Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-11-11

PLATINUM. heaviest and the lightest
substances with which we are acquainted
possess the properties which chemists recog-
MISE as "metahc." The highest substance
we know, is hydrogen, and although a gas is
yet presumed with good reason, to be vo-
lathe metal. Platinumis remarkable as being
the heaviest of all the elements which con-
stitute the world. If we take certain bulk
of lead weighing one pound, and the same
bulk of platinum, we shall find that the latter
will weigh more than one pound, and three
quarters. 1t is now about hundred years
since Europeans became acquainted with
platinum through Mr.. Wood, Assaymaster of
Jamaica. The sandy beds OF the rivers which
have their rise in that portion of the Andes
which separates the Atlantic near the Car
ribean Sea- from the Pacific Ocean, Weld
gold, silver, platinum, and other metals.
Near CaIthagena, city of South America,
in the Republic of New Granada, is famous
mine called Santa Fe. From this place. most
of the platinum of commerce is procured, but
it is also found in the Brazils, Mexico, st.
Domingo, and on the eastern declvity of the
Ursl mountains III Russia. 1t is also found
in Borneo, and will probably be discovered in
Australia, if proper search be made for it.
BY some extraordinary process, the laborato-
rian chemists can liquiiy this metal; but it
cannot be melted by the strongest blast-fur-
mace, nor by any OF the appliances in ordinary
use by metal workers hence it is said to be
infusble; and did it not possess that proper
ty called welding, that is of uniting or ad-
herring together when squeezed or hammered
at a white heat, it would be almost useless.
AS however it can be welded, various useful
vessels are made of it; and thus we find that
it has qualities peculiar to itself, No single
acid will dissolve it; hence its very refractory
nature render it invaluable to philosophers.
In platinum crucble they can submit other
substances to experiments either with fire or
chemicals without any fear of modification
from the containing vessel. Magic, accord
ing to the photographers, is "the secret work.
ings of natural powers Such being the
case, platinum is truly magical for it possess.
es property or power, the secret of which
we are unable at present to define, which
singular quality has been brought into prac-
teal use by the manufacturing perfuIners.
At several of the perfumery factors ware
houses may be seen what they call the "Phil-
osophical Incense Lamp" which is marvel
GUS realization of Aladdin's Wonderful
Lamp" so graphically described in the
Arabian Nights Entertainment This lamp
once ignited will never go out unless purposely
extinguished, provided that there be material
to consume. This property is due to little
platinum ball placed in the wick, which, once
being made red-hot with the flame, will re-
main incandescent to the end of time 1t is
this property which is a still unexplained Sc
cret of nature. The incense lamps are trim
med with sweet-smelling spirit, and the red
hot platinum causes this to evsporate, thus
perpetually hinging fragrance around. Some
few years ago platinum was used in Russia as
money, and stamped as coin Of the realm.
Why it was abandoned we are unable to
learn. Should there be any future scarcity
of gold or silver, it is probable that platinum
will again be used as medium of exchange.
1t stream Of water, passing steadily through
pipe OF certain size, were suddenly caused
to flow through another pipe joined to it of
half the size, nothieg more would be noticed
than that the water in the smaller pipe would
flow with increased yelosity but if a current
of electricity, while passing along a copper
wire, be made to pass over a smaller one, or
link Of platinum wire, then marvellous eff
feet takes place the platinum becomes red =.
hot In this way--for lightning gunpowder
at a distance, and blasting rocks, engineers
find platinum of the greatest service Scien-
tMc american.