CHAPTER XXI.

METAL, MOULDS, AND THE METHOD OF MANUFACTURE.

Composition of Bronze—Lead absent in early Bronze—Sources of Tin and Copper—Analyses of Bronze Antiquities—Cakes of Copper and Lumps of Metal—Tin discovered in Hoards of Bronze—Ingots of Tin—Methods of Casting—Moulds of Stone for Celts, Palstaves, Daggers, Swords, and Spear-heads—Moulds of Bronze for Palstaves and Celts—The Harty Hoard—Bronze Mould for Gouges—Moulds found in other Countries—Moulds formed of Burnt Clay—Jets or Runners—The Processes for Preparing Bronze Instruments for Use—Rubbers and Whetstones—Decoration—Hammering out and Sharpening the Edges 415