Phosphorus

First reported in 1903 from the Saline Township meteorite, in which it was apparently included as a single mass that was encountered on drilling into the meteorite. White smoke with pungent garlic odor was emitted from the hole for about 2 hours, with luminescence observed in the bottom of the hole during that time. Qualitative wet chemistry tests performed on the smoke were positive for the presence of phosphorus. These observations are consistent with the presence of native phosphorus, although the mineral itself was not studied directly. Subsequent holes drilled into other parts of the meteorite found no further indications of native phosphorus.