Chemical Science. 413 



always transversely, probably because it cannot follow the rapid 

 contraction of the metal. Equal parts of zinc and bismuth fuse at a 

 point below the fusion of bismuth ; in cooling they separate, on 

 account of the greater weight of the bismuth. 



v. Bismuth and Tin. Equal parts of both, present the same phe- 

 nomena as pure bismuth. 



vi. Equal parts of Bismuth and Lead, on the contrary, do not 

 expand; and even if the quantity of bismuth is several times that of 

 lead, there is but a slight increase in bulk. In B L 1 the bismuth 

 seems to have almost recovered its expanding force. 



vii. Bismuth, Tin, and Lead. The alloy B 2 T l L 1 is known for 

 its great fusibility, the point of fusion being below 180 F. On be- 

 coming solid, the surface is rather depressed, and the mass seems 

 accordingly to contract ; and in most cases, however, the thermo- 

 meter tubes burst longitudinally a long time after the mass has be- 

 come solid. The tin seems, accordingly, under these circumstances, 

 to overbalance the equalizing force of lead. 



The following table shows the volume of this alloy, according to 

 the experiments of M. Erman *. 





The alloy B 2 L 1 T l did not exhibit the phenomena of expansion. 



viii. Bismuth and Copper. If the quantity of bismuth is twice 

 that of the copper, the expansion takes place a considerable time 

 after congelation; but if the copper forms only the fifth part of the 

 alloy, it is observed during, and immediately after, its becoming 

 solid. 



ix. Bismuth and Mercury does not seem to expand. 



x. Equal parts of Bismuth and Silver do not increase in bulk ; 

 but if the bismuth is twice the quantity of silver, the expansion is 

 very evident. 



xi. Phosphorus could be made to unite with bismuth in small 

 quantities only, and the expansive power of the metal was not altered 

 by it; in the combination of sulphur and bismuth, however, the ex- 

 pansion seems to be considerably increased, almost to the fourth 

 part of the mass. Professor Marx tried the combination of sulphur 

 with several other metals, but without obtaining any similar result. 

 This peculiarity of the mixture of bismuth with sulphur, and the 

 known fact that fused sulphur at an increased heat becomes viscous, 

 and then fluid again, led Professor Marx to make some experiments 

 on sulphur alone, the result of which was, that contrary to bismuth 



* 32R. = 104F. 80R. = 212F. 4R. = 9F. 

 VOL. I. FEB. 1831. 2 E 



