Chap. 24.] THE FIRST STATUES OF GOLD. 105 



of the orpiment itself was no more than four denarii per pound. 

 Since his time, the experiment has never been repeated. 



CHAP. 23. — ELECTBUM. 



In alP' gold ore there is some silver, in varying proportions ; 

 a tenth part in some instances, an eighth in others. In one 

 mine, and that only, the one known as the mine of Albucrara, 

 in GaUaecia,^^ the proportion of silver is but one thirty-sixth : 

 hence it is that the ore of this mine is so much more valuable 

 than that of others. Whenever the proportion of silver is one- 

 fifth, the ore is known also by the name of '' electrum ;"^^ grains, 

 too, of this metal are often found in the gold known as **canali- 

 ense."^° An artificial®^ electrum, too, is made, by mixing 

 silver with gold. If the proportion of silver exceeds one-fifth, 

 the metal offers no resistance on the anvil. 



Electrum, too, was highly esteemed in ancient times, as we 

 learn from the testimony of Homer, who represents^" the palace 

 of Menelaiis as refulgent with gold and electrum, silver and 

 ivory. At Lindos, in the island of Hhodes, there is a temple 

 dedicated to Minerva, in which there is a goblet of electrum, 

 consecrated by Helena : history states also that it was moulded 

 after the proportions of her bosom. One peculiar advantage 

 of electrum is, its superior brilliancy to silver by lamp-light. 

 IsTative electrum has also the property of detecting poisons ; 

 for in such case, semicircles, resembling the rainbow in appear- 

 ance, will form upon the surface of the goblet, and emit a 

 crackling noise, like that of flame, thus givng a twofold indica- 

 tion of the presence of poison.^^ 



CHAP. 24. THE FIRST STATUES OF GOLD. 



The first statue of massive gold, without any hollowness 

 within, and anterior to any of those statues of bronze even, 

 which are known as " holosphyratae,"^ is said to have been 



5"' This is almost, but not quite, universally the case. 



58 In Spain. See B. iii. c. 4, B. iv. c. 34, and B. ix. c. 2. The locality 

 alluded to is now unknown. 



59 A name also given by the ancients to amber. Artificial " electrum," 

 or gold alloyed with silver, was known in the most ancient times. 



^^ The gold found by sinking shafts. See Chapter 21. 

 " See B. ix. c. 65. 62 od. B. iv. 1. 71. 



63 Pliny no doubt has been imposed upon in this instance. 

 6^ " Solid hammer- work,"in opposition to works in metid, cast and hollow 

 within. 



