. De re metallica. Metallurgy; Mineral industries. APPENDIX B. 6ic It comprises ten chapters in i68 folios demi-octavo. Other Italian editions of which we find some record are the second at Venice, 1552 ; third, Venice, 1558 ; fourth, Venice, 1559 ; fifth, Bologna, 1678. A French translation, by Jacques Vincent, was published in Paris, 1556, and this translation was agam published at Rouen in 1627. Of the ten chapters the last six are almost wholly devoted to metal working and founding, and it is more largely for this description of the methods of making artillery, munitions of war and bells t
. De re metallica. Metallurgy; Mineral industries. APPENDIX B. 6ic It comprises ten chapters in i68 folios demi-octavo. Other Italian editions of which we find some record are the second at Venice, 1552 ; third, Venice, 1558 ; fourth, Venice, 1559 ; fifth, Bologna, 1678. A French translation, by Jacques Vincent, was published in Paris, 1556, and this translation was agam published at Rouen in 1627. Of the ten chapters the last six are almost wholly devoted to metal working and founding, and it is more largely for this description of the methods of making artillery, munitions of war and bells that the book is celebrated. In any event, with the exception of a quotation which we give on page 297 on silver amalgamation, there is little of interest on our subject in the latter chapters. The first four chapters are undoubtedly of importance in the history of metallurgical literature, and represent the first work on smelting. The descriptions are, however, very diffuse, difficult to follow, and lack arrangement and detail. But like the Probierbiichlein, the fact that it was written prior to De Re Metallica demands attention for it which it would not otherwise receive. The ores of gold, silver, copper, lead, tin, and iron are described, but much interrupted with denunciations of the alchemists. There is little of geological or mineralogical interest, he too holding to a muddle of the classic elements astrology and alchemy. He has nothing of con- sequence to say on mining, and dismisses concentration with a few words. Upon assaying his work is not so useful as the Probierbiichlein. On ore smelting he describes the reduction of iron and lead ores and cupriferous silver or gold ores with lead. He gives the barest description of a blast furnace, but adds an interesting account of a reverbero furnace. He describes liquation as consisting of one operation ; the subsequent treatment of the copper by refining with an oxidising blast, but does not mention poling ; the cupellation of
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