Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-07-11
VOL. 5.---NO. 46.
PLATINUM.

The heaviest and the lightest su distances
with which We are acquainted possess the pro-
perties which chemists recognize as ssmetal-
lic.' The lightest substance We know is by
drogen and although gas is yet presumed
with good reason, to be volatile metal. Pla-
tinum is remarkable as being the heaviest of
all the elements which constitute the world.
If we take certain bulk of lead weighing ono
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 ac-
auainted with platinum through Mr.. W ood, As
say-master at Jamaica. The sandy beds of the
rivers which have their rise in that portion of
the Andes which separates the Atlantic {near
the Caribbean sea) from the Pacific Ocean,
yield gold, silver, platinum, and other metals.
Near Carthagena, city of South America, in
the Republic Granada, is famous mine called
Santa Fe. From this place most of the plati-
mum of commerce is procured, but it is also
found in the Brazis, Mexico, st. Domingo,
and on the eastern declivity of the Ural noun
tains in Russia. 1t is also found in Borneo,
and will probably be discovered in Australia,
if proper search be made for it. By some ex-
traordinary process. the laboratorian chemists
can liquify this metal but it cannot be melt
ed by the strongest blast-furnace, nor by any
of the appliances in ordinary use by metal
workers; hence it is said to be infusible; and
did it not possess that property called welding,
squeezed or hammered at 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 pecu-
liar to itself. No single acid will dissolve it (;
hence its very refractory nature renders it in
valuable to philosophers. In platinum cru
chile they submit other substances to ex-
perments either with fire or chemicals without
any fear of modification from the containing
vessel. Magic, according to photographers, is
ssthe secret workings of natural powers" Such
being the case, platinum is truly magical, for
1t possesses property or power, the secret OF
which We are unable at present to define. which
singular quality has been brought into practi-
cal use by the manufacturing perfumers. At
several of the perfumery factors warehouses
may be seen what they call the philosophical
Incense Lamp" which is a marvellous realiza-
tion of ssAladdin's Wonderful Lamp" so gra-
phically described in the Arabian Nights En-
tertainment. This lamp once ignited will new
er go out unless purposely extinguished, pro-
vided of course that there be material to con-
sumo. This property is due to a little plati-
mum ball placed in the wick, which once be-
ing made red-hot with the fame will remain
incandeScent to the end of time. 1t is this
property which rs a still unexplained secret of
nature. The incense lamps are trimmed with
sweet mellng spirit, and the red-hot platinum
causes this to eyaporate, ,thns perpetually fling
ing fragrance around. Some few years ago
platinum was used in Russia as money, and
stamped as coin of the realm. Why it was a.
bandoned 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. If a stream of water,
passing steadily through pipe of certain
size, were suddenly caused TO flow through an
other pipe joined to it of half the size, nothing
more would be noticed than that the water in
the smaller pipe would flow with increased
velocity but if a current of electricity, while
passing along a copper wire, be made to pass
over smaller one, or link of platinum wire,
then marvellous effect takes place; the pla-
tinum becomes red hot In this way-for ig-
hitting gunpowder at distance, and blasting
rocks, engineers find platinum of the greatest
service.