Chap. 16.] 



CHAP. XXVI. 



ANTIMONY. 



Natural Hiftory of Antimony. Regulus. Snow of Antimony. Calci- 

 nation of Antimony. Combinations with Acids; Butter of Anti- 

 mony. Antimonial Wine. Ufes of Antimony in Medicine* Flares, 

 Antimonii. Glafs cf Antimony. Crocus of Antimony. Sulphur of 

 Aatifitsny. Tartar Emetic. James's Pov:der. 



>nr^HE fubftance, which is commonly known by 

 JL the name of antimony, is a combination of that 

 metal with fulphur. This mineral is of a blackifh 

 grey, in brittle plates or needles, of various magni- 

 tudes, joined together in different forms. It is fome- 

 times mixed with other metals, particularly lead and 

 iron, and is very common . in Hungary, and in fome 

 of the provinces of France. From this ore the re- 

 gulus of antimony is feparated by fufion. The anti- 

 mony then forms a mafs of metal at the bottom of 

 the veflel, while the other matter becomes a fcoria 

 above it. 



The appearance of antimony is bright, approaching, 

 when very fine, to that of filver. It is very brittle, 

 and it is compofed of oblong plates or laminse. When 

 melted it forms a fmooth mafs like other metals, but 

 upon breaking it, we find -the plated appearance on 

 the infide. The plated appearance depends on the 

 cryflallization, which begins at the part that firft 

 congeals. The regulus of antimony, which is prepared 

 for commercial purpofes, is cad into flat and circular 

 pieces, which have a cryftallization on" their furface, in 

 the form of the leaves of fern. 



Jn fufibility antimony holds a middle rank, re- 



quiring 



