1 r DUKE i UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Treasure %oom T H NATURAL HISTORY O F WATERS, EARTHS, STONES, FOSSILS, AND MINERALS. WITH THEIR VIRTUES, PROPERTIES, AND MEDICINAL USESv To which is added. The Method in which L i N n ^ u s has treated thefe Subjefts. B Y R. BROOKES, M, D. Author of the General Practice of Physic^ VOL. V. L O N D ON: Printed for J. N e w b e r y, at the Bible and Sun in St. Paul's Church-yard. M DCC LXIII, CONTENTS. A A" Ai: count of the mofi remarkable Mineral JVaters in England, Preface. Chap, I. Of medicated Mineral Waterst Page 1 II. Of Earths and Clajs, 5 III. Of Marls, ro IV. OfOkers, 14 V. Of Boles y ig VI. OfTripolies, 23 VII. Of Iftng Glafi, Mofcovy Glafs, and "talc, 25 VIII. Of Foftle Suhfances, that are not ela/iick, and compojcd of Jhort Fibres .^ 32 XX . Of F affiles called AJbeftos and Amianthus , 3 5 X. OfFoJJiles called Gj/fums-y 38 XI. Of the Seltnites, 40 XII. OfChryftah 46 XIII. OfimperfeaChryfals, 50 XIV. Of spars of XIX. OfGems of all Kinds, I28. XX, Of the more ignoble Stones, >■ 163 XXI. Of Loams or Earth, found in Strata or Beds, XXII. Of Sand Stones and Rock Stones^ 175, XXIII. Of Slates, 185: XXIV. Of Marbles', r88> XX Y, OfAlabaJt^yZorphyry^QndQramt^, 200 Cbapv iv CONTENTS. Chap. XXVI. Of common circumfcribed Stones f 204 XXVII. Of the harder common Stones f 220 XXVIII. Of Stones approaching to the Nature of Flint, 225 XXIX. Of Stones that ha've the Appearance of Peb- bles^ 228 XXX. Offiinty Stones, 233 XXXI. Of common Pebble Stonesy 235 XXXII. Of Sand and Grits, 251 XXXIII. Of Marchafites, and Pyrites, or Fire Stones, 280 XXXIV. Of Fojpje petrified Bodies, 288 XXXV . Of njitrefcent and calcarious Stones, and thofe that ivill notjirike Fire :; H E nature of Minerals, and the ana- )^ T X ly^is of their various combinations, ^'- .. ..-^' belong more properly to another branch )^.)^'.M.M. of fcience. It would be unneceflary, therefore, to fwell our work, with what will be found elfewhere with greater propriety. This fubjeft, indeed, might give room for the difplay of much learning ^nd more conjecture, but in- ijead of gratifying a vain curiofity, it will be pre- ferable to fupply the reader with ufeful information. We fhall therefore employ this Introdudlion in defcribing the various Mineral Waters to be found in Etigbnd, which have contributed either to medicinal or commercial purpofes, relate the chemical trials which have been made to find out their virtues, and the good efFeds which they have been experienced to produce in the conftitu- tion. It is ufual to give an account of their contents, after the evaporation of the water ; but this is not fufficient in all cafes, becaufe there is often a vo- latility, whenjuft taken from the fpring, wherein the principal ftrength of the water refides, and which is loft if not immediately drank. Hence it follovvs, that the nature of the contents will not always afcertain the virtues of the waters. However, in recounting the effects and proper- ties of thefe waters, al! the circumftances will be taken notice of, that may tend to give an infight into their operations ; and that each fpring may be more readily found, I fhall place the counties in which they rife in an alphabetical order. BERK- ii THE PREFACE. BERKSHIRE. T N this county we meet with but two Mineral ■*' waters, one at Sunmng-hUl in JVindfor-Forefl^ which ii of the fame nature as the Tunbridge waters ; and the other at Comner^ or Cumner^ three miles weft of Oxford. This laft water is always of a whitifh colour, efpecially in the fummer time when the well is low ; the reafon of which ap- pearance is faid to be owing to its proceeding from Hme-ftone. Oil of Tartar being dropt therein, caufes it to let fall a white fediment ; and Spirit of Hartfhorn turns it to a pearl-colour ; but with the Solution of Silver it turns to a purplifh pearl colour, and with Syrup of Violets, green. A gallon of this water will yield 296 grains of fediment, whereof 76 grains are lime-ftone, and the remainder a calcarious nitre. The fediment is dark brown, with a faltifli and very bitter tafte ; and will ferment with Vinegar as well as with Oil of Vitriol, and will alfo turn green immediately with Syrup of V iolets. The fait itfelf is of a yel- lowifli brown colour, and has a faltifti, naufeous, bitter tafte. It is a kind of calcarious nitre, but inclines more to an alcali than moft others of this clafs. It is not much frequented ; but it is known that a quart of it will purge a robuft country fellow. Cornwall. The mineral fpiings in this county, have never been taken notice of 'till very lately, and that is by Mr. Borlace in his furvey of Cornwall. Madern Well is only a fpring of pure water, and it rifts in the p2in{h of Madern^ four miles wc{\: of Penza^ice. However, it is reforted to hy many people that arc affii£ted wiih pains, aches, and ftiftneis of the ".imbs ; and it has done many cures, which may be only owing to the coldnefs and purity of rhc fpi ing. Eufty fFell was fo famous formerly, that there was a chapel erected clofe The PREFACE. iii clofe by it, dedicated to St. Eurnus j and it ftiil prefcrves its reputation for drying up humours and healing wounds and fores. However, as this has no evident mineral impregnation, thefe ef- fects may be owing merely to the coldnefs of the water, which braces up the nerves and mufcles, and ftrengthens the glands. Here is another well of this fort, called the Holy Well^ which is about a mile and a half to the north-weft of St. Cuth- bert^s church, in a cave that lies in a fmall fandy bay. In this cave, there are ftones like ificles, that hang from the roof, and the floor of the rock is covered with the fame fubftance. This water will not change the colour of green tea, nor curdle milk; from whence its concluded, that it has neither alum nor fteel in its compofition. When this water is evaporated, it will depofit a fmall fediment, of the fame colour and fubftance with the incruftations : it will neither melt nor flame, nor has it any particular tafte or -fmell, and yet for all this, it is in great ufe for fluxe*? and diforders of the bowels. The moft remarkable Chalybeate Spring in. Cornwall^ rifes in the tenement of Colurian^ m the parifh of Ludgva?:. The bed through which this water runs is full of an ochreou«, iron mine-* ral, from which its tafte and fmell proceeds. It turns to a deep reddifli purple with Galls, and with Oak-leaves it becomes of a bluilh black, but has a purplifh caft. When a thimbleful of Oil of Tartar v/as diopped into this water, it fell immediately to the bottom of the glafs, which held about half a pint: but it precipitated no fediment, nor made any change in the water ; only the colour was more inclinable to that of a bright oker, but was fcarcely difcernable. It will not turn filver black, and therefore it is concluded there is no fulphur in it ; but in the morning be- B 2 "tors IV The PREFACE. tore the water is ftirred there is a fihn on the fur- tace with all the colours of the rainbow, (hooting too and fro, which occafions fome to think, there i-j a naptha in the water. It will mix with milk, and lathers readily with foap ^ and after it has liood 24 hours in the open air, it undergoes j\o alteration from Galls, which is owing to the fly- ing ofF of the volatile fpirit. The virtues of this water are very great, for perfons have been cured of the King's Evil, by drinking the water and wafning the parts afFeded, v/honi Mr. Borlace knew ; and he heard of many others that were cured in the fame manner. It is very diuretick, promotes perfpiration, opens obftrudlions of the bowels, and reftores a loft appetite. It alfo cures fores of every kind, and is very good to wafh the eves with. Cumberland* At Stanger in this county, two miles fouth of Cockermouth^ and three weft of Kefwick, there is a fpring oi clear feltifli water, with the tafte and fmell of iron ; it turns white with Spirit of Hartfhorn ; lets fall a great fedi- ment with Oil of Tartar : a gallon of this water will yield iiyograins of fediment ; whereof ic8a are fea-falt, and the reft lime-ftone. It is white, hot on the tongue, and grows very moift in a damp air. There is a little mixture of nitre with the fea-falt, but this laft predominates, and is joined to a confiderable quantity of iron. Four or five pints will purge upwards and downwards ; but it is an excellent remedy in furfeits, pains in the ftomach and breaft, the green-ficknefs, fcurvy, fores, and breaking out of the fkin. Derbyshire. Buxton JVell^ lyes at the bot- tom of a dirty village of the fame najne, and there IS a large commodious houfe, to which a great deal of good company refort inthefummer- tiinc. The water is neither fo hot as that of Bath, The PREFACE. V Baih^ nor fo coid as that of Briflol. '■ It has a fweet, pleafant tafte, and a gallon will yield about 20 grains of a fediment, which confifts chiefly of lime-ftone, fea-falt, and a little calca- rioiis nitre. It depofites a white fediment with Oil of Tartar ; but it will not turn filver black, nor does it difcover any figns of fulphur. It will not ferment with Spirit of V^itriol, nor turn green with Galls, 'till they have foaked four days there- in. It is a temperate bath, and a very light water. It is of a relaxing, diluting, fweeteni ng and at- tenuating nature ; and will open obflruc^aons of the fmalleft veiiels. It is good in confumptions, for hot fcorbutick humours, and all fluxions and bleedings, as well as in hypocondriacal and hyf- terical cafes. It is of great ufe in the regular gout, in rheumatick and fcorbutick pains, in vo- miting of blood, and in fluxes of the piles, as well as all other hjemorrhages. It is good in inter- nal inflammations, confumptions, the diabetes, and a bloody urine ; as alfo in a bilious cholick, and want of appetite, and in cold ftomachs from^ hard drinking. To thefe may be added con- tradlions, cramps, convulflons, St. Anthony's fire, and all breakings out of the fkin. Matlock Bath is alfo in Derby/Jnre^ near TVirkf- worthy and ten miles north by weft oi Derby. The village is feated on the very edge of the river Derwetit^ is a very beautiful place, and is fre- quented by very polite company. The water of the bath is not fo hot as that of Brijiol^ and it curdles v/ith foap. It depofites a white fediment with Oil of Tartar, and the f;ime experiments give the fame appearances as in Buxton water. A gallon of water yields 40 grains of fediment, whereof 13 are fait, confifting of nitre and fea- falt ; and the remainder is a rough, white alcaline earth. The virtues of thefe waters are nearly the B 3 fame vi The P R E F A C E. fame as thofe of Buxton and Brijiol^ ufed either in- ternally or externally. Both drinking and bath- ing arc good for gleets, the fluor albus, the can- cer and the king's evil. Bathing is proper for rheumatirms, fcurvy, and detedations of the (kin, it is alfo ufed fuccefsfully in all forts of bleedings, as well as he(5iick fevers and inv/ard ulcers, w^ith a milk diet. It alfo cures the diabetes, and the bilious choiick. IVef.ivood is another village in this county, near ^amurf.eyy v/here there is a fpiing, which feems to be a foiution of the pyrites, that generally attends pit-coal. It turns blue with Galls, and the fait feparated from the earthy part of the fedi- mcnt will ihoot into beautiful criftals of vitriol, Without any other fait. The water v. ill cure ftubborn ulcers ; and particularly healed one in a Maid Servant that was very fiightful: it was ■wailied twice a day with this v/ater, and was cured in three months. Dorsetshire has only one mineral water, hi'herto taken notice of, and this is at Nottiyiton^ a village near JVeymoiith. The water has a ftrong /uiphuiious fmell, with a flavour refembling that of boiled ^ggs^ and the colour in a tin veiTel is blue. At the fountain head a (hilling put into this water, becomes of a gold colour in two or three minutes ; and from various experiments it appears to be impregnated with fulphur and natron. It is remarkable for curing foulncfles of the Ikin, by internal ufe. Durham. Hartlepool is a market-town in this Bilhoprick, commodioufly feated on the fca- (hore, and is 15 miles fouth-wcft of Durham. The water found here is a chalybeate, though as it rife.s it difcnver<^ a little fteel and fulphur, which io^m flies off after it is taken up. It lets fall a white fediment with Salt of Tartar \ becomes whitiili The PREFACE, vii whrtifii with Spirit of Hartfnorn, and turns of a pink-colour with Galls; but green with Syrup of Violets. A gallon yields 120 grains of fedi- nnient, whereof two parts are nitre, one fea-falt, andthe reft lime-ftcnc. The wearer is an excel- lent antifcorbutick, and cures habitual cholicks. It is good in pains of the ftomach, in indigeftion, in the gravel, in womens obftru6tions, in hypo- condriack melancholy, in the cachexy, in weak- nefies of the back, hedical heats, and recent ulcers. Essex. Here are feveral mineral waters in this county, of which one is at Upminjler^ fevea miles fouth of Burninxjoocl^ and eight eaft o( Burk^ ing. The water is bitter, and it will curdle with Oil of Tartar, but more ftrongly with Spirit of Hartfhorn, and will not lather wiih Soap. A ifolution of Alum, caufes it to let fall a large grumous fediment, and the folution of Copperas changes it to a dark dun colour. It appears to "be a fulphurious water, of a ccnfiderable ftrength, and a gallon will yield 332 grains of fediment, which is of a naufeous bitter tafte. It is chiefly a calcarious nitre, mixed with a little natron and fea-falt. The water is purgative and diuretick, abforbs acidities, ftrengthens the ftomach, and checks vomiting. IVhitham water, when frefh, is perfe£lly clear, and has a very flrong chalybeate iinell and tafte. It has a remarkable frefhnefs when juft taken from the fpring, which renders it agreeable to the tafte and ftomach ; but after it has flood awhile, it loofes that quality, and depofites a brownifh fediment. A gallon by evaporation, will yield 30 grains of fediment, which will grow damp in a moift air. However, this water is of no ufe, unlefs it be drank immediately at the fpring, and then it is diuretick, and is good in hedick fevers, lownefs of fpirits, weakneis of the B 4 nerves, viii The P R E F A C E. nerv^es, and want of appetite. IVitham is ii market-tov/n, which lies in the road between Chelmsford and Colchejicr. Tilbury is a village, feated over-againft Gravef- eiid in Kent ; and the water here is fomewhat of a ftraw-colour, and has a foft fmooth tafte. With Oil of Tartar, it will caufe no immediate pre- cipitation, though it will curdle with Soap, but nor with Milk. A gallon will yield i8o grains of fedimcnt, of a yellowiih brown colour, with a Iharp tafte, like that of a fixed alcali. A quart of this is a middling dofe j it generally pafles oft by urine and perfpiration. It warms the blood j is good inlowncfs offpirits, and is a fpecihckin loofe- -nclies. It alfo cures fluxes of blood, and indeed all other fluxes ; and is particularly good in an acidity of the ftomach, and for fonie kinds of fcurvies, Flintshire is in North Wales^ and Caergik in this county, is about feven or eight miles fouth by weft of Chejler. The water found here is as clear as criftal, and yet it will turn whitifh with Oil of Tartar ; it alfo turns green with Syrup of Violets, and red with Log-wood. A gallon will yield 22c grains of fcdiment, of which 66 are earth, and 154 are fea-falt and lime-ftone. It appeals, to be impregnated with calcarious nitre and fea-falt, and if drank to a quart or two, will purge pretty well. It has cured a woman that had a ioathibme fcurf all over her body, by drink- ing three pints of this water in a day. Likewife feveral children afflidled with fcorbutickdiforders, and the. leprofy, have been cured by drinking and wafhing. Gloucestershire has but one remarkable water, which is at Chelteyiham^ a town which lies in the road from Gloiicejler to Warwick, It was not much taken notice of before the year 1740, and then it was faid to be the beft purging water in Tlie PREFACE. Ix in England ; but it begins now to be negle(5led. It is limpid, a little brackifh, and naufeoufly bit- ter. It will curdle with Soap, and lets fall a white, grumous fediment with the folution of Salt of Tartar, and with the Spirit of Sal Am- moniac. It will ferment with Oil of Vitriol, Spirit of Salt, and Vinegar: beef and mutton boiled therein will become of a pale red, and it turns of a deep green with Syrup of Viplets. A gallon will yield 688 grains of fediment, which contains a little impalpable earth, mixed with a little fait, which is chiefly calcarious, and has a naufeous bitter tafte. The dofe is from one pint to three or four, nor is it ever attended with gripes, but creates a keen appetite. It has been ufed with fuccefs in the gravel, and will cure old fcorbutick humours, St. Anthony s lire, and ftru- mous inflammations of the eyes. Glamorganshire is in North IVdes^ and at Sivanfey^ a fea-port town, there is a fpring that has an acid ftiptick tafte like alum, though the predominant fait is a martial vitriol. It turns blue with Vinegar^ and will not curdle with Milk. A gallon of this water yields 40 grains of fediment, of a highly acid, lliptick, vitriolick tafte^ and a light brown colour, which will fer- ment with Spirit of Hanftiorn and Oil of Tartar. It is good in loofenefles, and will ftaunch blood externally in wounds. HertfordshiPvE has two mineral Springs, at Barnet and NorthalL The firft is called Eaji Barnet^ and is ficuated two miles fouth-eaft of High Barnet. Northall lies three tniles north of High Barnet^ and receives its name from Northaw^ which is the fame as North-grove ; there having been a wood here belonging to the monaftery of St. Albans. Both the waters feem to be of the fame nature j that at NorthrJl is a little brackifh B 5 ?.nd y The P R E F A C E. and bittcrifn in the throut j but rs not (6 naufeous as that at Epjom. Barnet water is bitterer than the former, but they both will curdle with Soap, and let fall a grumous fediment with Oil of Tar- tar. With a folution of Alum they will let fall white grumes, which experiment fhows they are not a luminous: but with Galls they turn of a wheyifh colour \ and with Logwood of a deep red. A gallon of Northall water will yield four drams, and twelve grains of very white fediment j and a gallon of that at Barnet^ 20 grains of a brackifh, bitter fediment. From other experiments it ap- pears, that both thefe waters contain calcarious nitre, with a fmall mixture of fea-falt, and a little ]ime-ftone. They have both a purging quality 'y but they are not half fo ftrong as that at Epfom. Kent has a remarkable mineral Water, com- monly known by the name of Tunbridge IVelisy which is 34 miles fouth-eaft of London. In a warm feafon a gas of vitriol may be perfectly di- ftinguiftied in this water ; and it is generally al- lowed to be impregnated with volatile and fpiri- tuous exhalations. It turns of a blackifh purple colour at the fountain-head with Galls, Oak- leaves, and Green Tea ; but if a few drops of "Spirit of Vitriol be added thereto, it will become clear again. In a rainy feafon in 'January^ a gal- lon will yield nine grains of fediment; but in Augujl no more than fix grains. It is alight, and comparative pure chalybeate, and its virtues are moft powerful at the fountain-head. It caufes a blackifh perfpiration, which in time will change the linncn of the drinkers to the fame colour. It purges moft by ftool and urine ; but if the fto- mach be foul by vomit. In general, it is an effec- tual remedy in obftruftions of the glands of the mefentery, as well as in recent dropfies, as alfo in phlegrnatick patients, whofe blood is very pooc. It The PREFACE. >^r It is good in all pains of the ftomach, and in painful fwellings at the pit of the ftomach, though of many months ftanding. Its excellent in ulcers of the kidnies and bladder ; and cures the cholick, vomiting, and the hiccough, and like- wife kills worms. It ftrengthens the brain and nerves, and is good in convulfions, the head-ach, and vertigo -, befides, it cures long and tedious agues, and is good in the dropfy, black and yel- low jaundice, hard fwellings of the fpleen, the fcurvy, green-ficknefs and fluor albus, as well as helps fore eyes and red pimples. Sydenham wells are in the parifh of Lew- ijham^ and are feated upon a common near DuU wich in Surry. The water is a little bitterifh j will curdle with Soap, and with the folution of Pot-afties, it will let fall a white grumous fedi- ment. From thefe, and other experiments, it appears to be impregnated with a calcarious jiitre and fea-falt, joined to a little natron and calcarious earth. A quart will yield above a dram of a palifh yellov/ fediment, with a naufeous, bitter tafte ; and the fait feparated therefrom has the fame tafte, with a little brackifhnefs. It pro- duces much the fame eiTadh as Epfo?7i water, tha' it is not half fo ftrong. Dulwich v/ater has its name from rlfmg in the hills nearly adjoining to that village in Surry ; but in reality is in the parifh of Lewijlatn^ in the coonty of Kent. The water is generally clear, and has a brackifh tafte, with a little bitternefs in the throat, and it will curdle with SoaTp^ but with Oil of Tartar it will let fall a white gru- mous fediment. A gallon will yield three drams of fediment of a greyifii colour, and a brackifh tafte, v/hich will ferment greatly with Oil of Vitriol. This water is chiefly im.pregnated with fea-falt, calcarious nitre, and a little -calcarious earth. xii The PREFACE, earth. It is a brifk purge, and will cure ulcers of every kind, by bathing therein, all defedations of the fkin, and even leprofy itfelf. It is good in obftru6tions of the bowels, in the green-ficknefs, black and yellow jaundice, the choHck, gravel, piles, cachexy, fcurvy, -and removes difficulty and fharpnefs of urine, as well as ftrengthens the brain and nerves. The dofe is three pints a day at firft ; but fhould be increafed every day till it comes to eight or nine pints. Lancashire has feveral mineral Springs, among which is CarltoJi Water ^ fo called from Carlton^ a village ten miles fouth-weft of Pre/ion^ This water is fomewhat of a chalybeate, and when juft taken up has a faint fmell of fulphur. It will curdle with Soap and Milk, turns white with Oil of Tartar, has a pink fediment with Galls, and changes to a deep blue with Log- wood. A gallon contains 236 grains of a white fediment, whereof one third part is earth. The fediment is of a brackifh tafte, and bitterifh m the throat, and will ferment with acids. The fait is brackifh and very bitterilh in the throat, and it emits an acid fume with Oil of Vitriol ; but will not ferment nor change with Vinegar : it is a more powerful abforbent than many other nitrous waters, and three or four pints will purge brifkly. Rougham JVater^ fo called from Rongharriy a village in Lancajhirc^ two or three miles from Cartmel. The fpring rifes from the bottom of a rocky mountain, and the tafte of the water is a kittle brackifh : it turns white with Oil of Vitriol, green with Syrup of Violets, and brown with Xogv/ood ; but it continues clear with Galls. A gallon of this water yields 300 grains of fedi- ment, of a faltifh tafte, and will ferment with Oil of Vitriol, and emit an acid fume. The water The PREFACE. xlii water purges brifkly by ftool and uruie, and the ' common people drink it from three to eight quarts. It is of great ufe in bad digefFions, lofs of appe- tite, and the fcurvy. It has cured the jaundice and a quartan ague ; and is excellent in the green ficknefs. Crickle Spaw^ rifes in a village of that name, a mile from Broughton. It has a ftrong fetid fmell, and will turn Silver black in a minute. The earth it runs over is of a fhining black, and yet it vuill turn rags, leaves, and grafs, white. A gallon contains 320 grains of fediment, 12 of which are earth, and the reft are fea-falt and nitre. It is a purging, fulphureous water. Height is a village not far from Wigan^ where there is a water, which will ferment ftrongly with any alcali, and it will turn inky with Galls, and has likewife a vitriolick tafte ; a gallon yields four ounces of fediment, which confifts of a va- riegation of white and green, with oker, fulphur, and a little copper.- It works plentifully by vomit and ftool, and will ftop any internal bleeding. Burnly is a town alfo in Lancajhire^ whofe waters will turn Galls of a deep red in a moment, and with Syrup of Violets to a very'deep green. It works powerfully by urine ; and is good in fcor- butick cafes. Handbrtdge is feated between Burnly and Townlyy and there's a fpring that will change Galls to a faint orange colour. The fait obtained therefrom, yields a fetid, penetrating fmell with fait of tartar. Thefe two laft Waters, agree with the Pohun at Spa^ in containing iron and natron as their prin- cipal ingredients. It purges by ftool and urine, and is of great ufe in the gravel, fcurvy, obftruc- tions, and difeafes from an acid. ht AncUff^ a village three miles ivom TVigan^ there is a Spring called the Burning JVdly which will xiv The P R E F A C E. will take fire, by holding a lighted candle near it. It will continue a whole day, and eggs and flefh may be boiled therein ; but the water itfelf is cold. It is but a few yards diftant from a rich coal mine, which renders it probable, that the inflammable vapour is rock. oil. There is a Spring two miles from JVhaley^ {^vtY\. miles weft of Burnly^ whofe ftream renders Gold brighter ; but turns all white metals black. The channel this water runs in, is lined with a bitu- minous, ftinking fubftance j and it is ftrongly im- pregnated with fulphur, combined with a little calcarious nitre, a mixture of fea-falt, and of ab- forbent earth \ but we have jio account of its virtues. Inglewhite is a village in Lancajhire^ where there is a ftrong, fulphurious and chalybeate water, which is the product of marie. This partly re- fembles flate, and will moulder, when expofed to the air into exceeding thin flakes, like leaves of fine paper, and will afterwards turn to a black powder. A gallon contains 24 grains of fediment, of which 19 are earth and oker, and five nitre ; but it will not purge, unlefs drank with fait. Leicestershire has one remarkable mineral Spring at Nevil-Holt^ a village feated to the fouth of Market Harhorough : the water is exceeding fine and clear, and it has a ftyptick, bitter, fweetifh and I'ub-acid tafte, leaving the mouth fomewhat dry. It is uncommonly brifk and fharp, when drank at the Spring-head ; and then alfo it pafl'es quicker than elfewhere : it curdles with foap ; lets fall a grofs, white fediment with Oil of Tartar, but with the folution of Alum and Copperas, it will continue clear. Hence, and from other ex- periments, it appears to contain a calcarious nitre and allum, with a fat clay, a latent fulphur, and fometiraes a little oker. It will cure externally frcfh The P R E F A C E. xv frefii wounds, and all forts of ulcers ; and is ex- cellent for the eyes : ufed outwardly, and taken inwardly, it will cure hedlick ulcers. When taken inwardly, as an alterative ; an ounce or two may be taken five or fix times a day, or four ounces night and morning ; but when defigned as a purge,^ it muft be taken from one pint to three. If the conftitution is cold and phlegmatick, it will be neceffary to add four fpoonfuls of brandy, and an ounce of fugar to each bottle of water. It is excellent in bloated, dropfical conftitutions : it has no parallel in all forts of haemorrhages, as well as in all great and natural fecretions, of what kind foever. It alfo cures an inflammation of the lungs, attended with a cough and fpitting of blood. It is very fuccefsful in the King's Evil, hidden cancers, as well as fcrophulous in- flammations of the eyes of many years {landing. It alfo cures all difeafes of the fkin, and has had furprizing fuccefs againft rheumatifms ; but it muft not be drank in the increafe and height of any internal inflammation. Lincolnshire has feveral mineral fprings, whereof one is^at Cawthorpy a village feven miles north-eaft of Stamford^ where the fpring rifes up in a large bafon, m the middle of the ftreet. It will turn very white with Oil of Tartar, and after- wards let fall a yellow fediment ; but it will turn green with Spirit of Hartfhorn. A pint will yield a fcruple of a white fediment, whereof near one half is fait, and the other earth. It is a purging chalybeate, and is probably a great corredlor of acidity. In the parifh of Strenfield^ ten miles eaft of Lin- eoln, there is a water that is pleafant and fweet to the tafte ; but will curdle with Soap, and turns to a pearl colour with Oil of Tartar. A gallon of it contains four.fcruples of a white fediment, whereof xvi The P R E F A C E. whereof 44 grains are earth, 30 nitre, and eight fea-falt. it is tbund effe<5tuai in curing obftinate fluxes, and the diabetes ; as alfo all internal hae- morrhages, and profufe night fweats. Gainjhrough is a market-town in Lmcolnjlnre^ feated on the river Trent ^ 14 miles north-v/eft of Lincoln. The fpring rifes to the fouth-eaft of the town, and fmells and taftes like fteel and fulphur. A gallon yields 192 grains of fediment, whereof 120 are earth, and 72 calcarious nitre; it has fomewhat of a purgative quality. Middlesex contains feveral mineral waters, of which one is at ASlon^ a large village, eight miles weft of London^ which is a purging-water, though it is very clear and without fmell. The tafte is a little naufeous, like a wesk folution of Epjhn fait : it will curdle with Soap ; and with Salt of Tartar it produces a white grumous cloud. Oil of Vitriol and Spirit of Salt, will excite a fmall fermentation ; and with Syrup of Violets it will turn to a light green. A gallon will yield 344 grains of fediment, it is very white, and of a naufeous bitter tafte : it will ferment verybriikly with Spirit of Salt ; and the proportion of the fait to the earthy matter, is as 73 to 4: and from other experiments it appears, that this water is chiefly impregnated with a calcarious nitre, and a finall proportion of abforbent earth. It is ac- counted one of the ftrongeft purging waters near London^ and is noted for caufmg a great forenefs in Ano. Pancras lies on the north-weft fide of London^ and in the road to KentiJh-tQwn : the water here has fcarce any tafte, till one half is evaporated, and