MYCENAE. 505 
with marble plates, fastened on by bronze nails ; 
many of which now remain as they were 
originally driven into the sides. These nails 
have been analyzed, and proved to consist of 
copper and tin 4 : the metal is therefore, properly 
speaking, the ^aX^o? of Homer, or bronze; a 
compound distinguished from the oiichalcum 9 , 
or brass, of later ages, which consisted of copper 
and zinc. We had scarcely entered beneath the 
dome, before we observed, upon the right hand, 
another portal, leading from the principal 
chamber of the tomb to an interior apartment 
of a square form and smaller dimensions. The 
door- way to this had the same sort of triangular 
aperture above it that we had noticed over the 
main entrance to the sepulchre; and as it was 
nearly closed to the top with earth, we stepped 
(2) In the proportion of eighty-eight parts of copper added to 
twelve of tin, according to tlieir analysis by Mr. Hatchett. The same 
constituents, nearly in the same proportion, exist in all very antient 
bronze. The celebrated IP. 11. ff'olltixton, M.D. Secretary to the 
Royal Sitciely, analyzed some bronze arrow -head- of great antiquity 
found near Kremriifltdck in the South of Hittsiri, and observed the 
same compound of cop/irr and tin. Possibly the most antient bronze 
may be derived from a native alloy consisting of the two metals in this 
state of combination 
(3) See fPtttson'f, Chemical Essays, vol. IV. p. 85, et seq. Comb. 
1786. where the learned author ingeniously proves that the orichalnim 
of the Romans was a metallic substance analogous to our compound 
of copper and zinc; or brass. 
