Part 3
When dry, it abſorbs water greedily, becomes ſoft, and, with a due quantity of water, gains ſuch a tenacity, that it may be moulded at pleaſure. This maſs contracts greatly in the fire, from whence ariſe numerous cracks; and with a due degree of heat, it becomes hard enough to ſtrike fire with ſteel. By this burning it loſes its glutinous tenacity, and the water is excluded by the approach of the particles; nor does it again aſſume its former properties, but by ſolution and precipitation.
It may be diſſolved in the dry way, by means of fixed alkaline ſalt, as well as in the liquid way, by acids. The vitriolic acid is better than the others for this purpoſe, becauſe more eaſily concentrated.
Earth of alum neither diſſolves ſulphur, nor decompoſes ſal ammoniac.
§ 113.
ARGILLA (argillaceous earth) united to _ſiliceous_ matter only.
CRONSTEDT Min. §78. _Argilla porcellana._ Porcelain clay.
Pipe clay.
I never examined any clay which did not contain a large quantity of ſiliceous earth; generally more than half its weight[44].
§ 114.
ARGILLA (argillaceous earth) united to _ſiliceous_ and _irony_ matter.
CRONSTEDT Min. §§ 87 and 90. Bole. Dye-earth.
Clay.
§ 115.
ARGILLA (argillaceous earth) united to _ſiliceous_ and _calcareous_ matter.
CRONSTEDT Min. §25. _Marga argillacea._ Marle.
§ 116.
ARGILLA (argillaceous earth) united to _ſiliceous_ earth and _magneſia_.
CRONSTEDT Min. §§ 84, 4. B. Terra lemnia.
Its component parts reſemble thoſe of talc, but differ in their proportions, and are alſo leſs intimately united.
§ 116*.
ARGILLA (argillaceous earth) united to _ſiliceous_, _calcareous_, and _magneſia_ earths.
_Lithomarga._([45]) CRONSTEDT Min. § 84. A.
Stone marrow.
§ 117.
ARGILLA (argillaceous earth) contaminated by _vegetable alkaly_ and _ſulphur_, or at leaſt by the acid of ſulphur.
CRONSTEDT Min. § 124. 2. b. Minera aluminis romani.
Alum ore.
It certainly contains vitriolic acid[46], and perhaps, alſo, a ſmall portion of ſulphur. The vegetable alkaly ſufficiently ſhews its volcanic origin.
§ 118.
ARGILLA (argillaceous earth) contaminated by _ſiliceous_ matter, _pyrites_, and _petroleum_.
CRONSTEDT Min. § 124. 2. c. _Schiſtus aluminaris_[47].
Alum ſlate.
§ 119.
ARGILLA (argillaceous earth) intimately united with _leſs than half its weight of ſiliceous_ earth, and a ſmall quantity of _mild calcareous_ earth.
CRONSTEDT Min. §§ 43–48. Gemma.
The Gems ſuffer no change under the blowpipe, with foſſil fixed alkaly, but are diſſolved by microcoſmic ſalt and borax.
To this head belong _Rubinus_, the ruby; _Saphirus_, ſapphire; _Topazius_, topaz; _Smaragdus_, emerald.
The _tourmaline_ holds a kind of middle place betwixt the gems and the ſcherle. The colour, in all of them, is owing to iron.
§ 120.
ARGILLA (argillaceous earth) intimately united to _half its weight of ſiliceous earth_ (or more), and a little _mild calcareous_ earth. Scherle.
CRONSTEDT Min. §§ 68–71. _Granatus et Baſaltes_, which I call _Scherle_.
The remote varieties of theſe are eaſily diſtinguiſhed, the near ones difficultly.
§ 121.
ARGILLA (argillaceous earth) looſely united to half its weight, or more, of _ſiliceous_ earth, and a little _calcareous_ earth.
CRONSTEDT Min. §§ 108–112. _Zeolithus._ Zeolite.
There is a great affinity betwixt this and Scherle; but in the zeolite, the component parts cohere ſo looſely, that acids attach and ſeparate them without their being previouſly treated with alkalies; but this is not the caſe with the ſcherles.
