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XVII. On a new Metal , found in crude Platina. By William 
Hyde Wollaston, M. D. F. R. S. 
Read June 24, 1 804; 
Notwithstanding I was aware that M. Descotils had 
ascribed the red colour of certain precipitates and salts of platina, 
to the presence of a new metal ; and although Mr. Tennant 
had obligingly communicated to me his discovery of the same 
substance, as well as of a second new metal, in the shining 
powder that remains undissolved from the ore of platina ; yet I 
was led to suppose that the more soluble parts of this mineral 
might be Reserving of further examination, as the fluid which 
remains after the precipitation of platina by sal ammoniac, 
presents appearances which I could not ascribe to either of 
those bodies, or to any other known substance. 
My inquiries having terminated more successfully than I had 
expected, I design in the present Memoir to prove the existence, 
and to examine the properties, of another metal, hitherto un- 
known, w'hich may not improperly be distinguished by the name 
of Rhodium , from the rose-colour of a dilute solution of the 
salts containing it. 
I shall also take the same opportunity of stating the result of 
various experiments, which have convinced me, that the metallic 
substance which was last year offered for sale by the name of 
Palladium, is contained (though in very small proportion) in 
the ore of platina. 
