Mineralogy and Geology of a part of Nova Scotia. 153 



Nor does a solution in nitric acid give any precipitate when 

 muriate of soda is added; and sulphuric acid throws down 

 no precipitate ; hence it does not contain any silver or lead. 

 The nitric solution, tested by aqua ammoniae, became of a 

 fine blue color, and, treated to excess of saturation, gave a 

 brown precipitate of oxide of iron. 



To determine the composition of the vitreous copper, sim- 

 ilar trials were made, which discovered nothing but copper, 

 sulphur, and iron. This ore was called by the miners from 

 Cornwall, who were exploring the mine, grey copper, (fah- 

 lerz of the Germans.) But according to an accurate analy- 

 sis which we have made of this ore, it is to be considered as 

 the vitreous copper, (kupferglanzerz,) which is more valuable 

 than the grey copper ore. We have taken for our model 

 the analysis of the vitreous copper ore from Siberia, detailed 

 in the celebrated essays of Klaproth. As our results differ 

 somewhat from those of this excellent analyst, and no source 

 of fallacy can be discovered on repetition of the process, we 

 shall give an account of the method pursued, although it 

 possesses no claim to originality, but was purposely conduct- 

 ed after the manner of this chemist. We are the more dis- 

 posed to do this, as many of our readers cannot have access 

 to the work of Klaproth, which has become scarce, and 

 may still wish to see the modus operandi exemplified, 



ANALYSIS. 



A specimen of the copper ore was selected, having the spe= 

 cific gravity 5.7. It was sectile, possessing on the cut sur- 

 face a brilliant metallic lustre, resembling polished steel, but 

 more of a lead grey appearance. It was carefully freed from 

 the surrounding matrix and envelope of lignite, and reduced 

 to powder. 



A. Two hundred grains of this powder were introduced 

 into a matrass, and pure muriatic acid affused upon it, which 

 dissolved nothing, even when heated to boiling; shewing that 

 the metals do not exist in the state of oxides, but in a metal- 

 lic state. 



B. To the contents of the matrass while boiling, hot con- 

 centrated nitric acid was added by drops, which at each ad- 

 dition occasioned a violent effervescence, with the extrica- 

 tion of red fumes. The acid was added until it ceased to 

 produce action. A flocculent greyish white precipitate had 



Vol. XV,— No, L 20 



