SuUphur

[L,.] A yellow mineral, occurring in large quantities either as pyrites (sulphides), gypsum (sulphates), or native, mixed with gyp¬ sum. It is found in volcanic regions. It is puri¬ fied by distillation, and is obtained by sublima¬ tion as a lemon-yellow powder (flowers of sul¬ phur) or as sticks (brimstone). It burns with a blue flame and a peculiar irritating odor. It is used in gunpowder, and in making matches, in medicine, and in making sulphuric acid. Sul¬ phur is also obtained as crystals.—Sulphuric acid, the most important compound of sulphur and oxygen, is a heavy, corrosive oily liquid, colorle when pure, but usually of a brownish color. It is used in the manufacture of hydro¬ chloric and nitric acids, alizarin, soda, and bleaching-powders; in making ether, parch¬ ment, and nitro-glycerine, and in etching iron. It was formerly called vitriolic acid, and is popu¬ larly called vitriol or oil of vitriol. (See Epsom Salts.)