274 



The New Metal Donarium is Thorlna. 



A few months ago, M. Bergemann discovered an oxide in a 

 mineral from Langesundfiord, near Brevig, in Norway, which he 

 considered to be new. He gave the name Donarium to the metal, 

 and Dr Krantz that of Orangite to the mineral. 



Damour has since examined a specimen of orangite. Its specific 

 gravity was 5*19, Bergemann found 5*39. On comparing his ana- 

 lysis with that of Bergemann, and also the properties of the sup- 

 posed new oxide, M. Damour concludes, that the oxide of donarium 

 is nothing less than impure thorina ; Bergemann' s analysis does not 

 enumerate oxide of lead and oxide of uranium among the consti- 

 tuents. M. Berlin of Lund, has also found that the oxide of dona- 

 rium is thorina mixed with minute traces of oxide of uranium, oxide 

 of iron, vanadic acid, tin, and perhaps a little molybdic acid. The 

 following are the analyses : — 





Damour. 



. 17*52 



Thorina, . . . 71*65 



Lime, . . . . 1*59 



Oxide of Lead, . . 0'88 



Oxide of Uranium, f 5 ., . 1*13 



Oxide of Manganese, )cr 1 3l 0-28 



Peroxide of Iron, . . 0*31 



Magnesia, . . . trace 



Alumina, . . . 0*17 



Potash, . . . 0*14: 



Soda, .... 0*33 

 Water with trace of Carb.Acid, 6-14 



100-14 





0-96 



Silica, . . . 17-78 



Thorina, . . . 73.29 



Lime, . . . 0'92 



Oxide of Uranium, 



Peroxide of Iron, 



Tin, . 



Vanadium, . t ILs 1 



Water, . fo a( . 7'12 



1 QQ.QQ 



rod 



Damour deduces from his analysis the formula 3 Th O + Si O 3 

 + 2HO. Berzelius assumed that thorite consisted of several silicates, 

 but principally of a silicate thorina, of the formula 3 Th O + Si O 3 + 

 2 H O. Damour is of opinion that Berzelius's analyses do not lead to 

 any definite proportion ; but they prove that orangite and thorite are 

 identical, and that the metal donarium must be struck from the list 

 of simple bodies. Berlin also calculates from his analysis the formula 



3Th0 + Si0 3 + 2H0 



and is likewise of opinion that orangite is only a purer thorite. He 

 also draws attention to a peculiar property of thorina. It is stated 

 that calcined thorina is insoluble in acids. This is correct as far as 

 regards the earth obtained by calcining the hydrate, but not for that 

 obtained by igniting the oxalate, which dissolves slowly in hydrochloric 

 acid. (Central Blatt, June 23, 1852; and translated in Philoso- 

 phical Magazine, vol. iv., No 23, 4th Series, p. 156.) 