then it becomes bitter ; with Oil of Tartar it will depofite a copious white fediment ; but with the folution of Alum there will be a fmall grumofity. Acid fpirits will produce a fmall fermentation ; and The PREFACE. xvii fend with Syrup of Violets it will turn green. A ga.llon will yield five drams ofawhitifh fcdiment, which has a faltifn and ftrongly bitter tafte in the throat, from hence it is concluded, that the im- pregnating fait is a calcarious nitre, and it is con- iiderablediuretick, and ibmewhat purgative. Shadwell If^'ater is found in the ^un Tavern Fields^ about two miles eaftward of the Tower of London^ and about half a mile from the river Thames. It is of an amber colour, v/ilh a ftrongly acid and ftyptick tafte. It ferments for fome time with ■CJii of Tartar, and lets fall a large ochreous fedi- ment j but with the folution of Alum it continues clear. It will turn a copper half-penny black on the furface, and a knife black, blue and rufty. A gallon contain 1320 grains of a white and yel- lowifh fediment, which has a highly acid and auftere tafte. The predominant fait of this wa- ter is highly acid and vitriclick, v/ith a combina- tion of fulphur. This water has been chiefly ufed externally; but if a pint of it be drank at twice, in the fpace of an hour. It will procure a gentle vomiting, and two or three ftools : it has done a great deal of good in all difeafes of th« fkin ; and fome fay it will cure fiftulas, ftubborn ulcers in the legs, and fore ej'es, by dipping linnen rags in the water, and applying them to the part^ affected : taken inwardly, it flopped internal bleed- ings, and has perfected the recovery from camp dy fenteries. Hampjiead is well known to be a large village^ or rather town, five miles north of London ; and the water that is found there, was formerly in as great reputation, as that at Tunbridge. It will lather with Soap, but undergoes no alteration with Spirit of Hartfhorn ; and yet it will ferment with Oil of Vitriol^ and grow v/arm and fmoak. It will keep milk fweet for four days, and will turn. xvlii The P R £ 5" A C E. turn purple with Syrup of Violets ; likewife with halt" a grain of Galls grated, it will turn of a fine deep purple. A gallon will yield about five or fix grains of a kind of faline concretion, mixed with a yellowifh earth ; that will tafte fomewhat like vitriol of fteel. It works chiefly by urine, and has been found good in want of appetite and in- digeftion ; it is alfo good in vomitings, cholicks, nervous and hyfterical diforders, raifing the fpirits greatly. It is ferviceable in the flour albus, in weaknefs from mifcarriages, and in the fcurvy and all difeafes m the ikin : it is proper in ob- ftrucSlions of the mefentery, bladder and Ikin ; and alfo in feme paralytick diforders. Nevj Tunbridge-IVells^ are near the New-River- Heady at the entrance of Ijl'mgton^ on the fide next London. The water has the tafte of iron^ and is a little ftyptick, with fome degree of quicknefs both in fmell- and talle, efpecially m thefummer feafon. It will lather with Soap,, and turn a little milky with a large proportion of Oil of Tartar ; but it will not let fall any fediment with volatile alcalies. A gallon will yield from 10 to 30 grains of a reddifh earth, which will ferment with Oil of Vitriol. It, is a light and comparatively pure chalybeate, of confiderable ftrength at the fountain head, where it ought to be drank. It is of great efficacy in all nervous diforders, and reftores the flrength after violent acute difeafes : it opens all obftruiSlions in wo- men, and is excellent in a dropfy ; in which cafe the dofe is from half a pint to a pint and no more. It opens obftrudtions of the glands, and is of fome fervice in reducing corpulent habits. Norfolk has but one remarkable mineral Spring, which is at Thetford^ a market-town of great antiquity : the water appears to have fome- what of iron 3 for Galls will turn it firft purple, and The PREFACE. xix and then black. It will let fall fpontaneoufly a dram of an earthy fubftance of the colour of oker, which being calcined in a crucible, fome of its particles may be attraited by a loadftone. From other experiments, it appeared to be im- pregnated with iron, fuiphur and natron ; and it works gently by ftool and urine, and fharpens the appetite : it reftores loft ftrengch, and cures pains of the ftomach, and of the head, as well as fainting, vomiting, convulfions, and indi- geftions, difficulty of breathing, and the begin- ning of a confumption ; it alfo kills worms. Northamptonshire has 3 mineral Springs, whereof one is at King s-dlff^ eight miles fcuth of Stamford^ and it both fmells and taftes of iron. It will let fall u white fediment with Oil of Tar- tar j and with Galls it precipitates a purple fedi- ment ; but turns of an cpake red with Logwood, and of a deep green with Syrup of Violets. A gallon yields 140 grains of fediment, 75 of which are limeftone and oker, and 65 a caicarious nitre. From various experiments it appears, that this water is of a chalybeate, laxative nature, impreg- nated with iron and caicarious nitre, with a fmall quantity of fea-falt, and a caicarious earthy fub- ftance. It will not purge a ftrong perfon, unlefs he drinks from three to five quarts ; but it has been ufed with great fuccefs, in diforders from obftrud:ions, and in eruptions of the fkin ; it has alfo cured fcveral lame perfons. Aj}rop is a village in this county, four miles fouth-eaft from Banbury in Oxfordshire ; and the mineral water here is a brifk, fpirituous, clear, and well-tafted chalybeate. It lets fall a white fediment with Oil of Tartar ; and a gallon after evaporation, yields 17 grains of fediment, con- taining nitre and caicarious earth. Drank at the fountain head, it is a certain cure for all female obftrudttons. XX The PREFACE, obftrudljons, and in the firft and fecond ftages of conluniptions. It feldom fails in the jaundice and beginning of a dropfv ; and it rcftores a con- iHtution weakened by hard drinking : the dofe is very iarge, that is, from three quarts to live in the forenoon ; and fome alnrm it will cure mad- ntls and melancholy. In the parifh of Ki?7g's~Sutton^ four miles fouth by eaft of Ba7ibury in Oxford/hire^ there is a mine- ral Spring, that has an intolerable ftrong fmcll like rotten eggs ; but the tafte is faltifh, v/arm and pungent, like Salt of Tartar. A gallon yields i66 grains of fediment, of which nine are earth, and the reff fait, of a pungent, brackifh and bitter tafte, with all the charac^rifticks of an Alkali. It is a purging water, ftrongly im- pregnated with fulphur, and an alcallne fait mixed v/ith fea-falt. It is famous for difcuiTing and heal- ing of tumours, ulcers, and aH difeafes of the rkin. Nottinghamshire has a mineral Water at Kinalton^ nine mile fouth-eaft of Nottingham. It is clear, pleafant, cooling, and a little faltifh ; it grows white and curdles with Oil of Tartar ; but undergoes no alteration with acid fpirits, and will turn of a beautiful light red with Tin6lure of Logwood. A gallon will yield a8o grains of a beautiful white fediment, the fourth part of which is a fine alcaline earth ; and in the re- mainder is a remarkable pure, clear nitre. This is a purging water, that has not above half the portion of contents as Epfom water, nor will it work unlefs drank plentifully. At Or/ion^ 12 miles eafl of Nottingham^ there is a mineral Water, which as it rifes out of the fpring, has a fweetifh chalybeat-e, and a little roughifh tafle ; but when it has flood for fome lime, it becomes rough and harfh. A gallon yields The PREFACE. xxi yields 128 grains of fediment, of which the pro- portion otthe earth to the fait, is as 27 to 9. The Water is a rich chalybeate, with a confiderable quantity of fulphur, if drank as it fprings up. j but the predominating fait is a calcarious nitre, mixed with a fmail quantity of fea-falt. It will purge thofe of a grofs habit of body, and will turn the throat, tongue and {tools of the drinkers perfecily black. It is good in the hypocondriack melancholy, fcurvy, want of appetite, indigeftion, pain of the ftomach, coftivenefs and ftoppage of urine. It is alfo good in the beginning of ob- ftructions of the bowels, and likewife in ulcers of the lungs, and fpitting of blood. In Oxfordshire there is Chadimgton JVater^ in a village of that name, three miles fouth of Chipping Norton, It fmells like the wafhings of a foul gun, and a gallon yields 90 grains of fedi- ment, of which feven are earth, and the reft a peculiar fort of nitre. From other experiments its found impregnated with fulphur, and an alca- line fait mixed with fea-falt : it is accounted a purging water. Clifton is a village two miles eaft of Doddington^ v/here there is a clear v/ater that has little tafte, v/hich yields a peculiar kind of nitre, inclinable to an alcali. It is laxative, and is ufed to cure difeafes of the fkin in men and cattle, by bathing therein. Doddington is a fmail market-town 16 miles north of Oxford^ where there is a ftrong fulphu*- rious water, that fmells like the waftiings of a foul gun. A gallon yields 87 grains of fediment, whereof 44. are earth, and 43 fait. It is impreg- nated with fulphur and iron, both of which are very volatile ; befides which, it iias fait enough to give it a purgative quality, Radnor- xxii The PREFACE. Radnorshire in South Tf^ales^ has very re- markable mineral Waters at Llandrtdod^ which is 24 miles weft of Lemfjler in Henfordjh'ire.. Here there is a common fix miles long and three quarters broad, and In that part of it lying in the above parifh, are the mineral Springs. Thefe are the faline pump-v/ater, the fulphureous water, and the chalybeate rock-water. The air is ex- ceeding healthy, infomuch that weak and con- fumptive people that come here to drink the wa- ters, foon revive and gather ftrengih. Thefe Springs are now frequented by very genteel com- pany, and in the fummer-time, the common people refort here in crouds. The Rock-water is fo called, becaufe it iflues out of a rock, and a glais of it taken up in a clean warm day, is as bright as cryftal ; but after it has ftood fome time, it changes to a pearl- colour. While it continues clear it has a ftrong chalybeate tafte and fmell, but they forfake it as it changes colour : at the fprin^ head, it turns to a deep purple with powder of Galls, and becomes hot with Oil of Vitriol. However, it will not curdle Milk ; but with Oil of Tai tar it becomes as white as milk, which afterwards changes to a yellowifh green. It preferves its tranfparency with acid fpirits j but with Sugar of Lead it turns firll: milk white, and at length lets fall a yellow- ifh grey fediment, from a quart of water, which after it has been analyfed, is found to contain about 15 grains of crocus of iron, and about five of the bituminous mucilage of iron. From hence, and various other experiments, it is concluded that this water contains iron, fait, fulphur and vitriol. Its good in all chronick diftempers pro- ceeding from a laxity of the fibres, and particu- larly in fcorbutick eruptions and weaknels of the nerves, and diforders proceediiig from the brain. It " The P R :£ F A, C E. xxiit It is alio efficacious in obftinate agues, obftruc- tions of the bowels, flow nervous fevers, and in all female diforders. The faline purging water, is called upon the fpot the Pump'Water^ and from various experiments it appears to contain a neutral fait like native "Horax, a fmall quantity ofbitum.en, and an ethe- rial, elaftick, volatile mineral fpirit, and a mine- ral oil. It is excellent in all difeafes of the fkin, and in fuch diforders as proceed from corrupt hu- mours ; but if the difeafe is obftinate, it requires fome time to cure it radically. Perfons troubled with the fcurvy, muft ufe the water both as a purgative and alterative ; and for the laft a pint and a half fhould be taken at three dofes, in the morning before breakfaft. As a purge, half a pint muft be drank at a time, till it begins to work. In difeafes of the fkin the patient muft bath frequently, and wafh the parts affe(fled with the water, and particularly in the leprofy fo much water muft be drank, as to caufe two or three motions every day ; to which muft be joined ba- thing twice a week in a warm bath, made with equal quantities of the pump and fulphurious waters. In the gravel, the patient muft drink fo much as will give him two or three ftools, and when the gravel is difcharged by this means, the patient muft drink every morning half a pint of the rock water, and half a pint of the pump- water, and half the quantity going to bed. The Sulphurtous Water^ commonly called the Black ftinking Water, has its name from the ftrong fmeH, and the blacknefs of the channel through which it pafles. It fmclls like the wafh- ings of a foul gun, and has the ftrongeft fmell in rainy weather. From varions experiments, it ap- pears to contain ethereal, volatile, mineral fpirits a fmall quantity of a vitriolick acid, a mineral, unduous xxiv The P R E F A C E. undluous mucus, a fine mineral oil, a fubtile cro- cus, a perfc<5l fulphur, and a neutral fait, of a briny, crJcarious nature. It is of great ufe in all cafes, where bathing is . proper, made into a lukc-warm bath. It is excellent in benumned limbs, in wafting of the flefh, and in nervous difoi-ders ; as alio' in venereal complaints, old fores, tetters, and in all difeafes of the fkin ; as well as in the ftone, gravel, rheumatifm, and gouty diftempers. Drank inwardly, and ufed outwardly, it cures the King's Evil, and is an excellent abforbent ; infomuch that it is efficacious in forenefs of ftomach, obftru6lions of the liver, and in the jaundice: it is alfo good in contrac- tions and v/eakneiles of the limbs, and in broken conftitutions from hard drinking. The dofe can- not be determined, and therefore it is beftto begin with drinking from a pint to a quart in a morn^ ing, that is about half a pint at a time, with fhort intervals between the draughts : the quan- tity may be increafed to as much as the conflitu- tion will well bear, that h as much as will fit eafy on the ftomach, and pafs oft* well. ooMERSETSHiRE is remarkable for having two of the moft noted mineral Waters in the kingdo^m, that is at Brijiol and Bath^ befides others of ^^i-^ fcrent kinds : that at BriJlol iflues out of a rock, and in that city is called the Hot-well Water. It is feated on the north, fide of the river Avon^ where there is aromantickand beautiful profpedt. When firft drawn off", it is of a whitifti colour, at Iqaffc fometimes, which it lofes gradually as it grows cold, and many fmall bubbles arife in ,i^ whien^ taken from the pump. The tafte. is exceeding foft, pleafant and milky, at the fpring head, and ^ is very agreeable to the ftomach ; but it leaves a fort of ftipticity on the palate. It is entirely with- out fmell, and is only lukewarm to the touch. It The PREFACE. xxv It keeps well in bottles that are well Hopped, lofing only a part of the elaftick air, which flies oit before the corks can be put in. With regard to chymical experiments ; If a glafs of water is poured upon a few grains of Sal Ammoniac, it immediately difTolves it, with a very fenfible cfFervefcence. Oil of Tartar, not only produces the fame effect, but renders the water milky, which after it has flood awhile goes off, and lets fall a light earthy precipitate. DiiTolved Soap, dropped into a glai's of water, immediately curdles, and in a fnort time the furface is covered w^ith a greafy fubftance, and the water below becomes turbid. Tvv'enty drops of the Solu- tion of Silver, mixed with three ounces of the frefn water, in three hours made it appear, as -if a fmall quantity of ink had been dropped therein. Thefe, and other experiments, feem to declare there is fome degree of an acid in the 5r//?^/ water, though not difcoverable by the tafte ; there is alfo a fmall portion of fulphur, becaufe when bottles filled with this water happen to be broken, 'twill ftink very much. A gallon contains about 34 grains of fediment, which is of a light grey co- lour, of a brackifh tafte, and bitter in the throat. This will ferment with acids, and turn green after fome time, with Syrup of Violets. The fait is v/hite, but will not ferment v/ith diftilled vinegar ; and in the air it will grow damp. Bnyhl wsLttr IS generally allowed to be coolin''-, cleanfmg and balfamick, with a confiderable de- gree of aftringency, which renders it excellent in the diabetes : it will alfo open the urinary paflao;cs\ obftrucled by gravel. It is ufeful in many chro- nicle difeafes, yet will not yield to a common courfe of medicine, and it is ferviceable in many internal inflammations. It ftrengthens the fto- inach, promotes an appetite, aiuits digeHion, C and xxVi The PREFACE. and will cure the firft llages of a confumption. It is good in diforders of the eyes, and will cure ulcers therein, if taken warm from the pump, and applied with a foft rag : it has alfo cured many fcrophulous ulcers, by wafhing them in this water, others fay thofe of the cancerous kind, drinking the water at the fame time : it has alfo been found fuccefsful in the bloody-flux, all in- ternal ulcers, and preternatural difcharges, and bleedings of every kind. The method of drinking the water when the patient firft comes down, is to go to the pump- room in the morning, and drink a glafs or two before breakfaft, as alfo about five in the after- noon ; the next day the patient takes three glafies before breakfaft, and three in the afternoon ; and this courfe is continued during his ftay at the Hot Wells. Bath water when viewed by itfelf in a fmall quantity, appears clear and tranfparent ; but when beheld in the Bath, the furface is of a fea-green colour. The fmell is not very agreeable, efpe- cially in the Hot Bath ; but when quite frefh it has a foft and milky tafte. There are four Baths in this city, which differ f/om each other, chiefly in their degree of heat, namely, the Crofs-Bathy the Hct-B^th^ the Khigs-Bath and the Queens- Bath, With regard to the experiments made with it, it is obfervable that when carried at a diftance ^ from Bath^ it will precipitate Silver out of Spirit of Nitre, into a hardifh curd ; but not fo much as common fait : however, it is concluded from hence by fome, that fea-falt predominates in Bath water. ^\\llueen s-cn7nel is a village five miles north of i>he'horuc^ where there is a fpring that proceeds from The PREFACE. xxxi from a hard rocky bank, and is called the Black- JVell. It fmells like the wafhings cf a foul gun, and from the trials made with it, appears to con- tain a confiderable quantity of fulphur, fome na- tron, and a calcarious earth. It cures by bathing fcorbu^ick, leprous and fcrophulous diforders-, and it has been obferved to cure dogs of the mange, by dipping them therein. Staffordshire has only three mineral wa- ters, whofe virtues are afcertained, one of which is 'iii Codfall^ a village 1 2 miles fouth-weft of Stafford^ that is in the wood adjoining thereto which is a ful- phureous fpring, and the fulphur is' mixed with fait, but not fuificient to reftrain the volatility of the fulphur, fo that in the winter againft rain, it may be fmelled twenty yards oft. It will lather with Soap ; will not curdle Milk, and w^ith Syrup of Violets it will turn green ; but neither Galls, Oak-leaves, nor a folution of Sublimated Tartar would throw down the fulphur : however. Spirit of Urine did, and turned it of a faintifh red. When ieprofies were more frequent, this water was famous for curing them ; but at prefent it is only ufed agaififl fcabs and the itch, and it ope- rates both by ftool and urine. They brew their beer with this water, and in Dr. Plot's time there was a houfe, called the Briinjhne-Alehoufc^ where no one that lived there, was troubled with difeafes of the fkin. St. Erafmus s-lVell is in the grounds belong- ing to the Lord Chetwynd^ near Ingejlre^ two miles from Stafford, The water is clear, and of the colour of Sack, but has no remarkable tafte, nor fmell. A gallon of this water will yield 300 grains of fediment, whereof 272 are fait, and the reft mofs. We are not told what difeafes it is ufed for, nor indeed that it is ufed at all. C 4 Tf'ilhiigh^ xxxii The PREFACE. IViUoughhridge is fix miles north-caft of Draytm in Shropflm-e^ and in the park near it there is a well, v/hofe water is as clear as chryftal ; but it renders the fides of the glafTes, after they have been ufed awhile a little oily, and of a bright > ellow colour. If a few drops of a Solution of l>ublimate be let fall into this water, it prefently becomes of a deep fack-colour, which fcems to ihow it \\?.s fomewhat of a iixivial fait. It will lather with Soap, but will not curdle with Milk, norchunge colour with Syrup of Violets. Con- trary to moft other waters, it leaves nothing be- hind it, after the evaporation of feveral gallons. Its oil or fulphur is fo very volatile, that when diftilled in a gJafs body and head, the Oil of Sul- fhur comes over the helm, upon the firft heat, :^nd is always in the receiver, before the leaft crop of water appears. There is fuch plenty ofthis v/atcr, that at leaft 60 Springs have been counted, that fend forth plentiful ftrcams. Dr. Plot in- forms us, that thefe waters have performed many wonderful cures, which he attributes to its balfa- mick virtue, and its great fubtilty and volatility ; and he farther adds, if we were to judge of the waters, from the many attefted cures, it bids as fair for an ur>iverfal medicine, as any thing elfe in the world.' Shropshire has a mineral water at i^d?r^/^», a village two miles weft of Market Drayton^ which v.'ill not lather with Soap, but it curdles Milk, iind yields a white fediment v/ith Oil of Tartar j it turns green with Syrup of Violets, and fcarlet with Logwood. A gallon of this water will yield 277 grains of fediment, whereof 76 is earth, i.nd the reft a calcarious nitre. It is an excellent cooling, diuretick and cathartick, and purges very brifkly. It bears a great refemblancc to Holt water, only the tafte is more pungent, and con- fcquently The PREFACE. xxxlii /equcntly it is very likely to have the fame virtues. Pitchford is a village fix miles fouth by eaft of Shrew/bury^ which takes its name from the pitchy fpring that is found here, on the top of v^^hich there floats a liquid bitumen, though it is fcum- med off every day. It is found to be excellent for wounds, and will cure inveterate fcrophulous ulcers. Brofeley is a village four miles north-eaft of JVenlock^ and has a burning Well, which was difcovered about the year 171 1. A candle being put down into the well, it will take fire at the diftance of a quarter of a yard, darting and flafh- ing in a violent manner, to the height of 1820 inches. It is hotter than common fire, and boils any thing much fooner. It appears to be impreg- nated with a fort of liquid bitumen ; it ceafcd burning in 1752, but whether it has recovered this faculty fmce or no, is uncertain. In Surry there are feveral mineral waters, the moft famous of which is at Epforriy which is a town about 1 5 miles fouth-weft of London, The water is pretty clear and without fmell ; but if it be kept in covered vefFels for fome weeks in fummer, it will ftink, and acquire a naufeous bitter tafte, with fome- what of a maukilh fal.nefs. It will curdle with Soap and Salt of Tartar ; and with Spirit of Sal Ammoniac, it will let fall a grumous fediment ; but if mixed with lime-water, it will continue clear. A gallon will yield an ounce, fometimes an ounce and a half of a fort of cream and fedi- ment, which is of a greyifh colour, almoft im- palpable, of a brackifh, naufeoufiy bitter tafte, ^nd an odd ftrong flavour. There are about ' eight parts of fait to one of earth, the former of which is of a whitifh yellow colour, and of a fingular ftrong fmell, with a naufeous bitter tafte.* C 5 All xxxtV The PREFACE. AH Authors agrte, that the chryftals of this fait will require but a fmall proportion of water to diiibive them, for an equal weight has been found fuiiicient. The fait has a purging quality, for half an ounce difiblved in fpring water, will work like other phyfipk. The water itfelf is a diluent, and a mild abfofbent : it is alfo diuretick and ca- thartick.- Poor people formerly ufcd to walh old fores with the water, with a good effecl. A dofe of the water in fummer, is two-thirds of a pint, and in the winter half a pint. Stoke is a village two miles fouth of Cohham^ where there is a fpring commonly called 'Jejfop's- ' JVell. This water is thought to contain more fait than any purging water in England^ and it has a tafte much like that of Efj'om-lVelh, A gallon of this water yields an ounce and a half, with 22 grains of fediment, that is, 742 grains in all. It is very white, and has fomewhat of a brackifh tafte, with a naufeous bitternefs. The earthy matter bears but a fmall proportion to the fait i which, as Dr. Hales informs us, will (hoot into very bitter, irregular oblong chryftals ; fome of which have retained their former firmnefs, for five years at leaft. Half an ounce of diftilled water will diflblve only 10 grains of fait, though ftanding by the fire-fide ; ".n v/hich it greatly dif- fers from that at Effom, From the experiments made with it, it appears, that this water con- tains a large proportion of calcarious nitre, a little fait and calcarious earth, and very probably a little natron. A lefs quantity will fuffice for a dofe than of any other ; for which reafon it fits better on the flomach, and enlivens the fpirits of thofe that drink it. It has been long noted for a good purging water ; and a fmgle quart will purge pretty brilkly, and promote plenty of urine with- out gripes, it cures obftinate icorbutick cafes ; and The PREFACE. xxxv and as fome think, there is a fine volatile fpirit in the water : it may be drank for a confiderable time, as an alterative with happy confequences. Stretham is a village fix miles fiDUth of London^ that has been long remarkable for its medicinal fpring. The water has fomewhat of a yellowifh tinge, and throws up a fcum variegated with cop- per, blue and green colours. At the fpring head it has a faline naufeous tafle, and a gallon will yield 200 grains of fediment, the fait of v/kich has a penetrating, brackifh tafte, with a ftrong flavour ; and in the air it will almoft melt. This is partly marine and partly nitre, enveloped with a little fulphur, and a greater proportion of ab- forbent earth. When it was moft in vogue, three pints boiled to a pint and a half, was given as a purge ; for it operates both by ftool and urine, and it has been found good in diforders of the eyes. The Dog-and-Duck is a noted publick houfc in St. George s-Fields^ and in the parifh of Lambeth near London. It is greatly reforted to in the fpring and fummer ; and there has been lately a large room built for the diverfion and entertain- ment of the drinkers. The water is clear, and has very little tafte ; but a gallon will yield 200 grains of fediment, of a dirty colour, and a pun- gent, brackiih taile. The earthy matter is as one to twelve, in proportion to the fait, and it will ferment ftrongly with Spirit of Salt and Spirit of Vitriol ; but will not turn to perfect lime by calcination. This water has been noted for curing leprous diforders; and fome have affirmed, that it cured an ulcerated cancer in ths-. bread by drinking the v/ater, and keeping a cloth wet in it, always over it. Being drank from one pint to three, it generally purges eafily and briikiy, without afFeding the flrength, unlefs in very tender xxxvi The PREFACE. tender conftitutlons. It may be taken as an al- terative, inftead of common drink, for the cure of fcorbutick pimples, tetters, the leprofy, and the King's Evil. It is alfo a palliative cure in cancerous diforders, and has been the means of prolonging the lives of feveral. The only fault of this water is, its being too cooling, for which reafon it is prejudicial to perfons of phlegmatick conflitutions, and of weak habits of body. Cohhajn is a town feated in the road between Londm and Guilford^ and is feven miles fouth-weft of Jihigjlon. The water has a fenfible tafte of iron ; and a gallon will yield feven grains of a fubftance like oker, which a load-ftone will attract, v/ithout calcination. It is aftrong chaly- beate, and deferves to be more known. Warwickshire has two mineral Springs, one of which is at Lemington^ three miles fouth- weft of Dimchurch^ and the fpring is of a faline nature. A gallon yields 960 grains of fediment, 30 whereof are calcarious nitre, and the reft fea-falt. It is a ftrong purge and vomit, and is drank by labouring people from two quarts to three. It is noted for curing fore legs, difeafes of the fkin, and dogs of the mange. Ilmington is a village {zv^Vi miles fouth oi Strat- ford upon Avon^ and the water found here, though it has a brackifti tafte, is one of the ftrongcft chalybeats in England. It fparkles at the fpring head like bottled cyder ; but it will not curdle with Milk, and yet Oil of Tartar will procure a fmall coagulum. It will turn purple or black with Galls, according to the quantity ; but with Syrup of Violets it changes to a green. A quart of water will yield near a fpoonful of a reddifti white powder, that will ferment and fume with a%ids. Thofe that drink this water, have their ftouli tinged blackifh j and though it generally operates The PREFACE. xxxvlf operates by urine, it will fometimes purge. In- ternally, it is good in the fcurvy, obftruftions of the bowels, the jaundice and beginning of the dropfy ; it is aHb good in the ftrangury, and dif- ficulty of making water. Westmoreland has a mineral Water at ^/V/^/;^- Thowery a village eight miles eaft of Penrhh^ which is a weak purging chalybeate. It is exceeding clear, fweetifh, and has a little tafte of tea. It grows whitilh with alcalies, and turns to a clear purple with the Solution of Silver ; but it be- comes of a pink purple with Galls, a red purple with Logwood, and a deep green with Syrup of Violets. A gallon contains 190 grains of fedi- ment, of which 140 are lime-ftone, and 50 a cal- carious nitre. The fait will not diflblve intirely in 48 times its own weight of diftilled water ; but it will turn of a pale green with Syrup of Violets. This water is a more powerful abforbent than any other of this kind, and it will purge well if drank to the quantity of three or four quarts. Shap?nore is a