C 168 3 
VII. Experiments and Observations on certain stony and metalline 
Substances , which at different Tunes are said to have fallen on 
the Earth ; also on various Kinds of native Iron. By Edward 
Howard, Esq. F. R. S. 
Read February 25, 1802. 
The concordance of a variety of facts seems to render it most 
indisputable, that certain stony and metalline substances have, 
at different periods, fallen on the earth. Whence their origin, 
or whence they came, is yet, in my judgment, involved in 
complete obscurity. 
The accounts of these peculiar substances, in the early annals, 
even of the Royal Society, have unfortunately been blended with 
relations which we now consider as fabulous ; and the more 
ancient histories of stones fallen from heaven, from Jupiter, or 
from the clouds, have evidently confounded such substances 
with what have been termed Ceraunia, Bcetilia , Ombria, Brontia , 
&c. names altogether unappropriate to substances fallen on our 
globe. Indeed some mislead, and others are inexpressive. 
The term Ceraunia, by a misnomer, deduced from its sup- 
posed origin, seems, as well as Boetilia,* to have been anciently 
used to denote many species of stones, which were polished 
and shaped into various forms, though mostly wedge-like or 
triangular, sometimes as instruments, sometimes as oracles, 
and sometimes as deities. The import of the names, Ombria, 
Brontia, &c. seems subject to the same uncertainty. 
In very early ages, it was believed, that stones did in reality 
* Mercati, Metallotheca Vaticana. page 241. 
