314 Proceedings. 
he quantity I had to operate upon amounted to 42 grains, which yielded, 
after a very careful analysis— 
JPR GO! Shdgnndscos ostaboeoegosdcoonD 33 grains. 
STMSULV OLY wesccetesiiceatonssier cassie. ssis Bin ss 
» Unknown metal..............0608 oy Ae 
» trace of iron and loss ......... Hains 
42 
‘‘ T then operated upon the same quantity of gold, viz., 42 grains, pro- 
cured at the Mount Alexander diggings, and which was also obtained by 
the party who brought it direct. The result was as follows :— 
TPS GONG! 55 cose sesocabeoooseeceine Haaeoon 39 grains. 
HARES RYEIRN doa saa soaade soa seaRmeaeaepe She Ds 
,, trace of iron and loss ...... .. if bles 
42 grains. 
“In both samples I detect iron, though in very minute quantities: 
copper was altogether absent. The wnknown metal, as met with in the 
Fingal gold, was a source of great annoyance to me in my operations: no 
sooner was a given quantity of that metal released than it formed a positive 
element, and, a galvanic current being thus set up, by the law which 
influences electrolytic action, was conveyed to the undissolved gold, which 
again formed the negative metal, and was soon covered with it, and so effec- 
tually as to put a stop to all further action. I was therefore compelled 
occasionally to take out of the solution the pieces of undissolved gold, and 
remove the spurious metal, which attached itself with so much firmness as 
to require considerable force. The small quantity I was thus enabled 
to collect I immersed in boiling concentrated nitric acid, but which had 
no action upon it whatever. Some two years ago I recollect dissolving 
some old gold which formed portions of broken up trinkets, and which 
constitutes the very worst description of gold, yielding a very small per 
centage indeed of the precious metal. On that occasion the baser metals, 
as they became free, were deposited just in the same way, costing much 
trouble, and creating no little vexation, in consequence of so much time 
unnecessarily taken up. 
‘‘ T forward for your inspection, and that of the members generally, the 
two samples of gold. You will have no difficulty in discovering both to be 
in a state of great purity, which may be exhibited to still greater advantage 
by simply pressing upon small portions of the samples by means of the 
blade of a clasp or other knife. 
“The relative value of the two specimens of gold is so apparent, that it 
behoves purchasers to ascertain first the fields from whence it was collected; 
for be assured the gold buyers in England will soon ascertain the richness 
of the one as compared with the other. 
“‘T am of opinion, however, that the gold of Fingal will not compensate 
the parties for working; notwithstanding, on this point, I know many will, 
and do, differ from me. 
“* My dear Sir, 
* Most faithfully yours, 
' « J. Milligan, Esq.” “ James Rytey Kenwortsy. 
