92 C. U. Shepard, Sr.—Mineralogical Contributions. 
quantity, in the outer flame with borax on platinum wire, a 
clear, pale yellow globule (while hot) with faint tinge of brown, 
was obtained, which on ee became almost colorless. In 
the eee flame, no change took place, excépt that of greater 
paleness in the glo pulse The addition of nitre produced the 
reaction for manganes 
he columbite aoe from Brainards’ gave similar results, 
with the difference, of ne tints to the glass. 
With microcosmic salt, the behavior was similar, excepting 
when the mineral was nadded i in excess; a brownish red globule 
was then afforded. 
Heated with mptente of soda on charcoal, is yielded, in 
common with the columbite, minute granu es of 
It is feebly, if at all, attacked b hydrochlove aks but is 
perfectly decomposed by heated atipharie acid, e action is 
evinced almost immediately,—the mixture Poca first yel- 
lowish, then greenish yellow, oe ae ong yel on which 
rm 
nae 
A portion of the white Gest e residue (after decomposition 
of mineral with sulphur ae) on being ag aie on tinfoil with 
cheniset ss a SS as 
Another pernee of the above moist powder was gee with 
dilute omg uric acid and a strip of zinc. The metal was 
hours al coated by a dark blue precipitate, which see two 
hours also changed to ash-gray. 
heated we. of a faint yellow rae and ni coh. white after 
tinged borax pale citron yellow while hot, but 
left it ties on cooling; and gave similar results with 
microcosmic salt. 
- Peo of the metallic acids was fused with caustic soda 
ilver crucible. The mass obtained was dissolved in 
ia and through the solution a stream of carbonic acid was 
* This easy decomposition, which is the most w hae in the new varie ts 
also to the meagecor be absence of tantalic aci ee 
