From the British and Tasmanian Iron Company. 45 



Nos. 1, 3, 5. The chromium and iron were estimated in 

 these samples by the fusion method, which is described in 

 Fresenius' Quantitative Chemical Analysis. 



Nos. 4, 6. The iron in these samples was carefully deter- 

 mined by a standard solution of permanganate of potash, and 

 the chromium estimated by loss. 



In appearance these non-magnetic scales resemble osmiri- 

 dium, being of a greyish silvery white, and are brittle. 



Hydrochloric acid readily dissolves these plates, forming 

 an emerald green solution. Long boiling is required, how- 

 ever, to get a complete solution. 



Towards the end of the operation, small particles having 

 a bronze-Hke appearance float in the liquid ; these can only 

 be dissolved by continued boiling in the concentrated acid. 



Sulphuric acid readily attacks the plates. They are not 

 acted upon by acetic acid. 



A portion of these plates were boiled in a flask with nitric 

 acid for a very long time, and were entirely dissolved. 



There is not the slightest doubt that a large percentage of 

 thesesilvery plates are dissolved, owing to the long-continued 

 boiling which the pig iron receives during its solution in 

 nitric acid. 



Treatment with Sulphuric Acid. 



Stellate forms are obtained if the pig iron be treated in 

 the same manner as is described under the " hydrochloric 

 acid treatment." 



Treatment with Nitrohydrochloric Acid. 



A portion of the finely pulverised iron was treated in a flask 

 with hot nitrohydrochloric acid until a bronze-like powder 

 made its appearance ; water was then added to stop the 

 action of the acid, and the powder separated and collected ; 

 the iron residue was again treated with acid. 



The bronze powder thus obtained was purified by re-treat- 

 ing with nitrohydrochloric acid and well washing. 



If the bright bronze powder be left exposed to moist air 

 it becomes slightly tarnished and shows a beautiful 

 iridescence. 



If boiled in nitric acid for a short time, it loses its pecu- 

 liar bronzy appearance and is converted into those silvery 

 white non-magnetic scales, the same as those obtained in 

 the residue, after boiling the pig iron in nitric acid. 



