210 [DecemeEr, 
actions show that it is neither tin nor any other known element, although it has 
some relations to tin, but it is distinguished from it 
1. By its solubility in nitric acid, 
2. By its brown precipitate with hydrosulphuric acid. 
3. By not being readily oxydized before the blowpipe into a white oxide, 
and by its other blowpipe-reactions. 
May not the grains of native tin observed by Hermann in the auriferous sands 
from Siberia be the same substance ? 
II. An examination of the white grains, which were insoluble in hydrochloric 
acid, gave (after a few scales of native gold had been extracted by quite diluted 
aqua regia) the following results. 
Of 0-9366 grms. were 0-4625 grms. or 49:4 p. c. Sisserskite (Ir Osy) in, 
brilliant lead colored scales, some of which were imperfect six-sided prisms. 
The remaining grains and scales (@-4741 grms.) hadatin-white color and were 
treated with aqua regia, as long as it acted upon them. Three rounded grains 
remained undissolved in aqua regia, which, I suppose, were Platin-Iridium. They 
weighed 0-0202 grms.=2:2 p.c. 
The balance of 0-4539 grms. or 48-4 p. c. was native Platinum. 
The composition of the sample received by Dr. Chas. M. Wetherill was there- 
fore New Element and Gold, not estimated. 
Sisserskite = 49-4 p.c. 
Platin-Iridium = 2.2p.c. 
Native Platinum = 48-4 p. ec. 
This native Platinum is not pure, but contains, like that from other localities, 
other substances, both alloyed and mechanically mixed with it. 
When the 0-4539 grms. were dissolved in aqua regia, 0-0031 grms. or 0-68 p.c. 
of Sisserskite remained undissolved in minute and fine scales. 
The solution was evaporated to dryness ina water-bath, dissolved in alcohol and 
precipitated with chloride of ammonium. The brick-red double salt thus formed 
was washed out with alcohol, then dried and powerfully heated. The ignited 
residue weighed 0-4206 grms. It was treated with weak aqua regia, which left 
undissolved 0:0110 grms. of Iridium and Rhodium = 2:42 p.c. (This is of 
course, only an approximate estimation of Iridium, ete.) This presence 
of Rhodium and Palladium was also ascertained, but I did not make any quantita- 
tive estimations, because the quantity I had to dispose of was entirely too small 
for the estimation of substances which can be separated only with the greatest 
difficulty. 
The filtrate from the double salts of Platinum, etc., precipitated by ammonia 
gave 0:0432 grms. of sesqui-oxide of iron — 6°66 p. c. of iron. 
The composition of this native Platinum is therefore 
Platinum, (with Palladium) = 90-24 
Iridium, (with Rhodium) = 2°42 
Tron, = 6:66 
Sisserskite, ea (P(e: 
100-00 
The Committee on a paper by Dr. P. R. Hoy, “On new Species of 
Owls,”’ reported in favor of publication in the Proceedings. 
Description of two species of Owls, presumed to be new, which inhabit the State of 
Wisconsin. 
By Puiro R. Hoy, M. D., Racine, Wisconsin. 
1. Nyctale Kirtlandii, nobis. 
The smallest described species of this genus. f 
Male. Length 64, ext. 16, tail extends to the tip of the folded wing. Head 
and entire upper parts brown with a reddish gloss. Plumage around the base 
of the bill and eyebrows white, immediately in front of the eye, intermingled 
