2834.] in the Cylinders discovered at Mdnikydla. 569 



threw it down in a heavier form as sulphate of lime. It was therefore set down 



as phosphate of lime. 



Without entering into details, the results of the analysis were as follows : 



Etnpyreumatic oil, passed off through acid, 22.0 



Ammonia and water, 19.0 



Carbon, burnt off, 18.0 



Silicious insoluble portion of ash 9.0 



Phosphate of lime, 10.0 



Oxide of copper, and what remained in the ammonia, 22.0 



100.0 



3. A separate examination of a few of the numerous yellow transpa- 

 rent fragments, which filled the inner cylinder, was then undertaken, 

 principally with a view to determine whether they were of a crystalline 

 nature, or simply glass ; their hehaviour under ignition having already 

 convinced me that they were not " ambre brise," as supposed by M. 

 Ventura. 



The specific gravity of the fragments at 77°. 5 was found to be 2.40, in itself a 

 conclusive argument as to their vitreous nature ; but to render the matter still 

 more certain, a large clear fragment was ground and polished with parallel faces, 

 so as to admit of its being introduced in the axis of a polarizing instrument. The 

 result was that in no position whatever could it be made to depolarize the polarized 

 ray of light, a certain proof of its non-crystalline structure. 



When the topaz-coloured fragments were boiled in nitric or sulphuric acid, 

 their colour entirely disappeared, and the liquid being tested, was found to con- 

 tain both oxides of copper and iron ; the brown colouring matter seemed to be the 

 same in nature as the brown liquid described and analyzed above, but it had pene- 

 trated the glass to a certain depth, and was not removable by boiling in plain water. 



Heated before the tlow-pipe, the glass underwent fusion imperfectly, and be- 

 came opake from superficial efflorescence. 



Finely pounded and fused with carbonate of potash for some time in a platina 

 crucible, then dissolved out with muriatic acid, a considerable portion of sili- 

 cious matter remained undissolved in a flocculent precipitate, which was separat- 

 ed and weighed. 



The solution tested for lead and lime shewed but faint traces of the latter, so 

 that the artificial glass was composed principally of silicated alkali. It was not 

 thought necessary to pursue the analysis farther. 



From the preceding rough analysis it is clear that the fragments 

 are of a vitreous nature, and it seems probable that pieces of glass were 

 fraudulently introduced into the cylinder, in lieu of some precious stones, 

 which the pious founder may have intended to deposit with the other 

 contents of the monument. 



It remains to offer a few remarks upon the nature of these curious 



monuments, of which two opposite theories seem to have been broached. 



The opinion of the inhabitants of the country, as reported by ail our 



observers, is, that they are the tombs of ancient kings : — that of Professor 



3 s 



