﻿W. E. Hidden — Meteoric Iron from Texas. 305 



The writer received this meteorite in April of this year, 

 direct from Mr. Cusick, having learned of its existence through 

 the press, In size and weight it approaches very nearly that of 

 Independence County, Ark., lately described ; but differs from 

 that iron very materially. It weighs ninety-seven and one- 

 quarter pounds, and measures twelve by ten by six inches in 

 its three diameters. Its shape is a nearly symmetrical ovoid, 

 somewhat flattened, as shown in figure 1, which is one-third 

 natural size. The surface is quite smooth and coated with the 

 usual thin black crust characteristic of meteorites. Excepting 

 where the mass has been rubbed the crust is uniform in thick- 

 ness all over the mass and shows a slightly indented and blis- 

 tered surface. The side which lay close to the ground (fig. 2) 

 bears the only evidence of oxida- 

 tion — a few rusty patches being 

 seen there. This side — which I 

 will call the under side — differs 

 somewhat from the rest of the mass, 

 in being more pitted and blis- 

 tered. Two large depressions and 

 three deep indentations are also 

 noticed, in strong contrast with the 1 

 smooth surface of the upper side. 

 A few patches of calcium carbonate 

 were also noticed adhering to the 

 under side, but this must have been 

 of terrestrial origin. 



Upon etching a small surface, a 

 peculiar appearance, unlike any- 

 thing the writer has seen in mete- Maverick Co., Texas, Meteoric Iron 



. °. . . r . (ONE-SIXTH SIZE.) 



one irons, presents itself to view. 



No Widmanstattian figures are present except in traces and even 

 these are very dim. The particular markings to which I call 

 attention are two series of fine lines, looking much like rulings, 

 that cross each, other at angles of 70° and 110°. These lines 

 appear very bright when viewed in certain lights. As no 

 troilite nor schreibersite shows itself as the cause of these stria- 

 tions, I conclude they are due to twinning lamellae. I have 

 found that if the surface is etched deeply, these lines (striations) 

 disappear, and a new set of markings appear. These markings 

 are composed of minute lamellae of schreibersite arranged in 

 short lines diverging at all angles, and have much the appear- 

 ance, when magnified, of the quartz in graphic granite. To a 

 hasty observer this iron would appear only slightly mottled 

 when etched, and indeed it is necessary to magnify its surface 

 five or more diameters before its interesting features can be 

 appreciated. In figure 3 an effort is made to illustrate, by 



