On a Mass of Meteoric Iron. 
411 
still these are only minor influences, the great magnetic force 
of the earth being situated exclusively in itself. Now, in my 
ignorance mayhap of the question, it does not seem to me to 
be a thing past belief, that when the earth in its orbit comes 
into the neighbourhood of the region in which these aerolites 
are now believed to exist ; and, when their occasional proxi- 
mity is close enough to bring the attractive powers of the 
earth — the greater mass, to overbear that of the smaller — the 
aerolite ; besides, the mere attractive force of gravity dragging 
it down to the earth, that mysterious agency, the earth's mag- 
netic attraction, should also come into operation ; and, that 
a greater influence should of course be exerted over those 
bodies which are purely metallic, the component parts of which 
being also magnetic, are all strongly acted on by this mag- 
netic influence ; so that, as the daily revolution of our world 
takes place, the metallic meteoric falls would especially occur, 
as near as possible, to the poles of the greatest magnetic force ; 
or at least as near as would be compatible with the power of 
the other forces which might assist in attracting them to the 
surface of the earth. The possible, shall I say probable, result 
being, that metallic meteorites, other things being equal, would 
be found clustering in greatest numbers near the points of the 
earth's greatest magnetic force, at the time of their fall ; and, 
the stony meteorites, attracted magnetically in a less degree, 
would, from the more general causes of their attraction, be 
spread more abroad over the general surface of the globe. 
Of course the poles or points where the magnetic force is in 
a maximum state, in the southern hemisphere, would also 
have their share of these metallic masses ; but with these 
regions we are comparatively unacquainted, and must not 
forget the greater presence of water — the sea — -in this part of 
the world, which hides at once any meteoric fall that might 
take place on its surface. Metallic meteorites, however, are 
not altogether unknown in Australia, two very large masses* 
having recently been discovered within some twenty miles of 
Melbourne. A friend of mine, just returned from Melbourne, 
tells me he has seen portions of them, and they somewhat re- 
semble the piece of iron I have exhibited. 
* One at least-of these masses has been lately secured for the British iMuseum. 
