The properties of A. are that it is a white metal, somewhat resembling silver, but pos sessing a bluish hue, which reminds one of zinc. It is very malleable and ductile, in tenacity it approaches iron, and it takes a high polish. When heated in a furnace, it fuses, and can then be east in molds into ingots. Exposed to dry or moist air, it is un• alterable, and does not oxidize as lead and zinc do. Cold water has certainly no action upon it, and in the majority of experiments hot water has not sensibly affected it. Sul. phureted hydrogen, the gas which so readily tarnishes the silver in households, forming a black film on the surface, does not act on A., which is found to preserve its appearance under all ordinary circumstances as perfectly as gold does. When fused and cast into molds, it is a soft metal like pure silver, and has a density of 2.56; but when hammered or rolled it becomes as hard as iron, and its density increases to 2.67. It is therefore a very light metal, being lighter than glass, and only one fourth as heavy as silver. This property was taken advantage of by Napoleon III., who ordered the eagles surmounting the standards of the French army to be made of A. instead of silver; and
thus the same sized eagle was reduced to one fourth of its former weight. A. is very sonorous; and when a rod or small bell made of it is struck, it gives out a very sweet, clear, ringing sound. A. forms, with copper, several light, very hard, white alloys; also a yellow alloy, which, though much lighter than gold, is very similar to it in color. This gold-like alloy, which contains from 5 to 10 per cent of A., and is of great strength, was discovered by Dr. Percy of London, and has hitherto been much more used for manufacturing purposes than A. alone. It is much used for watch-chains, pencil-cases, and other ornamental articles. By itself, A. is used for jewelry, small statuettes, and other works of art. It is also employed for the tubes of opera-glasses. Its bluish color can be whitened by hydrofluoric and phosphoric acids, and also by a heated solution of potash. On the whole, considering its valuable properties, this metal has not received such extensive application in the arts as might have been expected. •