DIAMOND.
At firſt ſight I may ſeem to have acted erroneouſly, by ſeparating this from the other gems, and inſerting it here; but after due conſideration, I know not where to place it better. It has never yet been decompoſed by the liquid analyſis[[52]]; and when expoſed to the fire in an open veſſel, it is wholly conſumed, burning with a lambent flame. This deflagration, though ſlow, ſhews decidedly its affinity to the inflammables: beſides, in the focus of a burning glaſs, it leaves traces of ſoot[[53]]. When further experiments teach us better, I ſhall willingly correct my error.
CLASS IV.
METALS.
I have before mentioned the great affinity betwixt metallic and inflammable ſubſtances (§ 133). Zinc and arſenic stand, as it were, upon the borders betwixt them; for these, in proper circumſtances, burn with a very evident flame. All the metallic ſubſtances contain phlogiſton, and when, to a certain degree, deprived of it, fall into a powder like an earth; but their attractions for phlogiſton are different. Moſt of them, when melted in a common way, and expoſed to the air, have an earthy cruſt formed upon the ſurface, which cannot again be reduced to metal without the addition of ſome inflammable matter. The baſe metals, eleven in number, have this property: but the noble metals, platina, gold and ſilver, are ſo firmly connected to the phlogiſton, that they never calcine under fuſion, however long continued; and after being changed into a calx in the liquid way, when melted in the fire, they re-aſſume their metallic form, without any other phlogiſton than what is contained in the matter of heat.
Quickſilver holds a kind of middle place; for, like the baſe metals, it may be calcined, though not readily; and like the noble ones, it may be reduced by heat alone.
I have placed each diviſion of the metals in the order of their specific gravities.
Thoſe metals, which are found in a perfect metallic ſtate, are called native; thoſe united to acids, or to ſulphur, are ſaid to be mineralized; and thoſe which are only deprived of their phlogiſton, calciform[[54]].
| TABLE OF METALS. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| METALS. | Specific Gravity. | Melting Heat[[55]]. | Saturating Phlogiſton. | Attraction to ſaturating Phlogiſton. | |
| Gold | 19,640 | 1301 | 394 | 1 or 2 | |
| Platina | 21,000 | 756 | 1 or 2 | ||
| Silver | 10,552 | 1000 | 100 | 3 | |
| Quickſilver | 14,110 | −39 or −634 | 74 | 4 | |
| Lead | 11,352 | 595 | 43 | 10 | |
| Copper | 8,876 | 1450 | 312 | 8 | |
| Iron | 7,800 | 1601 | 342 | 11 | |
| Tin | 7,264 | 415 | 114 | 9 | |
| Biſmuth | 9,670 | 494 | 57 | 7 | |
| Nickel | common | 7,000 | 1301 | 156 | 11 |
| pure | 9,000 | 1601 | |||
| Arſenic | 8,308 | 109 | 5 | ||
| Cobalt | common | 7,700 | 1450 | ||
| pure | 1601 | ||||
| Zinc | 6,862 | 699 | 182 | 11 | |
| Antimony | 6,860 | 809 | 120 | 6 | |
| Manganeſe | 6,850 | very great | 227 | 11 | |
AURUM,
OR
GOLD.
The ſpecific gravity of this metal, when pure, is 19,640. Aqua regia diſſolves it; but except the dephlogiſticated muriatic acid, and in certain circumſtances the nitrous, no ſimple acid acts upon it, unleſs it has been previouſly calcined[[56]]. The quantity of phlogiſton neceſſarily taken away in the ſolution of 100 parts of gold, I eſtimate at about 394; whilſt the ſame quantity of ſilver, loſes by ſolution in the nitrous acid, 100[[57]]. Gold retains the phlogiſton neceſſary to its metallic form, more obſtinately than any other metal, except, perhaps, platina. It melts and calcines in the focus of a burning glaſs at 1301 degrees of heat.
AURUM nativum (gold native) united to ſilver.
Native.
I do not know that gold has ever yet been found perfectly pure.
AURUM nativum (gold native) united to copper.
Native.
AURUM nativum (gold native) united to ſilver and copper.
Native.
AURUM nativum (gold native) united to ſilver, copper, and iron.
Native.
AURUM (gold), mineralized by ſulphur, by means of iron.
Pyritical.
Cronstedt Min; § 166. a. Pyrites aureus.
But ſome doubt may be made about the mineralization of gold[[58]].
AURUM (gold) mineralized by ſulphur, together with ſilver, lead, and iron.
Minera aurifera Nagyayenſis.
I have not yet fully examined this[[59]].
PLATINUM,
OR
PLATINA.
Its ſpecific gravity is 18,000[[60]], when very pure. It diſſolves in aqua regia, and the loſs of phlogiſton during the ſolution, according to the experiments hitherto made may be expreſſed by 756. Beſides the muriatic acid, which when dephlogiſticated diſſolves every metal, no acid acts upon platina without it has undergone a previous calcination. It ſeems to retain its phlogiſton more obſtinately than any other metal. To melt it requires a heat greater than that at which iron melts.
