Comments 16 9
The hail was falling that day from two nearly opposite directions, and was of two entirely different kinds. One variety consisted of large grains of pear shape, and of a peculiar structure; while the other consisted of smaller, transparent grains, which had the shape of flattened ellipsoids. These latter contained nothing, but the former had in their central opaque portions black granules, which proved, on chemical analysis, to consist of iron, with traces of nickel and cobalt, and silicon. These granules were sent to the Academy, and Professor Kaxpinsky analyzed them. The powder obtained from these granules consisted chiefly of magnetic iron oxide, which had been formed through the oxidation of metallic iron; the latter could be seen very well. Moreover, the granules contained augite and, probably, sulphuretted iron, and some other substances not yet determined. Besides iron, they also showed traces of nickel and sulphur. " Such a composition," the RtL~sian professor concludes, "leaves not the slightest doubt about the cosmic origin of the granules contained in that hail." It is interesting to note that, some time ago, M. Czernik collected at the same spot hail which contained granules of volcanic ashes from Vesuvius.
W.