44 W. P. Blake — Meteorite from Green County, Tenn. 



The metal takes a high mirror-like polish. The only imper- 

 fections seen are the occasional seams of magnetic oxide which 

 probably will not be found in portions taken from the interior 

 of the mass. The polished surface treated with nitric acid 

 fails to show any structural markings, and the etching of a 

 cuboidal mass with polished plane surfaces at various angles 

 gives a like negative result. The iron dissolves equally on all 

 sides leaving a delicate velvety or frosted surface indicating a 

 very even and fine granular structure. In polishing, the use of 

 a burnisher must be avoided for the lines of unequal condensa- 

 tion will appear in the etched surface. The dull soft surface 

 left by etching has a silvery gray color and yields quickly to 

 the burnisher and becomes mirror-like. The specific gravity of 

 the iron at 60° F. taken upon a cuboidal mass dressed with a 

 file to remove all scale was found to be 7*858, but subsequent 

 solution showed that there was a very small amount of included 

 scale. 



A qualitative examination showed the presence of iron, nickel 

 and chlorine. A special examination for phosphorus was not 

 undertaken, ISTo satisfactory reaction for cobalt could be ob- 

 tained. Hydrogen is probably occluded, but no test for it was 

 made. A more complete chemical examination is intended 

 upon a portion taken from the midst of the mass. A quantita- 

 tive determination of the iron and the nickel by the method 

 recommended by Baumhauer gave me in per cents : 



Iron . 91-421 



Nickel 7-955 



99-376 



The solution of the iron in pure cold nitric acid developed 

 some hidden peculiarities. A gray heavy metallic powder is 

 thrown off as the solution progresses and accumulates at the 

 bottom of the beaker. This powder when separated by decan- 

 tation and washing is found to be in distinct grains and resem- 

 bles finely divided metallic nickel, which is its dominating 

 constituent. It remains apparently unacted on by the nitric 

 acid, while the solution of the parent source is progressing 

 rapidly. Exposed to the air, even while moist, it does not ap- 

 pear to oxidize. It is very malleable, and when pressed in a 

 smooth agate mortar with the polished end of the pestLe it flattens 

 and covers the surface as if with a sheet of silver. It dissolves 

 quickly in hot nitric acid, and gives a green solution and the 

 reactions for nickel and for iron also. The quantity varies 

 with the temperature and strength of the nitric acid used. In 

 one trial about five per cent, was obtained. In another the 

 grains were in the form of spicule, the length being greater 



