VICTORIAN METEORITES, WITH NOTES ON OBSIDIANITES. 
Nickel-Irons. As just seen the nickel-iron was estimated to 
form 98 '0/ per cent, of the mass of the meteorite. Kamacite 
appeared to predominate in the sections examined, and the plates 
varied in length, but were generally short when they showed wavy 
or irregular boundaries, and were rounded at the ends. The longer 
ones were more regular in habit. 
In some sections taenite only appeared plainly here and there, 
although the quantity present was not inconsiderable, as found by 
examination of the rusted iron. In others it was scarcely to be seen 
on the etched surface. Plessite occurred also in small quantity in 
the same section. Lamellae of kamacite + taenite picked out of 
the disintegrated material had a thickness up to 2 mm. 
The highest specific gravity obtained for the taenite was 7.1754, 
which Cohen considered low for an alloy so rich in nickel, and which 
is, in fact, much lower than that noted for other meteorites. 
Analyses of taenite : — - 
Iron (diff.) 
[49-38] 
.. [50-92] 
Nickel 
46-39 
47-98 
Cobalt 
0-61 
0-63 
Carbon 
0-45 
0-47 
Phosphorus 
o-io 
— 
Residue 
3-07 
- — 
Amount used 0"2783 
100-00 
100-00 
No. II., after deducting the phosphor-nickel (3 '73 per cent.). 
After treatment with very dilute hydrochloric acid there re- 
mained behind an insoluble nickel-iron, finely porous, and almost 
spongy in appearance and of a greenish-yellow colour, which was, 
however, completely soluble in aqua regia. 
lyses of residual iron — 
I. 
II. 
Iron . . 
92-09 
92-62 
Nickel 
6-93 
6-81 
Cobalt 
0-56 
0-57 
Phosphorus 
0-06 
. 
99-64 
100-00 
Amount used 0 - 641 
No. II., after deduction of.rhabdite (0.40 per cent.). 
Cohen says the iron, from its physical characters, does not appear 
to be kamacite, but that it may be a mixture of kamacite and fine 
taenite plates.* 
Troilite. The patches of troilite in the Beaconsfield meteorite 
are mostly of a round or regularly oval form, and are from between 
1 and 2 cm in size. They are surrounded by graphite, and, as just 
stated above, also schreibersite. The graphite always forms the 
inner layer and occasionally encroaches upon the troilite. 
* See note on this nickel-iron under Cranboume No. 2 Meteorite, pp. 24, 25. 
[ 33 ] 
1431 — C. 
