on the Meteoric Iron ofBitbiirg. 43 



are vitrified, and the pure metallic mass seems only to form 

 a sort of skeleton, in which the oxidated mass, mixed with 

 granules of quartz, is distributed. 



" In muriatic or nitric acid, even when heated, the mass dis- 

 solves slowly ; but in aqua-regia, quickly, and with a develop- 

 ment of nitrous acid gas. Sometimes I observed during the 

 process of solution, that a turbidity was occasioned round the 

 metal, and yellowish white flakes came off it. The surfaces of 

 the metallic pieces then showed in some parts the colour of 

 iron-pyrites, although the flakes were too small in quantity 

 and number to allow me to collect and distinguish them se- 

 parately ; and I am of opinion that they clearly indicate the 

 presence of sulphur in the mass. For the rest, the mass of 

 metal was completely dissolved, with the exception of the 

 grains of quartz intermixed with it. 



" By separating the oxide of iron from the solution by satu- 

 ration with caustic ammonia, the solution will pass colourless 

 through the filter. But if it is condensed in a watch-glass, it 

 assumes a greenish colour, and on being completely evapo- 

 rated, leaves a grayish brown residuum. By volatilizing the 

 sal ammoniac, the residue turns into a yellowish red ; and at 

 one end the colour turned to a greenish yellow. The resi- 

 duum still somewhat warm, heated with a drop of caustic am- 

 monia, crumbled down and dissolved, assuming different hues, 

 at first blue, then violet, and at last bright red, forming how- 

 ever a blue solution. When evaporated, this solution left a 

 residuum of a pomona green with a somewhat brownish mass 

 in the centre. A drop of caustic ammonia rapidly dissolved 

 the green border, turning the colour of the brown mass in the 

 centre, first into a bluish, and subsequently into a reddish vio- 

 let*, producing also a brown powder, but finally completely 

 dissolving it. 



" I now again caused the ammonia to evaporate, poured on 

 the residuum a solution of chlorine, caused it to evaporate in 

 its turn, and brought the residuum, now nearly red hot, in 

 contact with ammonia, by which the green oxide of nickel was 

 dissolved, and a brown residuum was left. Collecting this re- 

 siduum on a filter, and adding some water to the fluid, after 

 it had passed, white flakes, subsequently turning brown, were' 

 produced, which showed also the presence of manganese, be- 

 sides the nickel. I then dissolved the residuum on the filter 

 by means of nitric acid, and added cautiously some ammonia 

 to the solution, which remained perfectly clear. 1 again made 

 the nitro-ammoniacal solution evaporate, dissolved the brown 



* " A circumstance which seems to indicate tiie presence of cobalt, pure 

 manganeric not furnishing these appearances." 



Ci 2 oxide 



