Meteorites of Iowa — Toi^ey-Barhaur. 69 
of the matrix. Another difficulty not sufficiently recognized and 
taken into account is the extreme difficulty experienced in sepai-at- 
ing the iron from the matrix by the magnet, a thing practically 
impossible, owing to the infinitesimal division of the iron, which 
is still visible under the microscope even in the impalpable powder. 
A partial analysis was also made of the metal, separated as 
completely as was practicable from the matrix, giving the follow- 
ing results : 
Iron 95.79 percent. 
Nickel 2.89 " •' 
Silicon 0.03 " " 
Carbon and manganese nndeterminod. 
Sulphur 0.6;^ " " 
Phosphorus 0.54 " " 
99.93 " " 
Analyses of this kind appear to be of sufficient interest to pub- 
lish, but it is most earnestly to be hoped that thev may speedily 
be supplanted by iQuch more thorough and searching ones. Until 
the}' are, the sum total of our knowledge of these very interesting 
bodies will remain as it is now, exceedingly small. 
The so-called 104 pound fragment or •' Kossuth Co. aerolite," 
deserves mention here from the fact that it figured in all the earlier 
notices, at least, as the largest fragment of the "Winnebago Co. 
meteorite, being sold as such to parties in Forest City, whereas it 
is simpl}' a fraud. Pieces of the boulder, commonh' called < ' nig- 
ger-head, " were sent us at once for examination. Anah'sis showed 
it to be a diorite or allied rock, without crust ; no metal present. 
Gravit}- (2.83) about a unit lower than that of the meteorite. 
In its passage the meteor was seen throughout all Iowa, and ob- 
servers report it from Kansas, Dakota and IMiunesota. 
However exaggerated the press reports may have been in cer- 
tain instances, the fact of its splendor stands nevertheless ; so too 
the fact of the terror which the sudden light, the hissing passage, 
and terrific explosion inspired in the people of northern Iowa, es- 
pecially Winnebago Co. and immediate vicinity. Reports from all 
the towns and cities for man}' miles around "Winnebago Co. liken 
the noise of the explosion to heavy cannonading, accompanied bv 
a "rushing sound" or unearthly hissing and a noticeable tremor 
which caused the citizens to fly from their houses to inquire into 
the cause. This vivid disi)lay occurred in the face of a bright 
spring sun, and an almost cloudless sk}-. The dazzling head — 
likened to the moon in size — "sputtering" and throwing off a long 
