Title: ‘Meteorolites’
Creator: James Sowerby (1757-1822)
Description: Specimens or fragments of eight ‘meteorolites’ which fell in Great Britain. The caption reads: [Central specimen] ‘No.1 One which was seen to fall from the atmosphere, near the Wold Cottage, Yorkshire, December 13, 1795. Weight 56lbs’
[Left specimen] ‘No.2 Part of one which fell at Possil, Scotland, April 5, 1804.’
[Right specimen] ‘No.3 Part of one which fell at Tipperary, Ireland, August, 1810.’
‘These are the only three that have fallen in Great Britain, similar stones have fallen in thousands in some parts of the world and have not been found under any other circumstances. They are accompanied by loud explosions. For a fuller account see Sowerby’s British Mineralogy Vol 2. They contain an earthy substance, No. 4 Semi-vitreous substance in rectangular fragments. No.5 Earthy laminated globules. No.6 Ductile iron alloyed with nichel. No.7 Iron pyrites, surrounding malleable iron. No.8, [blank]
The originals are in the Museum of James Sowerby, FLS, G S, &c, No.2 Maud Place, Lambeth, by whom the plate is published May 25, 1812.’
Date: 25 May 1812
Format: Hand coloured etching
Archive reference: LDGSL/545
Image reference: 10-05
Recommended print size: Up to 16 x 12 inches (40 x 30cm)