1869.] Analysis of the Khettree Meteorite. 255 



The general plan of analysis followed was to act upon the powdered 

 stone first by acid solvents, and afterwards to extract the Silica set 

 free from combination by boiling with solution of Carbonate of Soda. 

 The matter resisting the action of these agents was attacked in the 

 usual way by fusion with alkaline carbonate or with baryta. The boil- 

 ing with Carbonate of Soda was troublesome, the solution could not 

 be filtered perfectly clear : it always carried with it a small portion of 

 undecomposed mineral in a fine state of division. 



The constituents were those generally found in meteoric stones of 

 similar appearance. The part soluble in acids consisted chiefly of 

 Silicate of Magnesia and Iron, with interspersed particles of Nickel 

 Iron, and Sulphide of Iron. The part insoluble in acids was also chiefly 

 Silicate of Magnesia and Iron, but with a much larger proportion of 

 Silica. 



The analysis of several different portions shewed a certain variety 

 of composition. Thus the insoluble matter varied from 39"5 to 426 

 per cent, of the whole. In the soluble portion, the total amount of Iron 

 varied from 24*7 to 27*7 per cent, in all states. As the particles of 

 Iron differ very considerably in size, it follows that as the proportional 

 quantity of these varies, so must that of the other constituents. 



But treatment with acids did not shew the amount of Iron in the 

 free state as distinguished from that in combination. Iodine answered 

 better, but acted partially on the sulphide of Iron as well as on the 

 uncombined metal. Recourse was had to the solvent lately proposed 

 by Meunier, solution of bichloride of Mercury, which dissolves the 

 uncombined metal only : the mercurous chloride produced was re- 

 moved by a current of chlorine, according to his plan, and metallic 

 mercury by heat ; the remaining mineral was then treated by hydro- 

 chloric acid, preferably with addition of some nitric acid. From the 

 amount of Iron found in this acid solution, a proportion was deducted 

 as combined with the Sulphur and Phosphorus, the remainder was 

 calculated as oxide. The Sulphide of Iron was taken as Fe , S 8 , 

 Troilite, as contended for by Meunier. The whole of the Nickel is 

 supposed to be in the state of alloy with Iron though probably part 

 exists as Sulphide. 



An attempt was made to separate the light-coloured portion of the 

 stone from the dark, so as to compare their composition in the princi- 



