MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
There is one other question which must not be overlooked in connexion 
with cannon of bronze,, viz. the composition of that indefinite alloy in each 
case. Bronze, like gold, is in a perpetual process of conversion from one 
form to another, the quantity of new metal bearing but a small proportion 
to the whole quantity in circulation; thus we need not speculate whence 
was derived the 7 or 8 tons of tin which entered into the composition of 
Malik-i-Mydan, for much of it may have left the mines of Borneo or 
Cornwall ages ago, but the study of these alloys throws light on the 
metallurgical knowledge of their day, and we discover with interest how 
often chance or skill guided the founders to the best or nearly the best 
proportions. The Malxk-i-Mydan has been analyzed, but Lt.-Colonel 
Meadows Taylor, who has recorded the result, does not give his authority. 
The Dhool Dhanee was analyzed by the Assay Master of the Mint, Calcutta, 
before it was broken up. The great gun of Muhammad II. and several 
others have been analyzed by Mr Abel, Chemist to the War Department, 
and that gentleman has kindly embodied the results in a memorandum 
subsequently read before the British Association at Norwich, with which I 
conclude this paper :— 
Memorandum relative to the chemical composition of the Great Cannon 
of Muhammad II. recently presented to the British Government by the 
Sultan Abdul Aziz Khan . (See “ Chemical News,” Sept. 4, 1868.) 
“ Specimens of the alloy composing this interesting cannon were detached for 
analysis from the mouldings or projecting rims which exist at either end of each 
part of the cannon. 
“The metal was found to be more or less thickly coated with suboxide of 
copper, which had passed into carbonate here and there. In some parts, where 
the porosity of the metal had been considerable, the oxidation had proceeded to 
depths Varying from 0*2 to 0*5 of an inch, and even upwards. 
“ The alloy was found to vary greatly in hardness, and most of the small 
specimens detached were porous and differed from each other considerably in 
colour. 
“ Some presented the usual appearance of gun-metal of good quality ( e.g . samples 
1 and 4) ; in their immediate vicinity were found patches of white alloy (samples 
(la and 2) rich in tin, such as are observed occasionally in bronze castings in 
which the mixture of metals has been imperfect, or which have been allowed to 
cool very slowly; again, other portions (samples 3 a and 5) more nearly resembled 
pure copper in colour, and were comparatively very soft. 
“ The proportions of copper and tin in the several samples analyzed are as 
follows:— 
a . “ From the moulding at rear end of the breecli-piece,— 
la 16 
Copper. 92*00 89*58 per cent. 
Tin .... 7-95 10*15 
(in close proximity to Noi la); 
