260 C.T. Jackson on Meteoric Iron from Dakota Territory. 
hammer. It is stated that this piece was broken from a lump 
of the same kind, which was estimated to weigh 100 pounds. 
It was found on the surface of the ground, in the Dakota In- 
dian territory, ninety miles from any road or dwelling. 
Where it has been rubbed and partially polished, the iron has 
a silvery appearance, and hence the mistake entertained as to its 
probable nature. 
_ Excepting on the exterior of the columnar portions, which 
have a steel-like crust, the metal is very soft, and saws or files 
easily. It hasa bright surface when cut. No earthy or stony 
matter has been found in it, and, judging from its great density, 
it appears to be solid in its interior. Pieces were sawed off in 
different places, and these were polished and tested with dilute 
nitric acid for the production of Widmannstittian figures, bu 
none have thus far been produced, ouly a scaly like structure, 
quite fine, is developed by the acid, or when a lump of the iron 
is dissolved, ridges and fine projecting points are left on the un- 
di . I noticed the singular phenomenon of the in- 
different state of the iron to nitric acid, while dissolving this 
me After a rapid boiling effervescence, with a rush of red 
fames of nitrous acid, the chemical action suddenly ceased and 
could not be renewed by the addition of more nitric acid, nor by 
a boiling heat, but on inclining the glass beaker, so as to cause 
the metal to come in contact with the other side of the glass, 
tumultuous chemical action instantly commenced, and the solu- 
tion went on rapidly. This seems to show that the electrical 
state of the metal and of the glass was concerned in the indiffer- 
ent state of the metal to the acid. 
Chemical analysis of the Meteorie Tron.—Qualitative examina 
tion soon demonstrated the existence of nickel, phosphorus, tn, 
cobalt, and chromium in this meteorite. 
Its specific gravity, taken with much care, was found to be 
7-952. Its hardness that of the softest malleable iron, except 00 
the exterior of the columnar portions, which were as ha case- 
hardened iron, resisting the saw and causing a sharp cry under 
the file. No carbon was found. : 
The quantitative analysis was effected on two separate pieces, 
sawed from two of the columns, and the proportion of nickel was 
twice determined, the iron in both cases being removed as 4 
