Chemical Analysis of Meteoric Iron. 335 



by ammonia, and precipitated the iron and nickel, by means of 

 a current of hydro-sulphuric acid gas ; after filtration, I evapora- 

 ted the solution to dryness and burned off the tartaric acid in a 

 small platina capsule under the muffle, when a small quantity of 

 chromic acid was obtained, which was recognized by its charac- 

 ters before the blowpipe ; its amount was estimated at 3 per cent. 

 The manganese is also estimated. 



From the above analyses, it will appear that specimen 1st of 

 the meteoric iron, having a sp. gr. of 5.750, contains in 25 grains. 

 Metallic iron, - - 16.296 = 65.184 per cent. 

 " nickel, - - 6.927=27.708 " " 



And in specimen 2nd, having a sp. gr. of 6.500 in 50 grains we 

 have or in 100 grains. 



Metallic iron, - - - 33.280 66.560 



" nickel, - - - 12.354 24.708 



" chrome and manganese, 1.625 3.240 



" sulphur, - - - 2.000 4.000 



" chlorine, - - - .740 1.480 



49.999 99.988 



It will be remarked, that this meteorite contains an unusual 

 proportion of nickel, and that the occurrence of chlorine, in mat- 

 ter of celestial origin, is here noticed for the first time. 



I beg leave therefore, to invite chemists to a careful review of 

 meteorites, since the occurrence of chlorine may have been over- 

 looked in former analyses. 



Its occurrence in meteoric matters, is a fact of great impor- 

 tance, in accounting for their chemical phenomena, while passing 

 through our atmosphere. 



It nmst also be remembered, that chloride of iron is readily vol- 

 atilized at a high temperature, and that it is abundantly exhaled 

 from the craters of volcanoes, in various parts of our planet. 



Nickel, however, has not to my knowledge been discovered 

 amid volcanic sublimations, but it may be worth while to call the 

 attention of chemists to the subject, that it may be sought for in 

 volcanic craters. 



I am however far from believing that we shall be able to prove 

 that all meteorites originate from volcanic sublimations, for there 

 are very evident reasons for believing that our planet, statedly in 

 its course, passes amid numerous detached masses of matter or 

 asteroids, which regularly meet the earth in its orbit on the 13th 



