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You know, sir, that the exigence of raw or 
native iron has hitherto been doubted ; but I fhould 
almofl: think, that this difcovery determines the 
queflion ; efpecialiy if it is confidered, that in the 
whole diftridt where this mafs has been found-, there 
is not the lead: trace extant of any ancient forge, nor 
an y place that might leave room to fufpedt that there 
had been, in former times, any works of iron ore, 
which had been melted, and afterwards abandoned 
to that mafs. 
Should any doubt remain concerning the exiftence 
of the native iron, and the authenticity of this dif- 
covery, I fhould rather fuppofe that, many ages ago, 
there might have been a Volcano , which by melting 
the iron ore had formed the above mafs, to which 
might afterwards have been joined the little hya- 
cinthine fpars and other (tones which are now mixed 
with it; 
Tranflation of an Article in the Peterfburg Gazette 
of Sept. 6, 1773. 
64 The academy experts from Siberia a black mafs 
weighing about forty puds W, of raw or native, foft 
and flexible iron, which the academician pallas 
has difcovered during his refidence in the neigh- 
bourhood of the river jENiSEi. This very remarkable 
and huge lump is of a fpungy texture, of the mod: 
perfedt and malleable iron, whofe cavities are clofely 
filled with fmall polifhed pieces of hyacinthine fpar, 
fome round, fome with flat furfaces, and all of the 
colour of trajifparent amber. 
( b ) The mafs, in its prefent ftate, weighs 152 Ruffian pounds. 
The 