PLATINA native united to iron. Native.
Cronstedt Min. § 179.
I believe it has never been found quite free from iron, but this can be ſeparated by art[[61]].
ARGENTUM,
OR
SILVER.
Its ſpecific gravity is 10,552. The nitrous acid readily diſſolves it, the vitriolic muſt be boiling hot; the muriatic attracts its calx very ſtrongly, but cannot remove its phlogiſton and therefore cannot diſſolve it in its metallic ſtate. The quantity of this phlogiſton which cauſes the difference betwixt its metallic and its calciform ſtate I before expreſſed as 100 in 100 parts of ſilver. But the force with which it retains this portion of its phlogiſton is leſs than that of gold; that is, it occupies the third place in a ſeries of all the metals. It melts at 1000 degrees of heat.
ARGENTUM nativum (ſilver native) united to gold. Native.
ARGENTUM nativum (ſilver native), united to copper. Native.
ARGENTUM nativum (ſilver native), united both to gold and copper. Native.
ARGENTUM nativum (ſilver native), united to iron. Native.
ARGENTUM nativum (ſilver native), united to arſenic. Native.
The arſenic hardly exceeds ⁶⁄₁₀₀.
ARGENTUM nativum (ſilver native), united to antimony. Native.
When melted, it ſmokes but has no ſmell of arſenic.
ARGENTUM nativum (ſilver native), united to arſenic and iron. Native.
The three metallic ingredients are nearly in equal proportions.
All the ſpecies hitherto mentioned have metallic properties and appearances. The contaminating matters are ſometimes extremely ſmall, but not to be neglected when they exceed ¹⁄₃₀₀ part of the maſs.
ARGENTUM (ſilver) mineralized by the vitriolic and muriatic acids. Hornlike.
Cronstedt Min. §177. Minera argenti cornea. Horn-ſilver.
Mr. Woulfe[[62]], detected the preſence of the vitriolic acid. The ſilver ſeldom exceeds ⁷⁰⁄₁₀₀. I know not whether it is ever altogether free from vitriolic acid.
ARGENTUM (ſilver), mineralized by the vitriolic and muriatic acids, and ſulphur.
I doubt whether this be a diſtinct ſpecies, ſince the ſulphur and the ſalts ſcarcely admit of any other than a mechanical union.
ARGENTUM (ſilver), mineralized by ſulphur. Glaſſy.
Cronstedt Min. § 169. Minera argenti vitrea.
It ſometimes contains ⁷³⁄₁₀₀ of ſilver, or more.
ARGENTUM (ſilver), mineralized by ſulphur and iron. Marcaſitical.
Cronstedt Min. § 176, 10. Pyrites argenteus.
ARGENTUM (ſilver), mineralized by ſulphur and lead. Potters.
Cronstedt Min. § 176, 8. Galena.
The ſilver is only a few half ounces in a hundred weight.
ARGENTUM (ſilver), mineralized by ſulphur and arſenic. Red.
Cronstedt Min. § 170. Minera argenti rubra.
It contains about ⁷⁰⁄₁₀₀ of ſilver. Iron is frequently preſent, as in moſt other ſpecies but not always.
ARGENTUM (ſilver), mineralized by ſulphur, arſenic, and iron. Glittering.
Cronstedt Min. § 172.
I have examined ſome ſpecimens from Saxony which ſometimes contain no ſilver. May we not therefore ſuppoſe that the ſilver is native and not mineralized?
ARGENTUM (ſilver), mineralized by ſulphur, arſenic, iron and cobalt.
The ſilver is ſometimes more than ⁵⁰⁄₁₀₀.
ARGENTUM (ſilver), mineralized by ſulphur, arſenic, copper and iron. White ore.
Cronstedt Min. § 171. Minera argenti alba.
The proportion of ſilver varies much, ſometimes it is ¹⁰⁄₁₀₀ or more.
ARGENTUM (ſilver), mineralized by ſulphur, arſenic, copper, iron, and antimony. Grey ore.
Cronstedt Min. § 173. 6. Minera argenti griſea. In the province of Dal[[63]].
It contains ²⁴⁄₁₀₀ of copper, ſeldom ⁵⁄₁₀₀ ſilver.
ARGENTUM (ſilver), mineralized by ſulphur, arſenic, antimony and iron. Plumoſe.
Cronstedt Min. §173. 5. Federertz of the Germans[[64]].
It ſeldom contains more than a few half ounces of ſilver in the hundred weight.
It is abſurd to found ſpecies upon the differences of the matrix: theſe ought to be conſidered elſewhere.
HYDRARGYRUM,
OR
QUICKSILVER.
