of Edinburgh, Session 1883-84. 
493 
is to be observed in the periphery. When examined by the micro- 
scope we observe that the lamellae which compose them are applied 
the one against the other, and have a radial eccentric disposition. 
It is the leafy radial structure {radialhlattrig), like that of the 
chondres of bronzite, which predominates in our preparations. We 
have observed much less rarely the serial structure of the chondres 
with olivine, and indeed there is some doubt about the indications 
of this last type of structure. Fig. 4 shows the characters and 
texture of one of these spherules magnified 25 diameters. On 
account of their small dimensions, as well as of their friability due 
to their lamellar structure, it is difficult to polish one of these 
spherules, and we have been obliged to study them with reflected 
light, or to limit our observations to the study of the broken 
fragments. 
These spherules break up following the lamellae, which latter are 
seen to be extremely fine and perfectly transparent. In rotating 
Fig. 4. — Spherule of bronzite {—) from 3500 fathoms in the 
Central South Pacific, showing many of the peculiarities 
belonging to chondres of bronzite or enstatite. 
between crossed nicols they have the extinctions of the rhombic 
system, and in making use of the condenser it is seen that they 
have one optic axis. It is observed also that when several of these 
lamellae are attached, they extinguish exactly at the same time, so 
that everything induces us to believe that they form a single 
individual. 
In studying these transparent and very thin fragments with the 
aid of a high magnifying power, it is observed that they are dotted 
