1821.] Mr. Ross on (he Carburet of Nickel. 63 



substance, a considerable portion of which was disseminated 

 through the whole mass, and thought, that by again exposing it 

 to a strong heat, in a clean earthen crucible, without any char- 

 coal, when it was melted, the substance would rise to the sur- 

 face. I, therefore, put it a second time into the forge without 

 any admixture of carbonaceous matter, and kept it in an intense 

 heat for some time ; however, the effect was not what I had 

 anticipated ; — the piece of metal was certainly somewhat denser, 

 and a portion of the substance had come to the surface of it, 

 giving it the appearance of being coated with iodine, or mica- 

 ceous iron ore, but it was so deficient in ductility, that I could 

 not hammer it into a plate beyond l-10th of an inch in thickness 

 without cracking. 1 was discouraged in my undertaking, and 

 gave up the idea of possessing a specimen oi' pure malleable 

 nickel. The piece of metal 1 wrapped up in a bit of paper, and 

 placed it among my other chemical substances. I had almost 

 forgotten it, when, a short time ago, in looking for some other sub- 

 stance, it accidentally attracted my attention. On examining it with 

 a little reflection, it struck me that this plumbago-like substance 

 was a true compound of carbon and nickel, or a carburet of nickel. 

 ISTo such compound has ever been described, I believe, in 

 any of our chemical treatises; and indeed I am not aware 

 any of our chemists have said a word as to its existence, except 

 Dr. Thomson, who does just observe, that a combination of this 

 nature has been hinted at, but, if I recollect right, gives it as his 

 opinion that a real carburet of nickel has not hitherto been dis- 

 covered. 



Within these few days, I have perused M. Tupputi's memoir 

 upon nickel (see Annales de Chimie, tome lxxviii): he plainly 

 intimates that this metal is capable of uniting with carbon. It 

 seems rather singular, that the French chemist's observation 

 should have met with so little attention; and as the circumstance 

 of my meeting with this curious substance appears to verify his 

 Temark, 1 have ventured (though with no little diffidence I assure 

 you, Sir, for I am quite a young chemist) to address you on the 

 subject. 



1 inclose you a small quantity of the substance to operate upon, 

 if you think proper, and to discover whether I am correct in my 

 conjecture. It has been pulverized. I procured it by exposing 

 the whole mass to the action of dilute nitric acid ; the metal was 

 dissolved, and it remained at the bottom of the vessel unaltered. 

 I am, Sir, yours, with the greatest respect, 



William Ross. 



