and Observations on Woot % . 
335 
of the black matter to be one per cent, of the steel and wootz, 
and a proportionally smaller quantity from the iron. On ac- 
count of the very black and turbid appearance during the dis- 
solution of wootz and steel, I was much surprised by the 
smallness of the quantity of black matter on the filtres ; nor 
could I by experiment find that any of it passed through the 
filtres with the solutions. 
This black matter being sprinkled upon boiling nitre, a de- 
flagration took place, and a large proportion of residue was 
found, and ascertained to be oxide of iron. The black matter 
was therefore a compound of iron and carbon, or, as some 
chemists term it, plumbago ; and which in the new system is 
denominated a carburet of iron. 
I estimate the quantity of carbon in wootz and steel to be 
nearly equal ; and that quantity to be about one- third of a 
hundredth part, or of the weight of these two substances. 
I am in the next place to give an account of the solutions 
just mentioned of wootz, steel, and iron. On standing, it has 
been observed, there was a deposition of white matter, and for- 
mation of green crystals in a liquid. 
The liquid being decanted, was examined, and found to be 
sulfate of iron and superabundant diluted sulphuric acid. 
The green crystals were obviously those of sulfate of iron. 
The white matter I supposed was the siderite of Bergman ; 
tvhich is now believed to be phosphate of iron. I made many 
experiments to ascertain its nature, but it is only necessary to 
state ; that it readily dissolved in hot water, and the solution 
afforded nothing but crystals of sulfate of iron. These crystals, 
by dissolving in a little water, and by boiling to leave behind 
Xx 3 
