892 
DH, W. FLIGHT ON THE METEORITES OF 
magnetic, have a specific gravity of 6*71 and the composition indicated by the formula 
Fe 7 P. They, of course, contain no trace of nickel; in all. other respects, however, 
they bear the closest resemblance to the above body. 
VI. Schreibersite in the Cranbourne siderite. 
When the crude nickel-iron of the meteorite was treated with hydrogen chloride 
till action ceased, coarse insoluble particles, mixed with a black powder, and the 
needles remained : they could both be removed by decantation and repeated washings. 
It was then subjected to a thorough cleansing with hydrogen chloride, with dilute 
nitric acid, with water, with a mixture of ether, alcohol, benzol, and chloroform, and 
finally, when dried, with the magnet. In this way the coarse powder was obtained 
in a pure state; it consisted of a very brittle, very magnetic, coarse powder, which 
dissolved easily in strong hydrogen nitrate. Analysis gave the following results :— 
I. II. 
56*245 55*990 56*117-5-28 =2*0041 
> 2 , 90 c 5 
29*176 .. 29*176-7-29*5 = 0*989 J 
13*505 .. 13*505-7-31 =0*435x7 = 3*045 
98*798 
This is, doubtless, the mineral Schreibersite which appears to have the composition 
indicated by the formula (Fe 2 Ni) 7 P. The material, as already stated, consisted of a 
coarse powder, of faceless irregular fragments of a very brittle constituent of the 
meteorite. Search was accordingly made for crystals, and occasionally, but very 
rarely, larger bodies which might when broken up have formed this powder were 
hit upon. One was met with, a large brass-coloured oblique crystal which readily 
cleaved across the base; it was but slightly acted upon by hydrogen chloride or 
nitrate, both of which, however, on long continued boiling dissolve it slowly; in aqua 
regia, on the other hand, it quickly disappears. When heated a fragment of one of 
these crystals quickly became of a dark brown colour. Analyses of these crystals 
gave the following results 
Iron .... 
I. 
69*251 
II. 
69*843 
69*547-7-28 
=2*484= 1 o 
Nickel* . . . 
14*410-7-29*5 
>2*972 
= 0*488= J 
Phosphorus . . 
15*420 
16*666 
16*043-7-31 
= 0*517=0*517 
100*000 
which results point to (Fe 9 Ni 2 )P 2 as the true representative of its composition. It 
Iron . . 
Nickel. . 
Phosphorus . 
* Both determinations were lost. 
