622 TRANS. OF THE ACAD. OF SCIENCE. 
Notice of Merzoric Iron from Texas. By B. F. Suv- 
maRD, M.D. 
The interesting specimen of meteoric iron we are about to 
describe is preserved in the State Geological Cabinet at Aus- 
tin, where at our earnest solicitation it was deposited by the 
late Maj. R. S. Neighbors, U. 8. Indian Agent, who obtained 
it during the month of May, 1836, from the eastern side of 
Brazos River, about sixty miles from the Comanche Reserve, 
in lat. 34°, long. 100°. 
The history of this meteorite as furnished by Maj. Neigh- 
bors is in substance as follows. 
r ears its existence was known to the Coman- 
ches, who regarded it with the highest veneration, and be- 
lieved it possessed of extraordinary curative virtues. They 
According to the Indians the mass was first discovered by 
the Spaniards, who made several ineffectual attempts to re- 
move it on pack-mules, but were finally compelled to aban- 
don it on account of its great weight. 
The Comanches at first endeavored to melt the mass by 
building large fires around it, and failing in this, they next 
attempted to break it in pieces, in which they were likewise 
unsuccessful; they then conceived the idea that it was a won- 
derful medicine stone, and therefore worthy of their most 
profound regard. : 
When the meteorite was conveyed to the Indian Reserve, 
the Comanches collected in great numbers around their val- 
ued medicine stone, and whilst manifesting their attachment 
by rubbing their arms, hands, and chests over it, earnestly 
sought Maj. Neighbors to permit them to keep it at the agen- 
cy. The mass was, however, shortly afterwards (July, 1 
taken to San Antonio, where it remained in the ——- ; 
