20 degrees with a line perpendicular to the earth's 
suiface. It struck the earth, (or at least lay in the bottom of the hole made by 
it) flatwise, on the side that is most convex. The most round or convex side of 
the smaller stone also was downward, this being the position they would naturally 
assume as they passed with great velocity, through the resisting atmosphere, aa 
idea which did not occur to me till now. I had before simply noted the fact. 
The larger stone sank into the earth when it fell two feet and five inches in a 
perpendicular direction. The smaller one about two feet and eight inches. The 
smaller one fell also about perpendicularly. The smaller does not appear in any 
respect like a fragment of the larger one. The specific gravity of the smaller 
one when it fell was about 3 3, water being the standard of unity. I observ- 
ed that the specific gravity was increased after exposure to a shower, or rather 
that of the smaller one was. I did not try that of the larger. The crack on 
the convex side of the larger one I did cot perceive at all till it had been wet, 
and then at first it was but just perceptible. Afterwards it gradual'y opened, I 
suppose owing to the oxidation of the native iron it contains, perhaps however to 
other causes. The stone had not been wet till they came into my hands, April 
21st. They each of them fell in cultivated fields, one of which had been harvested. 
The straw in the other was still standing. 
The noise seems to have been terrific to the Natives, caus'ng those near to 
crouch frc-m fear. It came like two claps of thunder, as they fell one after the 
ether, and continuing for some time, but gradually growing less loud. As they 
fell through the whule depth of our atmosphere this would naturally be the case. 
The noise appears to have been heard at Tulicorin forty miles distant. At this 
place, sixteen miles North, it excited considerable interest among those abroad at 
the time. The noise must have been great, occasioned by their great velocity. 
Taking their specific gravity into the account, say 3'3, their size being aVout 
that of large cannon balls, some allowance also being made for their irregular 
Tuticarin. The report of the descent of these bodies was heard distinctly at 
Tuticorin 40 miles off, and in all the surrounding villages. 
The sulject appears to me an interesting one for scientific enquiries, and this 
is my chief reason for requesting you to have the goodness to cause its inser;ion 
in the columns of your paper. 
I am, Sir, 
Your obedient servant, 
J. COLEBROOKB, 
Zillah Surgeon, Madura. 
MADrRA, 9;7» April lS57.--'i 'ir?v-!. 