marfhy heath, lying between the mountains to the north of Shap, The water here Teems to be of a fulphureous nature, for it has a firong fetid fmell, and a fenfible bitternefs ; but this foon goes ofF when it evaporates over the fire. It will curdle with Soap, and let fall a large white fediment, with the Solution of Pot- afhes. A gallon will yield 376 grains of a faline fediment, with a very fmall proportion of very white earth. It is very white, and has a fait, pungent, bitter tafle, growing moifi: when ex- pofed to the air. This water has been cafually found to work by flool and urine, and three pints have proved a very ftrong purge. It will cure inveterate piles, and is ufed by the common peo- ple to cure rheumatick pains in the joints, by rubbing it warm on the parts afFedled. Wijlurlah xxxv'ni The PREFACE. JViJJ^erlakc is a village {Q.vti\ miles fouth-wefl of KeJidaly where the mineral Spring has a faltifh^ tafte, and in fummer fmeils a little like fuiphur,, throwing up a whitill> fcum. With Oil of Tartar, it lets fall a pearl-coloured fediment, and with Galls it precipitates one that is purple. A gallon yields 547 grains of fediment, confifting chiefly of a fea-falt and a calcarious earth, with a little mixture of a bitter, purging fait. From expe- riments made with it, it appears that it is chiefly- impregnated with fea-falt, combined with a kind of calcarious nitre, a little iron, and afmall quan- tity of fuiphur. It has be^n found of great uf© in the ftone, gravel, worms, want of appetite, the cachexy, jaundice and dropfy. Wiltshire has a rnineral Spring at Chippen- ham, very lately taken notice g1, and was found in a garden near the river. At the fpring head it has a brifk ferruginous tafte, and will turn of a claret colour with Galls. A gallon will yield 39 grains of a fediment of the colour of oker, which has a very brackifh tafte. It contains a ftrong fea-falt, and a natron combined with iron. It has cured fcorbutick diforders, befides others that are not particularly taken notice of. JVcft-AJhton is a hamlet in the parifti of Steeph'- AJhton, four miles eaft of Trowbridge, which has a fpring that yields plenty of water all the year round. It is clear, and will depofite a fmall quantity of fediment, after it has been kept fe- veral months in bottles. It will curdle with Soap, and lets fall a white grumous fediment with the folution of Pot-afties. A gallon will yield two drams and two fcruples of a whitifti fediment, with a faline bitter tafte and warmnefs on the tongue. It is chiefly impregnated with fca-falt, nitre, and a little iron, with a fmall matter of fuiphur. The water is beft ^i-^rC^ at the foun- tain The PREFACE. xxxlx tain head, and three pints is purging and diu- retick. Road is a village eight miles north of Bath, where there is a mineral Spring, whofe water has a chalybeate and fulphureous tafte and fmell. A gallon will yield near a dram of a yellow co- loured fediment, that has a fait and pungent tafte. The water appears to be impregnated with iron, fulphur, and a ftrong, native alcali or natron. It is a very gentle purge, and is good in fcrophu^ lous cafes and difeafes of the ikin ; and it will cure fcorbutick ulcers. Holt is fix miles eaft of Bath, and is of note for its medicinal fpring, firft taken notice of in the year 17 13. It will let fall a grofs, grumou§ fediment with Oil of Tartar, and when mixed with Spirit of Sal Ammoniac, a white crufty fubftance adheres to the fides of the glafs. It will not lather with Soap, but it will ferment with Oil of Vitriol. With Syrup of Violets it will be- come greenifli, and with Galls change to a green. Logwood turns it to a deep red, Brazil Wood to a fcarlet, and Rhubarb to a pale amber colour. A gallon v/iil yield 176 grains of very white fedi- ment, which has a faltifh, bitter tafte, and will grow moift in a damp air ; but the earthy part is nearly equal to the fait. This water principally contains a calcarious nitre, and the operation is more miW, than other fprings of this kind, on account of a large quantity of earthy matter contained therein. In fmall dofes it is an altera- tive and diuretick ; but two quarts will purge pretty brifkly. It will dilute, cool, abforb and ftrengtlien, and is ufed both externally and inter- nally. Rags or a fpunge dipped therein^ v/ill cure fcrophulous u'cers, attended with carious bones ; but then it muft: be taken inwardly at the fame time. It will alfp cure inveterate running ulcers of xl The PREFACE. of the legs and other partSj and difeafes of the (kin, attended with great heat and corrofive hu- mours. It is good for fore eyes, the piles, and ulcers of a cancerous nature, ufed outwardly and drank inwardly. It never fails of procuring an appetite, and will ftrengthen the relaxation of any part. Yorkshire has feveral mineral Spiings, one of the principal of which is at Malton^ otherwife called New Malton^ and it lies in the road from York to Scarborough, The fpring lies at the weft end of the town, and is fo ftrongly impregnated with iron, that it is called the Malton Spaw, Seven pints contains three drams and a half, of a reddifli brown fediment, which has an auftere bitterifh tafte, the fait of which is a calcarious nitre, though different in fome fenfe from others ; for it will not ferment with Oil of Vitriol, nor Spirit of Salt; but it will turn greenifh with Syrup of Violets. The mud and fcum of this water, will dry up and heal old ulcers, fcabs and tetters to a wonder. Internally, the water works agreeably by ftool and urine, unlefs the ftomach be foul, and then it will vomit the firft day or two. The common dofe is from three pints to fix ; but fome think fmaller dofes would be more pro- per. It is good in the hypocondriack melancholy, in an afthma with fpitting of blood, and in in- ternal ulcers and bleedings. It is alfo recom- mended in obftrucStions of the bowels, and in a relaxation, weaknefs, and languidnefs of the body, it being a ftrengthener and deobftruent as well as a purge. Croft is a village in the North Riding of Tork- Jhire^ on the confines of the bifhoprick of Dur- ham^ where there is a fpring of fine, clear, fpark- linc»- water, with a ftrong fmell of fulphur. A gallon yields 177 grains of a very white fediment, which The PREFACE. xTi which has a ftrong fmell like that of hawthorn flowers. It confifts of lime-ftonc, nitre, and. fea-falt j but the nitre is double or treble to the latter. It is a purging water, if drank from four pints to nine, and is faid to have performed many eminent cures, both by drinking and bathing. Harregate is two miles north-weft of Knaref- horough^ in the IVefl Riding ; and it is fuppofed to be the ftrongeft fulphureous water in Great Britain, A gallon of that commanly drank, for there are three wells, contains two ounces of pure fea-falt, and near tv/o fcruples of earth ; therefore the pre- dominating fait muft needs be marine. A warm bath made with this water, cures aches, bruifes, ftrains, lamenefs, weaknefs of the back, begin- ning of the dropfy, and paralytick pains and weaknefs. It alfo difiblves hard fwellings, cures old ulcers and all difeafes of the fkin ; it has alfo great power in eafmg the gout and fciatica. In- ternally, drank from three to four pints, it purges brifkly, and raifes the fpirits. It powerfully cleanfes the ftomach and inteftines, killing all forts of worms j befides which it will cure the cold fcurvy, and helps the jaundice of many years ftanding. It alfo cures diiorders of the fpleen, the greenficknefs, cramp, the head-ach and the King's Evil. Brcughton water proceeds from a fpring, in the road from Skipton in Torkjlnre^ to Coin in Lanca- Jhire^ the village being in the mid-way between thofe two places. It is of a whitifh colour, and colder than common water, as is obfervable in others of the fulphureous kind. A gallon con- tains four drams of fediment, the fourth part o-f which is earth, and the reft fea-falt and nitre. The virtues are much the fame as thofe of i/^r- regats water, but weaker. JVigglefworth xiii The P R E F A C E. IVigglcfwGYth is a village in the IVeft Ridings four miles fcuth of Settle^ where there is a fpring remarkable for yielding an alcaline nitrous fait. It is very black, and has a ftrong fmell of ful- phur, with a faltiih tafte, and lathers with Soap ; but will not curdle Milk. Three gallons yields fcven drams of fediment, of which fix fcruples and a half are black earth and the reft fait, The countr)^ people drink four or live pints of this water as a vomit, and fix or feven as a purge ; but it feems ftrange that more fhould be required for the latter than the foraijer. Neivto7i-daU is in the Nofih Ridings 12 mile^ weft by north of Whitby, The water here i^ cold and very aii:ringent \ and it petriiies everj thing in its courfe, producing various and beaur- tifui incruftations and hgures. It effectual ly cures loofcriefles and bleedings of every kind, both ii^ men and beaft ; and it quickly and wonderfully reftores weakened joints, that are even beginnijig to be diftorted, by bathing therein. Knarejborough is noted for a dropping Well, f^ called, and is a market- town in the IVeJi Ridings The water is very cold, extremely limpid and fwcet, and it will let fall a white.fedirnent with Oil of Tartar. It has a petrifying quality, and its par-r tides confift chiefly of fpar and fo.m^ fulphur; a gallon of the water that fell from the petrifying rock, 3^ielded 185 grains of fediment, of which fevcn fcruples and four grains left five fcruples and four grains of earth, which would ferment with acids ; and there were two fcruples of fait, which fhot into nitrous cryftals. It cures inveterate fluxes of the belly, bloody fluxes and the dia- betes, as well as all preternatural difch^rges of blood, and it cures colliquative fweats, as well as ulcers of the bowels, and he^ick fevers. Three half pints are a dofe. Scarborough The PREFACE. xliii Scarborough Water is the moft noted in all York- Jlnre^ and it was difcovered about i6o years ago. It has been much ufed of late years, not only at the fountain head, but at diilant places. The tafl-e is bitterifh and ferruginous, and it curdles with Soap, and yields a large white grus^.ous fe- diment with Oil of Tartar. A gallon yields about 284 grains of a reddifli v/hite colour, with a bitter, faltifh and roughifh tafte. It deftroys the fournefs of acids, ferments ftrongly there- with, and turns of a light green v/ith Syrup of Violets. The proportion of earth to the faline parts, is as 66 to 150. The water has been found good in hedtick fevers, the rheumatifm, fcurvy, preternatural thirft, recent and partial inflammations, and difeafes of the fkin. It is alfo good in diforders of the ftomach from in- temperance, as well as in hvpocondriack and hyfterick diforders ; in afthmas, in habitual coflive- nefs, the heart-burn, and in all cafes where purg- ing is indicated. Some recommend it againft all preternatural evacuations, as gleets, the fluor albus and bloody urine, to which may be added the green ficknefs. THE Natural History O F Waters, Earths, Fossils, and Minerals. CHAP. L 0/ Medicated Mineral Waters. M O N G Medicated Mineral Waters fome are cold , and others hot ; the former are called by phyficians ACI- DUL^, that is, a little partaking of acid, becaufe fome of them have a fub- acid or vinous taile, efpecially when they are taken immediately from the fprlng. The hot fprings are fuppofed by fome to be owing to fubterranean fires, becaufe near thofe places where there are vulcanoes they are moft frequent ; but others think they arife from the fermentation of the different particles of v/hich they partake as they pafs through different ilrata of the earth ; as for inftance. Vol. V. B Iron 2 The Natural HISTORY of Lon and Sulphur. But be this as It will, their virtues are not owing merely to the heat or cold, but to the principles of which ihey are compcfed ; for which reafon it will not be worth while to treat of them as fuch, but to take notice of their contents,' to which their properties are owing. Of the Mineral WATER containing earthy Particles, There are mineral Waters which have imbibed earthy particles that have the properties of Soap, par- ticularly the Soapy Water of Plombiers in France, which, at the fpring head is warm, and taftes a little fat or foapy, with a fmall degree of roughncfs. This is fuppofed to run through a flrata of Fuller's earth ; it is prefcribed in difcrders of the ilomach, proceeding from acidities, as well as in fpitting of blood, exceffive bleedings, a confumption of the lungs, and many other diforders for which they are either drank or ufed as a bath. A large quantity is to be drank in a morning upon an empty flomach, and fome make ufe of it for common drink. O/ WATERS impregnated ^^ith Salts. Waters that have imbided Rock Salt are not very uncommon, but they are not as fome imagine of the fame nature as thofe in which common Salt is difTolved ; becaufe this latter is not a fimple fubllance, but con- tains a mixture of Rock Salt and fixed Alcallous Salt, imbibed in the bowels of the Earth ; and that which is made with Sea Water partakes of a Volatile Urinous Salt, which is the produce of the putrefa6tion of fifh, fea plants, and other marine fubftances, together with Bitumen and various Minerals. It is but lately that the Sea Water has been of any internal ufe in medicine, or at leaft its properties have lain dormant for a great number of years, except for difeafes of the fkin, for which it has been ordered as a bath ; it has been recommended in all diforders of that kind, from the itch to the leprofy, as well as pains in the limbs ; and fome have thought, and Hill think, that Waters, Earths, Fossils and Minerals. 3 that it is a fpecific againft the bite of a mad Dog. But it is now prefcribed inwardly in all obilrudlion of the olands, and the difeafes arifing therefrom, for which it is both drank and ufed as a bath ; nor is it of any- great moment in what part of the body thefe ob- rtrucled glands are feated ; that is, whether in the in- telHne :, mefentery, neck, joints, eyes, or noflrils. It is alfo good againit obflrudions of the kidneys, when there is no inflammation, or the ftone is not too large to pafs. And likewife againft recent obftrudions of the liver, and confequently the yellow jaundice, when given with medicines proper for that difeafe. A per- fon of twelve years of age may drink half a pint every morning, and an adult a pint. 1 he Waters of mineral fprings impregnated with Sal Gem, when given inwardly, open the body and promote urine ; befides which they are drying, bind- ing, and difcufent whence they are good in cachexies, and the dropfy. Thofe Waters are faid to be nitrous, which abound with a Salt like the Natrum of the ancients, which fome have miftaken for Saltpetre ; whereas it is a kind of Alcalious Salt. Thofe fprings that abound with it, are good for dilTolving thick clammy humours, for opening obftru«5lions of the bowels, as well as in a de- cayed appetite. When ufed as a bath, they help to refolve fwellings and obftrudions of the nerves. Of Sulphureous WATERS. There are many mineral Waters that partake of Sulphur, which may be eafily known by the fmell, as alfo by the fediment that is left after it has been evaporated over the fire. Thefe are commxended in diforders of the breaft, and foulneffes of the fkin, whether drank, or ufed in a bath ; as alfo in trembling of the limbs, contraftions of the tendons, the rickets, and fome kinds of palfies. Our Bath Waters are thought chiefly to partake of Sulphur, mixed with an exalted Vitriolic Steel. They are good in all weakneffes and decays of the coniiitution, as vvell as for the ftomach, when it has B 2 been 4 the Natural HISTORY of been worn out with frequent debauches. They like- wife difiblve and carry off vifcid and faline particles in the blood and humours, and fvveeten the fluids in ge- neral. Hence they are good in dropfies and confump- tions before they are too far gone ; as alfo in catarrhs, cachexies, jaundice, fcurvy, fcorbutic rheumatifms, afthmas, and all difeafes of the (kin, as well as old pains and achs ; nor are they lefs effeftual in many women's diforders. Of WATERS itnpregnated ^vith Metals. Thefe in general partake of Iron or Steel, though there may be poflibly fome of other kinds wliich have not been taken notice of by naturalifts. There are many of thefe in Hu?igaryy Gertnanyy France and other parts of the world, but the Pyrmont and Spa^vj Waters are the moft famous we have from abroad ; and in England WQ. have the Ttinbridge, Scarborough^ Hampfead, and JJlingtcn, Thefe in general diffolve grofs humours, fweeten thofe that are fait and acid, and open obftruc- tions. They are accounted good in all difeafes of the head, whether they arife from the confent with the flo- mach, or not; they are alfo good in many difeafes of the breaft, particularly fhortnefs of breath, coughs, and fpitting of blood. In fhort, they are efficacious againil all thofe diftempers wherein Iron or Steel is of any ufe ; and they mufl be much better, becaufe the particles of the metal are become fo volatile that they do not change the colour of the water ; but then they are apt to fly off after they have been expofed to the air for a few days. Befides as it is neceflary to drink a pretty large quantity of thefe waters, the folution of grofs thick humours is much better performed hereby, than by adminiftering the metal in any other form. CHAP. Waters, Earths, Fossils ^WMinerals. 5 CHAP. II. 0/ E A R T K S and CLAYS. THAT fort of Earth which we call SOIL, pro- ceeds from the putrefadlion of animal and v^ege- table fubllances, and will burn in the lire and fwim in the water. Lhin^us has nine forts of thefe, whereof one does not properly belong to this clafs ; the others are, the Marfhy Soil interwoven with roots, and this is the fame that we call Turf, which in many parts of E}!gland\s ufed for fuch. The Vegetable Watry Soil is nothing elfe but Mud, and is to be met with every where in and about (landing waters. The Spungy Soil of heaths will ferment with fome fort of fluids, particular- ly acids. The Vegetable Soil of the Alps is to be met with every where among thofe mountains, and it is a little reddifh, or rather of a blackifh brown. The Vegetable Common Black Soil is met with in various places, particularly in meadows, fields, and paftures. The Vegetable Reddifh Soil partaking of Oker, is particularly found in Weji Gothland. The Animal Soil of brute bealls, may be met with in places where feve- ral of thofe animals have been laid in heaps, and have putrified and turned to Dull ; that of human bodies may be feen in every church yard. 0/ C L A Y 5. A CLAY Is a heavy, thick, fat, tenacious, fmooth Earth, which when held in the mouth becomes like foap or fuet ; it is either foft or hard, in proportion to the quantity of Water that is mixed with it, for it readily diflblves in that fluid. When it is foft it may eaflly be fliaped into any form ; but, when it is baked in the fire it turns into a flony fubflance. There are a prodigious number of different fort of Clays, and of different colours. B % That 6 The Natural HISTORY of That Clay that is perfe(5lly pure and white is of a i-ery fine texture, and when cut leaves a polifhed finning fubftance ; when examined by a microicope it appears to be of a clofe even regular texture, unlefs mixed with particles of a different kind. It will ferment pretty brifxly with Aqua Fortis, as will moft other kinds, for 'Litm^us makes it a charafleriftick of Clay. Vv'hether we have any of this fort in E/2gIa?td or not, is uncertain. The CiMOLiAN EAR.TH of the fliops is a fort of a Fullers-earth, and is of a dull white colour, though the furface is tolerably fmooth. When burnt in the fire it becomes very white and hard, and in a violent tire v.ill turn to a dirty fort of Giafs. It is to be met with in feveral parts oi England, particularly at IVedenf- h.ury in Slaffcrajhirc, where they ufe it for making to- bacco pipes, as they do another fort, which is hard, heavy, and of a greyifli v>'hite that is faid to be the befl of all Tobaccc-pipc Clays. Eeiides thefe, there are the White Tough Clay, the Smooth Greyifh White Clay, the Heavy Grey Clay, the Soft GreyAlca- line Clay, a Hard Grey Alcaline Clay, a Soft Afh- coloured Heavy Clay, and feveral other kinds, whofe differences are not fb confiderable as to be particularly innilcd upon. They are ufed for making tobacco-pipes,. Dutch tiles, and feveral forts of earthen ware. I'he EAPvTH of Malta, fo called from the Ifland from whence it is brought, is a fort of a Clay of a uhitifbi afli colour, and is imported in (jnall cakes,, marked with various characters. Some have fuppofed it to have been cndov/ed with wonderful virtues by St. Paul, when he was fliipwrecked in that ifland ; fome have vefTels made of it, and fuppofe the wine drank out of it to be endowed with extraordinary qualities. There are four forts of Yellow CLAY, all which will ferment with Aqua Fortis ; one of thefe is entirely yellow, another yellow with blue fpots, the third is a fandy Clay, and confequently brittle as well as the fourth, which is of a brownifh yellow. They arc all of ufe for making Ibme forts of earthen ware. The Hard Brown Spotted CLAY, is in fome de- gree tranfparent, and is of a fine fhining pale brown colour. Waters, Earths, Fossils <2?;^Minerals. 7 colour, variegated and fpotted with deep black. It does not ILiin the hands when touched, and yet it ad- heres firmly to the tongue, having a fort of an aftrin- gent talle, but without grittinefs. This is what is ufually Q2i\\cdLem?iia7i Earth, or The True Sealed Earth, and is brought over in fmall cakes, weighing above four drams each, and marked with feveral charadlers. The illand on which it is dug was formerly called Lem- nosy but now Sfalhnene. The virtues of this Earth, or Clay, were formerly greatly celebrated, and it was given as an antidote againll poifons. It was fuppofed to -be of an alcaline fubftance, but this is found to be a millake, for it will not ferment or eiFervefce with Aqua Fortis, nor indeed feveral others, notv/ithftand- ing what Linnaeus has faid to the contrary. When ana- lyfedit is found to contain a fmall quantity of an urinous volatile Salt, a fmall matter of bituminous oil, and a little Salt like common Salt. It may be eafily difiblved in Water, and has been given by fome in the bloody flux, in ulcers of the bowels, and malignant fevers ; but it is now not ufed with us. There are three English CLAYS of the brown fort, as the Bi-own Heavy Tough Clay, with which they floor barns in fome places, and in others miake earthen veflels. The Buiky Bluilh Brown Tough Clay, which when burnt in the fire turns to a red co- lour, and in a violent fire to a deep green grafs ; how- ever, it is moft ufeful for making of tiles. The Hard Pale Brown Clay is generally full of fliining particles, and is of a rough kind ; but being mixed with tougher Clay in StaffordJInre it ferves to make ftrong veflels of feveral kinds. The Blueifli Brittle Soft CLAY, has fomewhat of the nature of Marl, and when dry it appears to be full of fliining particles. It burns to a darker colour, and is ufed in feveral parts of England for making a very fl:rong fort of eart en ware. The Tough Bluifli Clay has an even fmooth fliining furface, and when burnt in the fire it becomes as hard as ftone, and of a fine red colour. It is to be met with in Northampton- Jhire, but at prefent is made no ufe of. The Hard Tough Pale Blue Clay is extreamly heavyandof a clofe B 4 even t The Natural HISTORY of even texture, being burnt it turns to a pale yellow ^ but it will not well endure the fire. It is ufed to make gaily pots, and the like. The Light Soft Blue Clay is of a loofe texture, and burns to a p.ale reddifh brown ; there are but fmall quantities found of it at a time, and therefore it cannot be fuppofed to be much in ufe in making any fortof vefTels. The Hard Tough Whitiih Blue Clay is fuppofed to be that with which they make China ware here in England when mixed with other things ; but however this is not certain. The Green Heavy Turf CLAY, is a fine fmooih compaft Earth of a dull dufky green, and very heavy. It has hitherto been put to no ufe. The Pale Smooth Green Hard Clay is of afmooth even regular texture, very heavy, of a Ihining furface, and almoft as hard as a Stone. When a thin piece of it is held up to the light it is almoft tranfparent; but in the fire it lofes its green colour and turns to a pale grey. It has been brought from Saxony in Germaiiy. VERDITER is a fort of a bluifli green hard Clay, and is ufually dug out of the Earth in lumps of dif- ferent fizes, that is, from half a pound to fix pounds and upwards. It is of a fine even gloffy furface, and very fmooth to the touch ; it does not colour the band ; but when it is drawn along a rough furface it leaves a dulky green line. When burnt it is of a duiky brov/a colour, being entirely diverted of its green or blue. It has been brought from feveral parts; but that from Italy is thebeft, and is much ufed by painters. The English VERDITER is got out of Mend.ifp Hills in Scmerfetjl^irey and is a hard, heavy, firm earth, of a deep dufliy green colour; when burnt it becomes as hard as a ftonc, and of a very pale whitifli bro\\'n colour. It fecms to be very proper for fome fort of paintings, though it is made no ufe of at prefect. There is another Greyifh Green Brittle Clay, that is met with in Nendipp Hills^ which burlls and crackles in the fire, though the change of the colour is very fmall ; but it acquires a confiderable hardnefs. I'he Soft Pale Red CLAY, is very clammy while foft, but when dry it is compadl and hard, and of a very beautiful pale red,^ variegated with grey, at leaft fometimes* Waters, Earths, Fossils ^z^^ Minerals. 9 fometimes. In the fire it grows as hard as ftone, but the colour Is much the fame. It is brought to London from the Ip of Height, and is faid to be of fome ufeto the workers in mahogany wood. The Pale Brownifli Red Smooth Clay has lomewhat of a brownifh call, and is commonly veined with Pale Blueilh Grey Clay ; it is confiderably heavy, and of a very clofe even tex- ture. It crackles at firft in the fire, but becomes pretty hard. In Staffordpire it is part of the compofition of their fineft earthen ware. The Dulky Brown Reddilh Blue Clay is found in feveral parts of England^ parti- cularly in Staffordjhire, where it is a principal ingre- dient in their fine earthen warc. The Light Brittle Black CLAY, is more dry than the generality of this fort, and not quite fo tough ; but it is feldom met with except in fmall quan- ties at a time. In the fire it emits a pale, blue flame, with a fulphureous fmell, and burns to a very deep red. It is common in many parts of E?igland. The Tough Heavy Black Clay, while in the bed, is of a fliining jet black, extremely heavy, and pretty moift, with a fine gloffy fmooth furface when cut with a fpade ; when dry, it becomes extreamly heavy and compaft, and will not difiblve eafily in water. In the fire it becomes as hard as a ftone, and of a pale red colour ; it was formerly unknown in England y but has been lately met with in Staffordjhire and elfewhere. The Heavy Brit- tle Black Clay is very fine, heavy, and of a fmooth compaft texture. When burnt, it becomes perfeftly white, for which reafon in Northa/nptonjhire it is ufed for making tobacco pipes. There are Sealed EARTHS in Germany, fo called, becaufe they are marked with particular feals ; the principal of which are at Gra?i in Hungary, and Gold- berg in Silefia. That of Gran is called the Marrow of Gold ; it is of a yellow colour and fat, feeming to be of a foapy fubftance, and melting in the mouth. It is got out of the gold mines near Gran, and is under the care of the magiftrates, v/ho have it made into round balls, and marked with the city feal. Tiiey fuppofe it to be impregnated with a golden Sulphur. The Goldberg Sealed Earth has the name of the Marrow of B 5 Silver 10 The Natural HISTORY of Silver, and is of a whitifh grey colour. It is fuppofeci to be derived from filver, from whence it has its name. It is faid to be good for all venomous or poi- fonous diilempers when given to a drachm, but it is ' not brought into pradice in England. CHAP. III. Of MARLS. MARL is an earthy, brittle, light fubflance, be- tween Clay and Chalk, for it is not fo foft and fat as Clay, nor fo hard as Chalk, nor will it very ta- fily diffolve in water. CiMOLiAN EARTH, is heavy, but loofe and apt to crumble, for which reafon being thrown on the furface of the earth it foon moulders away. Tourne- forfy who faw it on the illand oi Argent i ere, affirms it is a fort of a heavy, white Chalk, without any talle, abounding with a fmall grit that fets ones teeth an edge. It has not the leaft efrervefcence when put in water ; for it only melts away, and turns to a fort of fizy liquor of a greyilh colour. It is not at all af- feded with the oil of tartar, but fpirit of fait poured on it caufes it to ferment. It is pretty fat and foapy^ and is ufed among the inhabitants for wafliing of linen. It was formerly faid to have feveral medicinal virtues,, but it is quite out of ufe at prefent. Samian EARTH, is a very fine pure earth, of a clofe equal texture, and yet remarkably light; when cry it is of a fine bright Vv'hite, with a fmooth poliilied furface ; it is very foft to the touch, and adheres firmly to the tongue ; when burnt in the fire it becomes of a fnowy white, and is found in the Ife of Samos -, but at prefent it is not ufcd in medicine. Tlie Sam IAN ASTER, is by feme called Saniian Earth, but it difi'ers greatly from the former ; it being of a loofe texture, and will not cut into regular pieces. It is of a pale browniih white, and feems rough, drv, and dufty to the toucJi, but adheres firmly to Waters, Earths, Fossils and Minerals, i i to the tongue. It turns to a pale afh colour in the fire, and is found between the clefts of ftone in the IJland of Samos. Chi AN EARTH is a denfe compaA fubllance, but of afoft texture, and eafily broken in pieces. When dry it has an irregular furface of a pale greyiili white, and feems to confifl of numerous flakes. It is very fine and foft to the touch, adheres iirmly to the tongue, and melts freely in the mouth. Thrown into the wa- ter it caufes it to bubble with a hilliaj noife, and melts into a fubllance like cream ; in the fire it becomes perfedly white, and is found in the ifland of Chioy but it is of no ufe in medicine. Celeneusian earth, by fome called Mineral Agarick, is found in the perpendicular clefts of the flrata of ftone, in irregular maifes of a fine pure white colour. It io fpungy, brittle, whites the fingers, and adheres firmly to the tongue- When thrown into water it fends up a great number of bubbles with a hifiing noife, and turns it white. It comes to a fnowy whitenefs in the fire, and is found in ftone quarries al- moft all the world over. The White Spungy Denfe MARL, is not (o white as the former, but is of a more denfe tex- ture. It is frequently found in the cavities of ftones, and if alone it is generally near the furface of the earth. When it is dry it becomes of an uneven compa6l texture, moderately heavy, and of a dull dead white. It bubbles in the water like the former, with a hiiTmg noife, and is found in many parts of England. Hard Spungy Alcaline White MARL, called by fome Native Lim.e, is a hard, dry, coarfeifh earth found in the clefts of ftone, and fometimes lying loofe upon, or immediately under them. It is of a dull whitilh colour, v/ithafmall mixture of greyifh brown, and is of a more firm texture than the former earths. It bubbles and hiftes like the former, and will cement like Lime. It is found in fome parts of England. Melian earth, is found in the ifland formerly called Melos now Milo in the Archipelago, is not unlike the Cimolian, and is made ufe of there for v/afliing of linen. 