344 Dr. Pearson's Experiments 
mered iron, is very little diminished by ignition and cooling 
rapidly (§2. No. 6.). It melts, but at a higher temperature 
than crude iron (§3. i, k). It is not easily reduced into 
filings, even after annealing (§3. g ). Its polished surface 
grows black by being wetted with acid (§ 5. e). It is not so 
brittle as raw iron, nor even as steel (§ 2.). On solution in 
sulphuric acid and water, it affords about the same quantity 
of carbon, and rather less hydrogen gaz than steel (§6.). 
From these and other properties related in the preceding 
experiments and observations, it is evident that wcotz ap- 
proaches nearer to the state of steel than of raw iron ; although 
it possesses some properties of this last substance. 
With regard to the kind of steel to which wootz is to be re- 
ferred ; it is not of that sort in which there is either an excess 
or deficiency of carbon (p. 341, 1. 15, et seq .) ; but it must 
contain something besides carbon and iron, otherwise it would 
be common steel. It appears that the solution in nitrous 
(§5.) and diluted sulphuric acids (§6.) contained only oxide 
of iron, and the residue of carbonaceous matter, as in com- 
mon steel. Hence it is obvious to suspect that wootz con- 
tains oxygen, either equally united with every part of the 
mass, or united with a portion of iron to compose oxide; 
which is diffused throughout the mass. That this is really 
the ingredient in wootz which distinguishes it from steel, 
seems to be proved, or at least consists with its properties. 
For it accounts for the smaller quantity of hydrogen gaz than 
was afforded by common steel ( § 6. ) : it accounts for the par- 
tial fusion (§ 3. h ) : it accounts for the great hardness even 
on reducing its temper (§3. #); for its little malleability 
(§ 3.) ; perhaps it is the reason of the fine edge and polish 
