P. S. In a short article for some future number, I may send you an account of the operation of the machine, and of some other particulars.
23. Additional note concerning the Tungsten and Tellurium.
We have not room to insert in the present number, a description and a chemical examination of the ores of tungsten and tellurium recently discovered in Connecticut; they will appear in our next.
In the mean time it may be stated, that the tungsten and tellurium are found blended in the same pieces, but whether in mere mixture, or in chemical combination, is not yet quite determined. Many specimens of the tungsten exist without the tellurium, but every piece which has afforded tellurium has also afforded tungsten, and in greater abundance. Even in well defined crystals, both metals have been found in the same crystal, and where the external appearance was homogeneous. In other specimens a difference seems to be apparent, and a proper ore of tellurium appears to be blended with a proper ore of tungsten. This latter ore is the wolfram, composed of oxid of tungsten, or as some choose to say, tungstic oxid combined with iron and manganese. The crystals, however, are octahedral, a fact which we believe is not mentioned of this species by authors, although this form is found in the calcareous tungsten.
The Bismuth mine in which these ores are found is the property of Mr. Ephraim Lane. Letters addressed, post paid, to him at New Stratford, town of Huntington, Connecticut, will find him through the Post Office; and he will, for a reasonable compensation, pack boxes more or less extensive, for mineralogists and others. As Mr. Lane is by occupation a farmer, and is obliged to blast a quartz gangue in order to obtain his specimens, he cannot be expected to transmit them gratis. His mine, which has been sunk only ten feet, affords native bismuth, native silver, magnetical and common iron pyrites, and copper pyrites, (the two latter crystallized) galena, blende, tungsten, tellurium, &c.
It is expected that the shaft will soon be sunk deeper, when probably a more abundant supply of good specimens will be obtained.
N. B. The silver and galena are the least abundant.
March 8th, 1819.