The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-07-14
1rOn,
Continued from No. ~

Copper implements made from the
copper Of Lake Superior, where
it was extensively mined, are found
in the mounds of Ohio; but although
iron ores occur in great abundance
beneath these mounds and elsewhere,
thousands of tons being produced an
nually, that mysterious people seem
to have been entirely ignorant of the
use and existence of this metal, for
no iron instruments nor vessels have
been found in making excavations.
The compact red hematite ore, or
"blood stone," however, was known
to the ancient people Of the region,
who fashioned from it their small,
wedge-shaped tools called celts. 1t
is susceptible of a high polish, and
being exceedingly hard, was we'll
adapted to this purpose.
No iron instruments have been dis
covered in the barrows Of Great Brit
tain, nor in the tumuli of other parts
of the world. Native iron occurs in
small quantities in varions parts of
Europe and America.
Meteeric stone are chiefly composed
of native iron with small proper
tion of nickle.
There are various theories in re-
gard to the origin of metals, their
occurrence in veins, lodes and beds
and their dissemination through the
rocks; but no satisfactory explana-
tion can be given without taking
many causes into consideration. AS
tronomy tells geology that the earth
was first !, nebulous mass of which it
is supposed the metals gaseous state
constituted a great part if not the
whole. In the cooling process, vari-
Gus chemical combinations were
formed and then there was All atmos-
phere with clouds and rain. The wa
ter descending upon the crust was i'm
pregnated with these metals which
were held in solution to be preciri-
tated and deposited in veins and beds,
principally. it is thought, by the
agency Of organic matter.
A distinguished chemist says, that
he ''can hardly conceive of An accu-
mutation of iron, copper, lead, silver
or gold in the production of which,
animal or vegetable life has not been,
directly or indirectly. necessary
The sulphide of iron disseminated
through the older rocks and also the
beds of iron ore, which probably &C.
cumulated as iron ores are now form.
ing and have formed during the most
recent geological ephochs. are the
products of the agency of the carbon
of plants.
Veins are assures in which chcmic.
al and mechanical deposits have &C
cumulated. The waters holding
metals in solution were injected from
below or infiltrated from above il
making the metalliferous deposits
In some cases the veins were filed by
segregation from the rocks in which
they were disseminated. These pro
cesses are continually in operation.
| Iron is described as metal of :
blush gray color, but acquiring /:
brilliant surface by polishing. IT.
fracture is fibrous, and it is thu
hardest and toughest of all the ductil'
metah.. It can,tot he hammered int,
very thin plates. but may be rolled
into thin sheets and drawn into yer!
fine wire.
The iron of commerce is seldom
pure, containing small portions Of
carbon, sulphur, SILICA, phospho
rons; arsenic, and other substances
When iron is subjected to red hea
it is softened and becomes tough, ;
circumstance that adds much to it
value in many arts; and it's propert.
of welding at white heat gives a ia
cility in working it which no othe
metal possesses. When heated abov'
the welding point, it crumbles undel
the strokes of the hammer.
Iron unites with gold, silver, plati
mum, tin, arsenic and manganese. bu
the most useful alloy is that with ii,
in tin plate. Iron is enc Of the mos
widely diffused> aid abundant elem
ents in nature. Many mineral bodies
or stones contain it.. Sands, clays
the waters Of springs and rivers afi
pervaded with it; and lit is found ii
the state of oxide in ochers;: bog ore!
and other friable earthly substances
of 4 red, brown; yellow, or black col
Or and abundantly in rocks OF al
lagos in the form of iron pyrites, ;