"Both polonium and radium exist in infinitesimal quantities in pitchblende. In order to obtain a few decigrammes of very active radium, it is necessary to use several tons of pitchblende, or the residues obtained from the treatment of uranium minerals. ...M. and Mme Curie were indebted for their first working material to the Austrian government, who generously presented them with a ton of the treated residue of uranium materials, from the State manufactory."