The Metallarbeiter remarks that metals have in most cases experienced a reduction in value of late years, this depreciation being attributed in some measure to the cheaper methods of obtaining metals as well as to the discovery of new sources of mineral wealth.

The following comparative table shows the approximate prices of various metals in December, 1874, and December, 1884:

 Dec., 1874. Dec., 1884.

Per lb. Per lb.

£ s d. £ s. d.

Osmium 71 10 0 62 0 0

Iridium 70 0 0 45 0 0

Gold 62 15 0 63 0 0

Platinum 25 7 6 21 7 6

Thallium 23 17 6 4 15 0

Magnesium 10 5 0 1 15 0

Potassium 5 0 0 4 0 0

Silver 3 17 6 (in Hamburg) 3 7 6

Aluminum 1 16 0 1 16 0

Cobalt 1 14 0 1 2 0

Sodium 0 14 2 0 8 8

Nickel 0 11 0 0 3 1

Bismuth 0 8 1 0 8 1

Cadmium 0 7 1 0 4 0

Quicksilver 0 2 0 (in London) 0 1 9

Tin 0 1 1 (in Berlin) 0 0 9

Copper 0 0 10 (" " ) 0 0 7

Arsenic 0 0 8 0 0 4-1/2

Antimony 0 0 6-1/4 (" " ) 0 0 5

Lead 0 0 2-3/4 (" " ) 0 0 1-3/8

Zinc 0 0 2-1/2 (" " ) 0 0 1-3/4

Steel 0 0 1-3/8 ( in 0 0 0-3/4

Bar iron 0 0 1-1/8 Upper 0 0 0-5/8

Pig iron 0 0 0-7/16 Silesia ) 0 0 0-1/4 

Gold now ranks highest in value of all metals, the competition of osmium and iridium having been over come. It is only by reason of improved methods of preparation that the latter have become cheaper, while their use has at the same time increased. Iridium is mixed with platinum in order to increase its strength and durability. The normal standards of the metrical system are made of platinum-iridium on account of its known immutabilty. In 1882, platinum stood 15 per cent. below its present value; but its increased employment for industrial purposes led to the subsequent improvement in price. Thallium has experienced a severe depreciation on account of the economical process by which it is extracted from the residue of the lead chambers used in the manufacture of sulphuric acid. The use of this metal is mainly confined to experimental purposes. The fall in silver has arisen from increased production and diminished use for coinage.

Magnesium was scarcely of any industrial value prior to the fall in price now recorded. Improved processes for its treatment have successfully engaged the attention of scientific men, and it is now capable of being used as an alloy with other metals. The Salindres factory regulates the price to a certain extent, and its system of working is regarded as a guide in the various processes connected with this branch of industry. The manufacture of potassium and sodium will, it is expected, be more fully elucidated than hitherto, by means of researches made at Schering's Charlottenburg factory. The course of nickel prices illustrates the stimulus to economical production afforded by an increased consumption. This latter fact is principally due to the employment of nickel for coinage, as alloy for alfenide, etc. The use of cadmium is materially restricted by its relatively limited supply. Hitherto, its only source was in the incidental products of zinc distillation, but of late it has been attempted to bring it into solution from its oxide combinations.

An increased employment of cadmium for industrial purposes is expected to follow.

Production in excess of the demand has caused the depreciation recorded in tin, and various other metals not commented upon, this remark applying even to the scarce metals, arsenic and antimony. Even the better marks of Cornwall tin and Mansfield refined copper have had to follow the downward course of the market.