C 2 9 ° 3 
XII. Enquiries concerning the Nature of a metallic Substance 
lately sold in London , as a Jiezu Metal, under the Title of 
Palladium. By Richard Chenevix, Esq. F. R. S. and 
M. R. I. A. 
Mr. Knox, that a substance, which was announced as a new 
metal, was to be sold at Mr. Forster’s, in Gerrard-street. The 
ance, without the name of any creditable person except the 
vender, appeared to me unusual in science, and was not calcu- 
lated to inspire confidence. It was therefore with a view to detect 
what I conceived to be an imposition, that I procured a specimen, 
and undertook some experiments to learn its properties and 
nature. 
* “ Palladium, or new silver, has these properties amongst others that shew it to 
“ be a new noble metal. 
“ i. It dissolves in pure spirit of nitre, and makes a dark-red solution. 2. Green 
“ vitriol throws it down in the state of a regulus from this solution, as it always does 
“ gold from aqua regia. 3. If you evaporate the solution, you get a red calx that dis- 
“ solves in spirit of salt or other acids. 4. It is thrown down by quicksilver, and by 
“ all the metals but gold, platina, and silver. 5. Its specific gravity by hammering, 
« was only 1 1.3 ; but by flatting, as much as 1 1.8. 6. In a common fire, the face of 
" it tarnishes a little, and turns blue, but comes bright again, like other noble metals, 
“ on being stronger heated. 7. The greatest heat of a blacksmith’s fire would hardly 
melt it ; 8. But, if you touch it, while hot, with a small bit of sulphur, it runs as 
“ easily as zinc. 
“ It is sold only by Mr. Forster, at No. 26, Gerrard-street, Soho, London ; in 
“ samples of five shillings, half a guinea, and one guinea each.” 
Read May 12, 1803. 
learned, by a printed notice* sent to 
mode adopted to make known a discovery of so much import- 
