result. The mixed acids thus described, when containing gold dissolved therein, make a compound known as " aqua regia."
The
classical story of Jason and the Golden Fleece has been frequently
suggested to be a fanciful romance in which is embodied an ancient rude
method of collecting gold (when washed down with the stream adjacent to
the telluric source of the metal) by means of sheep's fleeces. So that
the " fleecing " of the King of Colchis probably signified the robbery
from him of the gold collected in this way from the streams, and rivers
of his country.
The
quality of Gold is estimated by the number of carats of pure Gold in an
ounce (troy); thus, pure Gold is of twenty-four carat; half pure Gold
is of twelve carat only; but Gold is most commonly of nine carat. Each
carat may be reckoned as of value 3s. 6d. Gold for coin consists of
eleven parts of pure Gold, and one part of copper.
"
Gold was called by the older chymists the Sun ; because it was thought
sympathetically to answer the Sun in the macrocosm (in a general sense)
; and the heart in the microcosm (as concerning man) ; and thus the
character of the Sun and Gold became all one." " Gold is the king of
metals, because it is chief of them. The Arabian Gold is held to be
best; then the Hungarian ; and then that of Rheine." " It is a great
strengthener," according to Dr. Schroder, (Chymical Dispensatory, 1669,)
" of the natural balsam, or heat; and is given as a cordial to
strengthen in all diseases ; it cleanseth the blood by discussing
humours by sweat." " The antients put leaf-gold into many compositions
; but I know not for what end but to feed the eye ; for, its substance
is too solid, and compact to be dissolved