Zeolite, contaminated by magneſia, I have not yet examined.
§ 122.
ARGILLA (argillaceous earth) intimately united to a large proportion of _ſiliceous_ earth, and a ſmall proportion of _magneſia_.
CRONSTEDT Min. §§ 93–96. _Mica. Talcum._ [48]Glimmer. Talc.
SILICEOUS EARTH, OR TERRA SILICEA.
§ 123.
This, like the other primitive earths, is ſeldom found pure. In order to have it ſo, reduce clear quartz chryſtals into powder; melt it with four times the weight of fixed alkaly; diſſolve the whole in water; precipitate by a large quantity of ſtrong acid; carefully waſh and dry the precipitate.
The acid muſt be uſed in a ſuperfluous quantity, that any other earths contained may be diſſolved.
§ 124.
The ſpecific gravity of this earth, is 1,975. The particles, when firſt precipitated, occupy, in water, at leaſt twelve times the ſpace that they do when dried; ſo that, when ſufficiently fine, they may remain ſuſpended therein; nay, when vehemently heated in a cloſe veſſel, they may be diſſolved. No acid, except that of fluor ſpar (§ 30) has any action upon this earth. Fixed alkalies unite with it in the liquid way, but in the dry way they ſeize it with great vehemence, and convert twice their weight of it into a permanent transparent glaſs. Such is its affinity to alkalies, that it imparts to clay, which is always loaded with it, the power of ſeparating ſome of the acid from nitre and common ſalt. When pure, it is refractory in the fire.
Although ſiliceous earth is not altogether ſimple, yet, in mineralogy, it muſt be conſidered as primitive, until deciſive experiments ſhew us from which of the preceding earths it is derived[49].
§ 125.
TERRA SILICEA (ſiliceous earth) united to very ſmall quantities of _calcareous_ and _argillaceous_ earth.
CRONSTEDT Min. § 51. _Quartzum._ Quartz.
§ 126.
TERRA SILICEA (ſiliceous earth) united to _argillaceous_ earth.
CRONSTEDT Min. § 58. _Calcedonius_. Chalcedony.
And perhaps the _Opal_. The _Hydrophanus_ is only a variety of theſe.
Whether the _carnelian_, and other _ſiliceæ_, of finer or coarſer texture, belong to this or the preceding ſpecies I cannot yet determine with certainty.
§ 127.
TERRA SILICEA (ſiliceous earth), united to an _argillaceous_ and highly _martial_ earth.
CRONSTEDT Min. §§ 64, 65. _Jaſpis._ Jaſper.
§ 128.
TERRA SILICEA (ſiliceous earth), loaded with _martial_ earth.
Martial.
CRONSTEDT Min. § 53.
This ſpecies is often called jaſper, but improperly, becauſe it contains no argillaceous earth.
§ 129.
TERRA SILICEA (ſiliceous earth), united to _argillaceous_ and a ſmall quantity of _calcareous_ earth.
CRONSTEDT Min. § 63. Petroſilex. Chert.
§ 130.
TERRA SILICEA (ſiliceous earth) united to _argillaceous_ earth and a little _magneſia_.
CRONSTEDT Min. §66. _Feldſpathum._ Feld ſpat.
§ 131.
TERRA SILICEA (ſiliceous earth), united to _magneſia_, mild _calcareous_ earth, _fluor ſpar_ and alſo to the _calxes_ of _copper_ and _iron_. Chryſopraſius. I have not examined this, but inſert it upon the experiments of Mr. Achard.
To determine accurately the ſpecies of earths is the moſt difficult part of mineralogy, for innumerable analyſes yet remain to be made. But that which now ſeems intricate and obſcure will become plain and eaſy when experiments have been ſufficiently multiplied.
CLASS III. INFLAMMABLES, OR BITUMINA.
§ 132.