12 7he Natural HISTORY of linen, though Tournefort imagines that ifland affords whiter, and more proper for the purpofe, if the inha- bitants would be at the pains to dig for it. Cretan EARTH, or CHALK, was fo called by the ancients, becaufe it was found in the ifland of Cretey now Candia \ but it is now to be met with in moft parts of the world, and particularly in England ^ in very great plenty, where there are many large hills of it confifting of nothing elfe. It is an Alkaly, and therefore is given in acidities of the llomach, and the heartburn, when properly prepared ; though fome take it as it is for that purpofe withourany preparation. It is likewife good in coughs that proceed from acrid phlegm. It is commonly given from ten grains to a drachm, but there is no danger in taking larger dofes. Blueifh Chalk MARL v/hen dry, after it is taken out of the earth, is of a hard texture, of a blue- ifn colour, generally veined or fpotted with red. It is very foft and fmcoth to the touch, and will not ad- here to the tongue, at leaft very little. Burnt in the iireit turns to a palifh brown, ftreaked with dark red. It is found in fome parts of England^, and in fome places ferves to manure land. Blueilh Brown Brittle MARL, is of a loofe tex- ture, and very light. It is foft to the touch, and adheres a little to the tongue, melting freely in the mouth, it being a pure fine earth. It is fomewhat alka- lious, and when burnt turns to a dirty reddifh brown colour. It has fometimes a great many fea Ihells found in it, and is a good manure for land. Stony Blueifli MARL, is the hardeft of this clafs, and is of a rough compadl texture, with an unequal furface. It bubbles in water, but will not ferment with aqua fortis, and in the fire turns to a dull dufky red. This and the former are found in feveral parts of Englafjd. Yellow Brittle Sandy MARL, breaks into fmall pieces wlien dug out of the earth, and when dry is of a brighter yellow than before it was dug up, which is the property of all colours, for a little water will turn them darker. It is fpangled all over with fmall, flat, glittering particle?, and is rough and -dufly to Waters, Earths, Fossils /5!»^ Minerals. 15 to the touch. When burnt in the fire it turns to a fine deep red colour, and it is a good manure for heavy ftilF Clay lands. Pale Red Brittle MARL, is always found in the cavities of Stone, or in perpendicular clefts of the Earth, and has a fine, compadl, clofe texture, with an even, fmooth, foft furface. It is common in Ger?Hany, Italy y and France. Red Brittle Heavy MARL, is very common in Eng- land, and is a good manure for poor hungry land. It is of a crumbly texture, and commonly very dry ; it becomes of a deeper red in the fire, and much harder. Deep Dulky Red Sandy MARL, is frequently found variegated with whitifh, greyilh, or bluifh Earths, and is of a loofe' crumbly texture. It melts very readily in the mouth, but leaves a great deal of harfh, fandy matter betweea the teeth ; when burnt it becomes of a deeper red, but not much more hard, and is found in our North American Plantations. Stony Red MARL, is greatly valued by the far- mers for making a good manure ; for though it is al- moft as hard as a ilone when laid upon the furface of the earth, it will crumble to bits, which perhaps is owing to the rain, for it will break to pieces in about ten hours time in water. Fire makes little alteration in it, and it is found in feverai parts of England. RUDDLE, by feme called Red Oker, and by others Marking Stone, is a fort of Marl of a thin texture, and very brittle. It is of a red colour, and has a fmooth foft furface. When burnt it becomes pretty hard, but does not change the colour. It is ufed in the country for marking of Iheep, and by the painters for colouring of pales, window ihutters, and the like. The bell is faid to be brought from Derhy- Jhire. Red Heavy Hard MARL, is firmer and drier thhn the former, it being of a regular clofe texture, and compofed of feverai thin plates lying clofe upon each other. In the fire it burns to a darker red, and grows much harder. It is ufed by the furriers to mark with. Brown 14 T^he Natural HISTORY of Brown Brittle MARL, is of a loofe texture, and eafily crumbles, but makes a very good manure. It is fometimes variegated with grey, and fometimes with black, and is a little dry and dufky to the touch. When burnt it becomes of a pale red, and fomewhat more hard. It is ufed to manure grafs land in SuJJex, Fullers EARTH, is well known almoft to every one, being commonly ufed for getting greafy fpots out of cloaths. It is foft, and of a greyiih colour; but fometimes paler, and fometimes of fo deep a colour as to be almoft black ; though it has always a greeniiTi caft. It melts freely in the mouth, and for its foftnefs and fmoothnefs is fometimes called Soapy Earth. Green Fullers EARTH, is the moft denfe and compadl of all kinds of Marl, and is of an even fmooth texture, being extremely foft and oily to the touch. It melts freely in the mouth, and in the fire turns to a very pale brown. It is found in Germany where it is ufed as common Fuller's Earth. Green Sandy Brittle MARL, though very heavy is of a loofe texture, and cafily crumbles in pieces. It is found in many parts of Englojid, and is ufed in SuJI'ex to manure clay lands. Black Brittle MARL, is of a loofe texture, and eafily crumbles, though it is very heavy ; and though it be of a brc^wnilh black it does not ftain the hands. It is found in Mendip Hills in Somerfef/hire above twenty feet deep in the earth. CHAP. IV. Of O K E R S. LIGHT Brittle Pale Yellow OKER, is be- tween the colour of Brimftone and what is called a cream colour, and is of a loofe crumbly texture, it being compofed of very thin fine plates. It is ex- tremely light, and fcparates into flakes in the fire of a dull reddiih brown colour. It is found in Penfyl-vania and Virginia, and with water makes a ftraw colour, but with Waters, Earths, Fossils ^«^Minerals. i^ with oil a pleafant yellow ; however, it is not at pre- fent ufedby the painters. Hard Heavy Pale Yellow OKER, is well known to the painters, and is of a clofe, compaft, firm texture, with a Irnooth even furface ; when burnt in the fire it turns of a dull pale red, and becomes con- fiderably hard. It is found in feveral parts of Europey and particularly in Somer/efjhire. Light Crumbly Yellow OKER, is commonly (tQn at the mouths of the fprings of the Spaw kind, and at prefent is made very little ufe of; nor can it ba, expeded in any large quantities. In the fire it turns to a pretty good red. Light Brittle Gold Coloured OKER, is found in fmall lumps in the earth, and is very light, being a crumbly texture, and ftains of the hands of a true gold colour. It turns to a bright red in the fire, and becomes a little rnore hard. It is common among gravel in feveral parts of the kingdom, particularly on Mendip Hills, where it lies in the clefts of the llrata. It is alfo in a gravel pit on the right hand of Oxford Roady about a mile from London. When burnt it turns to a red, and might probably be of ufe to the painters. Light Plated SafR-on Coloured OKER, is fome- times found making a ftratum, ani fometimes in the perpendicular clefts of other ftrata, and is of a foft crumbly texture, with a rough and even furface, but colours the hands with a very beautiful yellow. It burns to a dufky red, and is common in Nortbampton- fi>ire and Staffer djhire. \{ it had a body it would make a fine colour for the painters. Common Yellow OKER, is a denfe heavy earth, of a dull yellow colour, flaining the hands with a dufky yellow. It ferments pretty much with aqua fortis, and burns to a pretty good red. It is greatly ufed for houfe painting. Hard Heavy Clayey Yellow OKER, is very com- pa6l, and when '.dry is of a very fine bright yellow, with a fmooth glofiTy furface. It burns to a red, but crackles in the fire. It is found in BiLckinghamfhire and Torl:Jhire, and is fometimes ufed by the painters. Stony i6 7he Natural HISTORY r>f Stony Hard Heavy Yellow OKER, is in great plenty about Oxfordy but it is fo hard that it is not to be cut with a ipade, and therefore they are forced to ufe pick axes. It crackles a little in the fire, and turns to a fine red. It is ufed by the painters. Dull Dufky Yellow Clayey OKER, is found in feveral parts oi England ^ and is denfe, compaft, and heavy. It is but a dulky unpleafant colour, though it burns to a very fine pale red, and becomes almoft as hard as a flone. It is fometimes to be met with in the colour fhops. Light Clayey OKER of a bro^wnifh yellom;, is fometimes found among other Itrata, and in their per- pendicular clefts. The furface is fmooth and glofly, and the texture very fine ; it burns to a dead duiky brownilh red. It is found in feveral parts oi England, and being of a good body is ufed by the painters. Naples YELLOW, is of a bright beautiful colour, between that of gold and fafFron ; but it is very loofe, fpungy, brittle, and porous, and ferments pretty brifkly with aqua fortis. When burnt it turns to a deeper yellow, and is found in Italy, particularly about Naples, It is generally efteemed as a pretty good co- lour. Brittle Heavy Red OKER, is common in feve- ral parts of England, and is of great ufe among the painters. It crackles a little in the fire, where it be- comes more hard, and of a paler colour. It is ufed by painters for priming the coarfer fort of works. Brittle Purple OKER, is common in Spain, and is a very fine colour, and though it is of a loofe texture it weighs very heav.y. It is of a fine deep purple be- fore it is dug up, and when dry it t rns red. It is a ftrong Alkaly, and therefore ferments greatly with aqua fortis ; in the fire it turns to a paler colour. Indian RED, is a very fine purple earth, of a firm, compaft, and hard texture, it being heavy, and almoft as hard as a ftone. Before it is dug up it is of a blood colour, but when dry of a fine glowing red, and is full of bright glittering particles of a whitifli colour. In the fire it burns to a greater hardnefs without much changing the colour. It is found in the JJIatid of Ormus in Waters, Fossils, EarThj, /z^z^MiNERALS. 1,7 , in the Gulph of Perjtay from whence it is by fomc called the Perfiati Earth. Bright Red Brittle OKER is found in Bengal in the Eaji Indies, and though ufed in France is not much knov/n in Engla-nd. It is of a fine, bright, florid, red colour, and pretty heavy, though it crumbles between the fingers, and ftains the hands. It ferments with aqua fortis, but undergoes little alteration in the fire. Venetian BOLE, is a fort of an Ok:er,''and is well known among painters, it being of a fine bright pale it^, beingpretty nearly of the colour of Red Lead. It grows harder when burnt, but the colour is worfe. It is brought hither from Venice. Pale Red OKER, is light, brittle, and of an alkalious nature, for it ferments very brilkly v/ith aqua fortis. It fomewhat refembles the Venetian Oker, only it is brighter, and of a little psier colour. It is found in Florida, and is very probably in other parts of America^ though it is not much knov/n in Efigland. Pale Red Clay OKER, is found in North America^ and though pretty heavy, is of a loofe, brittle texture. It is nearly of a flelh colour, and burns to a good red in the fire. It is at prefent made no ufe of. EARTH of Si'dcpe, is fo called from a town of that name in Natclia, and is a fort of a Bole, fome- times of a deeper, and fometimes of a paler colour. T^ournefort thinks it is a fort of natural fafiron of iron. I'he beft is of a liver colour without any mixture, though fome afiirm it is of a fine bright purple ; but the above author, who has viewed it upon the fpot, affirms the contrary. It has been fometim.es ufed in medicine, on account of its being of a drying nature, and particularly in fluxes of the belly. Red CHALK, is of a very denfe compa£l fubftance, and is of a dull red colour. Som.e ufe it in the man- ner of crayons, or rather like black lead pencils. It is very well known to painters, and therefore needs no farther defcription. It is found in feveral parts o^ Eu- rope, and particularly in /'/efe are very thick, large, and firm, cohering itrongly together, but in all angles and directions. They may be eafily broken tranfverfely by bending them three or four limes backwards and forwards. Though they are remarkably heavy, they will not ftrike fire with fteel ; but in the fire thty turn to a pale yello\vifh white, with a fmall mixture of carnation. Tt is common on the ihores of the rivers in the £/?/?« Indies, Bright Purple TALC with thick fcales, is ufually found in extreamly rough coarfe mafles in the Eaji- hidies, from one to five inches in diameter ; they are compofed of a fmall number of very large thick flakes, cohering very ftrongly together, but very irregularly placed, and yet are almoft as foft as Venetian Talc ; but they may be eafily broken tranfverfely with very little force. The colour is fo bright and elegant that it might not be improperly placed among gems, it being tranfparent when held up againfl: a ftrong light, but a fmall ftroke of a hammer will break it to pieces. In the fire it will turn to a pale flefh coloured opaque mafs. It is diuretick, and efteemed by the Indians to be good againft the Hone. There Waters, Earths, Fossils, a-^/^Minerals. 31 There are other TALCS that feem to be chiefly compofed of fibres or filaments, and are, therefore, bv authors called fibrous Talcs. ' English TALC, fo called in the fhops, is of a coarfe, harfli, rough kind, with an unequal furface, and of a loofe brittle texture. It is found in msfles from one to eighteen inches broad, and fJeom more than two inches thick. It has a rough, irregular, wrinkled furface, and confilb of confiderably long coarfe fibres, that run pretty regularly through the whole mafs. It may be eafily cloven according to the direftions of the fibres, which, however, are fo brittle that they feldom come off whole. It is of a dull, dc ad, whitiih colour, and the filaments, when feparated, ap- pear a little gloffy. It will not ftrikc fire with ll:eel, but when calcined it turns to a perfedl white. It is found in clay and marl pits, as well as among the ftrata of gravel and the fiilures of Hone, and it will burn in- to a very good plaller, for which reafon it is called the plafter Hone ; when burned it is ufed for cleaning filver lace. Gloffy Yellowiih White TALC with broad flrait fibres, is of a very clofe texture, and is found in thick flat maffes of a very beautiful ftraw colour, but is fel- dom three inches over either way. It is compofed of filaments that are perfectly ftrait, and may be very ea- fily cloven ; but the fibres cannot be divided fmgly from each other they are fo very brittle. It turns in the fire to a pure white, and is found in the Hone pits of Ncrthamptonjhire . Bright White TALC with broad filaments is of -a loofe brittle texture, and is found in large broad and pretty thick white mafles, and v/here frefh broken it is very glofly and bright. The filaments are muck • broader at the top than at the bottom ©f the mafs, it being above an inch upwards, and very even and gloffy; they may be cloven very thin, but they will not bend, having no fpring. It calcines in the fire to a white plafter, and is very plentiful in the allum pits of Derby/hire. Flefh-coloured Fibrous TALC with narrow fila- ments is not fo bright as others of this clafs ; but it is C4 of ^2 rhe Natural HISTORY of of a fine fmooth clofe and compaft texture. Its hori- zontal furfaces formed by the ends of the fibres, are fmooth and even but not gloffy. The maffes are from ihree to twelve inches broad, and fometimes five inches thick. Jt confifls of fmgle fibres which run through- out the whole length of the mafs without interruption, but they are very brittle though fmooth and gloily. It will eaiily calcine in the fire, and will turn into very goodplaikr. It is chiefly found, at prefent, mVork^ jkire. Dull White TALC with very fliarp narrow fila- ments, is of a very compad firm texture, though it is only found like white veins in other fubllances, par- ticularly red marl. The fibres are of various lengths, but they are all continued without interruption through the veins, and are from the breadth of a horfe hair to half an inch. It will not eafily cleave, and when it AdQ:^, it is notperfedly ftraight, becaufe the filaments run a little obliquely. The Greeniih White GlofTy TALC with flraight nrrrow filaments. Is of a perfe»flly even and regular texture, being very firm, compad and hard. It is found in broad thin malfes of a fine gloffy white with a grecniP.i cafl, from two to fourteen inches broad, and to an inch ai^ a half thick. It is compofed of fine regular pra-al lei filaments, which are always Itraight, and yet it docs not fplit very eafily. When held up to a good light it is pretty tranfparent, and in the fire turns perfedly white. CHAP. VIIL Of FossiLE Substances that are not elajiick, and co?Hj:cfed of JJjort Fibres. SOME authors call thefe Lachnides from Lachfie, 2iGreek worJ, fignifying !.air or down. The Flelh-coloured Pale Gloffy LACHNIS, with flicrt, broad, and crocked filaments, is found in very broad flat maffes of ^ whit.ifh fjefhi colour which have a very Waters, Earths, Fossils ^«^Minerals. 55 a very fmooth, even, and a fomewhat glofTy furface at the top and bottom ; fome of them are eight or ten inches broad, and from one to four thick ; and they are compofed of flat broad filaments, irregularly placed, and lying in oblique angles. Thefe mafles will cleave perpendicularly according to the diredion of the filaments, though they adhere pretty clofely to- gether at their fides, and have very fmooth glofly furfaces. They will neither ferment with aquafortis, nor ftrike fire with Heel ; but in the fire they will turn to a perfed: whitenefs. It is found in the marl pits of Derbyfifire, but is of little ufe. Greenifh-White Glofly LACHNIS with broad ob- lique filaments, is found in large, broad, thick maifes, with its horizontal furfaces very uneven, rough, and rugged. It is fometiraes feen near two feet broad, and fix or feven inches thick. It confills of pretty bright glofly filaments that are very broad, but placed in no regular order, nor continued through the whole thicknefs of the mafs, which feparate it tranfverfely into feveral rows, fcparatedby naiTO.v veins of greenifh white marl. The whole mafs is eaflly cloven and fe- parated into tranfparent filaments that will not bend. When in the fire it foon calcines to a white plaller. Dull Gieyifti White LACHNIS with thick oblique filaments, is of an extremely compaft and firm tex- ture, and is found in very large, thick mafles, from two to eighteen inches in diameter, and nearly as thick the other way. It is compofed of eight or twelve rows of filaments, fometimes making angles with each other. It is not eafily cloven, the filaments being fo harfli and brittle, that they nre feparated with difliculty to any tolerable length. It is very heavy, and yet it will not ftrike fire with fteel, nor v.ill it very eafily cal- cine into p] after. Dull white LACHNIS, uith ftralght broad fila- ments, is of a pretty clofe texture, and extremely brittle. It is found in fliort thick mafles from two to fix inches in breadth, and fometimes four inches thick. It is only compofed of two rows of filaments that are pretty broad and very irregularly placed, meeting and near each otlier at the center ; they are fo extremely ,. C s brittle 34 'I'he Natural HISTORY of brittle that they can never be cloven direflly. It win turn to a very good plaftcr very foon in the fire, and i* found in the marl pits of Derbyjhire, The White GlofTy LACHNIS with broad oblique filaments, is of a very irregular texture, but very glof- fy. It is found in large flat maffes, from two to ten inches broad,, and from half an inch to abme an inch thick. It confifts of feveral rows of very broad glit- tering filaments, confufedly woven with each other at their ends, and they are all very fhort and broad, though bent and waved in drfi^erent manners, making all forts of angles with each other. It is hard to be cloven, nor can the filaments be eafily feparated, they have fo firm a confiftence. They are foon turned by fire into a fine white plafter. It is very common in Tcrkjhire in the blue chiy pits. Dull Flefh-coloured LACHNIS with broad fhort filaments, is very brittle, and of a coarfe, harfh, irre- gular ftrufture. It is often found from eight to twelve inches broad, and fix inches thick. It confills of broad, fhort, and very obliquely ranged filaments, di- vided into three or four beds, by the thick horizon ta J earth it is lodged in. The filaments are fhort and crooked, and adhere flightly to each other on the fides, which render the mafs very brittle and eafily cloven. It is eafily burnt into plafier, and is found in the ala- bafler pits in Derhyjh-ire. The beautiful Flelh-coloared glofTy LACHNIS,. with flender fihments, interwoven with each other, is ef a very fhort, fine, fmooth, equal texture, and is extremely firm, compaft, and hard. It is found in flat mafl'-s, from four to fix inches broad, and feldom above a-i inch thick. There are four or five rows of fibres that go to the making up lefs than an inch in thicknefs. It is difficult to cleave, the filaments be- ing not eafily feparated from each other. It may be cal- cined very foon to a {v.\^ white plailer. It is found in- Scmer/ct/hire and other places. The BIuei(h-V 'hite LACHNIS, with very narrow ilraight fibres, is of a fine fmooth texture, and pret- ty com;:aft ; it is found in fiat maffes from ten to fourteen inches in breadth, though leklom above an inch Waters, Earths, Fossils aii^Miner als. 35 inch thick. It is compofed of three or four rows of orders or filaments (landing perpendicularly on each ether ; thefe filaments being' llraight renders the mafs eafy to be cloven or fplit, and they have pretty fmooth glofly fubftances. They foon calcine to a very white plafter. It is found in the marl pits af Staffordjhire. The Glofiy Greenifh-Grey LACHNIS with broad and very thin filaments, is found in maffes four or five feet in breadth, though feldom above four or five inches thick. They confift of two rows or orders of filaments that are interwoven with each other at their internal ends \ but they are always bent, and often placed obliquely. It will calcine, though but ilowly, to a very white plafter. The.GIofryGreenilh-White LACHNIS, with nar-- row bent filaments, is found in m.afies frequently as thick as broad, being fometimes no more than an inch in diameter, and at other times twelve inches. It is compofed of many rows of interrupted filaments, va- rioufly bending and interfecling each other, which have very fmooth unequal furfaces ; though they are very hard and heavy they will not llrike fire with fteel, and they calcine very flowly in the fire. It is found in tlie marl pits Oi'i Derby (hh-e^ All thefe Lach- nides may be accounted a fort of Talc, or at leall a- kin thereto. CHAP. IX. O/TossiLs called Asbestos ^W Amianthus. MOST authors that have treated upon foilib make Aloeftos and Amianthus to mean the fame thing ; that is, what fome call Earth-fiax, and others Plumous Allum ; bat this la(l name has been very im- properly applied ; for the Plumous Allum is a real fait, which is found in an illand of the Archipelago called Melc. However Linn^us makes a dillinftion between Afbeftos and Amianthus ; for he would have the latter to con- 36 The Natural HISTORY cf confift of longitudinal fibres, and the former of thofc that are interwoven. Incombuflible flax is a fort of Amianthus, and con- r.fts of flexible fibres, like thread, lying parallel to each other, and eafily feparated. The ancients fpua thefe fibres, and made a fort of cloth thereof, in which they wrapped up the dead bodies they in- tended to burn, that they rnight preferve the aflies j for when the body was burnt the cloth remained en- tire. The Germais call it mountain flax ; and it is found in Lapland, Siberia^ and in the vallies of the Pyrencan mountains ; but the largeft quantity is brought to us from Negropont. Some chymifts make ufe of this, inftead of wicks for lam.ps, but it is not proper for that purpofe. When handled it caufes an itching in the fkin, and fometimes blifters, which is owing to the fibres or downe, of which it is compofed, getting into the fkin ; however, it is eafily cured, by rubbing the part with oil^ which 'will fcon blunt the points of the down. There is another Amianthus, with angular, rigid, opaque fibres, which fome call Afljeflos, with hard pa- rallel fibres, not to be feparated from each other. Thefe are of an alli colour, and the whole has pretty much the appearance of wood. It is found in Lapland, Sahl- herg, and other places. There is another Amianthus, confifting of lliiF fibres that are eafily feparated from each other ; but they are as bfittle and tranfparent as glafs, and of a greenifh colour. A fourth fort is known in the fnops by the name cf Plumous Allum, and confifts of exceeding brittle parallel fibres, that can hardly be feparated from each other. It is found in Sixedtn. Linn^m has alfo three forts of Aibellos ; namely, that which is heavy, and confifts of hard fibres, form- ed into a fort offtakes or plates. It will readily cleave, and is of a pale colour ; but is fo heavy it v/ill not fwim in water. The S-ivc^cs call it mountain flax. Another A ftjiiios is membraneous; that is, it confifts of fibres fo interv/o\cn, that it rcfemblcs old leather. It will fv/im upon ><:;ter, and the furface of it is hard, fmooth, light and white. The third fort confifts of flexible Waters, Earths, Fossils ^2«'- prnsy in bits, not exceeding a quarter of an ounce in weight, though fometimes three inches long, and half an. inch broad. White, Loofe, Thready ABSESTOS, with broad fibres, is found in lengtli from two inches to twelve ; and fometimes the fibres feem to be bundled up like the threads of coton in the wicks of lamps. This is found in the Highlands of Scotland. Soft, Reddilli-Black AMIANTHUS, with fliort, abrupt filaments, is found in the flirata of iron ore, forming veins of an inch in diameter fometimes, but feldom (o large. In the fire it turns to a very pale red. It is common in Gern:any among iron mines. Greyilh-green, rigid AMIANTHUS, with fliort, abrupt, and interwoven fibres, is faid to be the Plu- mous Allum of the fliops ; though Lmn^ras 2i^vms it is an Afl3eltos. He ha;; alfo another called the greenifli- brown foft Amianthus, with very fliort, abrupt, flen- der,. 38 The Natural HISTORY of der, and interwoven fibres. They are found in the quarries of greenilh and greyifh marble in many parts of Wales, CHAP. X. Of the Fossils calkii Gyv^vias, AU T H O R S arc not well agreed what Gypfum properly fignifies ; for fome would have it to be the lime of alabullc-, others a fort of plumous allum, others Ifmg-glafs, and others again the lime of the Hone called Selenites ; but it is more generally taken for the lime of certain vvhitiih Hones, which, when burnt, contain fomc fhining particles like Talc ; and which are required to be but a fhort time in the fire before they turn to lime. But the Gypfum that is meant here includes thofe fort of foffils that are compofed of fmall flat particles, which are ranged ir- regularly, and give the whole maifes fomewhat of the appearance of fofter marble ; they being bright, gloiTy, and in fome degree tranfparent. They will very eafily turn to lime in the fire. Hard white GYPSUM, or plafter o^ Paris ilone, has fomewhat the appearance of loaf fiigar j it being pretty fine, and of a very clofe, firm, compafl texture. It is found in maffes from four inches to four feet in diameter, and, when broken, fhine* like cryftal. In the fire it readily turns to a very fine plafter. It is chiefly found in France. Hard Shining red and white GYPSUM, that has the appearance of marble, is found in mafles four or five feet in breadth, and three in thicknefs, with a rough, dufky, darkfurface; but when broken it is bright and glofly. It does not turn into plafter, when calcined, fo foon as the former. It is common in Torkjhire and Derbyjhire. Hard Greyifli- white GYPSUM, is found in mafl^es about fix or feven inches broad, and three thick, with a very rough, rugged, uneven furface, and a coarfe, dull, Waters, Earths, Fossils /zw^MiN'ERALs. 