Discovered : by J.G. Gahn in 1774 Isolated in Stockholm, Sweden Origin : The name is derived from the Latin ‘magnes’, magnet. Description : A hard, brittle, silvery metal used to harden steel. It is an essential element for all living things. Certain soils are deficient in it, and so it is added to some fertilisers and given as a food supplement to grazing animals. The average human body contains about 12 milligrammes and takes in about 4 milligrammes per day from such foods as nuts, bran, wholegrain cereals, tea and parsley. Image : Old electro-magnet and herbivore.