266 C.U. Shepard on a Meteoric Iron? from N. Carolina. 
of carbon (possibly also of silicon). The affusion of hot water 
pronvced an instantaneous effervescence, from the extrication of 
ydrogen, This was continued by subsequent additions, until 
the acid was almost completely removed, when the hydrated silica 
occupied the bottom of the filter, having a somewhat lighter 
shade of white, and on being turned out and broken up, was 
found to be filled with rounded, amygdaloidal cavities. This 
singular action of the hot water may proceed from the subver- 
sion of a compound present, consisting of the chlorid of silicon 
and hydrochlorie acid, its decomposition being occasioned by 
the washing out of an excess of hydrochloric acid (aided by heat), 
—the new bodies eliminated being silicic acid, hydrochloric acid 
and hydrogen. Thus 
SiCl, HCl+3HO=Si02, 2HC1+2H. 
Or the effervescence m oecasioned simply by the decom- 
— of water (aided by heat), through the presence of free 
silicon. . 
The silica was so light as to require much care while drying 
it in a broad platinum capsule; and just prior to its ignition, 
a bright glow set for an instant through its entire mass, produce 
by the combustion of a trace of carbon, ‘ 
‘he first determination of the proportions of the iron and sili- 
con gave as follows: 
Tron, 2 - 5 ; : = - 84:00 
Bilicon, +. - e tees : - - 13°57 
It occurred to me at this stage of the investigation to deter- 
n to traverse the heated powder, a brilliant red glow at 
tended by scintillations in spots, appeared in the tube for the 
drops of water produced hydrochlo- 
. A portion of 
