276 On the Jffinities of 



The fusion of this mixture afforded glass of iron less per* 

 feet than the former. The fracture divided itself into two 

 distinct beds. The under one was a smooth black shining 

 glass : the upper possessed a similar fracture and appearance 

 to what was obtained in No. I. This difference was evi- 

 dently the result of the combination of the small portion of 

 carbon : for in the smooth black glass a disposition of the 

 metal to separate was manifested by the formation of a mi- 

 nute cell exactly in the centre of the glass. This cavity is 

 uniformly obtained in all experiments of this nature, and is 

 sometimes found containing beautiful prismatic colours and 

 possessed of an uncommon degree of lustre. 



III. 200 grains of oxide, 



8 of carbon, or 1 -25th part. 



The fusion of this mixture afforded a very neat spherule 

 of metal, which was found to weigh 8 grains or 4 per cent., 

 or I grain of metal for 1 grain of carbon. The glass was 

 black and shining throughout, resembling very much the 

 lustre and polish of a highly finished razor. The iron ob- 

 tained was soft and ductile. It easily flattened without 

 cracking when cold, and exposed a fine gray spotted 

 shale. 



IV. 200 grains of oxide, 



10 of carbon, or l-20th. 



The result of the ♦fusion of this mixture was a minute 

 though elegant spherule of iron, possessing some fine wa- 

 tery shades. It was found to weigh 10 grains, or equal to 

 5 per cent. This, as in No. Ill, is exactly 1 grain of iron 

 for every grain of carbon added. The glass in this experi- 

 ment was still more shining and perfect than in the former, 

 and the quality of the iron was equally soft and malleable. 



V. 200 grains of oxide, 



20 of carbon, or 1 -10th. 



An elegant ovular button of iron was obtained in this 

 experiment ; the surface was possessed of an uncommon 

 lustre and polish, contrasted by a variety of shades. It 

 weighed exactly 56 grains, or equal to 28 per cent. The 

 quantity of iron revived is nearly 2-J grains for each grain 

 of carbon in the mixture. 



The glass was not perceptibly different from that of 

 No. IV. The quality of the iron was malleable, though 

 not so soft and ductile as in former experiments. 



VI. 200 grains of oxide, 



30 of carbon, nearly l-;th. 



From the fusion of this mixture a very smooth beautiful 

 metallic button was obtained, which was found to weigh 



94 



