498 THE RARER METALS AND THEIR ALLOYS. 



temperature could uot have exceeded 1,000° C. ; for we are told that the 

 golden rose worn by the artiste who shared the soldier's fate was also 

 found unmelted. The main point is, however, that the presence of one 

 of the rarer metals must have endowed the soldier with his singular 

 endurance, and in the end left an incorruptible record of him. 



This incident has been taken as the starting point of the lecture, 

 because we shall see that the ordinary metals so often owe remarkable 

 qualities to the presence of a rarer metal which fits them for special 

 work. 



This early love of metals is implanted in us as part of our "unsquan- 

 dered heritage of sentiments and ideals which has come down to us 

 from other ages," but future generations of children will know far more 

 than we did ; for the attempt will be made to teach them that even 

 psychology is a branch of molecular physics, and they will therefore 

 see much more in the melted toy than a shapeless mass of tin and lead. 

 It is really not an inert thing: for some time after it was newly cast it 

 was the scene of intense molecular activity. It probably is never 

 molecularly quiescent, and a slight elevation of temperature will excite 

 in it rapid atomic movement anew. The nature of such movement I 

 have indicated on previous occasions when, as now, I have tried to 

 interest you in certain properties of metals and alloys. 



This evening I appeal incidentally to higher feelings than interest 

 by bringing before you certain phases in the life history of metals 

 which may lead you to a generous appreciation of the many excellent 

 qualities they possess. 



Metals ha\e been sadly misunderstood. In the belief that animate 

 beings are more interesting, experimenters have neglected metals, while 

 no form of matter in which life can be recognized is thought to be 

 too humble to receive encouragement. Thus it is that bacteria, with 

 repulsive attributes and criminal instincts, are petted and watched 

 with solicitude, and comprehensive schemes are submitted to the Eoyal 

 Society for their devolopment, culture, and even for their "education," 1 

 which may, it is true, ultimately make them useful metallurgical agents, 

 as certain micro-organisms have already proved their ability to pro- 

 duce arseniuretted hydrogen from oxide of arsenic. 2 



It will not be difficult to show that methods which have proved so 

 fruitful in results when applied to the study of living things are sin- 

 gularly applicable to metals and alloys, which really present close 

 analogies to living organisms. This must be a new view to many, and 

 it may be said, "it is well known that uneducated races tend to per- 

 sonify or animate external nature," and it is strange, therefore, to 

 attempt, before a cultured audience, to trace analogies which must 

 appear to be remote between moving organisms and inert alloys, but 



1 Dr. Percy Frahkland especially refers to the "education" of bacilli for adapting 

 them to altered conditions. Roy. Soc. Proc, Vol. LVI, 1894, page 539. 

 - Dr. Brauner. Chem. News, Fel>. 15, 1895, page 79. 



