De Re Metallica, Translated from the First Latin Edition of 1556 by Georg Agricola
Book IX, Agricola appears to use the term in this sense himself. After
236 words | Chapter 27
Agricola's time the term _molybdaenum_ was applied to substances
resembling lead, such as graphite, and what we now know as _molybdenite_
(_MoS_{2}_). Some time in the latter part of the 18th century, an
element being separated from the latter, it was dubbed _molybdenum_, and
confusion was five times confounded.
[38] Agricola here refers to the German word used in this connection,
_i.e._, _hundt_, a dog.
[39] If Agricola means the German _centner_, this charge would be from
about 4.6 to 5.7 short tons. If he is using Roman weights, it would be
from about 3 to 3.7 short tons.
[40] The refining of silver in "tests" (Latin _testa_) is merely a
second cupellation, with greater care and under stronger blast. Stirring
the mass with an iron rod serves to raise the impurities which either
volatilize as litharge or, floating to the edges, are absorbed into the
"test." The capacity of the tests, from 15 _librae_ to 50 _librae_,
would be from about 155 to 515 ozs. Troy.
[41] A _drachma_ of impurities in a _bes_, would be one part in 64, or
984.4 fine. A loss of a _sicilicus_ of silver to the _bes_, would be one
part in 32, or about 3.1%; three _drachmae_ would equal 4.7%, and half
an _uncia_ 6.2%, or would indicate that the original bullion had a
fineness in the various cases of about 950, 933, and 912.
[42] _Praefectus Regis_.
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