To this head we refer all foſſils containing phlogiſton in ſuch great abundance, that under proper management they are inflammable. The Genera are obviouſly very few, and accurately ſpeaking there is only one Genus. But ſince phlogiſton is so very ſubtle as not by itſelf to become the object of our ſenſes, it will perhaps be adviſeable to conſider its more ſimple combinations as Genera: this has long been done ſo far as reſpects the metals, by univerſal conſent.
SULPHUR.
§ 133.
This name may be given to any acid coagulated by phlogiſton into a ſolid form. If all metals conſist of certain radical acids ſaturated with phlogiſton, as is highly probable, and with reſpect to arſenic is indubitably proved; then metals ought to find a place here. But until this theory be eſtabliſhed by numerous experiments, we ſhall only rank under this head the compounds which have not a metallic nature.
§ 134.
PHLOGISTON ſaturated with _vitriolic acid_.
CRONSTEDT, Min. § 151. _Common Brimſtone._ Sulphur.
§ 135.
PHLOGISTON ſaturated with _aerial acid_.
CRONSTEDT Min. § 154. A. _plumbago_. Black-lead.
The true compoſition of this has been detected by Mr. SCHEELE.
§ 136.
PHLOGISTON united to the _acid_ of _vitriol_ and of _molybdæna_; or what amounts to the ſame, ſulphur joined to the acid of molybdæna.
CRONSTEDT Min. § 154. b. c. _Molybdæna._ Molybdæna.
The acid of molybdæna has never yet been obtained quite free from phlogiſton (§ 32). If this acid be of a metallic origin, molybdæna is a mineralized metallic ſubſtance, and ſhould be placed with the other minerals.
PETROLEUM.
§ 137.
Phlogiston occurs alſo in the foſſil kingdom, combined in an oily form; but many ſuppose this derived from the vegetable kingdom.
§ 138.
PETROLEUM pure and ſelected.
CRONSTEDT Min. §§ 147–150. Naptha. Rock oil.
§ 139.
PETROLEUM joined to _argillaceous_ earth.
CRONSTEDT Min. §§ 157–160. _Lithantrax._ Pit Coal.
§ 140.
PETROLEUM united to _acid_ of _amber_.
CRONSTEDT Min. §§ 133–146. _Succinum._ Amber.
Many contend that amber has a vegetable origin; but as the point is not very well determined; and as it is found amongſt foſſils, I ſtill retain it here.
§ 141.
AMBERGRISE, according to the aſſertion of Mr. AUBLETT, is nothing more than the juice of a tree inſpiſſated by evaporation into a concrete form. This tree grows in Guyana, and is called Cuma, but has not been inveſtigated by any botaniſt. Pieces of this tree are ſaid to be carried down into the rivers by heavy rains, and the ſpecimens examined by Mr. ROUELLE had the odour and principal qualities of amber[50]. RUMPHIUS, long ſince, mentioned a tree called Nanarium, whoſe juice reſembled amber[51].
DIAMOND.
§ 142.
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.
§ 143.
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. │ │ │ │ Attraction METALS. │ │ Specific Melting Saturating to │ │ Gravity. Heat[55]. Phlogiſton. 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.
§ 144.
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.
§ 145.
AURUM _nativum_ (gold native) united to _ſilver_.
Native.
I do not know that gold has ever yet been found perfectly pure.
§ 146.
AURUM _nativum_ (gold native) united to _copper_.
Native.
§ 147.
AURUM _nativum_ (gold native) united to _ſilver_ and _copper_.
Native.
§ 148.
AURUM _nativum_ (gold native) united to _ſilver_, _copper_, and _iron_.
Native.
§ 149.
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].
§ 150.
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.
§ 151.
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.
§ 152.
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.
§ 153.
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.
§ 154.
ARGENTUM _nativum_ (ſilver native) united to _gold_. Native.
§ 155.
ARGENTUM _nativum_ (ſilver native), united to _copper_. Native.
§ 156.
ARGENTUM _nativum_ (ſilver native), united both to _gold_ and _copper_. Native.
§ 157.
ARGENTUM _nativum_ (ſilver native), united to _iron_. Native.
§ 158.
