186 THE MINERAL KINGDOM. 



LESSON XLIII. 



METALS THEIR PROPERTIES THEIR USEFULNESS. 



METALS form one of the most important parts 

 of the mineral kingdom. They are found in the 

 earth, lying in veins, or narrow beds, generally in 

 fissures of the rock. Sometimes they are nearly 

 pure, but more commonly mixed with other mine- 

 ral bodies, and in this state are called ores^ as 

 lead-ore/iron-ore, and copper-ore. 



Metals are the heaviest bodies with which we 

 are acquainted. This may be easily found by taking 

 a piece of iron and a piece of stone, or any other 

 substance of the same size, in each hand ; they are 

 also lustrous or shining, often sonorous, and can 

 be bent without breaking. 



Some of the metals, as gold and silver, more 

 particularly, may be extended or drawn into very 



