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212
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DE NATURA FOSSILIUΜ
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copper.
The pyrite from Breitenbrunn, Misena, contains no metal. We can
conclude that the older writers who have written of the large amounts
of copper that were extracted from pyrite did not know what they were
writing about.
One
pyrite differs from another not only in the metal or metals it
contains but also in color. One may be golden yellow, another
silver-white. Each is mentioned frequently in the older writings; each
is called mar-chasita by the Moors; each has the appearance of
copper; and each is found in copper and silver mines as well as in the
lead mine of Goslar. There are two varieties of golden-yellow pyrite.
One has the color of pure gold and this the chemists call marchasita, the
other is silvery gold. There are two varieties of the silver-white
pyrite, one almost the color of galena, the other gray. The former is
found at Reichenstein, Lygius, and contains silver and gold, the latter
is found at this same mine but does not contain these metals.22
Pyrite
has a variable density and weight. That which is denser and contains
more metal is heavier. The hardness varies and some is hard, some soft
and some intermediate. Fire is produced with ease from hard pyrite when
it is struck with iron or a hard stone and for this reason the Romans,
according to Pliny, called it "alive." It is difficult to strike fire
from the moderately hard pyrite and the soft material gives no sparks.
The form of pyrite is more variable than that of any other natural mineral.23
That found in rivers and creeks is rounded or spherical. That found in
clay veins is sometimes clyindrical with the appearance of having been
polished. At Hanover pyrite that is oblong and hollow like a pipe is
found in the ocher that fills joints in the calcareous rocks. Some
pyrite is cubic such as that not uncommonly found in rivers and creeks
and some resembles eggs. The latter produces atramentum sutorium and
is related to it. In a mine between Hildesheim and the fortress of
Steuren-wald and in the moat on the north side of the fortress pyrite
is found with the form of shells and grapes. Commonly it occurs
resembling masses of branches that are all joined. Masses resembling
honeycomb are also found. Sometimes very thin sheets similar to sheets
of gold, silver, and copper are found spread on stones and rocks.
Sometimes entire veins consist of solid massive pyrite from whence very
large masses are obtained Diphryges is made from pyrite, as I
have said. As a medicament it dries and disperses gatherings and for
that reason is used to cure hard and soft tumors.24
22
It would appear that Agricola recognized pyrite (silvery gold),
chalcopyrite (pure gold color), marcasite (color of galena), and
arsenopyrite (gray) aa different varieties and included them under
pyrite. The soft pyrite might be chalcopyrite.
23 In light of present knowledge this would be said of calcite.
24 Agricola discusses pyrite at greater length in Bermannus, page
438. Bermannus. "Then you will not concede that copper is obtained from
pyrite? Naevius. "Why not? Dioscorides states definitely that this is
true.
Ancon. "Serapio writes that copper is smelted from marchasita. Perhaps marchasita is the same as pyrite. . . .
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