Its ſpecific gravity is 14,110. It has been erroneouſly ranked among the brittle metals, for at 654 degrees below 0 it freezes[[65]], and then ſpreads under the hammer like lead. But as ſuch an extreme degree of cold rarely happens unleſs artificially produced, we ceaſe to wonder why it is always liquid or rather melted.
Nitrous acid diſſolves it readily, vitriolic acid requires to be aſſiſted by a boiling heat; muriatic acid does not act upon it all, unleſs previouſly deprived of as much phlogiſton as in 100 parts may be called 74. The attractive power wherewith it retains this portion of phlogiſton occupies the fourth place in the ſeries; that is, it holds it leſs ſtrongly than the noble but more ſtrongly than the baſe metals.
HYDRARGYRUM nativum (quickſilver native). Native.
Cronstedt Min. § 217.
Whether it be entirely free from every metallic contamination I have not yet tried.
HYDRARGYRUM (quickſilver), united to ſilver. Amalgamated.
Cronstedt Min. § 217.
HYDRARGYRUM (quickſilver), mineralized by muriatic and vitriolic acids. Hornlike.
Mineralogy owes the diſcovery of this to Mr. Woulfe. Phil. Tranſ.
HYDRARGYRUM (quickſilver), mineralized by ſulphur. Cinnabarine.
Cronstedt Min. § 218. Cinnabaris.
HYDRARGYRUM (quickſilver), mineralized by ſulphur and iron. Martial.
I am doubtful whether this be a diſtinct ſpecies. The iron perhaps is only mechanically diffuſed.
HYDRARGYRUM (quickſilver), mineralized by ſulphur and copper. Cuprous.
Cronstedt Min. § 219.
PLUMBUM,
OR
LEAD.
Its ſpecific gravity is 11,352, greater than that of any other of the baſe metals. The nitrous acid perfectly diſſolves it; the muriatic more difficultly; the vitriolic hardly at all, for the vitriol of lead being inſoluble in water incruſts the metal, and prevents its ſolution. After calcination the weakeſt vegetable acids diſſolves it, and acquire a ſweet taſte. The phlogiſton neceſſary to be taken away in order that it may diſſolve may be called 43, which is leſs than that of any other metal. Hence we underſtand why the calx of lead may be reduced with a very minute quantity of inflammable matter. With reſpect to the force wherewith it retains this phlogiſton it occupies the tenth place. It melts at 595 degrees of heat.
PLUMBUM nativum (lead), though many mineralogiſts doubt whether it has ever yet been found. Native.
PLUMBUM (lead), mineralized by vitriolic acid. Vitriol of.
Originating from the decompoſition of Galena. It is rarely met with. It was firſt obſerved by Mr. Monnet. It does not efferveſce with acids. It may be reduced by the blowpipe upon charcoal.
PLUMBUM (lead), mineralized by vitriolic acid and iron.
Exiſting in immenſe quantity in the iſland of Angleſea. It does not reduce with the blowpipe upon charcoal, but melts to a black glaſs[[66]]. W.
PLUMBUM (lead), mineralized by the acid of phoſphorus. Phoſphorated.
This was diſcovered by Mr. Gahn. It does not efferveſce with acids. It melts upon charcoal with the blowpipe, but is not perfectly reduced.
PLUMBUM (lead), mineralized by the aerial acid. Aerated.
Cronstedt Min. § 185.
It efferveſces with acids, and is readily reduced upon charcoal[[67]].
PLUMBUM (lead), mineralized by ſulphur. Sulphurated.
Cronstedt Min. § 187.
PLUMBUM (lead), mineralized by ſulphur and ſilver. Galena.
Cronstedt Min. § 188.
PLUMBUM (lead), mineralized ſulphur, with ſilver and iron.
Cronstedt Min. § 189.
PLUMBUM (lead), mineralized by ſulphur, with ſilver and antimony. Radiated.
Cronstedt Min. § 190.
CUPRUM,
OR
COPPER.
Its ſpecific gravity is 8,876. Nitrous acid diſſolve it readily, muriatic acid ſlowly, and the vitriolic requires intenſe boiling. The phlogiſton, ſeparated in the ſolution of 100 parts, may be expreſſed by 312. The weakeſt vegetable acids act upon it, eſpecially after calcination, and ſo do alkalies, the volatile alkaly eſpecially. With reſpect to the power with which it retains the phlogiſton, copper holds the eighth place. It melts with 1450 degrees of heat.
CUPRUM nativum (copper native). Native.
Cronstedt Min. § 193.
It’s rarely found without ſome alloy of gold, ſilver or iron; but I have not yet fully examined it.
CUPRUM calciforme (copper), ſimply deprived of its phlogiſton. Calciform.
Cronstedt Min. § 195.
CUPRUM (copper), mineralized by muriatic acid and argillaceous earth. Micaceous.
Mr. Werner, in his tranſlation of Cronſtedt’s Mineralogy, part 1, page 217, has deſcribed it accurately, and kindly ſent me a ſpecimen of it, which I analyſed[[68]].
