Native Antimony

Native Antimony is possessed of all the characters of the pure metal obtained by art. It is of a laminated structure; the laminae crossing each other in ten different directions, four of them parallel to the faces of a regular octohedron, and six to the faces of a rhomboidal dodecahedron, form a very complicated arrangement. Its volatility, inflammability, and peculiar scent, are the striking features of its globule in the state of fusion. It is a rare mineral: it was first found by Swab, at Sahlberg in Sweden: it has been also found in the Hartz; the most magnificent specimens, however, have been brought from Allemout, in Dauphiny; they are large cellular masses, with compact white oxide of Antimony tilling the hollows.^* The matrix is Quartz. A variety occurs at the same place, composed of minute foliated grains united into a largely laminated mass; it contains a variable portion of Arsenic; it is excessively brilliant.

For the figures given of these two varieties I am indebted to Mr. H. Heüland.

Klaproth’s analysis of Antimony from the Hartz gave,