306 
EASTMAN. 
In a paper entitled “ Researches on the Spectra of Mete¬ 
orites,” presented to the Royal Society on October 4, 1887, 
and in the Bakerian lecture on April 12, 1888, followed by 
an appendix to the same on January 10, 1889, Mr. Lockyer 
presented in detail his laboratory experiments, combined 
with the more or less accurate observations of other astrono¬ 
mers and physicists, which led him to certain definite con¬ 
clusions in regard to the relations of comets and meteors. 
The author’s conclusions and theories can be most suc¬ 
cinctly presented in the following citations from the papers 
mentioned: 
“ The existing distinction between stars, comets, and nebulae 
rests on no physical basis.” 
“All self-luminous bodies in the celestial spaces are com¬ 
posed of meteorites or masses of meteoric vapor produced by 
heat brought about by condensation of meteor swarms due 
to gravity.” 
“ Meteorites are formed by the condensation of vapors 
thrown off by collisions. The small particles increase by 
fusion brought about again by collisions, and this increase 
may go on until the meteorites may be large enough to be 
smashed by collisions when the heat of impact is not suffi¬ 
cient to produce volatilization of the whole mass.” 
“ Beginning with meteorites of average composition, the 
extreme forms, iron and stony, would in time be produced 
as the result of collisions.” 
“ The spectra of all such bodies depend upon the heat of 
meteorites produced by collisions and the average space be¬ 
tween the meteorites in the swarm, or, in the case of consoli¬ 
dated swarms, upon the time which has elapsed since com¬ 
plete vaporization.” 
“ The temperature of vapors produced by collisions in 
nebulae, stars without G and F, but with other bright lines, 
and in comets away from perihelion is about that of the 
Bunsen burner.” 
“ The temperature of the vapors produced by collisions 
in a Orionis and similar stars is about that of the Bessemer 
flame.” 
