Analogous, bearing a resemblance.
Whence is its name derived?
It is the diminutive of plata, silver, to which it appears very similar; platina being a silver-colored metal, in small grains.
Diminutive, a word lessening the meaning of the original.
Whence is it obtained?
Mostly from Russia, and, also from South America. Its color does not tarnish by exposure to the air, and appears to be equally permanent with that of pure gold; the metal is indestructible by fire. Platina is capable of being alloyed with all metals; is fused with difficulty, but by great labor may be rendered malleable: it is also the heaviest metal, being 21 times heavier than water.
Permanent, lasting.
Are there any other Metals besides those already mentioned?
In addition to the metals known and used by the ancients, the chemical science of later ages has, by decomposing other earths, added more than thirty to the number of metals, some of them more curious than useful; several of these are lighter than water. All the metals possess different and distinct properties from each other. They are divided into two classes, the malleable and the brittle metals. These last may be again divided into two others,—namely, those which are easily, and those which are with difficulty fused.
What do you mean by Metallurgy?