190 



fully saturated with the Pyrites, it cracked and contracted 

 from it, and is held together in some parts as if artificially 

 doue with wires, and is in some parts curved and warped. 

 Thus, although these pieces of wood seem to have been 

 many years under this process, they are not much changed, 

 but I may say rather, preserved, as, now it is exposed to 

 the common air, these changes which show its nature have 

 become evident; it will soon fall to decay, in the same 

 manner as some part has already done. The Iron and Sul- 

 phur decomposing the water of the atmosphere, the Sul- 

 phur becoming acidified dissolves the Iron, forming green 

 vitriol or Sulphate of Iron which is very deliquescent. 



