CLASS III. COMBUSTIBLES. 
SULPHUR FAMILY. 
211. COMMON SULPHUR, or BRIMSTONE, is a 
yellow, dry, and brittle substance, which, in burning, yields a, 
suffocating fume : the smell of this, under the denomination of 
sulphureous, is well known. 
Sulphur is found in a pure or native state in nearly all vol- 
canic countries : it is about twice as heavy as water; and is- 
sometimes crystallized in the form of octahedrons, whose bases 
are rhombs. It exists abundantly in a state of combination 
with several metallic substances, and is also formed in putrid 
animal remains. 
A great proportion of the sulphur which is used in 
commerce is obtained by the process of roasting copper, 
and other ores, previously to their being smelted. It 
passes off' in the form of vapour, and, on being received 
into chambers constructed for the purpose, is there de- 
posited in a powdery state. The substance thus formed 
is the flour of sulphur of the shops. It is afterwards 
melted in large pans, and cast in wooden tubes, to make 
the hard, or roll brimstone. Nearly all the sulphur used 
in France comes from the Solfatara of Italy. This vol- 
canic country every where exhibits indications of the 
agency of subterraneous fires. Nearly the whole ground 
is bare and white; and, in every part, is warmer than the 
atmosphere during the greatest heat of summer. A sul- 
phureous vapour is constantly emitted from the earth, 
and sulphur is condensed in various parts, and in great 
abundance. This is collected, packed in casks, and 
exported to Marseilles, where it undergoes certain pre- 
parations that are necessary towards purifying and 
rendering it fit for sale. 
A considerable quantity of sulphur is employed in the 
