154 Mr. A. A. Hayes on the Alabama Meteoric Iron. 



contained a trace of sulphuric acid, due to a slight oxidation of 

 the sulphur contained in the pyrites. Tiie relation of the quan- 

 tity of nickel to that of the iron varies in almost every fragment. 

 The chlorine of the piece analyzed, as in those which were the 

 subjects of the following experiments, had been partially remov- 

 ed, but even the small quantity remaining was sufficient to de- 

 stroy the metallic appearance of a fragment after a few months 

 had elapsed. 



The structure of the meteoric mass, as developed by the action 

 of diluted acids, is that of a compound alloy. That part which 

 in the form of scales and plates appeared as delicate lines, has a 

 negative relation to the gray or amorphous part, from which it 

 was supposed to differ in composition. In malleable metals we 

 often find the impurities with a part of the metal forming an al- 

 loy, while the mass remaining is pure and frequently crystallized. 

 It is I believe a chemical law, that in all alloys two or more dis- 

 tinct definite or indefinite compounds exist. The results of a 

 large number of analyses made here accord with this view. The 

 general process for studying the composition of alloys and metals 

 is that of effecting a solution of one of the alloys, or the pure 

 metal, under circumstances which allow the other compound to 

 remain unacted on. Neutral metallic salts are the best agents, 

 and the aid of a small sustaining battery is required in many 

 cases. When the metallic solution has as a base the oxide of 

 the predominating metal of the alloy, the transfer of pure metal 

 from the solution corresponds rigorously to the quantity of pure 

 metal dissolved from the alloy ; the analysis in such a case is of 

 the most beautiful and satisfactory character. In examining the 

 slips of the meteorite, I used solutions of iron, silver, and cop- 

 per, preferring the last, although the valued character of the de- 

 termination of weight by substitution is lost. 



A slip of the metallic mass in a bright and clean state was 

 rendered positive in relation to a slip of platina, (which had been 

 recently heated red hot,) by a small sustaining battery. Both 

 slips were then immersed in a diluted solution of perfectly pure 

 sulphate of copper. The surfaces of the iron slip preserved their 

 gray color, while the slip gradually exfoliated and let fall scales 

 of bright heavy metal. The platina electrode was covered by a 

 thick coating of pure copper, and no gas was disengaged during 

 the time of the experiment. In the solution some fine gray 



