Chemical Analysis of Meteoric Iron. 333, 
The rounded surface is coated with a thin layer of the sub- 
chloride of iron, which being removed, the mass is found to 
Consist of metallic matter, resembling wrought iron, when the 
Specimen is filed bright. On attempting to break off a fragment, 
the mass was found to be extremely tough and malleable, so as 
to require the aid of a file and cutting-chisel. 
Sp. gr. on three separate fragments from different parts of the 
mass, 5.750, 6.400 and 6.500. The whole mass weighs 28 oun- 
ces avoirdupois. . ‘Se ait 
Having washed the specimen in distilled water several times, I 
filed one side of it bright, and left it exposed to the air in my 
cabinet. Ina few days, numerous grass-green drops of liquid be- 
gan to collect on its surface, and became externally coated with a 
thin brown film. ‘This liquid had a slight alkaline astringent 
taste, but gave no alkaline reaction with tumeric paper or Brazil 
wood solution. A few drops collected in a test tube and diluted 
with water, gave an abundant thick curdy white precipitate, with 
a solution of nitrate of silver, showing the presence of chlorine 
in combination. Ferro-cyanate of potash gave a blue precipitate, 
indicative of iron, and ammonia gave a precipitate of the hydra- 
ted perovide of iron. Muriate of ammonia having been added to 
a little more of the exudation, the peroxide of iron was precipita- 
ted by ammonia, and the remaining liquid was of a pale blue 
color, indicative of nickel, and on addition of pure potash, hy- 
drate of nickel formed in a bulky green precipitate. 
Thus the green drops in question were proved to be composed 
of the hydro-chlorates of nickel and iron, and they doubtless form 
from the action of the moisture of the atmosphere upon the me- 
tallic chlorides contained in the meteorite. : , 
Analysis of the mass.—Several fragments of the specimen hav- 
ing been cut off by means of a steel chisel and hammer, their 
Specific gravities were ascertained, and they were then subjected 
to analysis. 
- Specimen 1. A fragment weighing 25 grains, sp. gr. = 5.750, be- 
ing placed in a green glass flask, and pure nitric acid poured upon 
it; no action took place until heat was applied, when a violent effer- 
Vescence, with extrication of nitrous acid fumes, began, and the 
Solution was rapidly and entirely effected. The solution was 
then treated with a sufficient quantity of the solution of muriate 
of ammonia, to prevent the precipitation of the nickel, and then 
