2 C. U. Shepard on Meteorie Iron from South Africa. 
compact and hard marl, penetrated by seams of iron-pyrites, 
which appear to fill spaces once occupied by fossil shells. It may 
be presumed therefore, that it belongs to the tertiary series in 
geology; and inasmuch as the iron-mass presents a perfectly 
clean, and nearly an unoxydated surface, it is possible that its fall 
has either been very recentgor that it has until lately been im- 
bedded in this formation, and thus preserved from rusting. On 
the latter supposition, its descent will date back to the geological: 
period of the tertiary. 
It is certainly remarkable in the history of these bodies, that 
their external figure has so often resembled the heads of various 
animals. The present mass, as figure | will show, is another 
instance of the same fact, It resembles the head of the horse, 
not only in shape but also in size. Nor is the similarity con- 
fined to a single position, but exists whether the mass is viewed 
on either side, as well as from above, or below; inasmuch as it 
ssesses a wonderful degree of bi-lateral symmetry, having 
the depressions to a certain extent, repeated on both its sides 
when in the position of the figure. And what is remarkable 
convexity to the top, and a corresponding concavity to the base. 
It measures 194 inches in length, 12 in depth, and 134 in breadth. 
The depressions are every where shallow; and their borders, 
where they are contiguous to each other, or where they connect 
with the general surfaces, are softly rounded off; so that there 
is not a sharp angle or edge upon the mass. Gentle curves and 
flowing outlines every where prevail, throughout the mass. It 
can scarcely be said to possess any crust whatever. Its color is 
blackish iron-gray, mixed with patches of an ochrey brown, 
through which, a submetallic Justre is rarely visible. 
On being struck with a cane, or the handle of a common ham- 
mer, a peculiar ringing sound is produced, a circumstance which 
I have noticed on some other considerable lumps of meteoric iron. 
Having sawn a fragment of 120 grains from a projecting ridge, 
at the larger end, where the natives had chiseled off the piece 
above referred to, it became apparent that this iron was soft, ho- 
connected with the main mass, was, when etched, destitute of 
these curved lines, and presented on the whole, a very close re- 
semblance to the Widmannstattian figures of the Lenarto and the 
Elbogen irons. . 
NNN NERS: «mera ome w 
pA aie UL EES 
