92 Mr. Hatchett’s Experiments on the various Alloys, 
or with both ; and that these affinities become modified, by those 
which prevail between the various metallic substances and gold. 
Moreover, it is evident, that even the most oxidable metals have 
this property much diminished or checked by being united with 
gold, which appears so to envelope and retain their particles, as 
to impede the usual influence of heat, as well as the natural 
exertion of their affinities with the oxygen of the atmosphere. 
The following experiment was therefore made, to ascertain the 
comparative loss caused by the volatilization, or by the oxidize- 
ment of various metallic substances, when added to gold during 
a given period of fusion, and under similar circumstances. 
Experiment. 
Ten four-inch crucibles, which had been previously made 
red-hot, were put into as many 12-inch crucibles, which were 
placed in wind furnaces of similar construction, and heated as 
equally as possible. Each of the small crucibles contained five 
ounces ten pennyweights and fourteen grains of gold, 23 car. 
3^grs. fine, which being completely melted, nine pennyweights 
and ten grains of the following metals were added, and mixed 
in the usual manner, after which, the fusion was continued in 
the open vessels during one hour. 
The different masses, when cold, were weighed ; but, previous 
to this, the scoria or glass which had been formed on some of 
them was gently removed. The comparative loss will appear 
from the following Table. 
