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XVII. Experiments and Observations to investigate the Nature 
of a Kind of Steel , manufactured 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. 
Read June 11, 1795. 
• § 1. 
Doctor Scott, of Bombay, in a letter to the President, 
acquaints him that he has 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 esteem among the Indians. Dr. Scott 
mentions several of its properties, and requests that an in- 
quiry may be instituted to obtain further knowledge of its 
nature. This gentleman informs the President, that wootz 
<e admits of a harder temper than any thing known in that 
44 part of India ; that it is employed for covering that part of 
44 gun-locks which the flint strikes : that it is used for cut- 
44 ting iron on a lathe ; for cutting stones ; for chizzels ; for 
44 making files ; for saws ; and for every purpose where exces- 
44 sive hardness is necessary/' Dr. Scott observes that this 
substance “cannot bear any thing beyond a very slight red heat, 
44 which makes it work very tediously in the hands of smiths 
and that 44 it has a still greater inconvenience or defect, that 
44 of not being capable of being welded with iron or steel ; 
44 to 'which therefore it is only joined by screws and other 
