Diminutive, a word lessening the meaning of the original.

Whence is it obtained?

Mostly from Russia, and, also from South America.  Its color does not tarnish by exposure to the air, and appears to be equally permanent with that of pure gold; the metal is indestructible by fire.  Platina is capable of being alloyed with all metals; is fused with difficulty, but by great labor may be rendered malleable:  it is also the heaviest metal, being 21 times heavier than water.

     Permanent, lasting.

Are there any other Metals besides those already mentioned?

In addition to the metals known and used by the ancients, the chemical science of later ages has, by decomposing other earths, added more than thirty to the number of metals, some of them more curious than useful; several of these are lighter than water.  All the metals possess different and distinct properties from each other.  They are divided into two classes, the malleable and the brittle metals.  These last may be again divided into two others,—­namely, those which are easily, and those which are with difficulty fused.

What do you mean by Metallurgy?

The art of obtaining metals from their ores, comprising the processes of assaying, refining, smelting, &c.  By assaying is meant, the particular manner of examining an ore or mixed metal, according to its nature, so as to discover not only what metals and what proportions of metal may be obtained from it, but also what other mineral substances or earths may be contained in it.

What do the terms Refining and Smelting signify?

Refining is the art of rendering the metal free from all impurities.  Smelting means the melting of a metal from its ore in a smelting furnace, in order to separate the metallic parts from the sulphur, arsenic, and the earthy and stony substances with which they may be combined.

What is Sulphur?

An inflammable, fossil substance, of a dry, solid, friable nature, melting with a small proportion of heat;—­when fired in the open air, burning almost entirely away with a blue flame and noxious vapor.  It is abundantly diffused in many places, especially where metallic minerals are found; but more particularly in those districts where subterranean fires and volcanoes exist.  It is also found combined with many different substances.

Describe the nature of Sulphur, and the places where it is mostly found.

Sulphur almost pure, called native or virgin sulphur, is found in volcanoes and grottoes, in the form of transparent crystals; but the greatest quantity which exists naturally is combined with metals in ores.  Sulphur is both fusible and volatile,—­which qualities enable us to procure it from those minerals by the process of sublimation:  it unites easily, in different degrees, with all metallic matters, excepting gold, platina, and zinc.

     Sublimation, the act of bringing a solid substance into
     the state of vapor by heat, and condensing it again by cold.