Wood-like Iron Ore

Charles Jos. Harford, Esq., was so good as to bring the specimen from which this figure was taken, from Bristol. It was found in a ploughed field in that neighbourhood. It is of that variety often called Wood-like Iron Ore, and much resembles Wood-like Tin Ore. It however is much lighter and softer, and much larger than Wood-Tin has ever been found. Its weight is about 7lb., and its diameter about 6 inches by 5 inches. The figure being smaller, the many centres from which the radii form give it a pretty variegated appearance, and the radii are relieved by the darker tints of the straiæ which are least ochry. The circles are so regular in some parts as to appear rather forced in the drawing: it may however, be safely said that they are not more regular in the drawing than in the specimen. It may be curious to observe how reciprocal the force of formation is in this specimen, as each centre has terminated its radii with as little disturbance to its neighbour as possible. The primitive crystal of Oxide of Iron is not yet known; whatever it is, it must have some affinity to the Galena—tab. 131.