A erolites. 2g 
descent, has not sufficient time to penetrate beyond the 
surface. On cutting and polishing the stones, if the smooth 
face is treated with nitric acid, it will in many cases be 
found to exhibit lines and angular markings, commonly 
known by the name of “widmannsted figures.” These are 
tracings of imperfect crystals, whilst the broad intermediate 
spaces, preserving their polish, point out those portions of 
the stone which contain a larger proportion of nickel than 
the rest of the mass. We may here add that the noise, 
said at times to accompany the fall of aérolites, does not 
appear to be a constant characteristic, nor does the cause 
or exact nature of it seem able to be definitely specified. 
In conclusion, we cannot do better than advise those of 
our readers, who desire further information on this subject, 
to take the earliest opportunity—if they have not done so 
already—of paying a visit to the magnificent collection of 
meteoric stones, contained in several glass cases at the end 
of the Mineral Gallery at the British Museum. The cata- 
logue for the year 1856 gave a list of between seventy and 
eighty specimens ; in 1863 this number had increased to 
216, mainly through the energy of the Curator, Mr. Mas- 
kelyne; and since that date there have been several further 
additions. Chief amongst the continental museums may 
be mentioned the Imperial collection at Vienna, as possess- 
ing a series of specimens, remarkable alike for their size and 
importance. 
Summary of Aérolitic Descents which have taken place in 
Great Britain and Lreland. 
ENGLAND. 
1623. January 10. Ernington, near Plymouth, Devon- 
shire. | 
1628. August 9. Hatford, in Berkshire. 
1642. August 4. Woodbridge, in Suffolk. 
1680. May 18. In the neighbourhood of London. 
2725). july.3. Northamptonshire. 
1780. April 1. Beeston. 
1701. Menabilly, in Cornwall. 
1795. December 13. Wold Cottage, Thwing, Yorkshire. 
1803. July 4. East Norton, in Leicestershire. 
1806. May 17. Basingstoke, in Hamgshire. 
1830: February 15. Launton, near Bicester, Oxfordshire. 
1835. August 4. Aldsworth, near Cirencester, Glouces- 
tershire. 