39 dull, dead look ; when broken it does not fparkle like the other kinds. It is common in Germany and Derhypire. Soft, Shining, Green GYPSUM, is found in lumps four inches broad, and more than one thick. It is of a very dull, dufky, brownifh colour on the outfide, but when broken is very glofly, though it feems to be a little fpungy. It is very foft and brittle, and lofes its fine colour before it is quite calcined in the fire. It is found on the Ihores of rivers in the Eaft-hidies. Soft White GYPSUM, commonly called Derhyjhire plafter ftone, is found in lumps from the fize of an egg to tv/o or three feet in diameter, which are opa- que, and of a dufky brownifh- white ; but, when broken, pretty bright and gloffy. It is of fo foft and brittle a texture that it will break with a fmall force. It becomes very white when calcined, and makes a very valuable plafter. It is found in many parts of DerbyfJyire. Soft, Pale-brown, GlofTy GYPSUM, is generally found in thin mafles, feldom above a foot broad, and three inches thick, with a rough unequal furface ; but, when broken, it has the appearance of marble, being extremely bright and gloffy, and compofed of very large broad particles. It is very foft and brittle, asmoftofthis kind are, and readily calcines into a pure white plafter. It is found in fome parts of Ger- many as well as in Derby/hire. Soft Red GYPSUM is fometimes met with in fmall lumps, not much bigger than a walnut, and at other times in mafTes of ten pounds weight, with a very rough, dull, unequal furface ; when broken, it fparkles, but not very much. The texture feems to confift of different rows of fhort lines or fti-eaks, va- rioufly interfering each other. It is very brittle, and and calcines very eafily in the fire, making an excel- lent plafter. None of thefe Gypfums will ferment with aqua fortis, or ftrike fire with ileel. CHAP, 40 The Natural HISTORY of CHAP. XI. Of the Selenites. TH E Selenites are ftones confifting of flender fibres, ranged into line even flakes of different forms, according to their kinds. They will cleave like Talc, not only horizontally but perpendicularly ; and though they will bend a little, they have no fpring. They will not ferment with aquafortis, nor readily calcine in the fire. The Thin, Fine, Tranfparent SELENITE with tranfverfe ftreaks, is a common fort, and is met with from one tenth of an inch to five or fix inches long. It has a broad flat top and bottom, and is bounded at the end by four regular rhombs, and on the fides by trapezia, and the rim or ridge that furrounds the body of the itone, is placed near the center, being the edge of the central or largeft plate. It confilis of fine thin plates irregularly difpofed through the whole breadth of the mals. Thefe plates or flakes eafily feparate from each other in an horizontal diredlion, being almoft as apt to cleave as Talc. It is pretty foft, and as void of colour as cryflal ; in the fire it turns to a pure opaque v/hite. It is found in the ftrata of clay in feveral parts of E?igland. The Thin, Dull, Opaque, Slender, Streaked SE- LENITE, is found from half an inch to three inches in length, and confifls of a great number of even flat plates or flakes, each of which is of the fame fize as the horizontal furface. It is formed pretty much like the former, but not quite fo regular, nor is the appea- rance fo beautiful. Tiie Thin, Fine, Streaked, SELENITE with lon- gitudinal ftreaks, is feldom broader^ than an inch, and above a fevcnth of an inch thick. It confifls, like the former, of parallel horizontal plates; but the fi- bres of which they confift, are flender, ftraight and exceeding regular running in an oblique longitudinal di- Waters, Earths, Fossils /^WMinerals. 41 diredlion, from one end of the Hone to the other. It cleaves very eafily, parting into flakes like Talc, and readily calcines to a fine white in the iire. It is found in the clay pit at Richmojid, but at a confiderable depth. The Thick SELENITE with tranfverfe ftreaks and a rough furface, is ufually met v/ith of the fize of about an inch and a half in breadth, and the plates or flakes of which it conflflis, are remarkable for the large- nefs of the fibres that compofe them, as well as the re- gular order in which they are laid. It lias four rhombs and four trepezia, and the top, bottom and fides like all the former; but the fl:ruclure is \tty irregular, though it cleaves with great eafe. It calcines in the fire to a perfedl whitenefs, and is common in Torkjhir^ and Leicejlerjkire, The Short SELENITE with thick plates, is of various fizes, but the mofl: common is two inches in diameter ; at firll fight it might be taken for that firll mentioned, the ridge or rim being placed in the middle of the body of the ftone. It confills of a fmaller number of plates than others of this kind, becaufe they are confiderably thick, and are compofed of bundles of fibres running longitudinally ; and they are interfefted with four or five tranfverfe llreaks,. The whole fl:one is pretty bright and tranfparent. In the fire it turns to an opaque white, and i. very com- mon in the clay pits o^ Ncrthamptonjhire, The Tranfparent SELENITE with narrow tranf^ yerfe fl:reaks, is generally between two and three inches long, and confifts of very numerous horizontal plates, irregularly difpofed, and ofdifl^erent thickneffes» They are compofed of fine parallel fl:raight fibres, running obliquely a-crofs the fl:one from fide to fide. It very eafily cleaves into very fine flakes, and calcines in the fire to the whitenefs'of fnow. Dale takes notice of it, as being common in NorthamptonJI^ire, where they call it Stanch, becaufe it flops blood. The Thick, Dull SELENITE, with very fine tranf- verfe fibres, is generally about two inches long, and and confilis of fine thin plates, evenly difpofed, with- out the mafs ; thefe are made of exceeding fine flen- der 42 The Natural HISTORY of der filaments, running tranfverfely in an oblique di- reftion through the ftone. The plates do not fepa- rate very eafily, and the whole mafs is dufky, being very little tranfparent. It is found in the clay pits in moll parts of Ejigland. The SELENITE with fine longitudinal filaments, is compofed, as well as the two former, of two horizontal, and two oblique planes. It is of various iizcs,^ from a quarter of an inch to three inches in length ; arid its rhombs and trapezia are very unequal in fize, which is the particular diftinclion of this fort. It calcines in the fire to a fnow white fubftance, and is verv common all oicr England. the Brown Tranfparent SELENITE confiUs, like the former, of two horizontal, and eight lateral planes, or a top and bottom, and eight fides very evenly di- vided from each other, by a prominent rim or ridge running, nearly, through the center of the body. It is generally three inches long, and confifts of a great number of fine, tranfparent, firm, parallel plates, joining exaftly to each other. The plates confift of many fine filaments, all ranged in the fame order, and not collefted into feparate bundles. It may be very readily cloven into horizontal plates that are very thin, and it calcines to a fine white in the fire. It is com- mon in Germany. The Thin Tranfparent SELENITE with tranfverfe fibres, has much the fame external form as the relt, but is ufually very thin, in proportion to its length and breadth ; its common fize is about an inch long, and it confifts of many thin horizontal plates or flakes, made up of parallel fibres running obliquely a-crofs. It cleaves very eafily, both horizontally and perpendi- cularly, and readily calcines into a white mafs. It is common in Northamptonjhirei and other parts of England. the Dull, Thick SELENITE, with very thin tranfverfe fibres, confifts, as well as the former, of fourteen planes, made out of the ufual ten of the rhomboidal kind, becaufe each of the four rhombs are divided into two. It is generally between two and three inches long, and is compofed of many extream- 1/ Waters, Earths, Fossils /7WMinerals. 43 ly thin plates, that confifl of an infinite number of parallel fibres that are connedled into bundles and run tranfverfely in an oblique direftion. It is very brittle, but it eafily cleaves, according to the hori- zontal direction ; and though it is as bright as the reJl, it is not fo tranfparent ; but it calcines more readily to a perfect whitenefs. It is found in Leicefterjhire in the yellow clay pits. The Long Scaly SELENITE, is commonly about three inches long, and has its rhombs full of parallel ridges, like the tiling of a houfe, though not very ftraight. Its horizontal plains are very rough and fcaly, it being compofed of a vaft number of oblong narrow plates, falling very irregularly one over ano- ther ; it turns in the fire to a pure white. The SELENITE with thin flakes and tranfverfe filaments, is generally about an inch in length, and is compofed of fix planes that are nearly equal ; that is, a top, a bottom, and four fides. It is confi- derably long, in proportion to its thicknefs, and is compofed of parallel plates lying evenly over each other in an horizontal direction, each making one whole furface of the ftone. Thefe confifl of very fine flender fibres, laid obliquely a-crofs the flake. It may be cloven very cafily, according to the diredlion of the flakes; and in the fire it turns foon into a very pure white. It is fometimes found in North- amptonjhire. The Dull SELENITE, with thick plates and lon- gitudinal fibres, is exactly of the fame fhape as the former, and is ufually about two inches long, and a little more than a quarter of an inch in diameter. It confifts of thick coarfe plates, whofe fibres are thicker than in mofl: others. It is of the fame flru6lure through- out its thicknefs, and will very readily cleave into fepa- rate plates ; it is of an opaque whitifh colour ; but calcines very flowly to a fine white. It is common in clayey grounds in 7'orkjhire, lying near the furface. The SELENITE, in the fhape of a column, with very fine fibres. It is in the fhape of a column, with fix angles, and looks as if there was apart broken oiF at each end. There is no diftin(5lion of top and bottom. 44 The Natural HISTORY of bottom, and all the planes are nearly alike. It is ufu" ally about an inch and a half long, and half an inch in diameter, and confiUs of a great number of very bright, and fine parallel filaments. It will cleave every way, but not into flakes, and the filaments are very flexible, but not elailick. It turns in the fire to a very pure white, and is found, but not commonly, in the clay pits of KortlamptovJJ^ire. The SELENITE fliaped like a column, with thick fibres, is pretty much like the former in fliape and fize, and may be eafily feparated into filaments, for they will fplit ofi* from m.any of its furfaces ; but they will not bend readily, for they will eafily break. They are neither bright nor tranfparent, but of a chal- ky whitenefs, and turn to a pure v/hite in the fire. It is found in the cliffs in the ille of Sheppy, The Colourlefs Tranfparent SELENITE, is of no regular fliape, it being found in thin flat mafles of different flzes and forms ; that is, from one inch to a foot in length. It is compofed of a vafl: number of minute and thin parallel flkkes, not unlike Ifing-glafs. Thefe are formed of a multitude of parallel fibres, ranged in a beautiful order. They are extreamly bright and tranfparent, and the fubilance is very foft. It turns in the fire lo a fine pure white. It is found in feveral counties in Engla7id. There is another SELENITE of this kind that is whitifli and dull, but not fo pure as the former ; but it feems to be made up of plain even flakes, like thofe of Ifing-glafs. It is com.raonly long, in proportion to its breadth, but it is a little thicker than the former. The fides are uneven and ridged, like the tiling of a houfe ; and it is of various fizes, being from one inch to fix or eight long. It calcines flovvly, but at length attains a perfedl whitenefs. It is common in Germany., and is fometimes met with in the fl:rata of clay in Northamptotijhire and Leicejferfoire. The SELENITE with eight fides, perpendicular plates, and obtufe angles, is always in the form of a fegment of adeprefled fix angled column, and is com- pofed of a top and bottom, and four trapezia ; that is, two on each fide, divided by a ridge, that is not rea- dily Waters, Earths, Fossils /7»^ Minerals. 45 dily diilinguifhed. It is always ihort and thick in pro- portion to its breadth, and is from one fixth of an inch to two inches long ; but when it is only an inch, which is the common fize, it is about half an inch thick and broad. It is compofed of a vaft number of pretty thin plates, laid evenly and regularly in a tranf- verfe order ; and thefe confift of moderately large fibres. The flakes are very flexible, but not elaftick ; and they are all opaque and whitifli v\ hile together. It is found in the clay pits o^ BtaffordJInre. The SELENITE compofed of filaments that are ranged toward the furface of the body, into broader plates, which are notched at the edges, and feem to be radiated in the form of a flar. It is bright, and of a brownifli white, and feems to be compofed of fine thin plates, propagated from a fmgle point, which is feldom placed in the centre of the mafs. They are feldom, or never, all of the fame length, there being many fmall ones mixed among the long, v^'hich ren- der the whole varioufly jagged. The fiars aie ufually broad and flat, having but little thicknefs in propor- tion to their extent. This ftone is of various fizes ; namely, from that of a barley-corn to two inches in diameter. When broken it feems to be compofed of flraight, even, and very fine flender longitudinal fibres, proceeding from the center, and form a mafs of a very beautiful ftreakcd texture. In the fire it turns perfedlly white, and is found in the ille of Sheppy. There is another SELENITE like the former, but of a coarfer ftru^lure and impurer fubflance, though the flakes of which it is compofed are very white ; and in the fire it turns to a reddifh white. It is found in the cliffs of the ifle of Shcppy. The SELENITE, compofed of fibres in the form of a liar, is of a brown colour, and in many things refembles the former kind. It is always found very pure and fine, but is feldom above a quarter of an inch thick. It is always in the fhape of a radiated ftar, conflfting of a vaft number of long, llraiglit, fine, flender filaments. All thefe filaments feem to proceed from the fame point, from whence they diverge to the 46 the Natural HISTORY of the circumference, and are nearly of the fame length. In tlie fire it calcines to a pale red. It may be met with under the cliffs of the ifle oiSheppy. CHAP. XII. O/ C R Y S T A L. CRYSTAL, is a foft tranfparent gem, that has fomewhat of the appearance of frozen water, and is fometimes like an hexagon column pointed at each end ; or it rather feems to be compofed of two hexa- gon pyramids with a column placed between them. It is the foftell of all gems, and when it is coloured, goes by another name, though it ought not to be fub- iHtuted in the room of the more precious forts of Hones. When it imitates a Beryl, it is called a ba- Hard Beryl ; when it is like a Topaz, it is named a baftard Topaz and the like. There are many of thefe found in Bohemia and in the neighbouring parts, which can only be diltinguifhed by their foftnefs from real gems. There is another kind of Cryftal of a rhom- boidal form found in Icelandy and in fome Parts of FrancCy which feems to be compofed of cryftaline plates, or rather fibres, for it will cleave in all di- redlions, and yet if it be reduced to powder, they will all preferve the rhomboidal form. It has alfo another fmgular property which is, that when any objefl be viewed through it, it will always appear double ; but thefe things will bell appear in tlie defcrriptions of the different forts. Cryftals with a long intermediate column, are, the very bright CRYSTAL without any colour, which feems to be the mofl perfcdl kind, and is generally free from all kinds of blemilh. It is pointed as men- tioned above, and confequently confifts of fixteen planes or fides in all ; but thofe on the pyramids are not of an equal breadth, two of them being narrower than the reil. It is found from the fize of a barley- corn to three inches long, but the common fize is an inch. It does not depend upon any other body ; but >^'here ^aj'x ^6 U/f^y^; ' af^-t^/y^/ fa^ 46 . JPhnid , Waters, Earths, Fossils atid Minerals. 47 where one is met with there are generally more. It is moderately heavy, will ilrike fire with fteel, and when calcined is of an opaque white. It is commonly met with in the mountains of Germany, but is very rare in England. Blackilh Bright CRYSTAL with fhort pyramids, is always pure and without clouds. It is of various fizes, and is moft commonly three quarters of an inch in length. The numbers of fides are the fame as in the former. It is harder than common Cryftal, and cannot be broken without difficulty. It is remarkably- bright and tranfparent, and has what they call a black water. It is very uncommon, though it is fometimes found among other forts in fome parts of Italy. Dull whitiih CRYSTAL, with irregular pyramids, has a longifh and pretty thick column, and the pyra- mids are longer in fome parts than in others. It is fel- dom quite an inch long, and is near half an inch in diameter. It will firike fire with fleel, and calcines eafily into a pure white. It is common in Germany^ and is fometimes found in Torkjhire and Comxval. Britifh coiourlefs CRYSTAL, with long pyramids, and a Ihort column is very bright and transparent, and the thick ihort column has long pyramids tapering at the end. It is ufually about an inch and a half long, and three quarters of an inch thick. The planes are feldom regular, but four on the column and pyramid are frequently broader than the other two. It is fo hard as not to be fcratched, and is not eafily broken, "When calcined, which it is with difficulty, is as white as fnow. It is found in Bohemia. Bright Brown CRYSTAL, with ihort pyramids, and a very ihort column, is always thicker than it is long, and it is feldom or never either cloudy or foul., it is of various lengths, from the third part of an inch to three inches, and the diameter is always great- er than the length. It is generally found in large par- cels in the fame place, and is extremely hard, breaking with difficulty, and in any diredion ; when calcined, it becomes perfectly white. Yellow Bright CRYSTAL, with regular pyramids, and a ihort column is feldom pure, there being cloudy fpots. 48 rhe Natural HISTORY c/ fpots, films and flreaks therein ; it is, compofed o* eighteen fides or planes, like the reft ; that is, fix on each pyramid and fix on the column, and is found from a quarter of an inch to two inches in length. It is confiderably hard, ftrikes fire with ftcel, and v»'hen calcined is entirely white. It is common in Silefia and Bohemia^ and has been fometimes found in Tork- Jhire. Bright Colourlefs CRYSTAL with a fhort column gibbous in the middle, is a very fine fort, and has mo- derately long and iharp pyramids at the end ; it is three quarters of an inch long, and a quarter and a half in diameter, and is found fingle, though fometimes it is raet with among the llrata of Hones. It is very hard, ftrikes fire with fteel, and calcines to the whitenefs of fnow. Dull CRYSTAL with large pyramids, and an ex- treamly fhort deprefi^ed column, is of a very foul opaque fort, and of a coarfe texture, with a continual cloud throughout its whole fubftance. It almoft en- tirely confifts of pyramids without a column, and is found detached from all other bodies, but commonly in confiderable numbers. It is not fo hard as com- mon Cryftal, but will ftrike fire with fteel, tho* not eafily ; and is very white when calcined. It is feldom or never found in Englond. Small, Bright, Blackifli CRYSTx'\L with regular pyramids, is extreamly clear and regularly formed ; it is of various fizes, the largeft among them not ex- ceeding a fixth of an inch in length, but many are extremely fmall. It is very hard, and is calcined with difficulty. It is found xxiGermar.y i.i the cavities of a black filfile fton?, White CRYSTAL, confifting only of two pyra- mids, which are fhort, and joined bafe to bafe, it is generally very pure, and is always found independent of all other bodies. It is not perfeftly colourlefs, it being a little whitilTi ; but it ftrikes fire with ftcel very freely, and calcines very flowly. Brown CRYSTAL, confifting of two long pyra- mids, without a column, is perfe6lly pure, and regu- larly formed, and is of different fizcs, from the eighth of Wateir.s, Earths, Fossils ^W Minerals. 49 of an inch to three inches in length, and one third of its length in diameter. It is feldom found fingle, many of them being ufually joined together in an ir- regular manner ; and when not joined they are always pretty numerous. It is of a very fine water, and ex- treamly hard, ftriking fire with fleel, and calcining flowly to a perfeft whitenefs. It is found in Scotland on the fides of hills, and fometimes on the banks of rivers. Crooked or Slanting CRYSTAL, confifting of two pyramids, without a column, is perfeftly pure and tranfparent, and confifts of an oblique, or flanting double pointed body, befides the pyramids being ir- regular. It is from a quarter of an inch to two inches long, and about three fourths of its length in diame- ter. The furfaces of the planes are all perfe6lly fmooth ; and it is found fingle, is of a very fine water, and is extreamly hard,' ftriking fire readily with fteel. It is found in the Eaji and Wefi-hidies, and is common in Ne-xv-Spain^ where it is highly valued. Bright Blackifh CRYSTAL, confifting of two very fhort pyramids, without a column, is a very fine fort, and appears as bright as any ftone of this kind. The two pyramids join evenly bafe to bafe, though fome- times one is a little larger than the other. It is com- monly found in lumps, confifting of fe\^eral of thefe Cryftals pretty clofe together ; however, at other times they are loofe and independent of each other. It has a fine blackifh hue, and is very bright, with a fine water. It is extreamly hard, ftrikes fire with fteel, and after a long calcination becomes white. It is found in Italy, Germany a.nd France. CRYSTAL confifting of two pyramids only, with eight fides each ; that is, ha\dng fixteen planes in all, and of a brownifh colour, is of a very uncommon kind; it is fine and clear, though often fpotted with large blotche,s of black. The pyramids are much of the fame length, and the planes are extreamly finooth ; fome- times a hundred, or upwards, are found together, but detached from each other. It is confiderably hard, ftrikes fire with fteel, and calcines to a pure white. Vol. V. D It 50 The Natural HISTORY of It is found in Virginia^ on the fides of hills, among a fort of iron ore. CRYSTAL without colour, confifting of two long- ifh pyramids, with eight fides each, is a very pure fort, and very fine and clear ; it is ufually near an inch long, and a third of an inch in diameter, with the planes entirely fmooth polilhed and even. It is ufually found fmgle, is very tranfparent, and of a very fine water, as well as extrcamly hard. It is very fcarce, and, as yet, has been found no where elfe but zxGcJf- lear in Saxony. CHAP. XIII. Of Imperfca CRYSTALS. SPRIG CRYSTAL is whitiih and tranfparent^ and has only one pyramid v/ith fix angles, be- fides the column ; it is an exceeding common fort, and is very regularly formed, though it is fubjed to variety of blemiflies. The column is always long and flender, and fixed at one end to fome folid Foflil ; and confequently the hexangular pyramid muft be at the other end. The length is from a tenth of an inch to ten inches and longer; the planes are irregu- lar as to length and breadth, and they differ fo much from each other, that fcarce any two of thefe Cryftals are found exactly alike. They are, almoft always, found in clu Hers, are very hard, ftrike fire with Heel, and calcine, after fome time, to a pure white. Bright imperft-a CRYSTAL, without a tinge of any colour, is, by many, confounded with the for- mer; but it is different from it, and is often fold by dealers for a white fapphire, becaufe it is fomevvhat like it ; it is perfedly clear, and generally pretty re- gular, and has a long flender column with fix angles, terminated by a pretty long hexangular pyramid ; it is from one tenth of an inch to three or four inches long ; but it is moll commonly about an inch and a half. It is not found in fuch large clullcrs as the for- mer. Wate-rs, Earths, Fossils c/ra'MiNERALs. 51 mer, but is extreamly hard, flrikes fire with fteel, and calcines very flowly to a pure white. It is found in the Eajl and Wejl- Indies ^ as well as in Germany ; fome- tim^s it is fo tinged as to imitate gems, and may be readilv miftaken for them. Dull Whitifh imperfeft CRYSTAL, with a very fhort pyramid, is remarkably coarfe and impure, not with having a £lms or clouds, but by being v/hitifh throughout its whole fubibnce ; it confifts of the fames planes as the former, and is ufually long in proportion to its thicknefs in the column ; but the pyramid is al- ways fiiort ; and it is met with from a quarter, of aa inch to four inches long. It is generally found in large clufters ; but it is not fo hard as moil of tlie reft ; for it will not readily ftrike fire with fteel, and yet i^ calcines flowly to a pure white. It is found in moil parts of Europe, and particularly in Cornival. Bright Brown imnerfedl CRYSTAL, with a lone; pyramid, is generally knovvn by the name of brown Cryilal, and has a very fine clear texture. The form is generally regular, it having a long and pretty thick column, and ie found from the iize of an inch to an inch and a half in length, though fome have been met with ten inches long. There are fei- dom found many of them togetiier, though fometimes cluilers have been met with; it is extreamly hard, ilrikes fire wi^i Heel, and calcines, at length, to a pure white. It is found in the Eaji and Weji-Indies, as alio in Silef.a and Bohemia, as well as in the iflands of Scotlafid. Ddl Brown imperftft CRYSTAL, with a fhort pyramid, is fometimes miftaken for the former, though it is not near (o good, it having a dull and dead afpe(^. The column is regular, but always flender in propor- tion to its length, and is from half an inch to fourteen inches long. The planes are the lame as in the former, but the pyramid is always fhort ; it is commonly found in clufters, but the columns do not adhere to each Other, as the former ; and its brown colour is of va- rious degrees, for fcm: are pale, and others almofc black; it is tolerably hard, flrikes fire with lleel, but D 2 wil! 52 The Natural HISTORY of will not readily calcine. It is very common in Ger- many^ and is found in the cliffs of rocks. Bright Brown imperfed CRYSTAL, with a fhort pyramid, is often tinged with various colours, but moll frequently a pale yellow, and then it is fold for a Saxo?t topaz ; it is extreamly pure, and of a bright fine texture, though often covered with a rough coat. The column is long and flender, with a fhort hexan- gular pyramid ; and it is generally met with about two inches long, and not quite half an inch in dia- meter, but the planes are irregular ; it is commonly found fmgle, though fometimes in large clufters, and is extreamly hard ; it llrikes fire with ileel, and, af- ter a confidcrable time, calcines to a pure white. It is found in the great mine at Go/slaer in Saxony ; as alfo in Virginia. Bright Brown imperfect CRYSTAL, with a very long irregular pyramid. This is called tlie Beryl by fome jewellers, and it has the greatelt lullre of all the brown Cryftals ; but it is not very large, being only from half an inch to four inches long, and has a thin- ner column than others of the fame length. The planes are the fame in number as in others ; it is very hard, flrikes fire readily with lleel, and calcines very ilowly. It is found in Italy and Germary ; and is com- monly called by the jewellers, the Beryl Cryllal. Whitifh imperfed CRYSTAL, with a very long pyramid, is, by fome authors, called the Iris or Rain- bow Cryllal ; it is remarkable for reflecting different colours, whence it has its name, and Boet particularly affirms, that all the colours of the rainbow may be feen in it. It is not \''ery pure, for fometimes there are large white flaky blemifhes, but the form is per- fect and regular ; it is ufually long and flender, and is found from one inch to eight inches long ; how- ever, it is moft commonly about three inches. It is often met with in clufl:ers of forty or fifty together ; but the columns fmgly touch each other ; it is pretty heavy, flrikes fire with fleel, and in the fire readily calcines and turns white. Bright Waters, Earths, Fossils ^jWMinerals. 53 Bright Yellow imperfea CRYSTAL, with a ftiort pyramid, called Citrino by the jewellers. Boet affirms, that when this fort of Cryftal is yellowifh, it is called Citrino by the Italiajis and French, and is more valued than the common Cryftal ; it is very clear, pure, and of a line texture, it being generally free from ble- mifhes, and is from one to five inches in length ; but commonly much thinner at the top than near the root. Jt is moftly found fiagle, and is of a very beautiful yel- low ; it is not extreamly hard, but it will Ibike fire readily with Heel, and calcines flowly to a whitenefs in the fire. It is found in Bohemia and the Weft- Indiesy and is made ufe of forflones to fet in rings. Imperfect CRYSTAL, with a ihort pyramid and a thick reddifh crull. This may be always known by its coat ; and yet within it is perfectly fine and with- out colour, being very feldom fubjed to blemiihes. But not with Handing its cruft it is always perfectly formed, and is pretty thick at the bafe, gradually ta- pering towards the top. It is from two inches to fix or eight long ; but the moft common fize is between two and three inches, the pyramid is always com- pofed of irregular planes, and is fhort in proportion to the length of the column ; but thofe of the column are pretty exaft with regard to their breadths ; it is feldom found fmgle, for there are generally two, four or more columns which grow in a duller together, and fometimes adhere very flightly. It is very hard, and will not readily calcine in the fire, but at length it becomes of a pure white. Short, Bright imperfed CRYSTAL, without any colour, may be diilinguifhed from all others, by be- ing very fhort in proportion to its thicknefs ; it is al- mofl always extreamly pure and without blemifh, and its figure has little variation. It is always fixed to fome body or other, and is found of various fizes, from half an inch to three inches long, and the dia- meter is commonly two thirds of the length. A duller of eight or ten of thefe is generally found together, but the columns feldom touch and never ad- here. It is remarkably hard, and will admit of a fine D 3 polilh. 