Sulphur, also called Brimstone, is a natural production, and is
found either pure, or combined with metals forming ores, for the
most part called “pyrites,” as, iron pyrites, copper pyrites, &c.
In chemical language these compounds are called “sulphurets” or
“sulphides.” Sulphur is one of the elements; that is to say, it is
a simple body, or one neither capable of being made nor separated
into other ingredients. It is crystalline, of a bright yellow color,
very inflammable and volatile, burns with a blue flame and gives off
pungent fumes of sulphurous acid. It is got pure by distillation from
various substances containing it, and in Sicily is found nearly pure
as a volcanic product. Sulphur is chiefly used for the manufacture of
sulphuric acid and gunpowder, and was also largely used for making
matches, but phosphorus (a still more inflammable substance) has
almost superseded it in the manufacture of this necessary article.