324 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



The odor of the mineral is the same as that of guano, while its taste is saline, 

 leaving a pungent impression. Soluble in water, excepting some sand, lime 

 soap, and remains of shell ; the solution is light yellow in color, and gives, by 

 appropriate tests, the reactions of sulphuric acid, ammonia, and potash, being 

 slightly acid. The chemical analysis of the most pure parts of the crystalline 

 portion, demonstrated the interesting fact that this mineral is a double sul- 

 phate of ammonia and potash, a compound hitherto unknown as occurring 

 naturally. 



100 parts afforded: 







Moisture 1*00 



Sulphate of Potash 51-66 



" " Ammdnia 88*25 



" " Lime 1'IT 



Phosphate of Magnesia 1'08 



Soap of Lime and Carbonate of Lime 2'20 



Ferruginous Sand 4-30 



99.66 



The atomic proportion of sulphate of ammonia for 51.66 sulphate of potash, 

 is 40.84, and when we dissolve this mineral in water, and allow the impurities 

 to subside, the clear fluid affords crystals in groups, which have this composi- 

 tion. Other parts of the mass contain more sulphate of potash, even so much 

 as 70 per cent., being obviously a mixture. The luster, and perhaps the 

 plumose form of these crystals, is due to the presence of the other compounds 

 at the moment of their formation. It was found that pure crystals, dissolved 

 in water containing guano, presented the same peculiarity as they assumed 

 the solid form. There are, in this connection, some points which need further 

 elucidation, and for this purpose a portion of the specimen has been retained. 

 The occurrence of salts of potash, instead of soda salts, in the guano of the 

 rainless climates, has been alluded to by chemists, but I have nowhere met 

 with the fact stated, that these guanos, however ammoniacal, and, in conse- 

 quence, apparently alkaline, are truly always acid in their reactions. Regard- 

 ing this mineral as affording a beautiful illustration of the withdrawal of a 

 definite compound of soluble salts, from a putrefying mass, through which 

 they were distributed unequally, it becomes connected with the more perma- 

 nent and perfect forms having earthy constituents. In any system of mine- 

 ralogy, it will take a place with potash salts, as a double sulphate of potash 

 and ammonia bases. 



In accordance with the practice of naming such minerals with reference to 

 their origin, I have adopted the name Ooguanolite for this body. 



METEORIC IRON FROM GREENLAND. 



Forchammer describes a meteoric stone discovered by Rinck, in possession 

 of the Esquimaux at Niakoruak, lat. 69 25', by whom it had been found at a 

 short distance from their hut, on a stony flat through which the river Annorri- 

 tok flows into the sea. It weighed 21 pounds. The specific gravity of the 

 whole mass 7 -00, that of small fragments varied from 7 '02 to 7 '07. It was 



