33® Mr. Hatchett’s Analysis 
other circumstances, there was every reason to conclude, that 
in this respect also it was not inferior. 
Another portion of sulphuret was formed, as above described ; 
it was placed between magnetical bars, and, in like manner, 
received and retained the magnetic power. 
It is certain, therefore, that when a quantity of sulphur equal 
to 35 or 37 per cent, is combined with iron, it not only does not 
prevent the iron from receiving the magnetic fluid, but enables 
it to retain it, so that the mass acts in every respect as a perma- 
nent magnet. 
Black oxide of iron, by one operation, does not appear to 
combine with sulphur so readily as iron filings ; a second opera- 
tion, however, converts it into a sulphuret, very much resembling 
that which has just been described, including the chemical as 
Well as the magnetical properties ; but, undoubtedly, by these 
processes, it is progressively converted, perfectly or very nearly, 
into the metallic state. 
Iron combined with a larger proportion of oxygen, such as 
the fine gray specular iron from Sweden, will not form a sul- 
phuret by the direct application of sulphur, in one operation ; 
although it becomes of a dark brown colour, partly iridescent, 
and is moderately attracted by a magnet. 
50 grains of the magnetical pyrites, reduced to powder, and 
mixed with three times the weight of sulphur, were distilled 
in a retort, until the bulb became moderately red-hot. After 
the distillation, the pyrites weighed 54.50; consequently, the 
addition of sulphur was gper cent, making the total =45.50 or 
4 6 per cent. The powder was become greenish-yellow, very like 
that of the common pyrites : it did not afford any sulphuretted 
