183 



TAB. CXCVII. 



FERRUM suboxygenatum. 

 Suboxide of Iron. Magnetic Iron Ore. 



Div. 3. Amorphous, in Grains. 



A few years since, the Rev. Dr. Charles Sutton sent me, 

 among other natural curiosities, some sand from Hunstan- 

 ton, in Norfolk, of a blackish appearance. Not being at 

 that time engaged in mineralogical pursuits, I laid it by ; 

 but when I was about to begin this work, he kindly 

 brought me some more, which was still blacker. On 

 looking attentively at it, I thought attractible iron might 

 be the cause of its blackness, and soon found it to be the 

 case, and that some of the sand might be rendered magne- 

 tical, the particles clinging together after being detached 

 from the magnet. I considered it as a great curiosity, par- 

 ticularly as I had no where seen mention made of such 

 sand, excepting from America, and requested to have 

 more, at the same time speaking of its qualities ; which 

 request was kindly attended to. Shortly after, I received a 

 note informing me thai what had since been found was 

 not attractible, and the same was observed by some other 

 friends, who attempted to procure me some from other 

 places. I examined the sand to discover the natural cause 

 for this, and found it was not so black, and that there was 

 little or no attractible iron ; only some brown ochraceous 

 particles, like Bog Iron Ore. It might have become oxi- 

 dated by the weather : thus there is a season to find it in 

 perfection, which should be attended to; and if it proves 

 useful, it may, no doubt, be had in great abundance, being 

 found in many places near the coast. Some was found in 



