200 On the Decomposition of the Earths. [Marcn, 
—escape of white fumes—slag, of a jet-black colour, disclosing 
metallic lustre to the action of the file. 
(B.) Pure Barytes.—Fusion—deposition of a white oxide on 
the iron forceps—chrysolite-coloured flame—scintillation, denoting 
combustion—escape of white fumes—slag of a jet-black colour, 
disclosing metallic lustre to the action of the file. 
8. Common Black Oxide of Manganese.—Some of this sub- 
stance taken from an iron retort, after having been partially de- 
oxidated in the preparation of oxygen gas, was mixed with oz/, and 
exposed to the ignited gas in a charcoal crucible. It became 
speedily fused into a dark globule, which, when filed, exhibited a 
brilliant white metallic lustre, resembling that of the medal of 
barytes. 
9. Granular Tin of the Molucca Isles.—I received this substance 
from Professor Thunberg, at Upsal, in Sweden. It is in the form 
of black grains which are octahedrons. Placed on charcoal, they 
were speedily fused, and their fusion was accompanied by a violet- 
coloured flame, which immediately preceded the revival of the 
metal, in a malleable state. 
10. Green foliated Oxide of Uranium from Cornwall.—Upon 
the first action of the ignited gas the green colour disappeared. The 
uranium then became white. Fusion ensued; attended with a 
slight but decisive smell of sw/phur. The substance then exhibited 
a vehement ebullition, accompanied by combustion, resembling 
that of ron. The revival of the metal folldwed, in the form of a 
dark reddish brown globule; which, when filed, exhibited a me- 
tallic lustre not unlike that of iron. It was brittle, and seemed to 
be one of the hardest of metals. 
11. Experiments with Nickel.—A brittle regulus bearing the 
name of this metal, had. been purchased of Mr. Knight, in Foster- 
lane. Jt was exposed to the action of the ignited gas upon a charcoal 
support, and a copious disengagement of arsenical fumes imme- 
diately ensued; filling all the room with the peculiar odour of 
arsenic. Fusion and combustion followed; and the combustion 
continued ta be exhibited by the melted metal, even after the stop- 
cock of the jet was closed, and the gas extinguished. The residue 
was a brittle metallic globule. Various attempts were afterwards 
made to obtain the metal in a malleable state, but without success ; 
by repeatedly dissolying it in diluted mitric acid, and evaporating 
the solution to dryness; adding the usual process of a subsequent 
solution and evaporation by means of pure ammonia. The smell of 
arsenic during its fusion was always perceptible, and the residue as 
constantly brittle. This is remarkable; because 1 obtained the 
nickel in a more malleable state by the fusion of arsenical nickel, 
or kupfer-nickel ; and the process has been described in the account 
of my former experiments.* I succeeded however iu forming 
yarious alloys of this metal, and, among others, the following :-— 
* See Annals, viii. 362. 
