CHAPTER IX.

ALLOYS. The Age of Bronze—An intermediate Copper Age—European Copper Implements—Native Silver and Copper—Tin and Copper Ores—The Cassiterides—Ancient Sources of Tin—Arts of Yucatan—Alloyed Copper Axe-Blades—Bronze Silver-Mining Tool—Peruvian Bronzes—Primitive Mining Tools—Native Metallurgic Processes—Metallic Treasures of the Incas—Traces of an Older Race—Peruvian History—The Toltecs and Mexicans—Adjustment of Calendar—Barbarian Excesses—Native Goldsmith’s Work—Panama Gold Relics—Mexican Metallic Currency—Experimental Processes—Ancient European Bronzes—Tests of Civilisation—Ancient American Bronzes—The Native Metallurgist, 229