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Outlines of mineralogy

Chapter 24: HYDRARGYRUM, OR QUICKSILVER.
By Torbern Bergman
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About This Book

A concise scientific treatise that organizes fossil and inorganic substances by their constituent chemical components, advocating composition-based genera and species rather than superficial traits. It defines mineralogy, explains a natural system founded on prevalent parts and variations in mixture, and critiques reliance on color, hardness, and texture because these features often vary independently of composition. The work describes analytical approaches and difficult cases, offers supplemental genera in appendices, and supplies practical aids such as tables and an index to assist identification and application of mineral substances.

HYDRARGYRUM,
OR
QUICKSILVER.

§ 172.

Its ſpecific gravity is 14,110. It has been erroneouſly ranked among the brittle metals, for at 654 degrees below 0 it freezes[65], and then ſpreads under the hammer like lead. But as ſuch an extreme degree of cold rarely happens unleſs artificially produced, we ceaſe to wonder why it is always liquid or rather melted.

Nitrous acid diſſolves it readily, vitriolic acid requires to be aſſiſted by a boiling heat; muriatic acid does not act upon it all, unleſs previouſly deprived of as much phlogiſton as in 100 parts may be called 74. The attractive power wherewith it retains this portion of phlogiſton occupies the fourth place in the ſeries; that is, it holds it leſs ſtrongly than the noble but more ſtrongly than the baſe metals.

§ 173.

HYDRARGYRUM nativum (quickſilver native). Native.

Cronstedt Min. § 217.

Whether it be entirely free from every metallic contamination I have not yet tried.

HYDRARGYRUM (quickſilver), united to ſilver. Amalgamated.

Cronstedt Min. § 217.

HYDRARGYRUM (quickſilver), mineralized by muriatic and vitriolic acids. Hornlike.

Mineralogy owes the diſcovery of this to Mr. Woulfe. Phil. Tranſ.

HYDRARGYRUM (quickſilver), mineralized by ſulphur. Cinnabarine.

Cronstedt Min. § 218. Cinnabaris.

HYDRARGYRUM (quickſilver), mineralized by ſulphur and iron. Martial.

I am doubtful whether this be a diſtinct ſpecies. The iron perhaps is only mechanically diffuſed.

HYDRARGYRUM (quickſilver), mineralized by ſulphur and copper. Cuprous.

Cronstedt Min. § 219.