The following table by the same author will serve to show in a condensed form, the value of different gold alloys relatively, and also the extremely low standard at which so called “gold articles” are manufactured in this country.

Gold Value Table.

£s.d.
22-carat gold is worth31710½per oz.
18” ”338½”
16” ”2167½”
14” ”296½”
10” ”1154¼”
9” ”11110 ”
8” ”183¾”
6” ”112½”
4” ”0142 ”
2” ”071 ”
1” ”036 ”

Since writing the early portion of this work, we have found it requisite, in order to supply a manifest want, to have manufactured a small leather case (on the exact model of our own), containing all the tests and appliances requisite for the identification of precious metals or precious stones.[D]

We have also caused to be constructed, from our own pattern, a small triple branch of gold of different degrees of alloy. Each branch, when rubbed on the touch stone, and treated with nitric acid, will leave a characteristic streak, which may be compared with one formed by rubbing the article to be tested, and treating it with acid in the same manner; the nature of the alloy will thus be found by comparison.[E]

Emerson’s Table of Strengths, showing the Load that can be safely borne by a square inch Rod of each of the following Substances:

lbs. avoir.
Iron rod, 1in. square, will bear 76,400
Brass 35,600
Ivory 15,700
Oak, box, yew, plum-tree 7,850
Elm, ash, beech 6,070
Walnut, red fir, holly, elder, plane, crab 5,000
Cherry, hazel 4,760
Alder, asp, birch, willow 5,000
Lead 430
Freestone 914

Emerson’s rule is, that a cylinder, the diameter of which is d inches, loaded to one fourth of its absolute strength, will carry as follows:

cwt.
Iron135 × d²
Good rope22 × d²
Oak14 × d²
Fir9 × d²