Chemical Analysis of Meteoric Iron. 333 



The rounded surface is coated with a thin layer of the sub- 

 chloride of iron, which being removed, the mass is found to 

 consist of tnetalUc matter, resembling wrought iron, when the 

 specimen is filed bright. On attempting to break off a fragment, 

 the mass was found to be extremely tough and malleable, so as 

 to require the aid of a file and cutting-chisel. 



Sp. gr. on three separate fragments from different parts of the 

 mass, 5.750, 6.400 and 6.500. The whole mass weighs 28 oun- 

 ces avoirdupois. 



Having washed the specimen in distilled water several times, I 

 filed one side of it bright, and left it exposed to the air in my 

 cabinet. In a few days, numerous grass-green drops of liquid be- 

 gan to collect on its surface, and became externally coated with a 

 thin brown film. This liquid had a slight alkaline astringent 

 taste, but gave no alkaline reaction with tumeric paper or Brazil 

 wood solution. A few drops collected in a test tube and diluted 

 with water, gave an abundant thick curdywhite precipitate, with 

 a solution of nitrate of silver, showing the presence of chlorine 

 in combination. Ferro-cyanate of potash gave di blue precipitate, 

 indicative of iron, and ammonia gave a precipitate of the hydra- 

 ted peroxide of ii^on. Muriate of ammonia having been added to 

 a little more of the exudation, the peroxide of iron was precipita- 

 ted by ammonia, and the remaining liquid was of a pale blue 

 color, indicative of nickel, and on addition of pure potash, hy- 

 drate of nickel formed in a bulky green precipitate. 



Thus the green drops in question were proved to be composed 

 of the hydro-chlorates of nickel and iron, and they doubtless form 

 from the action of the moisture of the atmosphere upon the me- 

 tallic chlorides contained in the meteorite. 



Analysis of the mass. — Several fragments of the specimen hav- 

 ing been cut off by means of a steel chisel and hammer, their 

 specific gravities were ascertained, and they were then subjected 

 to analysis. 



Specimen 1. A fragment weighing 25 grains, sp. gr. =5.750, be- 

 ing placed in a green glass flask, and pure nitric acid poured upon 

 it, no action took place until heat was applied, when a violent effer- 

 vescence, with extrication of nitrous acid fumes, began, and the 

 solution was rapidly and entirely effected. The solution was 

 then treated with a sufficient quantity of the solution of muriate 

 of ammonia, to prevent the precipitation of the nickel, and then 