CUPRUM (copper), mineralized by the aerial acid. Aerated.
Cronstedt Min. §§ 194, 196. b. 3.
Mr. Fontana firſt pointed out its true compoſition. It contains about ⅔ of copper, ⅓ or ¼ of aerial acid, and a little water[[69]].
CUPRUM (copper), mineralized by ſulphur. Vitreous.
Cronstedt, Min. § 197. Minera cupri vitrea; a common, but improper name.
It generally contains ſome alloy of iron.
CUPRUM (copper), mineralized by ſulphur, and a ſmall proportion of iron.
Cronstedt Min. § 198, b. Minera cupri lazurea.
By a ſmall proportion of iron, I mean leſs than the weight of the copper; by a large proportion, more. This contains from 40 to 50 per cent. of copper.
CUPRUM (copper), mineralized by ſulphur, and a large proportion of iron. Pyritical.
Cronstedt Min. § 198. Pyrites Cupri.
The quantity of copper varies greatly, but ſeldom exceeds ⁴⁰⁄₁₀₀.
CUPRUM (copper), mineralized by ſulphur, iron and arſenic. Grey.
Cronstedt Min. § 198. a. Pyrites cupri griſeus.
This frequently contains an alloy of ſilver. The copper rarely exceeds ⁶⁰⁄₁₀₀.
FERRUM,
OR
IRON.
Its ſpecific gravity is 7,800. All the acids readily diſſolve it; but the vitriolic muſt be diluted, otherwiſe it may be boiled almoſt to dryneſs, without effecting it. The phlogiſton, diſlodged from centenary of ductile iron, may, as experiments now ſtand, be called 342; and this is ſo feebly retained, that this metal, with a few others, holds the eleventh, or loweſt place in the ſeries.
It requires an intenſe degree of heat to fuſe it, viz. 1601, if the uſual compariſon betwixt the mercurial thermometer, and the metallic one of Mortimer, be true. Iron is red hot at 1050 degrees of heat.
FERRUM nativum (iron) native. Native.
It can hardly be doubted, but that the great maſs of iron, brought by Pallas, from Siberia, into Europe, is the product of nature. Its compoſition reſembles that of forged iron; for 100 parts of it yield, by means of the muriatic acid, 49 cubic inches of inflammable air; and from many experiments upon ductile iron, that is found to yield from 48 to 51[[70]].
FERRUM nativum (iron) native, united to arſenic. Arſenical.
Cronstedt Min. § 243. B. Miſspickel.
FERRUM (iron), with the power of attracting other iron. Loadſtone.
Cronstedt Min. § 211. b. Magnes.
The cauſe of this property is yet unknown.
FERRUM (iron), with phlogiſton enough to render it magnetic. Magnetic.
Cronstedt Min. §§ 212, 213.
But the quantity of phlogiſton is far ſhort of that which is neceſſary to render it ductile, for a centenary hardly contains more than three cubic inches of inflammable air.
FERRUM calciforme (iron calciform), ſimply deprived of phlogiſton. Ochrous.
Cronstedt Min. §§ 202–206. Bloodſtone.
FERRUM (iron), mineralized by aerial acid, calcareous earth, and manganeſe. White.
Cronstedt Min. § 20. Minera ferri alba.
FERRUM (iron), mineralized by ſulphur. Pyritical.
Cronstedt Min. § 152. Pyrites.
FERRUM (iron) intimately united to a new brittle metal[[71]], or to a peculiar modification of iron, rendering it brittle when cold. Cold-ſhort.
In cold-ſhort iron, a brittle metal exiſts, readily uniting to ductile iron, by the aſſiſtance of heat, but rendering it brittle when cold. This ſubſtance, diſſolved in acids, forms Pruſſian blue with phlogiſticated alkaly, but it is not magnetic: it affords a white calx, richer in phlogiſton than the yellow calx of good iron.
I hope, by more experiments, ſoon to become better acquainted with it.
FERRUM calciforme (iron calciform), phlogiſticated in a peculiar manner. Blue.
Cronstedt Min. § 208. Cæruleum Berolinenſe nativum.
Clay and mould are sometimes coloured ſuperficially by a dilute blue, and ſometimes the former, when newly dug up, is found to acquire this colour upon expoſure to the air. It is evident that the baſis of this colour is an irony matter, full of phlogiſton; for, by ignition upon a charcoal fire, it flames, turns red, and becomes magnetic. With a gentle heat it becomes green, but when melted gives black ſcoriæ.
Alkalies, as well as acids, diſſolve it, and the colour vaniſhes, but appears again, if precipitated from the former by acids, and from the latter by alkalies; but it has then a greenish caſt, and ſoon becomes white. This white ſediment, immerſed in an infuſion of galls, or of tea, recovers its former colour.
