Very reflective and brittle semi-metal element. m.p. 937.4 ºC; 1719.3 ºF b.p. 2830 ºC; 5126 ºF density 5.323 g/cc (25 ºC); 332.304 pound/cubic foot (77 ºF)	memory peg
	1886 Clemens Alexander Winkler, Germany
	Germania = Germany (Latin)

In his report on "The Periodic Law of the Chemical Elements", in 1869, Mendeleyev predicted the existence of several unknown elements. Among them was one which was supposed to be just bellow silicon and, for that reason, he called it eka-silicon. Mendeleyev studied several minerals, although unsuccessfully, seeking for that new element 32.

In the summer of 1885, in the Himmelsfürst mine in Brand-Erbisdorf (near Freiberg, Saxony) a new mineral was found that was called argyrodite. Professor Clemens Alexander Winkler (1838-1904) of the Freiberg Bergakademie was asked to do a quantitative analysis. He found Silver, Sulphur, Iron oxide, Zinc and an element unknown till that time (eka-silicon). In February of 1886, Winkler was sure of the discovery of this new element.

Winkler intended to name element Neptunium, bearing in mind that the history of its discovery was similar to the history of the discovery of the planet Neptune. Just as the existence of the new element was predicted, the existence of the planet was predicted in 1845 by the mathematicians John Couch Adams and Urbain Leverrier for the fact that Uranus was being pulled slightly out of position in its orbit. James Challis started searching for it in July 1846 and sighted the planet 23 September 1846.

However, it turned out that the name Neptunium was already given to an element (cf. Niobium) and Winkler named the new metal Germanium in honor of his fatherland. See his (note) .

This name caused sharp objections from some scientists. One indicated that this name sounded as the name of a flower (geranium). In the flame of the disputes Raymond proposed into the joke to name new element Angularium, thus angular (causing debates) - or, angle (in German "Winkel") referring to the name of the discoverer. However, Mendeleyev in his letter to Winkler decisively supported the name Germanium.

Map of 'Germania' from the Epitome, published by Filips Galle in Antwerp, 1588 (this copy from the edition by J.B. Vrients, 1602).

Further reading:

• Mary Elvira Weeks, Discovery of the Elements, comp. rev. by Heny M. Leicester (Easton, Pa.: Journal of Chemical Education, 1968), pp.655-662.