W. P. Blake — Meteorite from Green County, Tenh. 43 



thickness, have then been scaled off from the lower side. 

 This scaling is the result of the gradual oxidation of 

 the surface of the iron by the deliquescence of included 



iron protochloride — lawrencite of Daubree — as shown by the 

 abundant reactions for chlorine and the constant accumula- 

 tion of moisture, especially upon the under surface of the 

 iron. This deliquescence has for years been sufficient to cause 

 drops of perchloride of iron to form and fall off at times upon 

 the support below. The heavier of the oxidized crusts exhibit 

 thin successive layers with smooth mammillated surfaces like 

 the surface of limonite. They consist of a mixture of hydrous 

 sesquioxide of iron and magnetic oxide. They affect the mag- 

 netic needle and exhibit feeble polarity as some fragments of 

 the bright iron also do, but this may be in consequence of the 

 invisible presence of a scale of the magnetic oxide. The 

 exudation of moisture appears to be greatest from small seams, 

 which on cutting into the iron are found to extend for half an 

 inch or more below the surface and are filled up with dark and 

 hard magnetic oxide. Freshly cut surfaces of the iron, when 

 laid upon a sheet of white paper, soon cause rusty spots, and 

 moisture accumulates upon the surface, particularly in damp 

 weather. We have perhaps in this constant exfoliation of the 

 mass an explanation of its peculiar symmetrical form. It may 

 be regarded as the kernel or residuary nodule of a much larger 

 and probably a much more irregularly shaped mass, the gradual 

 exfoliation having thrown off the irregular projections leaving, 

 finally, the symmetrical core. 



For the examination of the internal structure and chemical 

 composition a slice a few ounces in weight was cut from one 

 end. The iron is readily cut by a saw with oil and it works 

 well under a file, giving a uniform dense surface without any 

 signs of inclusions or of crystalline structure. If a fragment 

 is sawn partly across and is then struck a strong sharp blow a 

 fracture is, obtained and exhibits a fine granular surface like 

 some fine grades of cast steel, but no crystalline facets are vis- 

 ible. It is perfectly malleable. Thin, fin-shaped projections 

 may be bent back and forth repeatedly without cracking. A 

 fragment heated to redness and quenched in cold water is not 

 perceptibly hardened, and may be, as before, spread into thin 

 sheets under the hammer. Its malleability is not impaired. 



