32 On the supposed new Metat discovered in Platina* \ 



by a subsequent application of heat has yet caught the at- 

 tention of any other person. 



Among many other experiments that may be suggested 

 to compare and explore the nature of these two metals, the 

 two following, forming, as it were, reciprocal proots > natu- 

 rally present themselves to our notice : 



1st, To observe whether the new metal gives a blue co- 

 lour when fluxed with phosphates and phosphoric acid, and 

 if it be in the same degree of intensity as is produced by 

 tungsten. That tungsten has this property has, I believe, 

 been mentioned only by Klaproth, whose accuracy cannot 

 be questioned. 



2d, The next is to form an alloy with pure platina and 

 tungsten, and, from its solution in nitromuriatic acid, en- 

 deavour to obtain the same red precipitate which so point- 

 edly characterizes the new metal when so combined. 



It is perhaps solely to the admixture of this new metal 

 we should ascribe the present imperfection of platina, that 

 crucibles formed of the latter are liable to be abraded bv al- 

 kalies ; a circumstance first noticed, I think, by Mr. Che- 

 nevix. That this is really the truth, admits, I apprehend, 

 of very little doubt ; for it has already been observed {Ann. 

 de Chimie, no. 143. p. 185), that from the malleable platina, 

 purified by Jannety and Neker Saussure, as much of the 

 black powder or new metal was obtained as if the same 

 proportion of crude platina had been employed. This fact 

 has since been partly confirmed in a note in the last Philo- 

 sophical Journal. \ 



How far this imperfection of platina may in future be 

 obviated by subtracting this new metal, still remains to be 

 ascertained ; we may, however, reasonably expect, that, be- 

 sides making a complete cure of this defect, the nature and 

 properties of this very singular substance must put on such 

 a change of dress as to render a revision and new arrange- 

 ment of the whole history of platina absolutely necessary. 



With much esteem I remain, sir, 



Your obedient servant, 



Jos. Hume* 



Lonr: Acre, ^ 



June u, 1804. 



vr. Ex- 



