1843.] and of Limestone form Mergui. . 239 



Specific gravity, 4100. 



The two latter samples are even richer than the former, as is 

 evinced by the specific gravity, but they are all quite rich enough and 

 pure enough for making the best quality of bar-iron and steel. 



I instituted two elaborate sets of experiments in search of titanium, 

 which when present in any notable quantity in iron ores, renders the 

 iron made from them red-short, but I found none in the above ores. 

 In the first set of experiments I treated the ore as follows : I added 

 to its solution in nitro-muriatic acid, so much tartaric acid as to 

 render all the oxides unprecipitable by ammonia. I next added am- 

 monia in excess, and afterwards hydro-sulphuret of ammonia, which 

 throws down all the metals except titanium. The whole being thrown 

 upon a filter, afforded a colourless liquid which evaporated to dryness, 

 and carefully ignited in a platinum cup, left no trace of titanic acid, 

 which it would have done, had any of that metal existed in the ore. 



The second set of experiments for titanium consisted in trans- 

 mitting sulphuretted hydrogen in excess through the nitro-muriatic 

 solution of the ore, in then adding ammonia in excess, the effect of 

 which is to precipitate both the iron and titanium. But the preci- 

 pitate when digested with sulphurous acid, has its iron dissolved, while 

 the titanic acid will remain undissolved as a white powder. By this 

 means also no distinct evidence of titanium could be obtained. 



5th. — The limestone from Tavoy has a specific gravity of 2*7, and 

 is a perfectly pure, semi-crystalline carbonate of lime, akin to statuary 

 marble. It is well adapted to act as a flux in the smelting of iron. 



The three samples of iron ores from Mergui, are brown hematites, 

 and from their density, will afford good iron in the smelting furnace. 



6 — Mergui iron stone No. 1 specific gravity 3.37. 



7 Ditto. Ditto. 2 Ditto. 3.18. 



8 Ditto. Ditto. 3 Ditto. 3.32. 



The limestone of Mergui has a specific gravity of 2.7 ; it is a pure 

 calcareous carbonate. I analyzed both the limestones. 



I am, dear Sir, 



Yours truly, 

 (Signed) Andrew Ube. 



2 i 



