434 Prof. Berzelius 07i Meteoric Sto7ies. 



M. Berzelius is convinced by later researches, that in this 

 last analysis the quantity of the alloy of chromium and iron 

 ought to be increased to 1*7 per cent., and it also contains about 

 one tenth per cent, of oxide of tin. 



Meteorite of Loutolox. — This stone fell on the 13th of De- 

 cember 1813, near the village ofLontalax in Finland. It has 

 been described by Nordenskibid, who presented a fragment of 

 it to M. Berzelius. The magnetic portion is composed of deut- 

 oxide of iron {^oxide ferroso-ferrique) ; the remainder affords 

 by analysis : 



In the whole In 1 00 parts of the 



quantity. soluble portion. 



Silica 42-5 37-411 



Magnesia 34-4 32-922 



Protoxide of iron 32-5 28-610 



Protoxide of manganese -9 '793 



Alumina '3 '264 



Oxides of copper and tin, a trace. 



Potash and soda a trace. 



Insoluble 7*9 



121-5 100- 



From this analysis it may be concluded, that the portion 

 soluble in acids is a silicate of magnesia and protoxide of iron, 

 probably in reciprocally variable proportions, but in which 

 the silica contains as much oxygen as the bases. The mineral 

 here analysed gives plainly enough the formula f S + 2 M S; 

 nevertheless there is reason to suppose that the atomic pro- 

 portion is accidental, and that meteoric olivine contains these 

 isomorphous silicates in variable proportions. The insoluble 

 part, which is equal to 6-37 per cent, of the weight of the stone, 

 afforded about one per cent, of the alloy of chromium and 

 iron, mixed with oxide of tin, magnesia, lime, protoxide of 

 iron, alumina, and protoxide of manganese, in proportions 

 which appear to indicate that the insoluble portion of this 

 stone has the same composition as the preceding meteorites. 



Meteoric Stone of Alois. — This stone, which fell near Alais 

 in France on the 15th of March 1806, at half-past five in the 

 afternoon, differs from all the others : it resembles indurated 

 clay and falls to pieces in water, emitting an argillaceous 

 odour. M. Thenard who first examined it, found, besides 

 the general constituents of meteoric stones, some carbon ; this 

 fact was afterwards confirmed by Vauquelin. A small speci- 

 men sent to M. Berzelius by M. Lucas, has afforded to this 

 skilful chemist the opportunity of examining it. One portion 

 (12 per cent.) is attracted by the magnet, which he found was 

 composed of a minutequantity of metallic iron, a little sulphu- 



