Tut. That is one of another class of mineral substances called semi-metals. These resemble metals in every quality but ductility, of which they are almost wholly destitute, and for want of it they can seldom be used in the arts, except when joined with metals.
Geo. Are there many of them?
Tut. Yes, several; but we will not talk of them till I have taken some opportunity of showing them to you, for probably you may never have seen any of them. Now try to repeat the names of all the metals to me in the order of their weight.
Har. There is first gold.
Geo. Then quicksilver, lead, silver.
Har. Copper, iron, tin.
Tut. Very right. Now I must tell you of an old fancy that chymists have had of christening these metals by the names of the heavenly bodies. They have called gold Sol, or the sun.
Geo. That is suitable enough to its colour and brightness.
Har. Then silver should be the moon, for I have heard moonlight called of a silvery hue.
Tut. True; and they have named it so. It is Luna. Quicksilver is Mercury, so named probably from its great propensity to dance and jump about, for Mercury, you know, was very nimble.