tf the Pyrites. 241 



in pyrites : nor is it fo very eafy a matter to come 

 at the knowledge of it •, as it is with difficulty, or 

 not at all to be exhibited in a feparated ftate, with- 

 out any new mixtion. 



Indeed, geld, as an earth, may lie in earths : and it 

 is probable, that metals generally have their ground- 

 earths from crude earths only, and attain their fpe- 

 , cification, or formality, from the nature of the in* 

 fluent, and the mutual action of the matters, and 

 from the beds and matrices, their proportion and 

 incidentally : in particular, gold-earths readily 

 lodge in marly, quartzy, fandy, and confequently 

 in vitrefcible earths : fo that this crude earth of 

 pyrites bids fair to bt a fitly appropriated foil for 

 fuch conception and growth. 



As to the efficacy of fulphur in that cafe, there 

 certainly J;es concealed great virtue, both in the 

 whole and the fevcral parts of fulphur, communi- 

 cable by the operation •, particularly in the metallic 

 or copper portion thereof, which, according to 

 Poppius's experiment, is capable of being volati- 

 lifed and fublimed. 



But, (1.) fulphur is not to be confidered fo 

 much in a palTive, as in an active capacity -, not as 

 receptive, but as impregnating. 



(2.) I have experienced its activity, when pro- 

 perly applied to the incomplete, particularly the 

 white metals and the femi metals, exerted more 

 for the production of Giver. Arfenic remains to be 

 confidered, which in this cafe, efpecially in con- 

 junction with copper, is of fome confequence : in 

 it lodges an earth, a mercurial virgin earth, emi- 

 nently fuited for gold ; as thofe but a little con- 

 verfant with Mercury mud allow ; to which po- 

 ll thing 



