ANTIMONY. 393 



phide of iron. The impure metallic antimony thus freed is then subjected 

 to fusion with small quantities of sulphate of soda and slag from the 

 first process. The product of this second operation — called bowl 

 antimony, from' the shape in which it is cast, is finally smelted with 

 pearl-ash and slag, in order to obtain the best regulus, or star antimony, — 

 so named from a singular surface crystallisation, in the form of a star, 

 common to some metals, but in a marked degree to antimony. Another, 

 and, I believe, the Continental process for procuring regulus of anti- 

 mony, is by carefully roasting the ore, to expel the sulphur, in an open 

 furnace until grey oxide of antimony alone remains. The oxide is then 

 mixed with one-tenth of its weight of crude tartar, and reduced in large 

 earthenware crucibles in a wind furnace. 



Metallic antimony, or regulus, is of a bluish or silvery-white colour, 

 is laminated in structure, possesses some tenacity, but no ductility whatever. 

 Sp. gr. 6-712, or thereabout ; atomic weight, 64 ; principal property, that of 

 hardening metals — hence its use as an alloy. Fuses at 810 deg. Fahr. The 

 presence of antimony in minute portions affects the ductility, of some 

 metals to a most serious extent, and even the fumes of antimony in the 

 vicinity of melted gold will destroy its malleability. Copper likewise 

 receives material injury from antimony, even though the quantity be 

 so infinitesimal as not to be discoverable by assay. 



Eegulus of antimony is principally employed in metallic alloys, as 

 type-metal, which consists of 



9 Lead, and 1 Antimony, 



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" n a *■ » 



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according to the size and nature of the type required. A mixture of tin 

 and antimony composes the plates on which music is engraved. Some 

 kinds of pewter, especially that used in the manufacture of plates and 

 dishes, contain antimony. Large quantities of antimony are also used 

 in the production of Britannia metal — as much as 1 per cent, in some 

 cases. A mixture of tin and antimony, called anti-friction metal, has 

 been used of late for railway axles and other bearings, also in metallic 

 rings or collars : the name arises from the supposition that it is not so 

 easily heated as other alloys, and less grease is required. Shot for cannon 

 made of antimony, either " hard and brittle, or tough," were introduced to 

 the notice of the public a few years ago by a firm at Lambeth. Against 

 iron ships, however, they could not be effective ; and their great cost would 

 prove a fatal obstacle to their employment, even if they were effective. 



I have only one other application of antimony to mention, and it is 

 both ingenious and singular, although long since exploded. During the 

 earlier portion of the seventeenth century, small half-pint mugs or cups 

 were either turned or cast in antimony, and were known under the names 

 of " Pocula ernetica," " Calices vomitorii" or emetic cups, as they imparted 

 to wine which had been kept in them a short time an emetic quality, the 



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