Chemical Properties attributed to Light. 97 



been soaked in a diluted solution of oxi-muriate of 

 gold did not at first acquire a metallic appearance on 

 being exposed in water to the action of the sun's rays ; 

 but I found, on examining one of these slips after it 

 had been laid by for several months, that its surface 

 was slightly gilded. 



I think it highly probable that means may be devised 

 for expediting this process, and gilding ivory and per- 

 haps some other substances in this way, which would 

 be a valuable acquisition to the arts. 



This method of silvering ivory, which is not only 

 expeditious, but very economical, might no doubt be 

 employed with advantage in many cases for ornamen- 

 tal purposes. The process is certainly curious, when 

 considered merely as a philosophical experiment ; and 

 I know of no experiment by which the visible and 

 permanent effects produced by light, without appar- 

 ent heat, can be so expeditiously and so distinctly 

 exhibited. 



[This paper is printed from Rumford's Philosophical Papers, Vol. I., 

 pp. 341-365-] 



