The Story-Book of the Fields 



scientist who was seeking for the means of 

 converting metals of little value into gold. 

 With worn-out iron, old rusty nails and dis- 

 ,^'carded saucepans, he was hoping to make 

 gold. But he did not succeed, nor could he 

 succeed, because the thing is impossible. No 

 metal can ever be changed into another. But 

 after all, one evening he did see something 

 shining in his phials. It was not gold but 

 something far more useful. It was phosphorus, 

 which now gives us fire. We need not laugh 

 at Brandt ; for by his search for the im- 

 possible he made a most important discovery. 

 It is to him that we owe the match — that 

 precious source of light and fire, so easily and 

 so quickly used. 



If we examine a match we shall find that 

 there are two substances on the inflammable 

 end ; sulphur next the wood and something 

 else over the sulphur. This other substance 

 is phosphorus, coloured blue, red or brown, 

 according to the fancy of the manufacturer. 

 Phosphorus itself is yellowish, and transparent 

 as wax. Its name signifies light-bearer. When 

 it is rubbed lightly with the fingers in the 

 dark it gives out a white light, and at the 

 same time a smell of garlic is noticed, which 

 is the smell of phosphorus. This substance is 



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