54 ^'^^ Natural HISTORY of pollfh. It is found in Ne though generally very fmall, it being not above an eighth part oi an inch in lerrgth, though it has been found half an inch long or upwards. The planes feem to be nearly all of a breadth, and of the fame length,, and the top of the pyramid Itands over the centre of the column j the planes of the pyramid are always fmooth, having a high natural polifh, and a fine lively dark water. It is extreamly hard, and is found in all parts of this kingdom, fometimes fur- rounding a fmgle or double round ball, and at other times in the crack?, cavities, and clefts of flints, and otlier ftones. Dull Whitiih imperfetSl CRYSTAL, with twelve planes on the pyramid, and as many on the bafe, re- fembles the former in {hape, only the pyramids are much fhorter and more blunt, fo that they are not eafily difcernable. Some of thefe are fine, others opaque and very coarfe, and are always very fhort ; and the com- mon fort is not above one tenth of an inch in length, though it has been feen near an inch. The root ia not eafy to be feen, and the Cryllal itfelf is feldom free from mixture, it being fometimes of a faint red, or dufky yellow, and fometimes of other colours. When pure it has a pretty good luftre, and is mode- rately hard. It is found in various places, in confi- dcrable clufters, though it is in the perpendicular clefts Waters, Earths, Fossils ^WMinerals. 57 clefts of ftone in the mines of Cornwall, and on Men- dip hills. Blackifli imperfea CRYSTAL, with very fhort pyramids, with twelve planes thereon, and as many on the bafe, is thought to be the hardeil and brighteft of all theclafs. The column is fomewhat longer and the pyramid fhorter than in others of this kind. It is fo extreamly fmall as fometimes not to be difcovered, unlefs by its glittering, though there are fome the tenth part of an inch in length, and a few the third of an inch. It is fhaped like the former, and has na- turally a very fine polifh. It is extreamly hard, and is found in great plenty in the foreil of Dean in Glou- cej}erjhire. Imperfeft CRYSTAL, with a blunt pyramid, and a very fhort column, each of which has twelve planes. It is pretty pure and clean, though fometimes fubjecfl to fpots and white opaque flakes. The pyramid is blunt, broad, and fixed to a broad ihort column, that fometimes feems to the naked eye to be wanting. It is extreamly fmall, the ufual fize being not above the twelfth of an inch in length, and nearly of the fame diameter. There are various fizes in the fame mafs, there being fmall ones between the larger ; but the furfaces are very fmooth and pretty gloffy. It is found together in large quantities, and is fome- times tinged with red or yellow. It is confiderably hard and heavy, and found in Cm-n-wall, Torkjhire, and other counties o^ England. Imperfect CRYSTAL, wdth a very long and nar- row pyramid, which has twelve planes, as well as the column. It is generally foul, though there are fome that have a very fine water. It is ufually about a quarter of an inch long, though fometimes it is half an inch. The furfaces of the pyramidal planes are very fmooth and even, and generally very bright ; but thofe of the columns are faintly ridged or ftreaked a-crofs. it is pretty hard, and is very commmon in Germany, as well as in many parts o^ England, particu- larly near King's-Wefion in Glocejierjhire. They are fome- times of various colours, but chiefly yeUov and purple. D 5 Bright 58 7he Natural HISTORY of Bright, Colourlefs imperfea CRYSTAL, with ex- treamly thin crufts, and in the fhape of a perfeil cube. The planes are all very bright and gloir/, and it is of various fizes, from one tenth of an inch to three quar- ters in diameter, of which the lars;er are generally found fmgle, and the fmaller in clutters. It is pretty foi't, and is found about lead mine?, cfpecially in Ycrkjhire, They are iometimes red, green, j-nd yc low ; and if they were not fo foft, might properly be called jrems. Dull Whitiih imperfed CRYSTAL, with a thicker crull, is, in fiiape, like the former, but much more coarfe, and is very fubjedl to flaws and blcmilhes. The fize is from a quarter of an inch to two inches in diameter, and is fometimes found fingle, but more commonly in mafTes. It is fometimes green, fome- times blue, and at other times purple, but moft com- monly of a pale yellow ; and though it is' extreamly heavy, it is much fofter than other Cryllal. It is found about lead mines. Dull Blucifh-White imperfed CRYSTAL, with a very thick cruft, is of a very foul, coarfe, in pure texture ; but it is always in the cxaft fhape of a cube, when found fingle. It is fometimes found in malTcs two feet in diameter, and then the Cryllals are irregu- lar ; the furfaces alfo are very uneven, and it is of a dull, obfcure, dufky look, being but little tranfpa- rent. It is pretty hard, and is found in England^, where there are lead mines, adhering to various flones. Whitifh Tranfparent imperfed CRYSTAL, is- fomewhat like the common Cryftal, and, at firfl fight,, feems to have the fame number of planes. It is pretty hne and pure, and is of a perfert regular form, being in the fliape of a pyramid with four fides, and is pretty broad at the bottom. It is generally about half an inch high, and almofl as much in diameter ; but there are fome two inches high. However, it is often met with in large clullers, and the largeft fingle Cryf- tal is no bigger than a grain of barley. When it is found fingle it always adheres to fome fofille body at the bafe, and is principally met with in De'vonjhire and Carnival . Brown Waters, Earths, Fossils ^»/Minerals. 59 Brown imperfea CRYSTAL refembles the for- mer, it being always like a ihort low pyramid, very broad at the bafe, and without a column. It is ufually about one third of an inch in diameter, and not much more in height. It confifts of four planes, which are feldom of the fame breadth, but the furfaces are very fmocth and gloiTy, though not always. It is fometimes found fmgle though never ioofe, and moil commonly in clufters, adhering to fome other body ; at its bafe, and the clufters run into each other. It is very hard, and common in De-vonjhire and Co)-tt- ivaL It is of various colours, but principally of a faint obfcure red. Colourlefs Tranfparent imperfeft CRYSTAL, con- filling of fix planes, and of a rhomboidal fhape, is- perfe6lly pure, fme, clear, and broad in propor- tion to its length. It is vtry fmall, it being generally of the fize of a grain of Wheat, and the largefl: are feldom more than the third of an inch ia length. They are but thin in proportion to the fizs, and fometimes all the planes are perfe6lly fmooth, and fometimes with ridges, appearing flreaked near the extremities. It is fometimes found fingle and Ioofe, and at other times inclufters that hurt each other. It is exremely heavy, very hard, and is found in pretty large quantities among the iron ores of the foreil of Dean. Dull, Thick, Brown, imperfed Rhomboidal CRYS- TAL is not very pure, and is pretty broad in pro- portion to its length. It is commonly about a quar- ter of an inch long, an eighth of an inch broad, -and about a fixth in thicknefs. It conn.^LS of fix planes that generally appear fmooth, and is fometimes found fingle and Ioofe, but more frequently in cluf- ters in the iron mines oi Gloucejhrjhire. It has been met with of a dufky yellow and is pretty hard. It is com- mon in the mines of the foreft of Deau. Black, GloiTy, Imperfed CRYSTAL, of a rhom- bodial form, is extremely pure, and of a very regular Ihape. It is is from a third of an inch to an inch in length, and is bright, fmooth and gloily. The lar- ger 6o The Natural HISTORY of ger fort is ufually fingk, and the fmall are in larger mafTes, of a fine blackifh colour, and calcines to a fine purplifh red. It is met with on the furfaces of the per- pendicular cliffs, in the iron mines of Gloucefierjhire. Very Thick, Dull, Imperfed CRYSTAL of a rhom- boidal form, is extremely coarfe and foul, and fubjedl to opaque fpots of a deep red, with flakes and clouds. The common Itandard is about half an inch, and it is long in proportion to its breadth. The furfaces are full of irregular ridges, and the large ones are fome- times found fingle and loofe, but more commonly in large numbers. It is always of a faint, but fome- what purplilh red, and is remarkably hard, calcining flowly to a deep purple. It is found in the iron mines of the forell of Dean. None of thefe Cryftals will ferment with aqua fortis. CHAP. XIV. Of SPARS. Of 'various Figures and Shapes* SPAR, with a narrow oblong pyramid, is very like Cryftal with eight fides, and is of a pure fine texture, it being the moft perfeft of all the whole tlafs, having a column with fix angles with a pyra- mid, confifting of the fame number. The column is pretty long, but not thick, and the pyramids are re- markably /lender and pointed. The common lize is the tv/elfth of an inch long, though fome have been feen of three quarters of an inch. The larger fpecimens are commonly found loofe ; but they are moft com- monly among the coarfer ftrata of ftones. It is fome- times tinged with a faint purple colour. It will not ftrike fire with fteel, but it will diflblve in aqua for- tis, and will calcine eafily in a moderate fire. It is found in the mountains of Germany^ and in North Wales. SPAR, with very fhort pyramids and a long co- lumn, is perfedly pure and a regularly formed body, confifting of a pretty loijg and thick hexangular co- lumn. Waters, Earths, Fossils ^jWMinerals. 6l lumn, terminated by a very Ihort pyramid with the fame number of fides. It is commonly about an inch long, and the third of an inch in diameter. It will not ftrike fire with fteel, but will ferment with ^qua fortis, as will indeed every kind of Spar, and there- fore this needs not be repeated. It is found in Saxony^ and fometimes in Hartz, foreft. SPAR, with (hort pyramids, and a very jfhort co- lumn, may eafily be diilinguilhed from others by its fhape, and is of a pretty pur^ and fine texture, but not fo clear as the former. It is generally found in clufters of eight, ten, and twelve together, and has a dufky hue, with very little tranfparency. SPAR, with very fliort and broad pyramids, is ex- tremely pure, and of a perfedl fine texture, having a pretty long and thick column, with a depreifed py- ramid at each end, each of which has five fides. It is fometimes met with an inch long, but the com- moneft fort is exceeding fmall, and is lodged in the ftrata of clay. It is found in Derbyjhire, Torkjhire, and Cornnjjal. SPAR, with long pyramids and a long column, which confift each of three fides. It is pretty pure, but has a whitifh call and a dullifh look. It is com- monly about an inch in length, and half an inch in diameter. It is confiderably keavy, but very fof: and eafily fcratched. It is found in Germany ^ and fome- times in Cornxval and De^onjhire. SPAR, with very long pyramids and a Ihort co- lumn, is coarfe and impure, and is ufually very fmall, though fometimes a quarter of an inch long. The columns and pyramids have each three fides. It is found in the iron mines of the foreft of Dean, Slender SPAR, with very Ihort pyramids, confift- ing of three fides as well as the column. It is gene- rally pretty pure, and of a fine texture, though fome- times fubjed to blemilhes. The common fize is three quarters of an inch in length, and is of a blueifh white, but fometimes approaching to a lead colour, or a yellowifh brown. It is very foft, and is found in England, Inland, and Germany ^ SPAR 62 The Natural HISTORY of SPAR with flat pyramids and column, confi fling of three fides each, is coarfe and foul, though the fi- gure is regular, and is of a pale brown colour, and not very tranfparent. It is always found fingle and loofe, and is very common in Saxony. SPAR confifting of two long pyramids without a column, each having eight fides. It is very pure and fine, and commonly about three quarters of an inch long. It is very tranfparent, though it is fomewhat of a whitifh colour, and is found in Hartz, forefl in Germany. SPAR with fnort and fliarp pointed pyramids, each confifting of eight fides and without a column. This is very pure, and is remarkable for its ihort points and broad bafis, and is often found half an inch thick, but never longer than two thirds of its thicknefs. It is found in Hartz foreft. SPAR with fhort blunt pyramids without a column, and confifling of eight fides each, is much coarfer than the former, and the pyramids are very broad at the bafe, as well as extremely fhort and blunt at the points. It is found from the fize of a pea to half an inch in diameter, and is commonly of a dead whitifh hue, with very little brightnefs. SPAR with long narrow fharp pointed pyramids, confifling of fix fides each, and without a column, is generally £ne, clear and pure, though fometimes cloudy. It is often an inch in length, but not a third of an inch in diameter, and is very foft. It is found in t"he mines o{ Mendlp hills. SPAR with long broad obtufe pyramids, confifling of five fides each without a column, is fometimes of a pretty pure and clear texture, but oftner dufky and coarfe ; it is found from the length of a barley corn to an inch and a half in length, and not half fo thick. It is very foft, and is found in the mines of Hartz, forefl. SPAR with long and pointed pyramids, confifling of three fides and without a column. The pyramids are extremely long and narrov/, but the texture is im- pure J the furfaccs are fmooth, and of a pale whitifli brown Waters, Earths, Fossils and Minerals. 6^ brown colour, \vi h very little tranfparency. It is very foft, and found in the mines of Corn^wal. SPAR with long broad pyramids confifting of three fides each, and without a column, is coarfe and une- qual in its texture, and is of various fizes, from an eight part of an inch to two inches long ; it is whitilli, greyilh, yellowilh, or reddifli, but moil commonly of a pale brown. It is found in Germany, SPAR with fliort broad pyramids coniifting of three fides each, and without a column, is very pure, fine, and clear, and is very fhort in proportion to its thick- nefs. It is from half an inch to an inch and a half long, with very fmooth gloily planes. It is pretty tranfparent, and brighter than moll other Spars as well as harder, though it will not ilrike fire with Heel. It is found in Hartz foreil. Extremely Broad SPAR with depreffed pyramids confining of three fides each, and without a column. It is not very clear, though not coarfe, and thofe of three quarters of an inch broad are not a quarter of an inch long. It is very foft, and is found in Gcrmwiy. SPAR with fiiort Iharp pointed pyramids confining of three fides each, and without a column, is fome- times of a fine clear texture, but frequently full of fpots and biemifhes. It is fometimes, though feldom, an inch in length, and the planes are even, fmooth, and polifhed, though not very bright, and common- ly of a pale yellow, but fometimes of a deadiih white, or of a pale brown. It is very foft, and is found in Hartz foreii. Slender SPxA.R with a long pyramid confifiing of fix fides, has often been miilaken lor a Cryftal, it having a long (lender hexangular column. The texture is extremely fine, though it is fometimes fubjeft to flaky flav.s, and is commonly two inches long, and a third of an inch in diameter. It is not fo bright as Cryilal, and is fometimes of other colours, which are very lively and beautiful like gems, but it is foft, and found in I-'lendip hills. SPAR with a long irregular pyramid confifting of fix fides as well as the column. It is feldom very fine, though it keeps regularly to its fhape, and the plane ^4 The Natural HISTORY of planes are a little glofly. It is of a dufky white, very foft, and is found in the mines of Comival and Devoffjhit'e, SPAR with a very fhort pyramid confifting of fix fides as well as the column, is generally very pure and clear, though fometimes blemifhed, and the common fize is about an inch and a half. It is naturally of a greyiih white, very tranfparent, and pretty bright ; however, it is fometimes tinged with other colours. It is very foft , and found in the mines of Derby- Jhire. SPAR with a very long pyramid confifting of five fides as well as the column. It always adheres to fome folid body, and is of a clear fine texture. It is feldom more than a quarter of an inch thick, and the tliird part of its length high. It appears very fmooth and gloffy, and looks like Cryftal, though it is fome- times tinged with other colours. It is pretty hard, and is found in Mendip hills. SPAR with a thick column, and a very fhort and large pyramid, confifting of five fides, as well as the co- lumn ; it is very coarfe and foul, and feldom above an inch and a half long, and then the column is an inch thick. The planes are pretty fmooth, though it is very foft ; it is found in Hartz. foreft. SPAR with a broad deprefl'ed pyramid, is ufually very fine and clear, though not always ; for it is fome- times variegated with fmall fpecks of yellow, green, and other colours; it hci.s a lliort column with fix fides, and the pyramid is terminated with as many. There are ridges on the planes of the column that hang over each other like the tiles of a houfe ; when pure, it is entirely without colour, is pretty hard, and is met v/ith in Hartz forell:. Slender SPAR with a long blunt pyramid with three fides, and the column has the fame. This is very common, it has a coarfe impure texture, and is of an opaque dufky colour ; but fometimes it is tinged with other colouio, as white, yellow, reddifh, blueilh- grey, or pale-brown ; it is likewife frequently tinged with the colours of gems, and is fometimes not above the fixth part of an inch, and at others two inches long. It Waters, Earths, Fossils /tW Minerals. 6^ It is found in prodigious clufters. Whatever its colour is, it may be eafily known by its fhape ; it is pretty hard, and is found in moft parts of the world. Short SPAR with pointed pyramids having three fides, and a column with the fame, is found from the twelfth part of an inch to two inches long, and is commonly whitifh ; but when pure, it is entirely colourlefs, tranfparent and bright ; it is very foft, and found in many parts of England. Thick SPAR with a long pyramid having three fides, and a column of the fame. This is fometimes fine, and fometimes blemifhed with reddiih clouds ; it is of various fizes, but commonly half an inch in length, of which the pyramid is one half; it is pretty hard, and is found in the clefts of ftones in Northamptonjhire . SPAR with a very fliort column having three fides, and a long blunt pyramid with the fame. This is com- monly coarfe, impure and dufky, with very little brightnefs and lefs tranfparence. It is very foft, and is found in Derbyjhire and Somerfetjhzre. SPAR without a column, being only a pyramid with fix fides that adheres to fome folid body, has the appearance of Cryftal, and is fhort and blunt with fmooth planes. It is pretty hard, and is hitherto found only in Saxony. SPAR without a column, being only a pyramid with fix fides and a narrow bafe, by which it adheres to fome folid body, is fometimes pretty pure, and fometimes foul and coarfe ; fome are no longer than a barley corn, and others near an inch in length. It is confiderably hard, and is found in Hart% foreft. SPAR without a column, being only a pyramid ha- ving fix fides, and fixed to fome folid body, is often foul and coarfe, and tinged with different colours. It is found from an eighth of an inch to half an inch in length, and is very bright, though but little tranfpa- rent, and is found in Northamptonjhire. Long SPAR, which is only a pyramid with three fides and a narrow bafe, is of a very coarfe tex- ture, and often f^ained with diiierent colours ; but^.is , iHoll commonly of a dufky brown, and is found frfem the 66 The Natural HISTORY cf the tenth part of an inch to an inch in length. It is pretty hard, and is found in Germany. Hard tranfparent SPAR of the ihape of aparallel- epipid, commonly called Iceland Cryllal, is ex- tremely pure, clear and line, and is found of various fizes from a quarter of an inch to- three inches in dia- meter \ but its ufual fize is two inches and a half. It feems to be fmooth and even at firil fight, though if nicely examined ridgts will be found upon it ; it is al- moin as tranfparent as fine Cryftal, but is \t\y fcft, and generally found fmgle. It is found in Icelanciy as alfo in Genna-riy and France', it confilh of plates laid one upon another, and will cleave in the manner of Talc ; and when it is reduced to powder it Hill retains its rhomboidal figure which may be difcovered .by a microfcope. It has this fingular property, that all objef Allom is fet to cryftalize it concretes into a figure with eight fides, which looks like a triangular pyra- mid, with the angles cut off ; infijmuch that it is com- pofed of four hexagon furfaces, and four that are tri- angular. From a chymical analyfis it appears, that AUum confifls of an acid vitriolic fait, and an afliin- gent earth or bole intimately united. Allum is recom- mended for fwellings of the gums, and againft the fluxions upon the tonfils. When burnt it will take down proud flefh in wounds and ulcers ; it is of no ufe internally, only it is fometimes given with a large proportion of nutmeg for the cure of the ague. SAL-AMMONIAC of the ancients, was a fort of fofiile Salt or Sal-gem, though Diofcoridcs would have it to be a kind of common Salt, which is denfe, tranf- parent, white, eafily cloven, and dug out of the earth ; :-Il which have the properties of Sal- Gem, for it will readily cleave into plates. Pliny takes notice of another kind of Sal-Ammoniac, which was found among the fand in the Cyrmean defart, and was like that, which they called Schijion, being in long pieces, but not tranfpa- rent. But whatever this was, it is certain, that made ufe of now, is always faiflitious. However, there is one that may be called native, which is got out of the rocks near Putecli in Italy, where the earth emits fmoke and flames. The inhabitants lay heaps of ftones over the clefts, which catch as it were the faline fmoke, that after a few days condenfes into a white cruft, which being bruihed off, is called Sal-Ammo- niac ; but this is like fea Salt. Fadlitious SAL-AMMONIAC, is of two forts, one of which is brought from the Eajl Indies in conical pieces like fugar loaves, of an afh-colour ; but this is very fcarce. The ether and common fort is brought from Egypt and Syria in flat cakes, convex on the up- per part vvitli a fort of a navel, and a little hollow on the other ; they are about a palm in breadth, and three or four inches thick, of an afli-colour without, and v/hitifh v/ithin. Some have pretended that this Salt proceeds from the urine of camels, dried in the fands of the defcrts of Lyhia, Others fuppofe, that it tt^jtkt^ iriflgiliiii ' iTii 'iri'ii'i-ii«-ii> Waters, Earths, Fossils ^zWMinerals. 85 it is made of the urine of camels or cattle dried over the fire, and then walhed, and afterwards made into cakes. But the truth is, it is compofed at Damieita in Egypty from a kind of foot in large glafs vefiels a foot and a half in diameter, and is mixed with fea Salt, moiftened with the urine of cattle or camels. ■ They fill the veflel to two thirds, of which there are twenty or thirty in the fame furnace, whofe fides are fo covered with bricks and clay, that the neck of the vefTel is only fix inches above them. Then they light a fire in the furnace, which is gradually increased till it is very ftrong, which is continued for three days and nights ; by which means the fait is fublimed to the per parts of the vefiels. All kinds of foot are not proper for this purpofe, but that only which proceeds from fires made with cattle or camel's dung, and is always carefully collefted for this purpofe. The rea- fon why they have many fires of this kind in Egypt, is, on account of the fcarcity of wood. SAL-AMMONIAC is a very ufeful medicine, for it difiblves thick clammy humours, and carries them off by fweat and urine. Some commend it in agues, given to the quantity of half a drachm, with a fcruple of crabs eyes before the fit. The Volatile Salt and fpirit of Sal- Ammoniac are good in a lethargy, apo- plexy, fainting, giddinefs of the head, and hyfteric fits, being held to the nofe. Internally, the fpirit promotes a diaphorefis, fweat and urine ; it blunts acid humours in the body, promotes the circulation of the blood, rcfrefhes the fpirits, excites the ofcillations of the nerves, and opens obftrudlions. Whence it is good in the apoplexy, epilepfy, lethargy, fleepy difeafes, and in hyfteric fits. It may be given from fix drops to a dram in any proper liquor. BORAX is of two forts, the one native, and the other refined. Native Borax is brought to us in bits of the fize of large hazel nuts, and of a dark green colour, covered with a fort of earthy fat matter. It is found in various places, and is brought from the empire of the great mogul, and from Perjia, where it is fo und in mines of metal, efpecially, thofe of copper, from whence proceeds a faltifh, muddy, greenilh wa- ter t6 Thi Natural HISTORY of ter, which is carefully catched, and being evapo- rated into a proper thicknefs, is afterwards poured into pits lined with a pafte, made with the mud of thefe fprings, and the fat of animals, which are alfo covered with the fame pafte. After fome months they are opened, and tney find the water concreted into ftones. When Borax is purified, it ap- pears clean, white, and tranfparent, fomewhat like the cryftals of Allum, with a flight faltifti tafte, and a lixivious ftiarpnefs. It is of the fame fubftance with the native, and was formerly brought from Venice. It is imported to us from X^atEafi Indies ^ and principally from Bengal. When Borax is placed over the fire, it fwells like Allum, and at length melts into a hard tranfparent mafs, refembling glafs, which, however, will diflblve in water. After examination, it appears that Borax is a fort of a fixed Salt not unlike that of Tartar ; but differs from it in joining with acid Salts, without any effervefcence. Borax is ufed by gold- fmiths for foldering gold, and to render the melting of metals more eafy ; likewife. it is employed by fome dyers to give a glofs to their filks. It is given by phyficians to promote child-birth, and to expel the dead child. The dofe is from half a fcruple to a drachm. CHAP. XVII. 0/* Sulphurs, Bitumens and Coals. Common SULPHUR or BRIMSTONE, is either native or factitious, or rather depurated. Native Sulphur commonly called Sulphur Vivum, is either tranfparent or opaque ; the tranfparent appears like a gem of a gold colour, though fome is met with that is yellowifh or greenifh. It is found in the gold mines of Peru, particularly in ^ito in the ifland of Miloy in the Archipelago^ and in the canton of Berny ia Snvijferland. The opaque is ufually met with in hard foUd maffes of a greenifh fhining colour, or under the form Waters, Earths, Fossils ana Minerals. 