VICTORIAN METEORITES, WITH NOTES ON OBSIDIANITES. 
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Physical Geography, Geology, and Mineralogy of Victoria, by Alfred R. 
C. Selwyn, and George H. F. Ulrich. Melb. Intercol. Exh. Cat., 1866, p. 51. 
56. Wadsworth, M. E. The Cranbourne Meteorite. Science, April 13th, 1883, 
pp. 285-286. 
57. Walcott, R. H. Additions and Corrections to the Census of Victorian 
Minerals. Proc. Roy. Soc. Viet,., XIII., 1901, pt„ 2, pp. 258, 259, 260, 
261, 267, 270, 271, 272. 
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Chicago, 1904, pp. 4, 9, 71, 75, plate I., fig. 9 ; plate III., fig 3. 
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NOTES ON OBSIDIANITES ( AUSTR ALITES) . 
As these interesting bodies are comparatively well known now, 
and as a considerable amount of literature dealing with them is 
available, it is only proposed here to touch upon a few points con- 
cerning their origin. 
It may be stated at once that the writer has seen no reason to 
alter the opinion expressed in his paper, published in 1898, that all the 
evidence which could be gathered undoubtedly favoured a meteoric 
origin. A study of the various terrestrial hypotheses makes it very 
plain that they have been drawn up either in ignorance of some 
of the evidence, or else upon an undervaluation of that part of it 
which does not harmonize with the particular theory advocated 
While it must be admitted that we have still no direct evidence of 
the cosmic origin of obsidianites, this may also be said of many of 
the accepted meteorites; and, certainly no direct evidence exists of 
the terrestrial origin of obsidianites. I he forms of obsidianites h ave 
been considered a reason for excluding them from meteorites 
although such forms have not been observed among terrestrial 
bodies of unquestionable origin. 
Most of the objections raised against the extra-terrestrial origin 
of obsidianites have been met, or, as we have just seen, may >e 
urged with equal force against the opposing view. 
It was said that obsidianites were identical m composition with 
ordinary obsidian, and that glassy meteorites were not known. 
Since careful and complete analyses have been available, it is seen 
that theS is a divergence from ordinary obsidian, and that a similar 
composition is only met with in terrestrial rocks of rare occurrence. 
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