From what has been ſaid, it appears that this colour, although analogous to the artificial Pruſſian blue, differs from it in its intensity, in the mode of its production, and in various properties. It keeps its colour in water, but turns black with oil.
STANNUM,
OR
TIN.
Its ſpecific gravity is 7,264. Vitriolic, muriatic, acetous acids, and aqua regia, diſſolve it, but the nitrous, eſpecially when ſtrong, attacks it ſo violently, that it ſoon reduces it to the ſtate of an inſoluble calx.
The quantity of phlogiſton it loſes by ſolution, may be called 114; and this it retains with a force that gives it the ninth place in the ſeries. It melts eaſier than any metal, except quickſilver, viz. at 415 degrees.
STANNUM nativum (tin). Native.
This I have not ſeen. Some doubts are entertained of its true nature, and, perhaps, not without reaſon.
STANNUM ſulphuratum (tin), mineralized by ſulphur. Sulphurated.
[See the [Preface].]
STANNUM calciforme (tin) calciform, contaminated by iron. Calciform.
VISMUTUM,
OR
BISMUTH.
The heaviest of all the brittle metals that follow it, its ſpecific gravity being 9,670. Nitrous acid, and aqua regia diſſolve it perfectly. The vitriolic acid muſt be boiled nearly to dryneſs before it acts upon it, and the muriatic acid only attacks its calx. The quantity of phlogiſton which reſists the action of menſtrua, is expreſſed by 57; and its power of retaining it ranks it in the ſeventh place. It melts at the heat of 494 degrees.
VISMUTUM nativum (biſmuth). Native.
Cronstedt Min. § 222.
VISMUTUM calciforme (biſmuth). Calciform.
Cronstedt Min. § 223.
I am not able to ſay whether this is merely deprived of its phlogiſton, or whether it is not alſo mineralized by aerial acid.
VISMUTUM (biſmuth) mineralized by ſulphur. Sulphurated.
Cronstedt Min. § 224.
VISMUTUM (biſmuth) mineralized by ſulphur and iron. Pyritical.
Cronstedt Min. § 225.
NICCOLUM,
OR
NICKEL.
The regulus, when depurated, has a ſpecific gravity of 9,000, or more; but the common regulus, obtained by the firſt reduction, little exceeds 7,000. Aqua regia, and nitrous acid, diſſolve it perfectly; muriatic acid, ſlowly; vitriolic acid, not without boiling almoſt to dryneſs and the acetous acid does not act upon it, unleſs in a calciform ſtate. The quantity of phlogiſton ſeparated by ſolution, may be called 156; and this it retains with a force about equal to that with which iron retains its phlogiſton (§ 197).
The heat neceſſary to melt it, is about equal to that which gold requires; but when depurated, it is almoſt as difficult to melt as iron.
The properties of it are more fully examined elſewhere[[72]].
NICCOLUM nativum (nickel) native, united to iron and arſenic. Native.
It ſometimes, perhaps, contains cobalt. As it contains neither ſulphur nor mineralizing acid, and is perfectly in its metallic form, it muſt be called native, although joined to other metals.
NICCOLUM aeratum (nickel) mineralized by aerial acid. Aerated.
Cronstedt Min. § 255.
NICCOLUM (nickel) mineralized by ſulphur, arſenic, cobalt, and iron. Mineralized.
Cronstedt Min. § 256. Cuprum Nicolai. Kupfer nickel.
ARSENICUM,
OR
ARSENIC.
The ſpecific gravity of the radical acid, is 3,391; of white arſenic, 3,706; of its glaſſy ſtate, 5,000; and its regulus, 8,308. Aqua regia, and muriatic acid, diſſolve it perfectly; the vitriolic acid requires boiling; the acetous acts only upon its calx: the nitrous acid not only takes away as much phlogiſton as may be expreſſed by 109, deprived of which the regulus is reduced to the ſtate of a calx, but in a large quantity, aſſiſted by a proper degree of heat, it at length so far dephlogiſticates this calx, as to leave the acid of arſenic alone. Theſe phænomena are well worthy of obſervation, as they ſeem to lay open the nature of metals in general. From analogy, it is probable that every metal contains a radical acid of a peculiar nature, which, with a certain quantity of phlogiſton, is coagulated into a metallic calx; but with a larger quantity, ſufficient to ſaturate it, forms a compleat metal. The radical acid retains the coagulating phlogiſton much more ſtrongly than that which is neceſſary to the ſaturation. But different metallic acids retain both with different degrees of attraction. Hence the noble metals cannot be calcined in the dry way; it is only by acid menſtrua that they can be brought into that form; but all the others loſe their ſaturating phlogiſton in the fire, though with more or leſs difficulty. I have diſtinctly obſerved eleven different degrees of reſiſtance: thus, gold may be precipitated by all the other metals, except perhaps platina, which I think may thus be explained. The calx of gold having the greateſt attraction for phlogiſton, takes it from all other metals, and thus loſing its ſolubility falls down in a metallic ſtate. Therefore gold in the ſeries of metals, occupies at leaſt the ſecond place. Platina is precipitated by all, but leſs evidently than gold. To this therefore, I think we muſt give the firſt place, and so on of the others as I have remarked in the character of each metal. As nickel, cobalt, iron, manganeſe and zinc, do not precipitate one another, they are put together in the laſt and eleventh place[[73]].