87 form of an alh -coloured clayey glebe, inclming to yellow. It is in the greateft plenty at the feet of the mountains that throw out fire and fmoke, fuch as Ve/jiviusy Etna, Hecla, and the like ; as alfo in fome parts of Europe and America, where there are fulphu- rious earths or fountains. Faditious SULPHUR is prepared feveral ways ; for in fome places it is boiled in water, as at Buda in Loi.v£r-Hungary. At Aix la Chapelle in the hot baths. Sulphur is raifed in vapours from the water, and flicks to the cover of the fpring in hardifh lumps, that have the appearance of flower of Sulphur, and a great quantity of this is gathered every year. Some- times it is extrafted from a whitifh clayey earth. Likewife in the neighbourhood of Rome there is a Sulphur pit, whence Sulphur is got under the form of a fat white clayey earth, with blackifh veins. This is put into large veffels, and then diftilled, by which means the Sulphur runs into the recipient placed un- derneath, and in a fhort time concretes into mafles. After the diftillation is over, a reddifh earth remains behind, which is thrown away as ufelefs. It is often obtained from the flones called Pyrites, as in the dio- cefe of Liege, where they are found like lead ore, which they break into fmall bits ; then they put them into large earthen veflels of a fquare form, with nar- row necks. Thefe veffels are placed in a furnace in- clining to one fide in fuch a manner, that the fire un- derneath may melt the Sulphur, and fo let it run out into leaden veffels filled with cold water, where it im- mediately concretes. The matter that is left in the veffels contains a great deal of Vitriol, which is ex- tra£led in the manner before defcribed. Sulphur thus purified, is called common Brimftone, and is of a yel- low or greenifh colour ; but the former is beft for medicinal ufes. Sulphur will readily melt over the fire, and when thrown upon live coals will immediately kindle, and emit a blueilh flame, with a very fubtile acid fume, which almoft always occafions coughing. It is an eleftric body, and will not diffolve with acids, tho* it will with alkaline Salts and Oils. When kindled in the open air, it almofl all burns away, leaving only a little 88 The Natural HISTORY of a little metalick earth behind it. If the fumes or va- pours that proceed from burning Sulphur are colled- ed, they will turn to an acid fpirit, like that of Vi- triol, without any fign of Oil or Bitumen remaining. When Sulphur is diftilled in a veflel, it will rife in the form of a yellow powder, which is commonly called Flower of Brimftone. When Sulphur is properly ana- lyzed, it appears to confift of three fubftances in equal proportions ; one of which is acid, another bituminous, and the third earthy and fixed. The acid liquor dif- fer little from fpirit of Vitriol. Sulphur is ufed as a medicine in diforders of the lungs, and is faid to pro- mote expedloration, and to cleanfe and ftrengthen the lungs. It has always been counted excellent in dif- eafes of the fkin, and when ufed as an ointment with frelh butter, it will certainly cure a recent itch. Taken inwardly it loofens the belly, and promotes refpira- tion, which lall is fo great, that it will colour the iilver in a perfon's pocket. For this reafon there is no doubt to be made of its blunting the iliarp particles of the blood, and rendering it balfamic ; upon which account it is fometimes made ufe of to cure fmall ulcers of the lungs and fkin ; but its virtue is in no- thing more remarkable than in curing the piles, when a fpoonful of the flower is taken every morning with milk. Some take it made into an eleftuary, by mixing four ounces of flower of Sulphur, one ounce of barley- fugar, and a fufficient quantity of fyrup of maiden-hair together ; and then the dofe is half an ounce in a morning falling, and at five in the afternoon. The fpirit of fulphur is given for the fame purpofes as other acid fpirjts, making any liquor agreeably acid there- with. ORPIMENT is an arfenical juice, compacfled into globes, confifting of thin fcales or leaves, almofl like Jfmg-glafs, which may be eafily feparated from each other. There are three kinds, one of which fhines like gold, another is reddifh mixed with a citrine colour ; the third is greenilh and mixed with earth ; but the firft is beft. They are found in mines of gold, filver, and copper. OR- Wateils, Earths, Fojsfls ^WMinirals. S9 ORPIMENT has a fharpilh tafte, will difTolve ift oil, readily take fire, and emit a copious fume, be- tween the fmell of fulphur and garlick. By the heat of the fire it will difperfe in plentiful fumes, which if collefted, concrete in yellowifti flowers, like fulphur ; and at the bottom of the veflel there will remain a blood-coloured melted mafs, which, when cold, becomes thick and folid, like cinnabar. This, by fome, is called red Orpiment, or Realgar. If this mafs be kept longer over the fire, in a fublimating vefTel, it will rife to the upper part, and there con- crete into a tranfparent, red, elegant fabftance, like a ruby ; but at the bottom there will remain a little metalick earth. Hence it is plain, that Orpiment confiils of the fame principles as common Sulphur, only it is mixed with fome mercurial particles. Some take it to be of a very poifonous nature ; but Hoffman, after many experiments, by giving it to dogs, has found that it is entirely innocent. It is made ufe of by fome bar- bers mixed with lime to take off the hair where it is fuperfluous ; but if it lies on long, it will corrode the Ikin, which doubtlefs, is owing to the lime. REALGAR, called ZARNICK by fome, is, by others, named Red Orpiment. It is of two kinds j that is, native and factitious . The native, which is got out of mines, is of the colour of cinnabar, and fmells like a mixture of fulphur and garlick when it is burnt. The faftitious is made with Or- piment in fublimating vefiels ; for the yellow part will rife towards the top, and the mafs that remains at the bottom is the Realgar. However, we are not to con- found this with the red fadlitious Arfenick hereafter defcribed. Realgar is brought into Europe from Chinas in feveral fliapes, which they call Pagods, thefe feem to be made by melting, not carving. Some ancient phyficians have given this inwardly ; the natives of the Eaji- hidies make cups herewith, and the water poured therein, after fome time, is ufed as an excellent re- medy againft feveral difeafes. Some think that it would not have the like efFe(^ on European bodies ; for 90 The Natural HISTORY of for they fuppofe the nature of man in the Eaft-Indie^ and our's to be greatly different ; but this is a miiUlce- However, it is uncertain whether Realgar be as inno- cent as Orpiment, or not ; but that it is not poifon is certain, for Hoffman gave two fcruples of it to a dog, without the leaft bad confequence, and he was as well afterwards, as if he had taken nothing ; but this is not the cafe with the flowers of Orpiment, for a fcru- ple of thefe being given, it excited enormous vomit- ing ; however, it did not kill, but if the flowers arc obtained another way ; that is, by mixing four ounces of Orpiment with three ounces of oil of Vitriol, they will yield an ounce of the flowers adhering to the neck of the retort, which are entirely innocent ; for they are almoft taftelefs and promote fweat more powerfully, perhaps, than any other medicine. ARSENIC K, properly fo called, is in Bohe- fnia and Saxony extraded from a mineral called co- balt. If this be mixed with calcined flints and pot- aflies, the mixture in a very ftrong fire, will turn in- to a glafs of a blueifli colour, that when reduced to powder is called fmalt. In the preparation of this glafs a copious fmoke is exhaled, or rather flowers, which flicking to the fides of the furnace, and col- le^ed together, appear in the form of a white pow- der, which put into a crucible, and melted in an ex- ceeding flrong fire, turns into a white, heavy, hard glafly mafs ; and this is named white Arfenick, which \% a mofl dangerous poifon. But when to ten parts of the former powder, one of fulphur is added, and melted, as before, then yellow Arfenick will be produced. Again, if two parts of the fulphur are added to ten of the powder and melted, as before, it will turn to a reddifh mafs, which goes by the name of red Arfenick. COBALT itfelf is a fofTile body, which is heavy, hard, and almoft black, not very unlike antimony ; it has a fulphureous, naufeous fmell when kindled in the fire, and is commonly mixed with a portion of brafs, and fometimes of a little filver. Cobalt is found in fome parts of Englatid, and particularly in Mendip hills in So- merjitjhire ; but feme think it is not fo good as that of fiaxi^' Waters, Earths, Fossils ^W Minerals. 91 Saxony, Arfenick confifts of an acid fait, a mercurial or metallick fubrtance, and a fmall portion of fulphur. It is very volatile, for if a piiece be put into a cru- cible over the fire, it will fpeedily fly away in a white fmoke, leaving little or nothing behind. When melted with copper, it will turn it to a filirer colour, but then it becomes brittle^, and is of no great ufe, befides the tinge will be foon loft. Arfenick will corrode the Ikin, and taken imvardly will produce the moft dreadful fymptoms, which terminate in death, unlefs a large quantity of milk, oil, and fat broth be drank. There is but one medicine of any value obtained from Arfenick, and that is made by mixing crude antimony, yellow fulphur, and white Arfrnick together, in equal parts, and then melting them iil a glafs cucurbit in a fand heat ; when it is cold, it appears in the form of a dark red mafs. This medi^ cine is only ufed externally, by applying it to vene- real buboes, with a large diachylum plafler ; and alfo for fores occalioned by the king's evil, to the fwellings of which it may be applied alone. NAPHTHA or PETROLEUM is a mineral oil of a bituminous nature, which is inflammable, and has a fragrant fmell. It is of feveral colours as white, yellow, red, and blackilh. There is fcarce any coun- try where this bitumen is not to be found ; but in the ifland of Sumatra there is an excellent fort, which by the inhabitants is called miniac tanna, which fignifies oil of earth ; and this is in high efteem in the Eaft^ Indies, The Italians are lavifli in their praifes of the Petroleum that is found in Modena, and is obtained from certain fprings and wells. The earth of this dutchy abounds therewith ; but that is moft remarkable which is met with in the place called // FumentOy where there is a well near forty yards deep, whofe water is mixed with this oil. Near this is a caftle on a mountain, and when wells are dug near the the lower part of it, they will afford great plenty of reddifti oil ; but thofe that are in the upper part yield one that is white, but lefs in quantity. Twelve miles from Modena there is a noted rock, where there is a fpring, on whofe water a yellowiih oil is feen fwim* 92 The Natural HISTORY of ing ; and this will produce about twelve pounds of this oil in a week. Petroleum readily flames, for which reafon, in many places, it is ufed for lamp oil. It confifts of fine volatile parts, upon which account, if a candle be held over the wells or fountains that yield this oil, the vapours will readily take fire. It is difficult to unite fpirit of wine with Petroleum, it is of fuch a fat confidence. That Petroleum is generally counted bell that is freih, white, tranfparent, and having a fubtile bituminous fmell ; the next in efteem is the yellov/, then the red j but the black is worft of all. A few drops of this oil is given to children to kill worms ; and it is ufed outwardly in the palfy, and for cold pains of the nervous parts. Mineral PITCH is a kind of reddifh or blackilh bi- tumen, having a fragrant bituminous fmell. It is of a middle confiftence between petroleum and bitumen, and is not unlike tar. It grows more fluid in heat and thicker with cold ; and it emits a flame when kindled. It is by fome authors called Piflafphaltum, and fprings out of the earth in feveral places between the chinks of Hones. That at Cajlro near Rome rifes through th'e clefts of ftones, chiefly in the fummer time, of the confiftence of honey, and is of a black colour and a moft fubtile fmell. In Awvergne in France there is a plentiful fpring of this bitumer, which has the appearance of tar, it being bUck ; but if it be kept a confidcrable time, it v/iil grow harder, but not fo hard as pitch. That moft common mEnglandi^ Bar- badoes tar, which is a liquid bitumen, and is ufed ex- ternally, for all pains proceeding from a cold caufe ; as well as numbnefs, cramps, and paifies. \t is given, inwardly, in pretty large dofes, for the dry belly ach. Jews PITCH is a fort of bitumen, which is folid, brittle, heavy, of a reddifti black, fliining, inflamm.able with a ftrong bituminous fmell, efpecially when it is melted over the^fire. It is found in feveral places, and particularly in Judeay from whence it has its name. It is found fwimming on the top of the Dead-Sea, and is, at firft, foft, thick, and may be readily pulled in pieces. Waters, Earths, Fossils ««^ Minerals, p-^ pieces; but, by length of time, it becomes harder than common pitch ; it is known in the fhops by the name Afphaltum. The true fort is fcldom brought to us j for what we have is entirely black ; only when it is broken, it has a fafFron colour caft. It is now of little or no ufe in medicine, only it enters the compofition of Fenke treacle ; but it is ufed by fome for embalming dead bodies, and alfo by engravers to cover their cop- per-plates defigned for etching. AMBERGREASE is of an alh-colour, or grey, and is a fat folid fubllance, like fuet, but light. It is variegated like marble, and is fometimes fpeckled with white fpecks ; it fprings from the bowels of the earth, is condenfed in the fea, and is found floating on the water, though fometimes it has been met with on the fea fhore, where it has been thrown by the waves. It is fometimes black as well as grey ; but the grey is accounted beft. Some have taken this for the dung of certain birds, others for a recrement of whales, and others again for a rofin. However, there is little room to doubt that it is a fort of bi- tumen, which proceeds from the earth near the bot- tom of the fea ; for it fometimes contains ftones, fhells, the bones of animals, and the bills and clav/s of birds, as well as honey-combs, from which the ho- ney has not been all loft. Hence it appears that this bitumen mufl have ben firft in a liquid ftate ; it has been fometimes found in lumps of above two hun- dred pounds weight. A great deal of this is got in the Indian ocean, about the Molucca iflands ; though it has alfo been found near Africa, and fometimes near the northern parts of England, Scotland, and A'or- nuay, Ambergreafe will readily melt in the fire into a a fort of gold coloured rofin, which will kindle and burn when held to a candle. It will not diflblve en- tirely in fpirit of wine, but leaves a black pitchy matter behind it. The folution, after fome time, will depofit a white cloudy fediment, which will coagu- late by little and little, and grow thick, efpecially by the evaporation of the finer parts of the fpirits of wine; this being dried becomes a fhining fort of eartk 94 'J'^e Natural HISTORY of «arth, not much unlike fperma-ceti. It confills of oily greyiih particles, which are stry fine and vola- tile, with others that are thicker, faline, and bitu- minous. Ambergreafe is of great ufe among per- fumers, and is recommended by phyficians for raifing languiftiing fpirits, and increafmg their motion ; whence it is in given for diforders of the brain and heart, as well as in fainting fits. The dofe in fub- ilance is a pill of the fize of a fmall pea, or from one grain to eight in a poached t^'g or wine. AMBER is a hard bituminous fubftance, brittle, fomewhat tranfparent, and of a yellow or citrine colour, though fometimes it is whitiih and fometimes brown. The tafte is fomewhat acrid and bituminous, with a little aftringency j the fmell, when warm, is fragrant and bituminous ; and when rubbed it will attradl ftraws and bits of flicks by its eledrical virtue. It is found in large quantities in PruJ/iay which is th« country where it is chiefly got, particularly in the Bttltick fea, near the Ihore of Sudai'ia, where it is found fwimming upon the water,and is taken in nets. The places where amber is chiefly found are near the towns called Fifchaufun, Grobudfiein^ Abernichen., and Dalmonid. However, this bitumen is not a produc- tion of the fea ; for its water only ferves to waih it off from the bowels of the earth, and remove it to places near the fhore. The veins of this bitumen have been found, by the order of the ^xTi^oi PruJJia. In digging for them they firll met with fand, which being taken away, a flratum of clay appeared, and ftill deeper there was another like old wood, under which there was the mineral of vitriol, which being expofed to the open air, it was covered with an efflo-- refcence of green vitriol. Still deeper there was a fandy mineral, out of which, with proper inflru- ments, they got Amber in various places. By this means, in the March near Kujiririy as alfo in the Tract of Stolpen and Dantxick it was met with among fand, and found collefted in a fort of heaps ; whence it ap- pears they were greatly miilaken who took it for the rofm of trees that dropt from them into the fea. It feems to proceed from the bituminous folTile wood. Waters, Earths, Fossils ^^n 98 The Natural HISTORY of Ror any difeafe of that kind, and therefore there is no reafon to be afraid of it, unlefs it be brought from other countries. There are mines of Coals dug in various parts of Englandy which generally differ, in fome refpecl, from each other ; thole brought from Ne^ivcajile^ improper- ly called Sea-Coal, are remarkable for their being generally fmall, and caking on the fire. Thefe are the beft for broiling flefh, which others, in vari- ous parts of the kingdom will not do, particularly in StaffordJJnre. Kannel Coal, which is dug up in Der- byjhire and other places, is famous for its finenefs, as well as hardnefs, though it will burn like a candle ; there are now feveral things made with it. Such as the tops of fnult-boxes, fait-cellars, and the like. It is alfo found in Staffordjhire^ and it is remarkable, that the choir of the cathedral church oi Lit chfeld is paved therewith j that is, the black part with Coal, and the white with alabafter, which look like black and white marble. It will turn, like ivory, into ink- pots and candlefiicks ; and fome have their coats of arms carved thereon. The other Coals moft ufed in London aie brought from Wales and Scotland, and are valued for burning clear without a great deal of fmoke. CHAP. XVIII. 0/-"Metals a7id Semi-Metals. ANTIMONY is a mineral, confifting of fulphur and a mercurial arfenical fubftance, as is univer- fally allowed by the chymiits. It is folid, heavy, brit- tle, of the colour of lead, confilling of long fhining ftreaks, and will melt in the fire, but is not malleable, in which it differs from a metal properly fo called. There are feveral kinds of it, one of which looks like polifh- ed lead ; but it is brittle, and mixed with a fort, of cryilaline ftonc. Another confiUs of flender ihining lines, Waters, Earths, Fossils ^^WMinerals. 99 lines, that look like needles placed in rows, in fome places, and in others without any order. A third kind is made up of broader ildning plates ; and a fourth of fmall lead coloured rods, which melts in the fire as readily as fulphur, on account of the large quantity of that fubftance contained therein ; this is found in Italy, near MaJJ'a in Ttifcany. There is flill another kind, which may be diltinguifhed by faffroii coloured, or reddifh fpots difperfed here and there ; and this is met with in the gold mines of Hungary. In fhort, there is fcarce any part of the world where this mineral is not to be met with, and though they feem to be of fo many diirerent forts, yet their natures are nearly the fame. The Glebe of Antimony is generally mixed with a ftony fubftance, which it is freed from by melting. They firft break it into bits, and place it over the fire in earthen velTels, v/ith holes at the bottom, under which there is another earthen veflel in the form of a cone, and when it is in fufion it runs through the holes, and leaves the drofs behind. That which is hard, heavy, of a lead colour, with fliining. flreaks, placed like rays, is accounted the beft, and the Hun- garia'fi Antimony for this reafon is chofen for medicinal purpofes. The fulphur in Antimony may be readily perceived, not only from the fmell, but from the blue- ifii fiam.e it emits while it is melting. Befides, when nitre is thrown into the crucible, containing red hot Antimony, it flalhes in the fame manner as with com- mon fulphur. It was formerly thought that the fulphur of Anti- mony partook of the nature of gild, for which rea- fon they employed themfelves to little purpofe in making experiments to extrad the fine fulphur there- from. Notwithllanding this, it is now generally ac- knowledged, that the fulphur of Antimony is exactly of the fame nature as common fulphur, though all the reguline parts are feldom extracted from it ; nor yet can that be called the pure fulphur that rifes in flowers, when fublimed ; for though it takes fire like fulphur, yet the fame is of a whitiih-yeilow like that oforpiment. Befide?, that it is not pure may be F 2 knov/n 100 7he Natural HISTORY 0/ known by Its effects ; for it will occafion violent vo- miting, which is a certain fign that it is not entire- ly freed from the reguline particles. If you take white arfenick and mix it with half fulphur vivum, and afterwards fublime the mafs, there will arife red- difh flowers, which, when taken inwardly, have a very violent operation, and when they are let on fire emit a reddilli fume ; for there is fuch a force in mi- neral fulphur, that it will readily join with the arfe- nical particles, and carry them up therewith, when fublimed. Cinnabar of Antimony confirms this truth ; for it is well known, that fcarce a fourth part of it is ful- phur, and yet, though a light fpungy body, it will carry up with it three parts of mercury, which is the hea- vie/l of all metalick fubftances, next to gold. The golden fulphur of Antimony is "obtained by mixing that Semi-metal with nitre and tartar ; as alfo with tartar alone, and its fait, and then melting it, afterwards feparating the rcgulus from the drofs in which the fulphur of Antimony difTolved by the alkalious fait is contained. This drofs is to be boiled in water, and afterwards mixed v/ith an acid liquor ; this will caufe an orange coloured powder to fubfide, which, partly from the colour, and partly from its imagi- nary nature, is called golden fulphur ; which, how- ever, is not wholly freed from the reguline particles. But yet, there is a method of gaining it pure, by taking one part of the martial regulus of Antimony, two parts of crude Antimony, and half a part of nitre, which being melted together, will yield a very large quantity of regulus, in proportion to the weight ; that is, one pound of Antimony will yield feven or eight ounces. Afterwards, it is to be feparated from the drofs, in which there is nothing left but iron with the fulphur of Antimony and fome terreftial particles mixed therewith. Upon this muft be poured a fuffi- cient quantity of the fpirit of vitriol, which will dif- folve the iron and leave the fulphur behind, this is nothing better nor worfe than common fulphur. If Antimony be reduced to powder, and calcined in the open Waters, Earths, Fossils and Minerals, loi open air, ftirring it continually, it will turn to a grey calx, which has no violent operation, and yet will do wonders in curing various diicafes, when ufed in a judicious manner. There is no fubftance in the world that yields (b powerful a poifon, and fuch efficacious medicines as Antimony ; however, when crude, it has no violent operation, and yet, taken in a proper quanti- ty, may be given very advantageoully in many cafes, both to men and cattle. But if crude Antimony be melted in the fire, and mixed with the like quantity of nitre, by little and little it turns to a poifon ; and yet, if Antimony is mixed with one part of common fair, and calcined over a gentle fire for fome hours, continually ftirring it with a fpatula, and afterwards edulcorating with water, there v/iil remain an afa co- loured powder, which has no violent operation, but will promote a gentle fweat. Moreover, if you take four parts of Antimony and four of fait of tartar, and melt them, and then pour them into a cone pro- per for that purpofe, you will have the medicinal re- gttlus of Antimony, which may be beaten into a red- diih powder of extraordinary virtue. But if, inftead of one part of the fait of tartar, two or three be made ufe of, and then melted, the regulus will be changed to a poifon, which is occafioned by its being deprived of too much of its fulphur ; which is plain from hence ; that is, from taking white arfenick, mixing it with an equal part of common fulphur, and melting it on the fire, it will turn to a mafs that has no violent operation v/hen taken inwardly. Crude Antimony reduced to a fine powder, and taken inwardly, is very ufeful in feveral difeafes ; for it will difiTolve the clamminefs of the fluids, open obflrudions, and is a good remedy in difeafes of the fkin. It is alfo excellent againft the rheumatifm, and will take away numbnefs of the limbs, which fome- times happens after falivations. The dofe is about half a drachm. Antimony is alfo ufeful to various artificers ; for pewterers mix it with tin and lead to make their pewter fhine, and to give it the found of filver; bell-founders mix it with other metals in mak- F 3 ing 102 The Natural HISTORY of ing their bells ; likewife the letter-founders conftantly employ it in making their types. Add to this, that goldrmiths make ufe of it in purifying gold ; for when melted therewith, it will dertroy all other metals, not excepting filver, and turn them into drofs. BISMUTH is a femi-metal, which will melt in the fire, but is not duftile ; it is heavy, brittle, and diifers from lead and tin in its colour and hardnefs ; for it fometimes looks like filver, and fometimes is of a faint purple colour, not unlike regalus of antimony, though it confifts of broader plates. Bifmuth is fome- times found in fo very pure an ore, that it flands in need of no other operation to fetch it out, than by breaking it to bits, in the Muf^eum of the Royal i?ccicty there are pieces of Bifmuth fent from Ccrnixal under various names, that are fo very rich that if a piece of it be only held, v.'ith a pair of tongs againft a clear fire, the Bifmuth will run down in the form of melted tin, almoil as focn as cheefe will drop in toail- jng. Seme call the ore of Bifmuth the cobalt of Bif- muth, becaufe it contains the fame principles as real cobalt, only in a different proportion. It is by fome called tin-g]r:fs ; and, when broken, appears to confiil of fmall cubick particles, and thefe again of minute plates applied to each other. It is more brittle than 7,inc, though it differs little from it in external ap- pearance, except in colour. It v/ill caufe the metals that will not eafily melt to be more fufible by a much lefs fire than they otherwife would. It mixes eafily with any metal, and according to the greater or lefs quantity added thereto, it renders them more or lefs white and brittle. But as Bifmuth is eafily deftroyed, its mixture v.'ith metals difficult to be melted, fhouid be made in clofe vcfTels. It is very obfervable, that Bifmuth melted with lead, tin, or filver, and after- wards amalgamated with Mercury, will pafs through leather in much greater quantities than they otherwife would. Some have afiirmed, that Bifmuth is only to be found in Mijhia and BcLemia, or, at leafl, that thef^ Waters, Earths, Fossils an^/ Minerals. 103 there are no mines of this femi-metal but what are at thofe places ; and yet it is certain, that it may be found in Cornnval, as has already been hinted at. It is of little ufe in medicine, though fome pretend, the flowers of Bifmuth are a diaphoretic ; but it is ge- nerally difapproved on account of the arfenical par- ticles contained therein. Its magiflery is prepared by diiTolving it in fpirit of nitre, and afterwards precipi- tating it with water impregnated with common fait. When this powder is waihed it is very white, and ufed by the ladies as a beautlfier of the Ikin. ZINC is a femi-metal of a blueiili-white colour, brittle, and yet fomewliat ductile and malleable, though much lefs than metals. It melts in a gentle f.re, after which it fmokes, and then fticks to the fur- nace in the form of exceeding white fiowers. In a greater fire it burns, and emits a flame of a moft beautiful green colour. All the Zinc that is prepar- ed in Germany, efpecially at Gofslaer, is obtained by fublimation, and not by melting ; nor is it got out of any fingular ore, but out of fuch a confufed mix- ture of different ores, that feveral other metals and femi-metals may be feparated therefrom at the fame time. There is no particular kind of fublimation for the extrafting of Zinc ; for it is coUedled during the melting of other metals, efpecially lead. The ores that yield Zinc are, by long and repeated roaftings freed from fulphur, and in a manner from arfenick, by the fame operation. When laid into Ilrata with coals, they are put into prifmatical quadrangular fur- naces, the height of which is greater, by feveral times, than the length and breadth. Three fides of the fur- nace are thick walls ; but the fourth, which is the front, is fliut up clofe with plates of fiflile ftone, not above an inch and a half thick. There is another plate made of the fame ftone, applied within to the lower border of thefe plates that is neareft the bottom., and placed in fuch a manner, that rifing up obliquely, •and inwardly from the faid border, they make a chan- nel declining to each fide of the furnace, terminat- ing in a hole left in that part, and defigned to carry F 4 from IC4 The Natural HISTORY of from thence into this hole whatever falls into its ca- vity. If the ore is melted in a large fire, which is excited by bellows placed below the back part of the furnace, the ZinCy which is volatile, will at the fame time apply itfelf drop by drop, to the fore- moll wall of the furnace, and to the joints of the plates of which it is made, becaufe thefe joints forni unequal chinks and furrows. During the melting, this wall is to be flruck gently many times, and the Zinc will fall drop by drop into the channel jui! defcribed, from whence it will run towards the fmall hole, and from thence into a vefTel under- neath. However, there are certain fubftances that may be more properly called ores of Zinc, fuch as lapis cala- minaris, or calamine ; as alfo native cadmia. This is of a very irregular figure, fometim.es fpungy, and now and then Iblid. It is fometimes of a yellow gold colour, fom.etinjes rtd, and at other times grey ; or cf the mixture cf them all. It is not very heavy nor hard ; and, when broken in pieces, it immediately renders a flame of a greenilli colour, and exhales a white, thick, copious fume, of a fm.ell peculiar to itfelf, which condenfes into very light flowers, at firll bJueifli, and then of a greyifli-white. But care muft. be taken that the calamine be not mixed with a yel- low fulphureous pyrites, cr the white arfenical one, nor yet with lead ore. Zinc, by fome called Spelter, and by others Tuttc- nag, mixes readily with lead and tin, rendering them more brittle and lefs malleable. When it is by fufi- on mixed with four times the quantity of copper, it becomes a brittle metal of a gold colour, which is well known by the name of princes metal or bath metal. If you put a few ounces of Zinc into a pot, cr a fmall earthen cucurbit, placing it horizontally, or rather, with the mouth upwards, in a reverbatory fur- nace, proper for the difLillation of the oil of vitriol, and fit thereto, by means of an aludel, a large glafs receiver, in fuch a manner that you may look through its tranf- parent bottom into the caA it/ of the cucurbit 3 then if Waters, Earths, Fossils and Minerals. 