of a metallic Substance called Palladium. 293 
for fifteen minutes, did not acquire any properties different from 
those which I have already mentioned, in speaking of the effect 
of heat upon that substance. Hence we may conclude, that 
there is not any action between charcoal and palladium. 
I put equal parts of palladium and gold into a crucible, for 
the purpose of forming an alloy. The result, owing to an acci- 
dent, did not weigh so much as the sum of the quantities em- 
ployed ; therefore, the proportions in this alloy were uncertain. 
Its colour was gray ; its hardness about equal to that of wrought 
iron. It yielded to the hammer; but was less ductile than each 
metal separate, and broke by repeated percussions. Its fracture 
was coarse-grained, and bore marks of crystallization. Its spe- 
cific gravity was 11,079. 
Equal parts of platina and palladium, entered into fusion at a 
heat not much superior to that which was capable of fusing 
palladium alone. In colour and hardness, this alloy resembled 
the former; but it was rather less malleable. Its specific gravity, 
I found to be 15,141. 
Palladium, alloyed with an equal weight of silver, gave a 
button of the same colour as the preceding alloys. This was 
harder than silver, but not so hard as wrought iron ; and its 
polished surface was somewhat like platina, but whiter. Its 
specific gravity was 11, 290. 
The alloy of equal parts of palladium and copper was a little 
more yellow than any of the preceding alloys, and broke more 
easily. It was harder than wrought iron ; and, by the file, as- 
sumed rather a leaden colour. Specific gravity 10,392. 
Lead increases the fusibility of palladium. An alloy of 
these metals, but in unknown proportions, was of a gray colour, 
and its fracture was fine-grained. It was superior to all the 
MDCCCIII. Q q 
