The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1809-05-05
SAVANNAH, 22d Feb. 1909.

entiic essays to forward them for publications.
SAVANNAH, ed Feb 1909
DEAR SIR,
Your very obliging and scientific let
ter, relative to the fall of stones (some i'm state
ofignition) from the atmosphere in different parts
OF Connecticut, on the 18th December, 1903,
was handed to me by my friend Mr. Harris Va
rous opinions relative to the phenomena have de-
layed my reply.
the descent of stones from our atmosphere,
on sea and land, at different times, and in various
parts of the world, is attested by history; is no
less true than formidable and astonishing MANY
instances of this kind, which are not on record.
have doubtless occurred
II recolect reading in Livy, when bov, of the
descent of 4 shower of stones in Itaiy to the no
small amazement of myself and classmates
Such shower fell, not long ago, upon a vessel at
sea bound to Charleston, Is C.) from which the
terrified seamen took refuge between decks af-
ter shutting the matches. Specimens of these
stones are preserved
A terrible shower fell in Benares, Gndia) late
ly and we have circumstantial history of
shower of burning stones, which fell in different
parts OF Parma, {Italy) last April One of these
upon BENG examined, affected the magnetic nee
die. Its specific gravity was more than thrice
that OF water, and its surface was vitrifed as if
1t had been acted upon by volcanic or other pow
erfiIl heat
1t contained silicious earth, oxyd of iron. mag
nesia, oxyd of nickel, oxyd of manganese, oxyd
OF chrome, sulphur; not, however, in equal pro-
portions.
AS water cannot ascend spontaneously into the
atmosphere, Il mean without the agency of
whirlwinds, or other adequate forcel before its
Ievity rs augmented by resolution into its consti
tuent gases, the ascent ola body Of stone, metals
&c whose density exceeds that of water, must
be impossible, without volcanic or other power
al NJ. 4.
cal and meving pillars of sand, observed in vayi-
Gus parts of the world, occasionally, appear to be
raised as waterspouts are by winds.
Had the pOnderous bodies of stone, metal &c
which have frequently fallen from our atmos
phere for ages, descended from the moon or o.
ther planets or satellites, the increase of matter
in the earth, augmenting its centripetal force
must have drawn it nearer to the sun, (Newton's
princip lib. g. prop y shortened our year b, di-
minishlng the semi diameter ofits orbit and in
creasing the velocity of the earths motion, (prn
clip, lib. 3. prop. 2 y and increased the solar pa.
rallax as we approached him, euclid, lib g. prop.
20)
Had these meteoric stones come from the
moon, the less ofmatter lessenng her gravitation
and celebrity, must have carried her to greater
distance from us, diminished her parallax, and
lessened the number of her annual iunatons bv
the above cited doctrines.
None Of these consequences having occurred.
we must infer, the quantity otmatter in the earth
is unchanged since the creation, and, consequent
b, thatthese aeropiptic stones are thrown from
our volcanoes.
Many OF these stones, which YOU have menti-
oned, are probably from Heca, which has been
in state Of dreadful explosion occasionally of
late and the flaming stones from,the islands, or
from the country between Lima and Quito which
has been in vehement commotion
The force and direction of the wind acting up.
hoo a, a.,
the air, roust have ehects--a copious quantity OF
oxygen gas must give them additional splendor
in their passage throughit
When the wind is with or against them, their
velocity and the distance they travel will be pro-
portionally effected lateral wind must act up.
\on them as the angular bearing and vental impe.
Nus, (Newton's priucip. lex. 3. cor. u