PYRITE IN COAE 
109 
Fig. 3. The other half of lump of coal showing where “ax” was found. 
irregular in outline, which shows the characteristic appearance 
of pyrite quite plainly. This other specimen weighed seven pounds 
and eleven ounces with a specific gravity of 3.62 and measured 
approximately eight inches by eight inches with a maximum thick- 
ness of two and a half inches, tapering to the edges. This second 
specimen was not smooth on its surface. The surface of the 
first specimen was comparatively smooth. 
Iron pyrite, or pyrites, bisulphide of iron, is widely distributed 
in nature, being found in the rocks of nearly every geological 
age. It is sometimes found in clays, in slates, and in coal meas- 
ures. 
This particular specimen is remarkable for its resemblance to 
a stone ax in outline, in smoothness, in weight, in color. It was 
separate and distinct from the coal, and was in no wise connected 
with the coal. The cleavage was complete. 
This specimen of pyrite, together with the lump of coal from 
which it was taken, will be placed with the State University. 
