On the Component Parts of Iron-jlones, 249 



charcoal-dud, fome pieces fractured from the fame original 

 mafs ; they alfo weighed - 1/5° £ rs « 



After expofure for 14 hours to a degree of 

 heat equal to 1 20 3 of Wedgewood,the iron-ftoue, 

 heing carefully feparated from the charcoal and 

 dried, weighed - 1002 



Lofs of water, acid, fulphur, and oxygen - 748 grs. 

 Loft by fimple diftillation - - 590 



Oxygen taken up by the charcoal, equal to 

 9 parts in 100 - 158 grs. 



This mud not, however, be taken as the total meafure of 

 oxygen combined with the iron, but only that portion taken 

 up in the firft ftage of the operation; which, as it poflefles 

 the following properties, fully entitles it to this diftinclion: 



1 . The iron-ftone, from being firm and compact, poilelfing 

 fpecific gravity from 3 to 3*5, now becomes comparatively- 

 light, friable, and pulverulent; fpecific gravity, from 2' I to 

 ^•5. It now moulders with a flight preilure, and is eafily 

 reduced to fine powder of a whitifh grey colour, which again 

 poflefles the following diftincT: properties : It adheres to the 

 magnet in the greateft abundance, but not in confufed 

 clutters like iron-ftone (imply torrefied : a manifeft indi- 

 cation to become attached in the form of fibres is vifible ; 

 and the quantity taken up is equal in point of bulk to the 

 effect produced with iron filings. 



2. Iron-ftone in this ftate pulverifed, when ftrcwed in the 

 flame of a fire or candle, gives out metallic fparks, like the 

 eombuftion of iron-filings when ftrewed in the fame man- 

 ner. When the flame of the blow-pipe is directed upon it, 

 a confiderable inflammation takes place, and the metallic 

 particles again become oxydated. 



3. In this ftate iron-ftoncs poffefs the property of eflfer- 

 vefcing violently with the fulphuric and muriatic acids. 

 The iron and lime are inftantly diflblved*without the pro- 

 duction of heat. This is only peculiar Lo iron-ftones at this 



period 



