Nos. 1-6. Dr. George Wilson.
7-8. Dr. J. H. Gibbon, U.S. Mint.
9-10. Professor Davy.
11-18. Dr. Pearson, _Philosoph. Trans._ 1796.
19-24. J. A. Philips, _Mém. Chem. Soc._, iv. p. 288.
25, 26. Dr. Donovan, _Chem. Gazette_, 1850, p. 176.
27-38. Mr. J. W. Mallet, _Transactions R. I. A._ vol.
xxii. p. 325.
39. Mongez, _Mém. de l’Institut_.
40. Dr. E. Macadam, _Proceed. S. A. Scot._ viii. 300.
In No. 31 is also Cobalt, ·09; in No. 37, Antimony, ·04; and in
No. 41, Arsenic, ·03.
From the varied results which so many analyses disclose, ranging as they
do from 79 to 98 per cent. of copper; as well as from the diversity of
the ingredients: it is abundantly obvious that no greater uniformity is
traceable, than might be expected to result from the operations of
isolated metallurgists, very partially acquainted with the chemical
properties of the standard alloy, and guided for the most part by the
experience derived from successive results of their manufacture. It is
thus apparent that the various exigencies of the metallurgist, under the
control of a very ordinary amount of practical skill, would lead to the
determination of the best proportions for this useful alloy; though it
would only be after the accumulated fruits of isolated experiment had
been combined, that anything more than some crude approximation to the
best composition of bronze would be determined. Hence the value of
analytical evidence in determining the degree of civilisation of Mexico
and Peru, as indicated by their metallurgic arts. For the general
requirements of a tool, or weapon of war, where a sufficient hardness
must be obtained without any great liability to fracture, the best
proportions proved to be about 90 per cent. of copper to 10 of tin; or
with a small proportion of lead in lieu of part of the tin: which, as
further experience taught the primitive worker in bronze, communicates
to the cutting instrument a greater degree of toughness, and
consequently diminishes its liability to fracture. But where great
hardness is the chief requisite, as in certain engraving, carving, and
gem-cutting tools, the mere increase of tin in the alloy supplies the
requisite quality: until the excessive brittleness of the product gives
warning that the true limit has been exceeded. In this, I doubt not,
lies the whole secret of Mexican and Peruvian metallurgy, which has
seemed so mysterious, and therefore so marvellous to the most sagacious
inquirers.
The following table furnishes the results of analyses of various ancient
American bronzes. Few as the examples are, they afford definite
illustration of the subject under review, and supply some means of
comparison with the data already furnished relative to the ancient
bronzes of Europe.
ANALYSES OF ANCIENT AMERICAN BRONZES.
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