356 Analysis of Meteoric Iron from Tennessee. 



The undissolved matter from both the analyses was examined 

 by the microscope. It was principally in soft black grains, along 

 with which were a few brilliant scales of graphite. Both the 

 grains and the scales were attracted by the magnet. On grind- 

 ing them in a mortar, they gave a brown powder, in which little 

 particles of metallic iron were felt beneath the pestle. The pow- 

 der was then treated with nitro-hydrochloric acid, whereby the 

 iron was dissolved out, leaving behind a fine, blackish brown 

 powder. 



II. Fifty grains of the meteoric iron were now subjected to 

 the. following analysis. Distilled water was boiled upon the 

 iron for a few minutes. A portion of the fluid, separated from 

 the iron, gave with nitrate of silver no precipitate :* another por- 

 tion gave with chloride of barium a slight precipitate. The iron 

 was then treated with nitro-hydrochloric acid. The action of 

 the acid ceased after a few hours, numerous flakes of the iron 

 remaining in the flask, as if insoluble. On the application of heat 

 however, the action was renewed. More acid was subsequently 

 added, and the digestion continued, until the solution was appa- 

 rently at an end. The black grains and shining scales were 

 separated, washed, dried, and rubbed in a mortar as above. The 

 blackish brown powder (having metallic iron intermixed) was 

 treated with hydrochloric acid : a brisk eff'ervescence from the 

 evolution of hydrogen, immediately ensued. When the action 

 had ceased, the fluid was decanted, and the residuary, blackish 

 brown powder transferred to a small platina capsule, in which it 

 was ignited for a few moments with exposure to the air, in order 

 to burn ofi" the free carbon. It was then ignited to low redness 

 with twice its weight of nitrate of potassa. Water was boiled 

 on the fused mass : a portion of the blackish powder still remain- 

 ed. The solution was colorless, showing the absence of chro- 

 mium. Nitrate of silver produced in it a pale, yellowish precipi- 

 tate of phosphate of silver. The residuary brown powder was 

 now ignited for several minutes with dry carbonate of potassa ; 

 water was boiled upon the same ; the solution was decomposed 

 by nitric acid, and then evaporated to dryness, after which the 



* I am informed however, by Dr. Troost, that he has detected chlorine in 

 some portions of the mass in his possession. 