In order to obtain the radical acids we muſt ſeparate them from the coagulating phlogiſton. If the induſtry of chemiſts ever effects this, I am confident that metallurgy will be wonderfully elucidated. This therefore is a taſk to which our labours muſt be directed. I know that analogy muſt be cautiously trusted, but it at leaſt leads us to new experiments. Hitherto this operation has only ſucceeded with arſenic; and it is worth notice, that this metal which holds the fifth place with reſpect to its quantity of phlogiſton, ſhould be inferior to all others with regard to the attraction by which the coagulating quantity is retained.
Arſenic melts, but the moment it ſuffers heat enough to melt it, it volatilizes, unleſs it be firſt calcined. The regulus thrown upon a plate of iron properly heated, preſently takes fire and calcines, diffuſing a ſmell like garlic[[74]].
ARSENICUM nativum (arſenic), native, united to iron. Native.
Cronstedt Min. § 239.
I have never found it free from martial impregnation.
ARSENICUM nativum (arſenic), native, united to ſilver.
ARSENICUM calciforme (arſenic), deprived of phlogiſton. Calciform.
Cronstedt Min. § 240.
ARSENICUM (arſenic), mineralized by ſulphur. Yellow.
Cronstedt Min. § 241. Auripigmentum. Riſigallum.
ARSENICUM (arſenic), mineralized by ſulphur and iron. Pyritical.
Cronstedt Min. § 243. A. Pyrites arſenicalis.
COBALTUM,
OR
COBALT.
Its ſpecific gravity is 7,700. Nitrous acid and aqua regia readily diſſolve it. The vitriolic acid requires to be boiled nearly to dryneſs. The muriatic and acetous acids do not act upon it unleſs previouſly calcined. 270 expreſſes the quantity of ſaturating phlogiſton, which it retains with the ſame force that iron does. Common regulus melts in the ſame heat that copper does, but when well purified it is hardly eaſier to melt than iron.
COBALTUM nativum (cobalt), native and united to arſenic. Native.
Cronstedt Min. § 249.
COBALTUM calciforme (cobalt). Calciform.
Cronstedt Min. § 247.
It is found variouſly mixed, principally with arſenic, iron and copper, but whether mechanically or by a more intimate union I know not.
COBALTUM (cobalt), mineralized by acid of arſenic. Red.
Cronstedt Min. § 248.
The ſmall ſpecimens that I have been able to examine point out ſuch a compoſition[[75]].
COBALTUM (cobalt), contaminated by iron and vitriolic acid. Vitriolic.
Cronstedt Min. § 250.
COBALTUM (cobalt), mineralized by ſulphur, arſenic and iron. Glanz-cobalt.
Cronstedt Min. § 251.
COBALTUM (cobalt), mineralized by ſulphur, arſenic, iron and nickel. Kupfernickel.
Cronstedt Min. § 252.
ZINCUM
OR
ZINC.
Its ſpecific gravity is 6,862. All the acids diſſolve it readily and with efferveſcence, which denotes its very lax union with the inflammable principle, as was remarked before (§ 219). 182 expreſſes the quantity of phlogiſton it loſes in ſolution. It melts in a heat of 699 degrees; and if the heat be a little increaſed it takes fire; and diſſipates in white flowers[[76]].
ZINCUM calciforme (zinc), calciform ſimply deprived of its phlogiſton. Calciform.
Cronstedt Min. § 228. A. Lapis calaminaris.
It is almost always mixed with clay or calciform iron.
ZINCUM (zinc), mineralized by aerial acid. Aerated.
Cronstedt Min. § 228. A. 1.
ZINCUM (zinc) with aerial acid and mixed with ſiliceous matter. Siliceous.
D. A. Born ſent me chryſtals of this ſpecies, which expoſed to the fire gave out aerial acid, but they were not wholly ſoluble in acids.
ZINCUM (zinc), mineralized by ſulphur and iron. Black jack.
Cronstedt Min. §§ 229. 230. Pſeudogalena.
ANTIMONIUM
OR
ANTIMONY.
Its ſpecific gravity is 6,860. Aqua regia diſſolves it well; vitriolic acid requires boiling; muriatic and acetous acids act hardly at all upon it, unleſs previouſly calcined. The nitrous acid corrodes it ſo as to prevent the ſolution. The phlogiſton it loſes in ſolution is expreſſed by 120, and with reſpect to the force wherewith it retains this, it ſtands in the ſixth place. It melts at a heat of 809 degrees.
ANTIMONIUM nativum (antimony). Native.
