Chemical Analysis of Meteoric Iron. 335 
by ammonia, and precipitated the iron and nickel, by means of 
a current of hydro-sulphurie acid gas; after filtration, I evapora- 
ted the solution to dryness and burned off the tartaric acid ina 
small platina capsule under the muffle, when a small quantity of 
chromic acid was obtained, which was recognized by its charac- 
ters before the blowpipe; its amount was estimated at 3 per cent. 
The manganese is also estimated. 
From the above analyses, it will appear that specimen Ist of 
the meteoric iron, having a sp. gr. of 5.750, contains in 25 grains, 
_ Metalliciron, — - - 16.296 = 65.184 per cent. 
d nickel, - ~ 6.927=27.708.45. ~% 
i in specimen 2nd, having a sp. gr. of 6.500 in 50 grains we 
hav or in 100 grains. 
Metallic iron, - - - 33.280 66.560 
nickel, - - - 12.354 24.708 
& chrome and manganese, 1.625 3.240 
e sulphur, - - - 2.000 4.000 —_ 
“ ~ -chlorine, - . . .740 1.480 
49.999 99.988 
It will be remarked, that this meteorite contains an unusual 
proportion of nickel, and that the occurrence of chlorine, in mat- 
ter of celestial origin, is here noticed for the first time. 
I beg leave therefore, to invite chemists to a careful review of 
Meteorites, since the occurrence of chlorine may have been over- 
looked in former analyses, 
Its occurrence in meteoric matters, is a fact of great impor- 
tance, in accounting for their chemical phenomena, while passing 
through our atmosphere. 
It must also be remembered, that chloride of iron is readily vol- 
atilized at a high temperature, and that it is abundantly exhaled 
Jrom the craters of volcanoes, in various parts of our planet. 
Nickel, however, has not to my knowledge been discovered 
amid volcanic sublimations, but it may be worth while to call the 
attention of chemists to the subject, that it may be sought for in 
Volcanic craters. 
Tam however far from believing that we shall be able to prove 
that all meteorites originate from voleanic sublimations, for there 
are very evident reasons for believing that our planet, statedly in 
its course, passes amid numerous detached masses of matter or 
asteroids, which regularly meet the earth in its orbit on the 13th 
