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Article XXXV. 

 On the Poison ^/^ Copper. 



[By the Same] 



Unde fames homini vetitorum tanu ciborum? 

 Audetis vefci) genus 6 mortale ! quod oroy 

 Ne facite; & monitis aminos advertlte noflris ! 



Ovid. Metam. xv. 13S. 



Properties of Copper, and its extenftve Union with 

 other Bodies. 



/^OPPER, in confequence of its du6lility and 

 ^^ fplendor, is well adapted to various purpofes 

 in metallurgy; but it is no lefs remarkable for its 

 folubility. It is liable to be adted upon by almoft 

 all faline and metallick. fubftances, and probably 

 for this reafon the ancient chemifts have given it 

 the whimfical name of Venusy confidering it as a 

 common proftitute to all other bodies. It readily 

 diflblves not only in every acid, but alfo in alkalies 

 both fixed and volatile, in neutral faline liquors, 

 and even in vegetable oils and animal fats, in con- 

 fequence of the latent acid which they contain. 



Copper when rubbed with a warm hand yields 



an unplcafant odour, and, when applied to the 



tongue, a naufeous tafte, Expofcd to a moift air, 



it contrails a grcenifti ruft; even pure water fufFcred 



C c 2 to 