Cronstedt Min. § 238.
ANTIMONIUM (antimony), mineralized by ſulphur. Sulphurated.
Cronstedt Min. § 234.
ANTIMONIUM (antimony) mineralized by ſulphur and arſenic. Red.
Cronstedt Min. § 235.
MANGANESIUM,
OR
MANGANESE.
Its ſpecific gravity is 6,850. This new metal is ſoluble in all the acids, and is ſo readily deprived of its ſaturating phlogiſton that with iron and ſome others it ſtands the loweſt in the ſeries. 227 expreſſes the quantity of phlogiſton it loſes in ſolution. It is very difficult to melt, more ſo than iron.
MANGANESIUM calciforme (manganeſe) ſimply deprived of phlogiſton. Calciform.
Cronstedt Min. § 114.
MANGANESIUM (manganeſe) mineralized by aerial acid.
Aerated.
Cronstedt Min. § 115. 1. a.
APPENDIX
THE FIRST.
In the preceding pages only the more ſimple combinations occur, whoſe principles are either chemically united or at leaſt ſo ſubtly interwoven that the texture appears perfectly homogeneous. But if two or more of theſe ſpecies, forming little diſtinct maſſes are cemented together, theſe mechanical mixtures, diſcernible by the eye ought to conſtitute a new ſeries, to be diſtinguiſhed by their component parts as the others were by their firſt principles or chemical elements. Such compoſitions may well be excluded from the preſent work, but upon account of their extenſive phyſical, œconomical and metallurgical uſes, I propoſe to give a ſlight ſketch of them here, enumerating the more remarkable Genera.
In a general view it appears that not only ſeveral ſpecies cemented together may be referred to this place, but likewiſe thoſe which are mechanically diffuſed in a powdery or an earthy form.
§246.
From the laws of combination it is evident, that according to the arrangement of foſſils into four claſſes, there can be only TEN Genera compoſed of two, FOUR of three, and ONE of four conſtituent parts. And although ſo many have not yet been detected, yet it is better to mention them here as the induſtry of a future age will probably diſcover more. The ſpecies are formed from the differences of the more ſimple ſpecies and their component parts.
Salts with Salts.
This compoſition can hardly ever conſtitute a genus, if it muſt be made in a dry and concrete form; for excepting gypſum, the other native ſalts readily diſſolve in water, and by evaporation are ſo mixed together as not readily to be diſcerned by the eye. Yet the foſſil alkaly mixed with common ſalt will perhaps find a place here. The contents of mineral waters may likewiſe be referred here, ſince every material difference in them depends upon the particles diſſolved.
Salts with Earths.
This mixture is hardly to be found but where bits of gypſum are concreted to matters of an earthy nature.
Salts with Inflammables.
May perhaps be found in volcanoes.
Salts with Metals.
If gypſum forms the matrix of any metal, it muſt be placed here.
Earths with Earths.
To this head belong moſt of the ſaxa (ſtones), enumerated by Mr. Cronſtedt, which form the immenſe bulk of mountains, and deſerve our particular attention, in order that, being better acquainted with the nature and ſtructure of the ſhell of the earth, we may be able to point out the coverings of minerals, and convert them all to our uſe.
Earths with Inflammables.
Lumps of mountain pitch are frequently connected with ſtones, and ſulphureous matters are found diffuſed through earthy materials.
Earths with Metals.
This genus contains the peculiar matrices of metals, a judicious conſideration of which would be particularly uſeful to miners.
Inflammables with Inflammables.
Perhaps, in ſome places, ſulphureous matters are found mixed with mountain pitch.
Inflammables with Metals.
If plumbago (black-lead) or common ſulphur, ſhall ever be found mixed with metallic ſubſtances, ſuch ſpecies muſt ſtand under this genus.
Metals with Metals.
We know that ſome metals, in the boſom of the earth, are almoſt always mixed, whilſt others are rarely, or never, found together. A more accurate knowledge of theſe things, would illuſtrate phyſical geography, as well as metallurgy.
We now proceed to the more compound genera.
Salts with Earths and Inflammables.
This genus can hardly ever occur but in countries formerly expoſed to ſubterranean fires.[[77]]
Salts with Earths and Metals.
To be expected amongſt volcanic productions.
Salts with Inflammables and Metals.
§259.
To be ſought for in the productions of volcanoes.
Earths with Inflammables and Metals.
Obvious amongſt the productions of volcanoes, otherwiſe extremely rare.
Salts with Earths, Inflammables, and Metals.
Hardly to be expected but in volcanic mountains.
APPENDIX
THE SECOND.
Foſſils externally reſembling animals or vegetables, originate from foreign matters, which by ſome peculiar proceſs are changed in the boſom of the earth, or are ſo impregnated by mineral particles gradually occupying the place of thoſe which have putrified, that they no longer reſemble organic ſubſtances, except in figure.—Theſe are commonly called Petrefactions.
