156 J. Lawrence Smith on Meteorites. 
2. Protosulphuret of Iron.—This variety of sulphuret of iron 
found with meteorites is usually designated as magnetic pyrites, 
leaving it to be inferred that its composition is the same as the 
terrestrial variety. Without alluding to the doubt among some 
mineralogists as to the true composition of the terrestrial magnetic 
pytites, I have o only to say that most careful examination of the 
sulphuret detached from the meteorite in question proves it to 
be a protosulphuret; a conclusion to which Rammelsberg had 
already come, with reference to the pyrites of the Seelasgen iron, 
which latter pyrites I have also examined, confirming the results 
of Rammelsberg. 
This pyrites encrusts some portion of the iron, and in places is 
mixed with a little Schreibersite. It presents no distinct crystal- 
line structure, has a grey metallic lustre, and a specific gravity of 
4: The Seelasgen 2 hdae gave me for spans oo“ 4-681. 
The specimen of pyrites in question gave, on analysis 
Tron 62°38, sulphur 35°67, nickel 0-32, sate pi silica 0:56, 
lime 0-08=98-91. 
The formula Fe S requires sulphur 36:36, iron 63°64. 
The magnetic property of this mineral is far inferior to that 
possessed by Schreibersite. 
3. Schreibersite-—It is found disseminated in small particles 
through the mass of the iron, and is made evident by the action 
of hydrochloric acid ; it is also alee in flakes of little size, in- 
serted as it were into the iron, and owing to the fgct that in many 
parts where it occurs chlorid of iron also exists, this last has 
caused ‘the iron to rust in crevices, and on opening these, Schrei- 
bersite was detached mechanically. This mineral as it exists in 
the meteorite in question, so closely resembles magnetic pyrites 
that it can be readily mistaken for this latter substance, and I feel 
on the contrary prove to be Schreibersite that can be easily re- 
cognised by the characters to be fully detailed a little farther on. 
Its color is yellow or yellowish white, sometimes with a green- 
ish tinge; lustre metallic; hardness 6; specific gravity 7-017. 
No regular crystalline form was detected; its fracture in one direc- 
tion is conchoidal. It is attracted very readily by the magnet, 
even more so than magnetic oxyd of iron; it ek Seg polarity 
and retains it. I have a piece ;3, of an inch long, #, of an inch 
road, and 1; of an inch thick, which has retained its polarity 
over six months ; unfortunately the polarity was not tested imme- 
diately when it was detached from the i iron, and not until it had 
come in contact with a magnet, so that it cannot be prono 
as originally polar. 
