MAGNETIC CHARACTER OF METALS, &c. 667 
that the magnetic actions displayed by the coinage 
are traceable to the presence of iron. 
63. It has already been stated (42) that the 
magnetic action of nickel is considerably neutra- 
lized when combined with zinc and copper in the 
alloy constituting German silver. Since that part 
of this memoir was read before this society, I have 
had an opportunity of alloying nickel with zine 
alone, and have ascertained than when the zinc is 
about eight or ten times the quantity of nickel, 
the alloy is perfectly neutral to the magnet. This 
alloy has a zine-coloured fracture, and partially 
crystallized in the manner of zinc; but it is ex- 
tremely brittle and easily pulverized in a mortar. 
64. Nickel and antimony combine with facility 
and in an extraordinary manner. If two pieces 
of the metals, one of each, be placed side by side 
in the crucible, so as to touch one another, espe- 
cially at their upper ends, the moment the antimony 
assumes a dull red heat, even a lower heat than 
that which commences its fusion when alone, the 
nickel bursts out into a fine scarlet glow, fuses 
and spreads over the antimony in a beautiful fluid 
state, and insinuates itself into the pores of that 
metal, rendering the whole mass soft like paste or 
butter. If, whilst in this state, the crucible be 