The harder ſhells of animals expoſed to the weather, are not always exempt from deſtruction; for their gelatinous matter being gradually deſtroyed by putrefaction, they become brittle, and in a manner calcined. In leſs expoſed ſituations, ſome of them preſerve the nature of their materials, but acquire a ſpar-like texture.
We muſt carefully diſtinguiſh betwixt the foreign bodies themſelves, changed or petrified, and their impreſſions upon the ſurrounding matrices. Sometimes the body is entirely deſtroyed, forming a cavity in the ſurrounding matter, and this cavity afterwards is filled with other materials. Nuclei, or kernels, are likewiſe found, formed within the cavities of the harder ſhells, and bearing the form of their internal ſurface.
I am far from thinking the knowledge of petrefactions is barren and uſeleſs. We may, and ought, to conſider them as medals depoſited by the hand of nature, in memory of the more remarkable changes on the ſurface of the earth, and from which the time and order of the work may, in ſome meaſure, be judged of, whilſt other monuments are ſilent. Theſe, being properly interpreted, ſhew us their native ſituations in the former ſtate of the ſurface of the earth, and teach us the unbounded empire of the ſea, and the conſequent changes. By them we learn to diſtinguiſh the ancient and modern foundations of the mineral kingdom; for thoſe which are not formed of petrefactions, and never contain them, are doubtleſs of greater antiquity than animals or vegetables; and, laſtly, by their figure they ſhew us the inhabitants of our globe, eſpecially thoſe of the greateſt depths of the ocean.
Mr. Cronstedt has admirably arranged the petrefactions; we think it right, therefore, to retain his method. The Genera are built upon the Genera of foſſils, and arranged like the four claſſes thereof; the ſpecies upon their ſpecies, and the varieties upon the organic ſubſtances that have been changed. The following are the Genera hitherto diſcovered.
Saline Calcareous Earth with an organic Form.
Gypſeous petrefactions are very rare.
Saline Iron with an organic Form.
Human bodies have ſometimes been found indurated and penetrated by vitriol of iron; so likewiſe have plants, their roots eſpecially. In the open air they moulder away.
Mild Calcareous Earth with an organic Form.
This conſtitutes the ſubſtance of moſt petrefactions.
Clay with an organic Form.
It is remarkable, that petrefactions found in clay are compreſſed, although, in ſubjacent calcareous ſtrata, they preſerve their natural figure. Similar compreſſed petrefactions are alſo found in the marly ſchiſtus.
Siliceous Earth with an organic Form.
Siliceous petrefactions are ſometimes met with, but, in general, this material forms only nuclei (§ 264). Trunks of trees are ſometimes found changed into agate. The celebrated Ferber has ſeen petrefactions in chert and jaſper, and the illuſtrious Born mentions corallines (porpitæ) in ſinople or martial jaſper.
Earth organic.
Animals and vegetables are reſolved by putrefaction into an earth, which may be regarded as forming a peculiar genus, until every appearance of organization being obliterated, at length it comes to be conſidered as common earth.
Petroleum impregnating organic Bodies.
Wood, penetrated by indurated petroleum, forms a remarkable variety of coal.
Silver with an organic Form.
Native ſilver is ſometimes inherent in petrefactions, but never, to my knowledge, conſtitutes the ſubſtance of them, unleſs mineralized with copper and ſulphur.
Quickſilver in an organic Form.
When mineralized by ſulphur, it ſometimes, though very rarely, conſtitutes petrefactions.
Copper with an organic Form.
Bones and teeth are ſometimes found replete with the blue calx of copper. Bits of copper pyrites often ſtick in petrefactions, but ſeldom conſtitute their whole ſubſtance. I have some such from Norway, in a matrix of magnetical iron ore.
Iron with an organic Form.
Calciform iron ſometimes is found in the ſhape of roots and branches of trees. When mineralized by ſulphur, it frequently exiſts in petrefactions, but ſeldom conſtitutes the whole maſs.
Zinc with an organic Form.
I have ſeen pſeudo-galena (black jack), in the form of coral.
Some modern writers, as well as Mr. Cronstedt, place the productions of volcanoes in an appendix by themſelves; but, I think, to no good purpoſe. Things formed by the hand of nature, whether by a liquid or a dry proceſs, muſt not be diſjoined; for ſhe frequently avails herſelf of both methods in one and the ſame inſtance. And, indeed, the origin of many things is ſo very doubtful, every veſtige thereof being obliterated, that even an Œdipus could not with certainty determine how they were produced. And, on the other hand, many aſſert, that almoſt the whole of the mineral kingdom is the product of fire. To avoid error, therefore, it is better to claſs foſſil ſubſtances according to their conſtituent parts, which proper experiments will lay open to us; for we can seldom know their origin or formation.
Homogeneous ſubſtances joined together, but not primitive, will find a place among the ſtones, or elſewhere, in the firſt appendix.
FINIS.