190 IRON COPPER. 



and abundantly in the United States. In no 

 country is it more valuable than in our own, be- 

 cause we have coal and mechanical contrivances for 

 procuring it, and turning it into a useful shape. 



The loadstone, or natural magnet, is an ore of 

 iron. This possesses very curious properties, 

 and is capable of transferring them to any piece 

 of iron or steel on which it is rubbed. Artificial 

 magnets made in this manner are very common, 

 and it is highly curious to watch how they attract 

 or draw towards them needles, penknives, and 

 other things made of iron, and to feel how fast 

 they hold them. One of the most singular and 

 valuable properties, however, of the magnet is, 

 that when properly prepared and nicely balanced, 

 one end always points to the north. The needle 

 contained in the mariner's compass is an artificial 

 magnet, and by its help ships can be steered over 

 the widest seas. 



' The iron-trade has long been one of the staple 

 trades of our country, and employs a numerous 

 body of labourers and artisans. Nearly a million 

 tons are also annually made in Great Britain, some 

 part of which is exported, but by far the greatest 

 portion is used amongst themselves. They 

 send almost two millions' worth of hardware 

 and cutlery to other countries every year. 



Copper is another metal which is applied to many 

 useful and domestic purposes; boilers, kettles, and 

 pans being made from it. Brass is a compound 

 metal, consisting of copper and another metallic 



