124 Papérs relating to ihe Kusion of Carbon. 
The examination of this subject by Prof. Vanuxem, as'stated 
in his first memoir, (p. 292, Vol. 8, of this Journal.) is en- 
tirely irrelative ; for the thing examined was not the same 
with what | have called melted charcoal. - It was clearly a 
different substance, and it cannot be expected of me to ex- 
plain how the mistake arose, It is true that in my earlier 
publications, I did not mention. trying the melted masses with 
the magnet. Although there was no reason to expect any thing 
more than a very slight trace of iron, in any matter obtained 
from charcoal, I have frequently subjected the melted mat- 
ter obtained by the deflagrator from charcoal to the action 
of powerful magnets, and never could I perceive the slightest 
action either upon the melted masses, or even upon the finest 
powder obtained by pulverizing them. Much less could I 
discover the malleability, toughness, impressibility b —_ a - 
capability of receiving a polish, &c. mentioned by 
nuxem. The magnet has failed to act upon us = ama 
after it has been exposed to acid, salts, alkalies, &c. an if 
there is iron init, which is probable, it isin too — quantity 
_ to be discovered in this way. Much less can we suppose 
that re ite matter procured from the fusion of charcoal should 
present iron, for one half ofthe whole matter upon the 
- ‘begun, and nearly five sixths of all that was 
for. 
J transmitted to Prof. Hare some of the largest ofthe melted 
masses obtained in the experiments described above, and he 
made the trials upon them which he has related, and which 
deeidedly prove that they contain carbon in notable quan- 
tity, ws traces of iron, and possibly other inkpurities of the 
chareoa 
It oud appear from the experiments of Dr. Hare, that 
chareoal, in common with many vegetable substances, affords 
traces of iron capable of being indicated by delicate chemi- 
eal tests, but probably too inconsiderable to be easily appre- 
éiated by weight: at any rate there is nothing in his results 
analogous to those obtained by Professor Vanuxem. The mere 
traces of iron eannot justify this inference as observed by 
Dr. Hare, any more than it would be proper, from the small 
portions of iron which most minerals afford, to infer that er 
are oe alee to the proper ores of that metal... 
*&¥ge the result of Prof. Vanuxem’s first memoir. 
