Dr. FA. Genth on a supposed New Element. 247 
» The quantity of this metal was too small for further experi- 
ments, but these reactions show that it is neither tin nor any 
other known element, although it has some relations to tin; but 
itis distinguished from it— . 
1. By its solubility in nitric acid. 
2. By its brown precipitate with hydrosulphuric acid. 
3. By not being readily oxydized before the blowpipe into a 
White oxyd, and by its other blowpipe-reactions. é 
May not the grains of native tin observed by Hermann in the 
auriferous sands from Siberia be the same substance ? 
_ 4 An examination of the white grains, which were insoluble 
in hydrochloric acid, gave (after a few scales of native gold had 
been extracted by quite diluted aqua regia) the following results. 
, Of 0:9366 germs. were 0-4625 grms. or 49-4 p. c. Sisserskite 
(Ir Oss) in brilliant lead-colored scales, some of which were im- 
Perfect six-sided prisms. d 
the remaining grains and scales (0:4741 grms.) had a tin- 
White color and were treated with aqua regia, as long as it acted 
upon them. Three rounded grains remained undissolved in aqua 
rea, which, I suppose, were Platin-Iridium. They weighed 
00202 rms. =2°2 p. c. : 
The balance of 0-4539 erms. or 48-4 p. c. was native Platinum. 
enn composition of the sample received by Dr. Chas. M. 
etherill was therefore . 
New element and gold, not estimated. 
Sisserskite, . ‘ «> 494 pe 
~ Platin-iridium, i oo eee OR Deke 
Native platinum, =. «see, GRA bo, 
This native platinum is not pure, but contains, like that from 
other localities, other substances, both alloyed and mechanically 
ked with it. | ; 
f When the 0-4539 grms. were dissolved in aqua regia, 0-0031 
ae fine ‘68 p. c. of Sisserskite remained undissolved in minute 
The Solution was evaporated to dryness in a water-bath, dis- 
soly 1 in alcohol and precipitated with chlorid of ammonium. 
The brick-red double salt thus formed was washed ont with alco- 
bol, “then dried and powerfully heated. The ignited residue 
veighed 04206 grms. It was treated with weak aqua regia, 
Which left undissolved 0-0110 erms. of Iridium and Rhodium = 
42 p. ¢. (This is of course, only an approximate estimation 
°f Iridium, etc.) This presence of Rhodium and Palladium 
Was also ascertained, but [ did not make any quantitative esti- 
Peres ge because the quantity I had to dispose of was entirely 
sual for the estimation of substances which can be separated 
Ywith the greatest difficulty. eee 
