468 



grains, equivalent, according to the estimate of Berzelius, to 

 85*232 grains of metallic copper. 



" In another analysis of the same celt, I confirmed the 

 foregoing result by a different proceeding, which was as fol- 

 lows : 100 grains of the metal having been dissolved in nitric 

 acid, and freed from tin and lead as before, the solution of 

 nitrate of copper was precipitated by an excess of pure pot- 

 ash. By boiling the mixture, the peroxide of copper resulted, 

 and this was boiled with repeated affusions of distilled water. 

 The washings were evaporated to a small quantity, and thus 

 a little more peroxide of copper was obtained. The whole 

 product was filtered and dried. The filter was carefully 

 burned on a saucer, the peroxide was heated red-hot for five 

 minutes, and, after deducting the known weight of the ashes 

 of the filter, the weight of the peroxide was ascertained to be 

 0*41 less than by the former method ; but I rely more on the 

 former estimate. 



" Directed by some preliminary experiments on the celt 

 metal, I dissolved 100 grains in two ounces by measure of 

 pure muriatic acid, mixed with one-eighth of pure nitric acid, 

 over a lamp-heat. A black powder was separated, which, 

 when dried and thrown on a plate of platinum, maintained at 

 a red heat over a spirit-lamp, burned with the characteristic 

 blue flame of sulphur, in the midst of which could be dis- 

 covered a few sparkles of burning charcoal. The sulphur had 

 not been discovered in the former analysis, because the nitric 

 acid being concentrated acidified it. The weight of this black 

 powder was but 0*15 grain. Although I sought for traces of 

 gold under the supposition that the celt might have been gilt, 

 as some persons supposed, I could not obtain any distinct 

 evidence of the presence of that metal. 



" I next proceeded to the analysis of the horn, and con- 

 ducted it with the same care. It is unnecessary to say any- 

 thing more on the subject than to state the result of the two 

 analyses. The celt consisted of — 



