Mineralogy and Geology of Nova Scotia. 291 
by aqua ammonia, became ofa fine blue color, and, treated to 
excess of saturation, gave a brown precipitate of oxide of iron. 
To determine the composition of the vitreous copper, similar 
trials were made, which discovered nothing but copper, sulphur, 
and iron. This ore was called by the miners from Cornwall, 
who were exploring the mine, grey-copper, (fahlerz of the Ger- 
mans.) But according to an accurate analysis which we have 
made of this ore, it is to be considered as the vitreous copper 
(kupferglanzerz), which is more valuable than the grey-copper 
ore. We have taken for our model the analysis of the vitreous 
copper ore from Siberia, detailed in the celebrated Essays of 
Klaproth. As our results differ somewhat from those of this ex- 
cellent analyst, and no source of fallacy can be discovered on 
repetition of the process, we shall give below an account of the 
method pursued, although it possesses no claim to originality, but 
was purposely conducted after the manner of this chemist. We 
are the more disposed to do this, as some of our readers may not 
have access to the work of Klaproth, which has become scarce, 
and may still wish to see the modus operandi exemplified.* 
* Anazysts. — A specimen of the copper ore was selected, having the specific 
gravity 5.7. It was sectile, possessing on the cut surface a brilliant metallic lustre, 
resembling polished steel, but more of a lead-grey appearance. It was carefully 
freed from the surrounding matrix and envelope of lignite, and reduced to powder. 
A. Two hundred grains of this powder were introduced into a matrass, and 
pure muriatic acid affused upon it, which dissolved nothing, even when heated to 
boiling ; showing that the metals do not exist in the state of oxides, but in a metallic 
state. 
B. To the contents of the matrass while boiling, hot concentrated nitric acid 
was added by drops, which at each addition occasioned a violent effervescence, 
with the extrication of red fumes. The acid was added until it ceased to produce 
action. A flocculent greyish-white precipitate had formed on the surface of the fluid, 
