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The time distributicn of fissions in Th 232 , u 235 , and u 238 induced by ._., • mesons was measured with a multipla.te gas-scintillation fission chamber. A significant number of prompt fissions *-ot associated with~.~.nuclear. .. capture was:.'~ observed. The results are: Nucleus. • .Ratio of prompt fia sions to fissions from nuclear capture o.o64 :J: .ozz 0.072 d: .014 0.111 :!': .021 The work of Mukhin et al,. shows tbat the intensities of tJ.•mesic K x-ra.ys. '. ,. ' for these elements relative to Pb are o.ss :!:: .• 0 (Th), o. 77 ± .04 (u 238), and. .. r. 235 0.11 :t: ,OS (U). This intensity reduction is qualitatively consistent with earlier predictions that, for these elements, a direct excitation oi the nucleus competes with electromagnetic radiation in the transition to the ground state of '. the mesic atom. Our results indicate such direct nuclear excitation. The number of fissions observed may be. consistent with the results o! • Mukhin et al. and with photofission data. i£ allowance is made for the effect 011 the fission barrier o£ the ._.,meson in the lS state of the mesic atom.