Bulk and trace lithophilic elements (Al, Ca, Fe, Mn, Ti, Cr, Sr, V and Zn) have been determined in individual chondrules and in other constituents of the H‐4 Mafra chondrite by means of flameless A.A. microanalysis. Twenty‐four large sized (> 1 mg) chondrules, composite samples of minor‐sized (0.1 and 0.2 mg) chondrules and fine‐grained “interchondrular” material have been examined. Data on the large‐sized chondrules exhibit large compositional variations among cosmochemically coherent groups of elements. A weak anti‐correlation was found between the geochemically coherent refractory V and volatile Zn. A possible mass‐composition relationship is suggested by the apparent concentration of lithophile high‐temperature condensing elements (Ca, Al, Ti) in the minor‐sized chondrules. Compositional features tend to support the hypothesis that chondrules originate from a large number of precursor components constituting a distinct grain population in the solar nebula. Melting through a sudden heating of random mixtures of these precursor grains was possibly followed by further condensation of volatiles and accretion.