Smith — Ancient Irish Gold and Silver Ornaments. 741 



the torque, and the only specimens examined." He further remarks 

 that " they do not differ much from the composition of the ' electrum ' 

 of the ancients as given by Pliny and others." ^ 



When we bear in mind the fact that these three " torques " were 

 obtained at totally different times, and from different localities, it is 

 not a little remarkable that they should agree so closely in composition. 



The results of the analyses of two gold rings, ^ supposed to be 

 Celtic ring-money, examined by Mr. Mallet, are also of interest in 

 relation to this question. 



The results are as follows : — 





No. 7. 



No. 8. 



Gold, per cent., 



. 86-72 



85-62 



Silver, ,, 



. 12-14 



12-79 



Copper, „ 



. 1-16 



1-47 



Lead, ,, 



. traces. 



— 



Iron, „ 



. traces. 



— 





100-02 



99-88 



Fineness in carats, . . 20-81 19-55 



Specific gravity, . . 17-258 16-896 



iN'umber 7 was a gold wire, three-quarters of an inch long and 

 one-eighth of an inch in diameter, bent into a circle, with the ends 

 quite close. 



ISTumber 8 was a little larger than Number 7, but composed of 

 thinner wire. 



It not only appears more than probable that the early Irish gold- 

 workers possessed the knowledge of preparing alloys of somewhat 

 definite composition, but that they were also familiar with the fact 

 that by the addition of copper to gold a series of alloys can be pro- 

 duced which become harder as the percentage of copper is increased. 

 This is indicated by the fact that the " armlet," which being worn on 

 the arm or wrist, would be subjected to more friction and wear than 

 the torques, contains 11-6 per cent, of copper, while the torques and 

 similar articles only contain sufficient copper to harden or " stiffen " 

 the gold, and thus help them to retain their original shapes. 



^ "TJbieunque quinta argenti portio est, electrum vocatur." — Plinii Hist. Nat. 

 lib. xxxiii., c. 4. "Alia (species electri) ex paitibus auri tribus et una argenti 

 conflatur." — Margerit. Philos., 1523. 



^ For further details respecting the analyses see his Memoir. Trans. Royal 

 Irish Acad., vol. xxii., p. 316. 



