294 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 



The above named acids failing to show the sliglitest trace of the Wid- 

 mannstattian figures ; a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric was used, 

 boiling, but even after this operation no trace of them could be distin- 

 guished. The action of the aqua regia was gradual and peculiar, produ- 

 cing on the polished surface of the meteorite very small holes, varying 

 in size from a pin's point to those as large as a pin's head. From the 

 appearance of the surface of the meteorite, which formed a side of the 

 fissure before described, I had hoped to obtain by etching beautiful Wid- 

 mannstattian figures, as there is on this portion indistinct traces of that 

 which would at first glance be called a crystalline structure. 



The color of the metal is a silvery grey with a pinkish tinge. Its 

 hardness is not excessive, yielding readily to the file- The tensibility, as 

 before mentioned, was very great. The passivity was proved by testing 

 it with a neutral solution of the sulphate of copper. 



The specific gravity at 25° Cels,, was found by Dr. F. A. Genth to be 

 6*854, which is too low, but owing to the numerous fissures through the 

 meteorite filled with limonite, it was impossible to obtain the exact specific 

 gravity of the metal. I Used particular care to obtain a portion free 

 from the flaws, but without effect. I take this opportunity to express my 

 thanks to Dr. Genth for allowing me the use of his laboratory in making 

 the examination. The following is the result of my analysis : 



1'9421 grammes were dissolved in aqua regia. 



1-4731 grams. XIO gave of Nickel 59*69 per cent. 



1-0452 " FeaOs " Iron 37-69 " 



0-0221 " CuO " Copper 0'90 " 



0-0072 " AhO.^ " Aluminium 0*20 " 



0-0105 " CoeOt « Cobalt 0-40 " 



a 



a 



0-0048 " Si03 " Silicium 0-12 



0-0069 " 2MgO, POs " Phosphorus O'lO 



0-0059 " CaO,C02 '' Calcium 0-09 



99'19 



The slight loss of eight-tenths of one per cent I think is owing to some 

 small portions of limonite existing in the minute fissures already men- 

 tioned. 



The 0*10 per cent of phosphorus correspond to 0-64 per cent of schrei- 

 bersite, (PNi^Fe^). 



It was first attempted to dissolve in hydrochloric acid, but the action of 

 the acid, even when boiling, was so very gradual that nitric acid ^as 

 added. 

 ^ I endeavored to separate the nickel and cobalt by Liebig's new method, 

 viz., by precipitating the nickel as a sesquioxyd, by passing chlorme 

 through an alkaline solution of the two metals in hydrocyanic acid and 

 potash, but it was found not to answer ; the separation was made by his 

 former method by oxyd of mercunr. 



The composition of this remarkable meteorite is in iiself sufficiently 

 interesting for mineralo^frists, without any attempts to account for its ori- 

 gin, either terrestial or celestial We must remain in doubt as to the exact 

 locality where it was originally found, as it may have been carrried by 

 the Indians from a distance to Ka pntnmhi^r! in this momid, and it may 



'^ 



