A South. Australidv Elaterite. 135 



was uniforniily black intpriially. It was soft, flexible, and 

 elastic, resemblino; caoutchouc ; one surface, probably the upper, 

 was hard, black, and sponge-like ; it contained a considerable 

 quantity of sand and some vegetable fibres ; it burnt readily with 

 a Avhite flame, melting before the flame, and giving, especially 

 when extinguished, a characteristic odour, quite distinct from 

 that from hydrocarbon minerals, and suggestive of burning 

 animal or vegetable fats. Jackson gives the following analysis 

 of Coorongite by Dr. A. J. Bernays : — 



Moisture ... ... ... 0.4682 



Carbon ... ... ... 64.73 



Hydrogen ... ... ... 11.63 



Ash ... ... ... 1.79 



Pixed carbon .. ... 1.005 



Oxygen and unest. ... ... 20.3768 



100.0000 

 The substance is insoluble in water and alcohol, and only 

 partially soluble in carbon bisulphide, ether, chloroform, turpen- 

 tine, benzene and toluene, giving bright yellow solutions. This 

 confirms observations of G. Francis, quoted by Jackson. On 

 evaporation of the solvent a soluble body of low melting point is 

 obtained, the Coorongite being thus separated into this body, and 

 a friable insoluble residue. 



Separation into tivo constituents by extraction with Carbon 

 Bisulphide. — 100 grms. were cut up into small pieces and 

 subjected to successive extractions with carbon bisulphide in a 

 Soxhlet's extractor. After the first extraction the residue, which 

 was quite friable, was rubbed to powder before adding fresh 

 solvent. The product of each extraction was separately examined 

 after evaporating ofl' the carbon bisulphide. The results are 

 shown in the following table : — 



1st Extraction 



2nd 



3rd 



4th 



