World distinguished from earth

In proceeding to consider the metals which in the inorganic world have the almost exchisive prerogative of appearing colored, we find that, in their pure, independent, natural state, they are already distinguished from the pure earths by a tendency to some one color or other. 

The presence of a fusion crust, the color and shape of the surface, the presence of metallic grains, and the unusual densities, in most cases, permit meteorite specimens to be distinguished from terrestrial boulders. These criteria apply to meteorite specimens that occur not only in the cold desert of Antarctica, but also to those that are collected in the hot deserts of the world, and in all other places where meteorites can be found. Even though tens of thousands of meteorite specimens have been collected on the East Antarctic ice sheet, Antarctica is not receiving a higher flux of meteorites compared to other areas of the Earth. The apparent abundance of meteorites is caused primarily by their better preservation in the ice and by the dynamics of the East Antarctic ice sheet. 

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