TUNG'STEN (symb. 'W, equiv. 92—in new system, 184—sp. gr. 17.6) is a rare metal, which derives its name from the Swedish words lung, heavy, and sten, a stone. It is chiefly derived from wolfram (whence the symbol W), which is a tungstate of iron and manganese, and likewise occurs in schleelite, which is tungstate of lime. It is unneces sary to describe the means of separating the metal, which may be finally obtained either as a dark-gray powder or in heavy iron-gray bars, which are very hard, and difficult of fusion. Aqua regia and nitric acid convert it into tungstic acid. When 10 parts of this metal are alloyed with 90 of steel, a mass of extraordinary hardness is obtained.
Tungsten forms two compounds with oxygen, viz., a binoxide (WOO, which is obtained in the form of a brown powder, by heating tungstic acid to low redness in a current of hydrogen, and which does not form salts with acids; and an acid teroxide, known as tungstic acid Independently of tungstic anhydride, the are two modi fications of this acid, represented by the formulae HO,WO., and HO,W,O., which are known as tungstic and metatungstic acids respectively. Various tungstates have been formed and examined. Of these, the most singular is tungstate of tungsten (WO,W03), which is of a splendid blue color; and tungstate of stpda, which answers admirably as a means of preventing muslin, etc., from bursting out in a flame when brought in contact. with fire. It is unnecessary to notice the metatungstates, or the sulphides, chlorides, etc., of tungsten.
TITNClitS, an ethnographic group of the Turanian family, are at the present time situated to the n. and e. of the Mongol group, inhabiting the vast plains stretching s. front the icy sea of Siberia, between the Yenesei and the Lena, the northern slopes and valleys of the Great Altai, and the hilly uneven tract between the upper Ameer and the Lena. The chief peoples included under this group are the Niuju, the Diturians, Tsha
podshirs, Manchus (in the s.e.), and Ltundts (on the e. coast). In the n. they have inter mingled with the Samoyedes; in the w. with the Ostiaks, whose territory is on the other side of the Yenesei; and in the s., the Manchus, though being gradually pushed north ward by the Chinese, have for a long time exercised undisputed sway over their sup planters. Divided politically betwen Russia and China, the southern portion of them arc Buddhists, while the tribes further n. mostly practice Shamanism (q.v.), a few hav ing, by the strenuous exertions of the Russian government, been induced to profess Christianity. The Tungils are partly nomad and wandering, and partly agriculturists and settled rearers of cattle. The first of these are commonly classed according to the districts they prefer to dwell in, as Tungfts of the forests, or Tungils of the steppes: the former being shepherds, hunters, or fishers; and the latter exclusively shepherds. The steppe Tung(Is, again, are divided according to the animals of draught they employ, into the tel the horse-Tungils, and the dog-Tungfis. The Tungiis are in general robust and lively, with flat visage and small eyes, the latter characteristics, however, being much less prominent in them than in the Kalmucks. A portion of the Chinese Tungus constitute the Ssolon nation so celebrated as warriors in Chinese modern history. Thu Tshapodshirs tattoo their faces.