106 
Mr Murray on a Species of 
Underneath this is a stratum of lapideous matter, called by the 
people ToadstonCy (amygdaloid,) but which is a simple aggre- 
gated mass or Breccia^ composed of fragmented pieces of, a dark 
red sandstone, agglutinated by peroxide of iron. The water 
heneath these deposits is an ochrey sediment. 
This peculiar matter was immediately pronounced to be a 
rich and valuable’ soil, and consequently a considerable quan- 
tity was removed and put up into a heap near the garden wall, 
for the purpose of employing it in horticulture. It had only 
lain in this form twelve or fourteen days, when it emitted co- 
pious volumes cf smohe^ accompanied with a 'powerful sulphu - 
reous smell. The farmers, in order to extinguish it, ordered 
water to be thrown into the mass. This, however, only in- 
creased the evil, and., at the imminent hazard of suffocation, it 
was necessarily removed to a distance. 
A small quantity had been scattered on some meadow-land. 
The grass immediately withered^ and several years elapsed be- 
fore it recovered its wonted fertility. 
The residue of two cart loads (after this spontaneous combus- 
tion), would not fill a wheelbarrow. 
The external or physical characters of this substance would 
induce us to believe it to be a rich dark mould. It is ming- 
led with fragments and fibres of decayed wood, and with 
glistening metallic particles. It has a considerable avidity for 
moisture, and soon becomes humid. Dissolved in distilled water 
it possesses a ferruginous and styptic taste. 
When ignited in a platinum spoon with a spirit-lamp, it be- 
comes light brown, with interspersed minute shining particles, 
apparently metallic. It glows in this flame like pyrophorus,, 
giving oflP copious and sulphureous vapours. The sulphurous 
acid gas thus found was announced by its peculiar smell and 
4ense smoke, when a stopper moistened with ammonia was 
brought near. 
400 grains ignited in a platinum crucible left only 66.5 grains. 
The loss, therefore, of 333.5 grains was principally carbona- 
ceous matter and sulpbur, 
400 grains acted on by muriatic acid left 178.25 grains. This 
loss of 221.75 grains, shewed the quantity soluble in that acid. 
A portion was dissolved in distilled water, and the solution 
