Nickel is a silver-white, ductile metal, discovered by Cronstedt in
1751. It is closely allied to iron and cobalt, and is associated with
many ores. Nickel, according to Deville, is more tenacious than iron.
It is magnetic at ordinary temperatures. Many of the copper coins of
the European continent and the United States are alloys containing
various proportions of nickel. Nickel-plating has become an industry of
great importance in the United States. It is used for magnetic needles,
for philosophical and surgical instruments, and in watch movements.
SPATHIC IRON ORE.--Carbonate of iron, when found in a comparatively
pure and crystallized state, is known as spathic or sparry. In its
purest form it contains 48 per cent. of iron. The ore is found near
Hudson, N. Y., and in Tuscarawas county, Ohio.
COPPER.--Copper is one of the most anciently known metals, and its
name is derived from the island of Cyprus, where it was first obtained
by the Greeks. In the earlier times it does not appear to have
been employed by itself, but always in admixture with other metals,
principally tin, forming bronze. Great masses of native copper have
been found both in North and South America.
TIN.--Tin is a beautiful silver-white metal, with a tinge of
yellow. There was no tin produced in the United States in 1896. The
tin-producing countries are Malacca, Banca, Bolivia, Australia, and
Cornwall.
ZINC.--A metal of a brilliant white color, with a shade of blue,
and appearing as if composed of plates adhering together. It is not
brittle, but less malleable than copper, lead, or tin; when heated,
however, it is malleable, and may be rolled into plates.
LEAD.--A metal of a dull white color, with a cast of blue. It is soft
and easily fusible. It is found native in small masses, but generally
mineralized by sulphur and sometimes by other substances. It is the
least elastic and sonorous of all the metals.