IKON OWES. 231 



cobalt, tin, copper and manganese ; and frequently nodules of 

 magnetic iron pyrites are imbedded in the mass. Chlorine 

 has been detected in some specimens by Dr. C. T. Jackson. 



Of still greater interest is the occurrence of a phosphuret 

 of nickel (called Schreibersite) in most iron meteorites. It 

 is in steel-gray masses, grains or folia, imbedded in the iron, 

 and consists, according to Dr. J. L. Smith, of phosphorus 

 13*9, iron 57*2, nickel 258, cobalt 0*3, copper a trace, silica 

 1*6, alumina 1*6, lime atrace, chlorine 0*1. Its special in- 

 terest arises from the fact that no phosphuret occurs among 

 terrestrial minerals, and could not occur in any planet where 

 oxygen is an abundant constituent, as on the earth. This 

 mineral therefore, as stated by Dr. Smith, confirms the tes- 

 timony from the native iron, that these meteoric bodies in 

 space are in general without an atmosphere like ours, although 

 not wholly destitute of oxygen, since there are several sil- 

 iceous minerals present in many of them, as chrysolite, 

 augite, feldspar, &c. 



Meteoric iron is perfectly malleable, and may be worked 

 like manufactured iron. The nickel diminishes much its 

 tendency to rust. 



P X R \TH • iron pyrites.— Blsulphuret of Iron. 



Monometric. Usually in cubes (fig. 1) simple or modifi- 

 12 3 4 



ad, (2, 4,) or in pentagonal dodecahedrons (3) ; also in octa- 

 hedrons. Faces of cubes often striated as in figure 1. Oc- 

 curs also in imitative shapes, and massive. 



Color bronze-yellow ; streak brownish-black. Luster of 

 crystals often splendent metallic. Brittle. H=6 — 6*5. 

 Gr=4*8 — 5*1. Strikes fire with steel. 



Composition : iron 46*7, sulphur 53 # 3. Before the blow- 

 pipe gives off sulphur, and ultimately affords a globule at- 

 tractable by the magnet. 



What is the crystallization of iron pyrites? its color and other char- 

 acters ? its composition ? 