ARGENTUM _nativum_ (ſilver native), united to _arſenic_. Native.
The arſenic hardly exceeds ⁶⁄₁₀₀.
§ 159.
ARGENTUM _nativum_ (ſilver native), united to _antimony_. Native.
When melted, it ſmokes but has no ſmell of arſenic.
§ 160.
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.
§ 161.
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.
§ 162.
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.
§ 163.
ARGENTUM (ſilver), mineralized by ſulphur. Glaſſy.
CRONSTEDT Min. § 169. _Minera argenti vitrea._
It ſometimes contains ⁷³⁄₁₀₀ of ſilver, or more.
§ 164.
ARGENTUM (ſilver), mineralized by _ſulphur_ and _iron_. Marcaſitical.
CRONSTEDT Min. § 176, 10. _Pyrites argenteus._
§ 165.
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.
§ 166.
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.
§ 167.
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?
§ 168.
ARGENTUM (ſilver), mineralized by _ſulphur_, _arſenic_, _iron_ and _cobalt_.
The ſilver is ſometimes more than ⁵⁰⁄₁₀₀.
§ 169.
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.
§ 170.
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.
§ 171.
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.
§ 172.
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.
§ 173.
HYDRARGYRUM _nativum_ (quickſilver native). Native.
CRONSTEDT Min. § 217.
Whether it be entirely free from every metallic contamination I have not yet tried.
§ 174.
HYDRARGYRUM (quickſilver), united to _ſilver_. Amalgamated.
CRONSTEDT Min. § 217.
§ 175.
HYDRARGYRUM (quickſilver), mineralized by _muriatic_ and _vitriolic_ acids. Hornlike.
Mineralogy owes the diſcovery of this to Mr. WOULFE. Phil. Tranſ.
§ 176.
HYDRARGYRUM (quickſilver), mineralized by _ſulphur_. Cinnabarine.
CRONSTEDT Min. § 218. _Cinnabaris._
§ 177.
HYDRARGYRUM (quickſilver), mineralized by _ſulphur_ and _iron_. Martial.
I am doubtful whether this be a diſtinct ſpecies. The iron perhaps is only mechanically diffuſed.
§ 178.
HYDRARGYRUM (quickſilver), mineralized by _ſulphur_ and _copper_. Cuprous.
CRONSTEDT Min. § 219.
PLUMBUM, OR LEAD.
§ 179.
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.
§ 180.
PLUMBUM _nativum_ (lead), though many mineralogiſts doubt whether it has ever yet been found. Native.
§ 181.
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.
§ 181*.
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.
§ 182.
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.
§ 183.
PLUMBUM (lead), mineralized by the _aerial_ acid. Aerated.
CRONSTEDT Min. § 185.
It efferveſces with acids, and is readily reduced upon charcoal[67].
§ 184.
PLUMBUM (lead), mineralized by _ſulphur_. Sulphurated.
CRONSTEDT Min. § 187.
§ 185.
PLUMBUM (lead), mineralized by _ſulphur_ and _ſilver_. Galena.
CRONSTEDT Min. § 188.
§ 186.
PLUMBUM (lead), mineralized _ſulphur_, with _ſilver_ and _iron_.
CRONSTEDT Min. § 189.
§ 187.
PLUMBUM (lead), mineralized by _ſulphur_, with _ſilver_ and _antimony_. Radiated.
CRONSTEDT Min. § 190.
CUPRUM, OR COPPER.
§ 188.
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.
§ 189.
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.
§ 190.
CUPRUM _calciforme_ (copper), ſimply deprived of its phlogiſton. Calciform.
CRONSTEDT Min. § 195.
§ 191.
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].
§ 192.
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].
§ 193.
CUPRUM (copper), mineralized by _ſulphur_. Vitreous.
CRONSTEDT, Min. § 197. _Minera cupri vitrea_; a common, but improper name.
It generally contains ſome alloy of iron.
§ 194.
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.
§ 195.
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.
§ 196.
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.
§ 197.
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.
§ 198.
FERRUM _nativum_ (iron) _native_. Native.