OJUTffl; 
THE SCIENTIFIC MONTHLY. 
569 
As the discovery of the metal gallium may justly be 
portant chemical achievement of the last year, all facts regarding it are received 
with special interest. M. Lecoq de Boibandrau, whose name is associated with 
the discovery, recently communicated to the French Academy, the following facts 
regarding its physical and chemical properties. 
“ Pure gallium, ^f which he had now prepared nearly one and one-half grains, 
melts at about 85° Fahr.; hence it liquefies when it is seized between the fingers. 
It is very easily held in superfusion, which explains how a globule has been kept 
liquid for weeks in temperatures descending occasiopally almost to zero. 
Electrolyzed gallium from ammoniacal solution is identical with that obtained 
from polassic solution. Once solidified the metal is hard and resistant, even at a 
few degress under its melting point; but it can be cut, and has a certain malleabil¬ 
ity. Melted gallium adheres easily to glass, on which it forms a beautiful mirror, 
’ to a bright red in presence of air, 
volatilize; it is not sensibly 
iillailiiilt 
^whiter than that produced by mercury. Heated t 
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