the dust. The iron was composed of the gaillonilla, and 'the carbonic
chalk earth corresponded tolerably well to the smaller number of
polythalamia.' The uniform character of the specimens obtained at
intervals over so long a course of years is especially remarkable.

To turn, now, for a few moments to the second phenomenon indicated in
our title. In October 1846, a fearful and furious hurricane visited
Lyon and the district between that city and Grenoble, during which
occurred a fall of blood-rain. A number of drops were caught and
preserved, and when the moisture had evaporated, there was seen the
same kind of dust--of yellowish-brown or red colour--as that which had
fallen in a dry state on the occasions already referred to. The
strictest pains were taken to ascertain that it was not the common
dust swept from roads during a gale of wind; and when placed under the
microscope, it exhibited a greater proportion of fresh-water and
marine formations than the former instances. Phytolitharia were
numerous, as also 'neatly-lobed vegetable scales;' which, as Ehrenberg
observes, is sufficient to disprove the assertion, that the substance
is formed in the atmosphere itself, and is not of European origin. For
the first time, a living organism was met with--the '_Eunotia
amphyoxis_, with its ovaries green, and therefore capable of life.'
Here was a solution of the mystery: the dust, mingling with the drops
of water falling from the clouds, produced the red rain. Its
appearance is that of reddened water, and it cannot be called
blood-like without exaggeration.

Again, in March 1847, a coloured snow fell in the Tyrol, presenting a
most singular appearance, and, when dried, leaving behind a
brick-coloured dust. Most of the organised forms therein contained
were European and American, with a few African; and again the