NATURAL HISTORY OF PLATINA.

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PLATINA.

PART LV.

SECT. I.

NATURAL HISTORY OF PLATINA.

Hitherto no mine of platina has been discovered. Itis found in nature, only in a metallic state in small grains,combined with iron, copper, plumbago, &c. The largestmass of which we have heard, is one of the size of a pigeon’segg, in the possession of the Royal Society of Bergara. Itis found in the parishes of Novita and Citaria, North fromChoco in Peru, and near Carthagena in South America. It wasunknown in Europe before the year 1748. Don Antonio Ulloathen gave the first information concerning its existence in thenarrative of his voyage with the French Academicians to Peru.

Vol. II.

M