12 J. W. Mallet on Meteoric Iron from Virginia. 
e specific gravity was taken for Nos. 1 and 2 with solid 
pieces of about 140 grams and 95 grams, respectively, cut from 
the interior of the masses, and for No. 3 with about 10 grams 
of clean shavings (from the planer) in a specific gravity bottle. 
The results were, 
No. 1. No. 2. No. 3. 
Specific gravity, at 15° C,  7°853 7°855 7°839 
he interior structure of the iron is compact and highly 
crystalline, of much the same general character throughout, 
ut a few small grains and streaks of a brownish yellow min- 
eral were noticed, which on being picked out and examined 
ved to be troilite. There are, however, minute fissures 
proach 90°; on the much smaller cut surface of No. 3, the 
fizures are somewhat more irregular, but the angles approach 
60°. By etching surfaces obtained in other planes it was ren- 
dered evident that the difference of appearance is merely due 
to looking at different projections of the same crystalline struc- 
ture. The accompanying engravings, taken from photographs, 
exhibit the results of etching these specimens. 
e metal soon rusts upon cut surfaces, especially where the 
exudation of chlorine occurs, and this renders more distinctly 
visible the slight fissures which penetrate the interior. 
No. 1. 
