1815.] Astronomical and Magnelicul Observations. 65 



phosphorus placed in contact with it. They melted together in a 

 few seconds. 34 parts of nickel thus treated increased in weight 

 five parts; so that 100 nickel had combined with 15 phosphorus. 

 The button externally was tin-white, and had the metallic lustre. 

 It was moderately hard, and very brittle. Its fracture was foliated 

 and crystalline, partly dull, and partly with tiie metallic lustre. Its 

 magnetism was gone. 



9. Nickel and Sulphur 



Easily united together, when treated in the sarne way as the 

 nickel and phosphorus had been. Externally the button was dull, 

 swelled, and grey in colour. Its magnetism likewise was gone. 20 

 parts of nickel had taken up two parts of sulphur ; so that 100 of 

 the metal combine with 10. The mass was elastic, not very hard, 

 the fracture uneven, and the colour yellowish-white, similar to that 

 of native copper nickel ore. 



10. From these experiments we learn, 



a. The readiness with which nickel and platinum unite together. 



Ij. Tlie little affinity between silver and nickel, as the silver 

 rather combines with oxygen and is dissipated, than remains united 

 to the nickel. 



c. The singular effect of combining it with copper, in which we 

 see two malleable metals produce a brittle alloy. 



d. The permanence of the magnetism of nickel when it is alloyed 

 with gold and platinum. 



e. Its complete destruction when nickel is alloyed with copper. 

 y. Its diminution wlien nickel is alloyed with iion. 



Perhaps a farther prosecution of these experiments might have a 

 tendency to throw some light upon magnetism. At present 1 lay 

 aside all hypotheses, and satisfy myself with stating simple facts. 



Article IV. 

 Magnetlcal Ohservations at HacJaiey IPlck. By Col. Beaufoy. 



Latitude, 51° 32' 403" North. Longitude West in Time 6"-^. 



1814. 



