The oxides of manganese fuse with carbonate of soda upon platinum foil or wire, to a clear green bead, which appears bluish-green and partially opaque when cold (manganate of soda NaO + MnO3). A very minute trace of manganese will produce this green color. The oxides of manganese cannot be reduced upon charcoal with carbonate of soda before the blowpipe. The soda is absorbed, and (MnO + Mn2O3) is left.
GROUP FIFTH.—IRON, COBALT, NICKEL.
The oxides of this group are reduced to the metallic state when fused with carbonate of soda upon charcoal in the reduction flame. Metals when thus reduced form powders, are not fusible or volatile in the blowpipe flame, but they are attracted by the magnet.
Furthermore, these oxides are not dissolved by carbonate of soda in the oxidation flame, but they produce colored beads with borax and microcosmic salt.
(a.) Iron.—It occurs in great abundance in nature. It is found in several places in America in the metallic state, and it likewise occurs in the same state in meteors. It occurs chiefly as the oxide (red hematite, brown hematite, magnetic oxide, etc.), and frequently in combination with sulphur. Iron also forms a constituent of the blood.
Metallic iron is of a grey color, and presents the metallic lustre vividly when polished. It is very ductile, malleable, and tenacious. It is very hard at common temperatures, but soft and yielding at a red heat.
In dry and cold air, iron does not oxidize, but when the air is dry and moist, it oxidizes rapidly. This likewise takes place with great rapidity when the metal is heated to redness. When submitted to a white heat iron burns with brilliant scintillations.
Protoxide of Iron (FeO).—This oxide does not occur pure in nature, but in union with the peroxide of iron and other substances. It presents the form of a black powder, and has some metallic lustre, is brittle, and fuses at a high temperature to a vitreous looking mass. It is attracted by the magnet, and of course is susceptible of becoming magnetic itself. It forms with water a hydrate, but this passes so rapidly into a state of higher oxidation, that it is difficult to keep it in the pure state.
Magnetic Oxide of Iron (FeO + Fe2O3).—This peculiar oxide is of a dark color, and is magnetic, so that tacks or small nails adhere to it when brought in contact with it. It is the variety of the oxide termed "loadstone." It is found frequently crystallized in octahedrons in Scandinavia and other places. Magnetic oxide of iron is produced when red-hot iron is hammered.