AMALGAM, or Amalgama, in Chemistry, a Mass of Mercury, united and incorporated with a Metal. See MERCURY, and METAL. The Amalgam of Mercury with Lead, is a soft, friable Substance, of a Silver Colour. See LEAD. By washing and grinding this Amalgam with fair warm Water in a glass Mortar, the Impurities of the Metal will mix with the Water; and by changing the Water, and repeating the Lotion again and again, the Metal will be further and further purified. Boerhaave mentions it as one of the greatest Secrets in Chemistry, to contrive to bring off the Liquor at last as clear and unfouled as when first poured on the Amalgam; which might afford a Method of making the nobler Metals, or procuring them from the Baser. See TRANSMUTATION, PHILOSOPHER'S STONE, etc. This philosophical way of purifying Metals, may be applied to all the Metals, except Iron and Copper. See AMALGAMATION. The Word Amalgama is formed of the Greek ama, simul, together, and gamos, jungere, to join.
