33° Mr. Hatchett’s Analysis 
§ VII. 
So far, therefore, as can be proved by similarity in chemical 
properties and analysis, the magnetical pyrites is indisputably a 
natural sulphuret, completely the same with that which till now 
has been only known as an artificial product; but, that the 
mind may be perfectly satisfied, another question must be 
solved, namely, how far do they accord in receiving and re- 
taining the property of magnetism ? Common pyrites do not 
appear to affect the magnetic needle, or, if some of them slightly 
act by attraction, (which however I never could perceive, nor 
recollect to have read in works expressly relating to magnetism,) 
yet they do not possess, nor appear capable of acquiring, any 
magnetic polarity. As, therefore, the iron of pyrites is un- 
doubtedly in the metallic state, and in a considerable proportion, 
the destruction of this characteristic property of metallic iron, 
must be ascribed to the other ingredient, sulphur. 
But we have lately seen, that a natural combination of iron 
with 36.30 or 37 per cent, of sulphur, is in possession of all the 
properties supposed hitherto to appertain (in any marked degree) 
almost exclusively to the well known magnetic iron ore ; and 
that the combination alluded to is strictly chemical, and not (as 
at first might have been imagined) a mixture of particles of 
magnetic iron ore with common pyrites.* 
This is certainly very remarkable; and it induced me to exa- 
mine the effects produced by sulphur, on the capacity of metallic 
* This has been sufficiently proved, by the facts which have been stated ; I shall 
however add, that upon digesting a mixture of the powder of common pyrites and iron 
filings in muriatic acid, I only obtained hydrogen gas, exactly as if I had employed the 
iron filings without the pyrites. 
