2 --3 



{x-z) = X - -zx + - X -^ z-^ - ^: X -J- X -— z^^ 4-&c. 



XVII. Experiments and Observations to Investigate the Nature of a Kind of 

 Steel, Manufaclured at Bombay, and there called Wootz : with Remarks on 

 the Properties and Composition of the Different States of Iron. By George 

 Pearson, M. D., F. R. S. p. 322. 



\ 1. Dr. Scott, of Bombay, in a letter to the President, acquaints him that 

 he lias sent over specimens of a substance known by the name of wootz ; which 

 is considered to be a kind of steel, and is in high estimation among the Indians. 

 Dr. S. mentions several of its properties, and requests that an inquiry may be 

 instituted to obtain further knowledge of its nature. This gentleman informs 

 the President, that wootz " admits of a harder temper than any thing known 

 in that part of India ; that it is employed for covering that part of gun-locks 

 which the flint strikes : that it is used for cutting iron on a lathe ; for cutting 

 stones ; for chizzels ; for making files ; for saws ; and for every purpose where 

 excessive hardness is necessary." Dr. S. observes that this substance " cannot 

 bear any thing beyond a very slight red heat, which makes it work very tediously 

 in the hands of smiths ;" and that " it has a still greater inconvenience or de- 

 fect, that of not being capable of being welded with iron or steel ; to which 

 therefore it is only joined by screws and other contrivances." He also observes, 

 that when wootz is heated above a slight red heat, part of the mass seems to 

 run, and the whole is lost, as if it consisted of metals of different degrees of 

 fusibility." We learn also from Dr. Scott's letter, that " the working with wootz 

 is so difficult, that it is a separate art from that of forging iron." It will be pro- 

 per also to notice his observation, that " the magnetical power in an imperfect 

 degree can be communicated to this substance." 



^ 2. Mechanical and obvious properties, — The specimens of wootz were in 

 the shape of a round cake, of about 5 inches in diameter, and one thick; each 

 of which weighed more more than 2 lb. The cake had been cut almost quite 

 through, so as to nearly divide it into 2 equal parts. It was externally of a dull 

 black colour; the surface smooth; the cut part was also smooth, and, excepting 

 a few pinny places and small holes, the texture appeared to be uniform. It felt 



