Iron . 
63 
to the many globules of beautiful carbonated iron thus se- 
parated. In fusion, therefore, per se y the metal precipita- 
ted becomes greyish, and, in many instances, affords simi- 
lar results to a pure calcareous iron-stone ; with this prin- 
cipal difference, that it abounds with nearly a double quan- 
tity of metal, whose tendency to become carbonated is no- 
ways inferior to any iron-stone of that class. A smooth 
carbonated regulus will be obtained from this ore, by 
using the following proportions : Ore in a raw state, 2 
ounces; chalk, 2 ounces; bottle-glass, 1 1-2 ounce; 
and charcoal, quarter oz. The scoria resulting from this 
fusion will be of a light-blue colour, clouded, and variega- 
ted like an agate, and very transparent. The great dis- 
tance of Elba from this country precludes the possibility 
of using this ore in our manufactories with any profit, un- 
less it could be brought home as ballast, and delivered in 
the vicinity of any iron- work at 22s. per ton. The pro- 
ducts obtained from it in the assay -furnace, indicate, in 
an uncommon degree, how veiy valuable the quality of 
crude iron would be in the scale of manufacture, by its 
application. 
The Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish ores, found in 
Strata, resemble, in many points, the Scotch ore of the 
island of Islay ; in assaying them a similar treatment is 
necessary. Some of them are more fusible, and afford 
singular qualities of crude iron. When fused with oxy- 
genating fluxes, the metal produced is uncommonly hard 
and brittle ; exhibiting a fracture studded with brilliant 
mirrors, diverging the light in small radii : even when 
fluxes are used, capable of conveying carbonation, the me- 
tal exhibits this bright granulated fracture in a great de- 
gree. One of the ores from the mine of Houban, upon 
being exposed a considerable time after separation, afford- 
ed a mass of pretty good steel. The proportions neces- 
sary to assay these, with accuracy, so intimately depend, 
upon their richness, and the relative proportions of mix- 
