384 On Metallic Minerals. 



unctuous lustre externally ; a fracture shews these globules 

 on one side, and the rounded concavities they have vacated 

 on the other, these hollows are sometimes of an iron grey 

 colour, at others Indian red. The globules resist the point 

 of a knife, but the mass yields to it a light x*ed streak ; its 

 powder also is of a lighter I'ed than the mass. The structure 

 of the globules is hollow, perhaps concentrically so, but 

 they are so small as not to be easily examined on this point. 

 The lustre of the ore is between dull resinous and shining 

 metallic, but glimmering points and small laminae of a 

 higher lustre are frequently seen. The specific gravity is 

 various, but it is between 2-9 and 4-6 ; no change in nitric 

 acid. Before the blow-pipe it does not fuse, but turns 

 black and magnetic. To borax it communicates the usual 

 colour characteristic of iron. 



I am not aware that a similar variety of the red oxide of 

 iron has ever been noticed before. In its structure it 

 resembles the "pisiform clay iron stone" of Phillips, but 

 its frequent metallic lustre distinguishes it. It may be an 

 intimate mixture of the two. Fluiry's name of " fer 

 oxide globuliferne," is expressive of its appearance, although 

 nnder that head he does not describe the same ore. 



It has been said to smelt easily and to make very good 

 metal. I am more doubtful of tlic accuracy of the latter 

 statement than of the former. 



2d. — The red ochre, besides coating the globules and the 

 external surface of the ore, lines the sides of the veins and 

 is much mixed up with the soil of the neighbourhood, 

 indicating the proximity of a more solid ore. It is 

 remarkable for its unctuousity. 



If much ore of a good quality were found, which I am far 

 from taking upon myself to say is the case, its locality is a 



