have fallen from the Heavens. 353 



it retained its blue colour, which, as foon as this free alkali 

 was evaporated, was changed to a ineadow green. The li- 

 quor conftantly preferved this colour, which Hill acquired 

 greater inlenfity until complete evaporation, and without 

 forming any depofit, which proves that nickel exifled in the 

 combination in the flate of a triple fait. 



Fixed cauftic alkalies occafion no precipitation in this li- 

 quor; but they make it refume its blue colour by decom- 

 pofing the muriaie of ammonia and laying bare its bafe, 

 which then rediifolves the nickel. 



The hydro-fulphurets formed in it an abundant black de- 

 posit; and this was the method employed for obtaining the 

 nickel feparate. The hydro-fulphuret of this metal, calcined 

 in a platina crucible, left a powder of a dark meadow-greea 

 colour, which had all the properties of oxide of nickel. 



The iron contained in the flones which have fallen from 

 the heavens is therefore combined with fulphur and nickel; 

 whence it appears very probable that thefe two (ubftances, 

 which always prefent themfelves in a quantity more or lefs 

 confiderable in the analyfis of the whole flones, arife from a 

 fimilar combination, which it is impoffible, whatever care 

 may be taken, to feparate exadlly from the earthy parts. 



The prefence of nickel and of fulphur in this iron explains 

 why it is whiter, harder, and lets duitile than common iron. 



Though I did not afcertain very exaftly the quantities of 

 thefe fubftances in the iron, I think I may afflrt that they do 

 not amount to more than five or fix per cent. In regard to the 

 pyrites difleminated here and there throughout thefe ftones, 

 it is formed, as Mr. Howard fays, of iron, fulphur, and 

 a fmall quantity of nickel ; but I was not able to afcertain in 

 what proportions thefe three fubftances are united, becaufe I 

 had not a fufficient quantity to fubjcft them to an exa6t ana- 

 lyfis. 



It appears to refult from all the information obtained, and 

 from teftimonies worthy of credit, ift, That maflcs, fome- 

 times of confidepable fize, have fallen to the furface of the 

 earth : 2d, That thefe mattes penetrated with fire move in the 

 atmofphere like inflamed balls, which throw light and heat, 

 and to a great diftancc: 3d, That they fccm lo have received 

 a motion parallel to the horizon, though they really delcribe 

 a curve: 4th, That they fall in a (tate of foftnefs or fulion 

 like parte, as is attefted by their varniflied furface, and the 

 impreihons formed on them by the bodies which they meet 

 with : 5th, That fomc of them' have fallen in England, Ger- 

 many, Italv, France, and the Eall Indies: 6lh, That all 



Vol. XV. No. 60. A a Uide 



