[508] I explain the passage in this manner, but I acknowledge that difficulties still remain. I have however thought that it might perhaps be thus understood; that in the process of fusion, as then used, the _galena_ formed the third part of the weight of the ore or paste, and lead a third part of the _galena_; though I doubt whether the products of metallic works were then so accurately weighed. I shall leave the reader to determine whether the two explanations of Savot are better. He supposes either that Pliny gives three ways of obtaining lead, namely, from lead ore, argentiferous ore, and _galena_; or that he says that silver forms a third, lead a third, and slag the remaining third. But if the first opinion be correct, why did Pliny say “Plumbi origo duplex?” [509] Bermannus, pp. 450, 485. [510] De Re Metallica, lib. iii. Franc. (1551), 8vo. [511] De Metallis, cap. 22. Franc. 1606, fol. i. p. 322. [512] Discours sur les médailles antiques par Louis Savot. Paris, 1627, 4to, ii. 2, p. 48. This work contains valuable information in regard to the mineralogy of the ancients. [513] In Aldrovandi Musæum Metallicum. Bonon. 1648, fol. p. 181. [514] J. Jungii Doxoscopia, Hamb. 1662, cap. 5, _de metalli speciebus_. [515] I shall here point out a few passages where such vessels are mentioned. Dioscorides, ii. 84, p. 109.--Plin. xxix. 2, § 20; xxx. 5, § 12, and xxx. 7, § 19.--Columella, xii. 41.--Vegetius, i. 16.--Scribonius Largus Composit. Med. Patavii, 1655, 4to, § 230. [516] Sueton. Vitell. 6, p. 192; where it is said tin, which was of a white colour, was to serve instead of silver. [517] In the work already quoted, i. cap. 32, p. 64: “Vides stannum Plinio esse quiddam de plumbo nigro, nempe primum fluorem plumbi nigri;” so that when our lead ore is fused, the first part that flows would be the _stannum_ of Pliny. “Et hoc docet Plinius adulterari plumbo candido;” with our tin, and properly considered the _stannum_ of Pliny is merely our _halbwerk_, of which those cans called _halbwerk_ are made. Entzel deserves that I should here revive the remembrance of him. He was a native of Salfeld; preacher, _pastor Osterhusensis_, and a friend of Melancthon, who recommended the book for publication to Egenholf, a bookseller of Frankfort, in a letter dated 1551, in which year it was first printed. It was reprinted at the same place in 1557, and at Basle in 1555, 8vo. [518] The French letter-founders take four-fifths of lead and one-fifth regulus of antimony; those of Berlin use eleven pounds of antimony, twenty-five of lead, and five of iron. Many add also tin, copper, and brass. [Those of England use three parts of lead and one of antimony.] [519] Von Hutten-werken, p. 376.