so Experiments on the Alloys of Steely 



of iron = 50*99 iron, and 5*4 of oxide of nickel = 4-51 nickel- 

 or per cent. Iron 91*00 



Nickel S-Ol 



Loss 0-99 



100 00 

 The mean of the three gives 8*96 per cent, of 7nckeL 

 The meteoric iron was dissolved in aqua regia, and the iron 

 thrown down by pure ammonia, well washed, and heated red. 



In the first experiment the ammoniacal solution was evapo- 

 rated to dryness, the ammonia driven off by heat, and the oxide 

 of nickel re- dissolved in nitric acid, and precipitated by pure 

 potassa, the mixture being boiled a few seconds. 



In the third experiment the nickel was thrown down from the 

 ammoniacal solution at once by pure potassa. Tlie first method 

 is best, for a minute portion of oxide of nickel escaped precipi- 

 tation in the last experiment, to which the loss is probably to be 

 attributed. 



All the precipitates were heated to redness. J. G. C. 



We attempted to make imitations of the meteoric irons with 

 perfect success. To some good iron (horseshoe nails) were 

 added three per cent, of pure nickel; these were inclosed in a 

 crucible, and exposed to a high temperature in tlie air-furnace 

 for some hours. The metals were fused, and on examining the 

 button, the nickel was found in combination with the iron. The 

 alloy was taken to the forge, and proved under the hanmier to 

 be quite as malleable and pleasant to work as pure iron ; the co- 

 lour when polished rather whiter. This specimen, together with 

 a small bar of meteoric iron, have been exposed to a moist at- 

 mosphere ; they are both a little rusted. In this case it was 

 omitted to expose a piece of pure iron with them; it is probable 

 that, under these circumstances, the pure iron would i)ave been 

 more acted upon. 



The same success attended in making the alloy to imitate the 

 Siberian meteoric iron agreeably to Mr. Children's analysis. We 

 fused some of the same good iron, with 10 per cent, nickel ; the 

 metals were found perfectly combined, but less malleable, being- 

 disposed to crack under the hammer. The colour when polished 

 had a yellow tinge. A piece of this alloy has been exposed to 

 moist air for a considerable time, together with a piece of pure 

 iron; they are both a little rusted, not, however, to the same ex- 

 tent ; that with the nickel being but slightly acted upon, com- 

 parativelv to the action oii the pure iron; it thus appears that 

 nickel, wlien combined with iruii, has sonic effect in preventing 



oxidation. 



