Muriate of Ammonia

This, from its colour might appear to be a variety of Sulphur among the usual sulphurous productions of Lipari. Its irregular fibrous or small columnar appearance and less solid texture, however, distinguish it. Sulphur and even the beautifully scarlet Realgar or Sulphuret of Arsenic accompany it, as in the present specimen, It is usually found in the state of powder in the middle of Lava in Persia. When heated it sublimes in the form of whitish smoke with a foetid pungent odour occasioned by its partial decomposition by the sulphur that colours it; it is readily soluble in water, giving it an alkaline taste.