Proceedings, fyc. xlix 



presents another and still more difficult accomplishment in chemistry, 

 giving us a most splendid proof of the power of imitating a natural 

 production ! 



In the physical jjroperties of the metal produced from clay, we 

 are gratified to find that the most extraordinary qualities present 

 themselves. Aluminium is ductile and malleable, so as to merit 

 comparison with gold. It is also an excellent conductor of heat and 

 electricity, and is the lightest among malleable metals, its specific 

 gravity varying from 2"25 to 2-60. Its specific heat is considerable. 

 It is sonorous. Its strength, in reference to tenacity, has been 

 compared with that of iron. The chemical properties of this metal 

 are also remarkable. Though great difficulty exists in detaching 

 aluminium from oxygen when combined, and though it might be 

 reasonable to suppose that, in its metallic state, on coming in 

 contact with the air, and so with oxygen, that it would attract that 

 element with great readiness, still this is not the case. Aluminium 

 is not acted upon by any acids at ordinary temperature, except the 

 hydrochloric. Sulphuric acid does not attack it. 



As for the usefulness of aluminium, many and varied are the pur- 

 poses for which it will be adopted in the future. Suffice it here to 

 mention, that being not at all liable to rust or oxidise, a thin coating 

 of this metal on iron, the clean surface of which readily receives an 

 adhering plating, will result in many and important extensive im- 

 provements in the arts. 



Considering the lightness of this metal, when compared with silver, 

 to which it stands as only one -fourth of its weight, a commer- 

 cial benefit may be obtained, even at present. Dr. Percy observes 

 "that aluminium unites with most of the metals, and according to M. 

 Debray, ten parts of this metal with ninety of iron produce a com- 

 pound having a greater hardness than bronze, and at the same time, 

 when heated, possesses greater malleability than the best iron."* 



In here repeating the questio vexata, " is it a physical probability 

 that an serial navigation may, in some future day, be arrived at, and 

 an aerial vessel steered through the atmosphere 1 " we discern how 

 this metal from clay may perhaps become the means for accomplish- 

 ing the greatest enterprise ever attempted by the indefatigable intel- 

 ligence of man — by man in a higher state of culture. 



Thus we perceive how the first promoter of civilisation in the 

 past, offers its aid for the future, and so has been and will be of 

 the greatest influence, even presenting the means for traversing the 

 light element by which we are surrounded. 



* The chemical productions of aluminium are very interesting and im- 

 portant ; but space does not permit me here to refer to them, or to the many 

 improvements social ljfe will, at some future day, obtain from this most 

 extensively useful substance, whether viewed as the metal aluminium or 

 admired in the beauty of the ruby and sapphire, or the iitility of the crucible, 

 or the many applications of china ware. 



