56 Mr. W. Crookes on the Discovery of the Metal Thallium. 



any abundant source of thallium, my scanty store proved too 

 limited for dividing into more than three portions. Consequently 

 I was only able to prepare specimens of the metal itself, of its oxide 

 and sulphide. These were displayed, at the opening of the Ex- 

 hibition on May 1, 1862, in a case with the label " Thallium, a 

 new metallic element , discovered by means of spectrum analysis" 

 and with a card on which was written i( Chemical reactions of 

 thallium, by which it is distinguished from every other known ele- 

 ment. It appears to have the character of a heavy metal, forming 

 compounds which are volatile below a red heat. It is reduced from its 

 acid solutions by sine in the form of a dense black powder, difficultly 

 soluble in hydrochloric acid, readily soluble in nitric acid," fyc. 



On the 7th of June following, being at the Exhibition, I learnt 

 from Mr. Quin that a M. Lamy had just been to him, in com- 

 pany with M. Balard, and shown him an ingot of thallium. He 

 had taken them to my case (Class II. No. 634) and translated to 

 them the labels, whereupon M. Lamy remarked that the sub- 

 stance exhibited by me as thallium was not the metal but its 

 sulphide*. 



Two days afterwards, the 9th of June, I was introduced to 

 M. Lamy at Dr. Hofmann's house, and on that occasion first 

 saw the ingot of thallium described to me by Mr. Quin. Our 

 intercourse was, however, confined to a few complimentary 

 phrases, since M. Lamy could not speak a word of Euglish, and 

 my ability to converse in French was very limited. But it 

 became evident to me that M. Lamy was working diligently on 

 the same subject that had occupied my attention during the past 

 year, and that it was necessary for me to take immediate steps 

 to make known the results I had obtained, without waiting, as I 

 had intended, until the investigation was complete. 



* "9 Cowley Place, Cowley Road, North Brixton, S., 



May 13, 1863. 

 "My dear Sir, — The circumstances of my interview with M. Lamy are 

 as follow : — 



" M. Lamy, in company with M. Balard, called on me at my office at the 

 Exhibition on the 7th of June last and showed me an ingot of thallium. 

 I took them both to your case and showed them your specimens, particu- 

 larly pointing out the one marked metallic thallium, and translating the 

 label to them. There can be therefore no possible doubt of M. Lamy 

 having seen your case containing thallium described as a metallic body long 

 before you could have been aware either of his presence in England, or of 

 his having made the same discovery as yourself. 

 "I am, dear Sir, 



" Yours very faithfully, 



"C. W. Quin, 

 " Ex-Superintendent of Classes 2, 3, and 4, 

 " W. CrooJces, Esq., International Exhibition, 1862." 



SfC &fc." 