105 if your fire is very brifk you will fee the melted Zmo emit a flame of a green colour, with a very thick grey coloured fmoke, which will be pulhed forward into the receiver like cobwebs flattering in the air, and covering the infide of it. After the fire is continued for an hour or two, let the vefTels cool, and after- wards open them; at which time a thin fuine fmell- ing like garlick will break out, and foon vanifli. The receiver will be covered on the infide with very foft impalpable light flowers of a blaeiih-white co- lour ; and the aludel will be incruftated v/ith thofe that are more heavy, and confifting of coarfer grains ; befides which there will be folid fublimate produced from the fmall drops of fublimed melted Zinc with the greyilh flowers everywhere interfperfed. If you expofe two or three ounces of Zinc to a middling fire, having a draught of air in an open earthen cucurbit, fupported by a ftone, the Zinc will flame fooner than in a clofe vefTel, and fill its cavity with very white flowers, like locks of wool. How- ever, the flame which was very bright before, will gradually diminifli, till it ceafes entirely ; and thea the Zinc will deflagrate no more, not only in the fame but a ilronger fire. But if you take away the flowers with a fmall iron ladle, as well as thofe from the furface of the melted Zinc at the bottom, a bright flame will be produced, as before, and the vef- fel filled with flowers of the fame kind. By repeating this procefs all the Zinc will be turned to very white flowers, efpecially if the Zinc be pure ; nor will there much of it fly av/ay, unlefs the flowers be violent j for if you apply fuddenly the ftrongell fire with a draught of air, all the Zinc will vaniih. Hence the reafon is plain, why Zinc cannot be procur- ed from any of its ores,, in its own femi-metalick form. That part of the concrete which fticks to the- walls of the furnace, and breaks oiF from time to time, is called furnace cadmia, which being melted with copper makes what we call brafs ; but before it is fit for the operation, it muft lie a long time in heaps with drofs, expofed to the open air, where it F S will ic6 7he' Natural HISTORY of will become of a lighter texture, and then it is ht for ting'ng copper of a yellow colour. It is much of the fame nature of tutty ; for that will turn copper into brafs. The white flowers of Zinc taken inter- nally promotes fweating, and fometimes they will work upward and downward. The dofe is from four grains to twelve. The making of prince's metal is by melting three ounces of copper with half an ounce of Zinc, and when the mafs is cold, it will appear of a fine gold colour, remaining duflile with a ham- mer. COBALT is a ponderous mineral finely flreakedy or fometimes granulated. It is often fsnooth on the outfide, 'of a light grcyifh, and almoft femi-metalick colour, and fometimes of a dark blackifh dye. It contains a great deal of arfeni of which they die. However Quick-filver has a remarkable virtue in opening all obflrudlions of the veiTels and glands^ and of diflclving the thick grofs matter contained therein, for which reafon it is given in fchirrofities of the liver, fpleen, and m.efentery, as v/ell as in obftruclions of the glands. It will alio temperate the acrimony of the blood and hum.ours ; for which reafon it is given in venereal fwellings and ulcers, as well as in difeafes of the fkin. Quickfilver not only taken inwardly but applied outwardly in an ointment will purge the body by ftool, fweat and infenfible perfpiration ; but its moft remarkable effed is that of falivation. That Quick-filver is counted bell that is of a fhin- ing filver colour, very fluid, and when held over the fire in a filver fpoon, will fly away, without leaving any thing behind it. That which is of a livid colour and does not feparate into drops that are exaftly round, is naught, and fhews that it has been adulte- rated with lead or bifmuth. However it ought always to be cleanfed, wliich maybe done by fqueezing it thro' fliammy leather ; but the beft way is to diilil it in a retort with quick-lime, pot-afhes, or iron fil- ings. Crude Quick-filver may be given to kill worms from a fcruple to a dram ; and it may be rubbed on glafs with fugar till it is diflblved, if a drop or tv/o of oil of fweet almonds be added thereto. A pound of Quick-filver may be alfo boiled in pure water for an hour, and fome of the clear liquor given to children for their common drink. It will kill worms taken in- wardly, and lice when applied outwardly with an ointment. Crude Quick-filver is fometimes given to the quantity of two or three pound, with oil, to force a pafiage through the guts in the iliack paflion. It is common to make Quick-filver girdles for curing the Waters, Earths, Fossils ^»^Mineral&. hi the itch, by Ihaking it together with the white of an egg, till it is converted into froth, and then a linnen girdle is to be fmeared with it, and worn round the middle. LEAD is of the leafl value of all metals, it being heavy, livid, and fouls the hand with a blackifh co- lour ; it yields little or no found, and melts quickly in the fire before it turns red. Pure Lead is feldom found in the mines, but is extra6led from ores of dif- ferent kinds ; for it is fometimes black, blue, yellow, or of an alh colour. It is fometimes full of lliining minute particles, and fometimes again it is like a ftone of a leaden fhining colour, confifiing of fquares like dice, that lie in a white or reddifh ftonc. The ore of Lead, almoft always contains a fmall quantity of filver ; and particularly that of Cardigan/hire in Wales has fo much of it, that from two thoufand pound weight of ore, there has fometimes been extracted twenty pounds of filver. Cramer affirms, that Lead ore has always a cubicaLfigure, unlefs it has been al- tered by fomc external power or refiftance ; and even in this cafe it has alwa\s the fame form within. Lead ores are called by different names, according to the various regular or irregular application of the cubes to each other, according to their magnitude, and their brightnefs depending thereon ; and according to their furfaces, whether fmooth, rough, or granulated. Ercker m.Qi\X.ions a red kind of Lead ore, which he fays is ponderous, and like red clay ; and, upon exa- mination, this ore, which has been mifraken for cin- nabar, is nothing more than the Lead ore, having here and there larger cubes, eafy to be diiHnguiihed by the naked eye, and an infinite number of very minute ones, not to be feen without a microfcope, becaufe they lie hid in a red marly kind of earth. The fame author mentions another red ore, refem- bling a white fandy flone ; and there are alfo fandy rocks veiy rich with lead : but being well examined, the ore contained therein does not differ from the common fort. The rock which contains it is com- monly foft ; the ore looks globular on the outfide, and the whole fubilance of the rock is filled with fmall 112 The Natural HISTORY of fmall mafles of various fizes not very bright ; but when the rock is broken, there appears the perfect fpecies of Lead ore. When flints and the like are mixed with an afh or black colour, or are only marked here and there with veins and fpots of the fame, it is a fign that they con- either Iron or Lead. The green Lead ore is very rare ; but when it is found it is variegated v/ith a yellowilh green colour and femi-tranfparent. It is like wife heavy but not hard, and one hundred weight of it yields from feventy to eighty pounds of Lead. There is alfo white and afh-coloured Lead ore, but it is as uncommon as this. There are feveral mines of Lead in Spain, Italy and GerTTMny ; nor is France without, though the metal be extrafted with difficulty, but the beft and richeft are in England and Scotland. The method of obtaining the metal, is by placing the ore betv\een llrata of coals, and then when the fire is kindled the metal will flow ; or pieces of wood may be ufed inllead of coals or mixed therewith, according to the degree of fire that is required ; for coals yield a more violent fire than wood. The weight of Lead compared to Gold is as three to five. Lead is eafily calcined and reduced to an alh- coloured calx, which in a more violent fire turns yel- low, and at length red ; when it is called minium, or red lead, which may be eafily reduced to Lead again, when mixed with combuflible matter and melted^ Lead mixed with nitre in a crucible will riafli a little^ and if the filings of Lead be thrown into the flame of a candle, it will tinge it with a blueifh colour. From whence it appears, that there is a fulphureous principle in Lead, though in a fmall quantity. Whea Lead is expofed to the focus of a large burning-glafs it will immediately fmoke, and by little and little change into an alh-coloured calx, then yellow and red ; afterwards turning to a faffron coloured fluid, like oil, which in time, will fly away in fmoke ; but if this fluid, before it is quite diifipated, be taken away from the focus, after it is cold, it will turn into a red, or reddifh yellow mafs, confifiing of thin plates like Waters, Earths, Fossils ^WMinerals. i 13 like orpiment, which are tranfparent and look like Talc. But if this be applied to the focus of a large burning-glafs, upon coals it will immediately melt and turn to Lead again. From hence it appears, that Lead confifls of a glafly earth, net much unlike Talc with a fulphureous principle, that is inflammable, and not mixed intimately with the earth. Lead will diffolve all other metals, except gold and filver, and carry them off along with it, or turn into litharge or fly off in fmoke ; for this reafon it is ufed for the purifying gold and filver. It will not rull: in water like iron or copper, but it will diffolve in vinegar, fpirit of vitriol, and fpirit of nitre ; and the fait which is obtained therefrom, when the fpirits are evaporated, will have a fweetiih tafte, whence it is called fugar of Lead. It will alfo diffolve in oil and all fat fubftances. When Lead is reduced into a calx, though it emits a copious fmoke, and loofes much of its fubftance, it will increafe in weight, in- fomuch, that an hundred pounds of Lead will increafe to an hundred and ten, when it is converted into red Lead ; but if this afterwards be reduced to Lead'a- gain, it will not yield near an hundred pounds. When red Lead is melted with fand it obtains a yellow glofs, not much unlike amber. Several preparations of Lead have formerly been ufed as medicines, but as it is an enemy to the nerves, it is in a great mea- fure left off, and ought to be intirely abandoned. It produces a heavinefs in the ilomach, with intolerable gripes, fuppreffes ftools and urine, and caufes a trem- bling of the limbs, with difficult breathing, and at laft death. This many have experienced to their coff, when acid v/ines have been fweetned with litharge. The calx of Lead, and red Lead are prepared by putting the Lead into an unglazed earthen pan to melt, and after it is melted, by flirring it with an iron fpatula till it is all turned into blackifh or afh- coloured afhes which are the calx of Lead. If it be continued a little longer it will turn yellow, and then it is called by the painters mafticot. After this, if it be calcined in a reverberatory furnace, it will become red, and is the minium or red Lead of the {hops. Its ufe ia 114 "^^'^ Natural HISTORY of in medicine is to blunt the acrimony of the humours* to allay inflammations, and to correft malignant ulcers» after it is made into an ointment. I,itharge is generally made in the furnaces of metals, when Lead is feparatcd from fiher, or when Lead is made ufe of to cleanfe filver from other metals mixed therewith ; and it fometimes is of a filver, and fome- times of a gold colour, whence it is called litharge of gold or filver, though it does not receive its colour from thofe- metals. Litharge is of great ufe in ma- king plafters of which it is the baiis, being mixed with oil. It is a moderate drier, and cleanfes with a little allringency, and is proper to bring ulcers to a cicatrix ; it is alfo u fef ul to heal the galling of the thighs. Cerufs, or white Lead, is a fort of rull of Lead pre- pared in the following manner : The fharpeil: vinegar mufi be put into wide mouthed vciTels in the fummer- time, over which a plate of Lead is to be placed fo clofely, that nothing can efcape out of the vefTel : Id about ten days the plate will be diflblved, and fall to the bottom of the vefTel from whence it is to be taken and dried, and afterwards ground in a mill. It is alfo made from the filings of Lead put into very fliarp vinegar for ten days together ; or a plate of Lead may be put therein, and taken out from time to time to fcrape off the white part ; and fo again, and again, till the whole plate is diffolved ; then all the fcrap- ings may be colledled, ground, and made into mafles with vinegar. TIN is one of the fofter and more ignoble metals ; and is white, (hining, brittle, fonorous, and crackles when bent. It is the lightefl of all metals, and never exifted naturally in a true metaiick form. The richeft Tin ore is of a black or dark colour with many fides of an irregular figure, and a gloffy furface. It is heavier than the ores of all other metals, which is fomewhat flrange, becaufe Tin is lighter than all the reft. It is indifferently hard, and bears a quick fire withaut melting or growing clammy. But the mofl common Tin ore is of a dark, yellowifh, nifty colour, and is very like the ore of iron ^ it is like the former in Waters, Earths, Fossils ««^/ Minerals, ii^ in {hape, and feems only to differ from it in its de- gree of purity. The garnet is a fort of precious ftone, and now and then contains Tin; fo that, upon this account, it is reckoned among the ores of this metal. Tin, in Cornnval, is extradled from its ore, after it is feparated from the flone to which it is conneded, by pounding it with iron peftles, and in the mean whileit is continually walhcd with water, that the earthy parts may be carried away therewith ; and that the metallick particles may fmk to the bottom. This grofs powder, af.er it is dried, is ground with ftone mills, and then waOied, till it is quite freed from all foreign matter. Than it is dried and thrown into a furnace, mixed with charcoal, which being lighted and blown with bellows, the Tin will melt and fall to the bottom of the furnace ;' when the workmen open- ing the fmall door of the furnace, fuffers the metal to run into fand prepared for that purpofe, where it forms large maffes. The upper part of the Tin is (o foft, that it is not fit for ufe without copper ; and therefore they mix three pounds of that metal with an hundred of Tin. The middle part only requires two pounds of copper ; but the lovvefc is fo brittle, and fo unfit for ufe, that they mix eighteen pounds of lead with an hundred of Tin. There is often an arfenical fubftance mixed there- with, which they call m.undick, that is of a fhining dark colour which blackens the hands ; and which however, by the help of fire, files away in fnicke. There is alfo another white faponaceous fubltance, which is foft, and may be difTolved in v/ater at firit ; but foon after turns very hard. It is a kind of marl. The weight of Tin, with regard to gold, is as three to eight ; and is eafily melted and reduced into a whitifh calx. If a bit of tin placed upon a tile be brought to the focus of a large burning-glafs, it will emit a thick fmoke v/hich will leave a white calx be- hind it, that will in time change into flender cry- ftals, or rough cryftaline filaments. This fubftance will not melt again, unlefs it be mixed with fat or powder of charcoal, and then it will readily be con- verted into Tin again. The ii6 rhe Natural HISTORY of The filings of Tin thrown into the flame of a candle, will turn it blueilh, with a fulphureous fmell, a little like garlick. Tin thrown into a crucible with nitre will emit fmall flafhes, from whence it appears, that this metal is compofed of a certain crylialine earth, and a fulphureous inflammable principle, which, perhaps is mixed with a little arfenical fait. Tin will melt fooner than other metals, and will adhere to them very readily ; for which reafon copper and iron veflels are often tinned on the infide, to hin- der them from ru (ling, and to prevent the bad eiFe^fts of the copper. If it be mixed with thefe metals, it renders them more hard and brit le, and cannot be feparated from them without great difficulty ; upon which account fome call it the Devil of metals. Tin will not difiolve in any fpirit, unlefs it he aquaregia ; and its folution will tinge gold with an elegant purple colour. The virtues of Tin are now well known, taken as a vermifuge ; for it will kill worms, taken either in pow- der or filings, from a fcruple to a dram for feveral days. Salt of Tin is made of that metal reduced to a calx, by expofmg it to a reverbatory fire for two or three hours, and then throwing it into very ftrong diftilled vinegar. This is recommended in hyfterick fits, and is given from two grains to fix. Mofaick or mufive gold is made in the following manner: take of fine Tin one ounce, of Mercury revived from cinnabar, ten drars, and make an amalgama, which muft be mixed with ten drams of common fulphur, and an ounce of fal-ammoniack. All thefe being finely ground together, muft be fublimed in a ftrong fire for four hours ; and a fort of cinnabarine fubftance will be raifed to the upper part of the veflcl ; but at the bottom a kind of a fpungy fubftance of a gold co- lour will remain, which being wafhed in feveral wa- ters, is called mufive gold. It is of great ufe to painters, and in medicine has a diaphoretic quality. It is accounted good in hyfterick and hypochon- driack diforders, as well as for the killing of woims. The dofe is from ten grains to thirty. Some have fuppofed thij to be a mercurial preparation, but falfc- Waters, Earths, Fossils ^WMinerals. i 17 falfely ^, for all the mercury is raifed from it in fub- limation. IRON is an ignoble metal, remarkable for its hardnefs, and is of a whitirti livid colour when poliihed ; but before that it is blackifh. When it is cleanfed it is called Heel. The ore of common Iron is of no certain form ; but is moft commonly of a rufty co- lour. There is alfo an ore which is very heavy, and of a red blueilh colour when broken. It is very rich in the beft kind of Iron, and ufually yields- at the iirft melting, from fixty to eighty pounds out of an hundred weight. There is alfo a lingular kind of Iron ore, of a pale yellowifn colour, though fome- times grey j and fometimes of a kind of femi tranf- white. It will yield, when melted, about thirty pounds of Iron out of an hundred weight. The HEMATITES or Blood-ftone is alfo a fort of Iron ore, and is very fmooth on the outfide, when the ruft is taken off ; but the infide is com- pofed of convergent flreaks. It is of a dark red co- lour, very heavy and hard, and is one of the purefl of the Iron ores, with a fmall mixture of arfenick. Smiris, called in EjigUjJj emery, is the hardell of all the Iron ores hitherto known, and is almofl as heavy as the blood-flone. It is of a brown colour and cer- tainly contains Iron, though it is not worth while to employ it for that purpofe ; and therefore it is ufed by workmen, when pounded, to poliih fteel and other things. Magnefia or Magnanefe has no certain figure, is of a greyifh black colour, and contains Iron ; but it is not worth while to make ufe of it oii that ac- count, becaufe it will not anfwer the charges. It is ufed in glafl-houfes to take away the green or blue colour of glafs. There is alfo another fort of ore not unlike the former, of a Ihining ftreaked dark grey co- lour ; but is feldom or never employed for that pur- pofe. It is called by the Germans Eifenman. Several ether kinds might be added, but as they are never uf^d for the obtaining of this metal, they need not be mentioned. When ii8 The Natural HISTORY of When iron is melted it is formed into large mafles, which are long and thick, and commonly called pigs. Thefe are melted over again, and flirred with an Iron rod, in order to render them malleable. While they are yet red hot, they are placed under hammers, and by that means the heterogenous particles are forced away by the repeated ftrokes. However, one fort of Iron differs greatly from another ; but that which is tougheft is beft ; and that which is moll brittle is worft of all. However, all forts of Iron are of the fame nature ; and they are only more or lefs tough in proportion to the earthy, vitriolick and fulphureous particles mixed therewith. Iron being often melted and cleanfed is turned into fteel ; though, in fome, • little labour is required for that purpofe, and in others a great deal. When Iron is very good, they melt it in a furnace, and throw in gradually a mixture of equal parts of an alkalious fait, and filings of lead, with the rafpings of oxes horns ; then they llir the melted metal, and at length place it on the anvil, where they beat it into rods. Some Iron will not melt over again, and then they take Iron rods as thick as a man's finger, and place them in a pro- per earthen veffel, alternately v/ith llrata compofed of equal parts of foot, powder of charcoal and rafp- ings of oxes hons. When the veffel is full, they put a cover over it, and lute the joints, placing it in a reverberatory furnace ; the fire is kindled, and in- crcafed by degrees, till the veffel is hot, and after fix or feven hours, they let it go out of itfelf, in which time the rods will be turned into fteel. When this operation is not perfe6lly performed, and only the outfide of the Iron is turned into fteel, in fome parts of England it is c.illed cafe-hardening, and this is commonly done with the leather of old fhoes. Iron is the hardeft of all m.tals ; but itv/ill become harder ilill, if heated red hot and quenched immedi- ately in cold water. The Vv'eight of Iron when com-' pared with gold is a three to feven. Iron may be converted into ruft by moiftening it with water, let- ting it dry, and often repeating the fame operation ; but it may be preferved from raft by being fmeared with Waters, Earths, Fossils a;?^ Minerals. 119 with fat. Iron calcined in a reverberatory fire, will turn into a darkilh red, or purple calx ; but being heated fo hot as to ber ready to melt, it will turn into fcales under the hammer, which is nothing elfe but Iron half turned into glafs. That part of the Iron which in furnaces is turned into a fort of glofly froth, is called the drofs of Iron. This metal will difTolve in all forts of acids ; but alkalious Salts will not touch it. The filings of Iron being fprinkled on a candle will emit reddifh fparkles ; but if filings of Iron are thrown into a red hot crucible with nitre, they will foon bubble and fend forth a fetid fume, till at length it defla- grates with a great flafh. The filings of Iron thrown into fpirit of Salt or Vitriol, will excite a violent ever- vefcence, with a copious fulphuerous fume, to which, if a lighted candle be held it will immediately flame, make a great noiie, and break the veflel. If Iron be held to the focus of a large burning glafs, it will immediately emit copious fume?, and at length turn into a brittle blackifli fubltance, half turned into glafs J but if Iron placed upon charcoal be held to the focus, it will melt, and foon after turn into fparkles and fly away. The fame thing will happen to Iron half vitrified when it is expofed to the rays of the fun upon charcoal ; for it will obtain its former qualities, that is, it will fliine, recover its duflility, and after- wards fly away in fparks. Hence it appears that Iron contains no fmall portion of a bituminous fubftance, which being joined to a vitriolic Salt, it is fo de- tained by a vitrifcible metallick earth, that it will not without difiiculty undergo a deflagration with nitre. It appears that Iron contains plenty of vitrio- lick fait, from its diflfolving in fimple water, as alfo from the tafte of this water ; as alfo from the heat of Iron filings fprinkled with water, which arifes from the adion of the falts upon the metallick earth. How- ever, there is fome difference between the fulphureous fubftance of charcoal and the fulphur of Iron ; be- caufe Iron imbuted with the fulphur of charcoal, and placed in the focus of a burning glafs, all flies away in fparks. Iron 120 The Natural HISTORY tf Iron is a moft ufeful metal, not only on account of the various mechanical ufes it is put to ; but on ac- count of the many medicines that this metal yields. Iron has two remarkable efFeds, namely, that of open- ing and binding ; for it promotes the menfes, opens the obflrudions of the liver, fpleen, and bowels, Hops loofeneiTes and haemorrhages, and reftores relaxed fibres to their due tone. For medicinal purpofes. Iron is better than fleel ; and the filings of Iron alone when ground fmall, is better than any other preparation of this metal whatever ; the dofe is from twelve grains to half a drachm, once or twice a day in the form of a bolus, pills, or lozenges. COPPER is one of the more hard ignoble metals, and though 'tis hard, it is fofter than iron ; and, when polifhed is of a fhining reddi(h colour. It will melt in the fire, and is fo dudtile that it may be beaten into exceeding thin leaves. It is more fre- quently found in its metalick form than iron, in va- rious fhapes ; but its ore never diftinguifhes itfelf by ^ny certain figure , for it is almoft always irregular. But the fineft colours of any kind except the red and tranfparent, moft commonly betray the prefence of Copper; for this reafon there is hardly any Copper ore that is not mixed with Iron in a larger quantity than the ores of other metals commonly are. How- ever, there is not fo much in fome as in others, and thofe that contain the leaft Iron, are naturally more eafily melted than the reft. The vitrious Copper ore is of a darkifh violet ficy-colour, like that of a piece of fteel that has touched a red hot iron. It is very heavy, and of a moderate hardnefs, but it is com- monly variegated here and there with fpots and grey veins. One hundred weight of this contains from fifty to eighty pounds of Copper. The Azure Cop- per ore is of a moft beautiful blue colour, and is not foft, but very heavy, and when broken, fliines like blue glafs. This is moft free from iron, arfenick, and fulphur ; and a pjreat quantity of excellent Cop- per may be extraded out of it with very great eafe. The Green Copper ore is like green cryftals, and fometimes very prettily ftreaked ; but in other things Wate-rs, Earths, Fossils a,-jdMij in which Geld confliiiuted the greateit metallick part ; fo that no ore whatever, can be pro- perly called golden ore. However, there are Gold mines in Nornvajy Hungary and Guinea ; but the richeit of all are in Mexico and Peru. It is extracted from the fubflances in which it is contained, by roafting, pounding, wafhing, and mixing them with quick-iiiver. When it is found among ignoble metals, it is freed from them in the coppel by the means of lead ; but if it be mixed with filver, it is feparated from it by the method already mentioned. However, Gold reduced into thin plates, may be put into a crucible with ce- menting powder, placing one layer upon another al- ternately ; but the uppermoft, and lowell layer muft always be powder. When the crucible is full, it mull- be clofed with a thin cover, having a hole in it, and the joints muft be luted ; then the crucible muft be placed in the fire for fix or eight hours till it turns whitiili with the heat. When the fire is out the gold plates are to be brufhed with a hare's foot, v/alhed and dried. The cementing powder is made wixh. one part of fal armoniac, two of common fait, and four of bricks, all made into a fine powder, and v. ell mixed together. However, this does not entirely free it from other metals, but renders it more foft and dudile. Vv^hen there is a fmall quantity of filver G 4 mixed 128 7he N.^TURAL HISTORY of mixed with Gold ; that rs, fo fmall, as not to be worth prefervingy it is melted with three or four parts of antimony in a coppel, blowdng gently with a pair of bellows, till the antimony flies quite away, leaving the pure Gold behind. Gold is not only the heavieft of all metals, but of all other fubftances ^et known. It will not change with common fire, nor will it fly away in the focus of a large burning-glafs, till it has continued there a long while. It will not rnfl, nor will it diffolve in any other menilmum, except aqua regia. It will mix readily with quick-Alver, and turn into a foft amal- gama. It may be calcined with common fulphur when it is made glowing hot, and held thereto. When Gold is diffolved in aqua regia, and oil of tartar poured thereon, it will precipitate into a brown pow- der, which if heated at the fire, or lightly ground, it will fly up with a great explofion and noife, from whence it is called fulminating Gold. All attempts to analyze this metal have hitherto been in vain. As for the ufe of gold in phyfick, notwithftanding the boafting of former chymifts it is little or none at all; for all its preparations have been hitherto found rather noxious than otherwife. CHAP. XIX. 0/ G E M S e/' all Kmds. OF all the Tranfparent Gems, the DIAMOND is the hardeft, the moll beautiful and valuable. The btil are thofe that are void of all colour, for if they are tinged with white, yellow or black, they are in fome degree faulty, and confiderably lower in price. It may be readily diHinguifhcd from all other Gems by its extreme luftre and fparkling, as well as the brightncfs of its refiedlions. If a little burnt ivory be laid upon maftick, in fuch a manner, as to render it black, and the diamond be laid upon it, it will then refledl the moll lively colours every way, which Waters, Earths, Fossils «W Minerals. 129 is a property belonging to this Gem, for all other^ will not bear the like trial ; for when they are laid upon the maftick in this manner, they either refleft no colours at all, or, if they do, they feem to be Ceen through a mill. There have been jewellers, who dc- figning to make other ftones appear like diamonds, have taken a grain of wheat, and have prelTed the oil out of it with a hot iron, and then they have mixed it with lamp-black, or burnt ivory, and then have put it under the ftone ; but fo as to leave a little room between it and the black tinflure. Then the tranf- parency, which is partly owing to the ftone, and partly to the air, caufes it in fome degree to refemble a true diamond, infomuch, that fome, who are fkillful in thefe matters, have been deceived thereby. Thofe Gems that are moft proper to counterfeit diamonds are the faphire, the oriental amethift, the topaz, and the chryfolite, becaufe they are all hard, tranfparent, and may be deprived of their colour, by means of fire ; but this is moft commonly done with ' <5[uick lime, or the filings of fteel ; for When the Gem is buried in thefe, and put into a crucible with char- coal, it is put over the fire, and gently heated at firft, and when the heat is encreafed the colour will vanifti. When it has been in a fufficient time, they let the fire out by degrees, and do not take the ftone out till it becomes lukewarm. If it is not en- tirely deprived of its colour, they repeat the opera- tion, as before ; for if it was to be heated fuddenly, or when hot, immediately expofed to the cold air, it would certainly crack, or perhaps break entirely. A topaz is more fit for this purpofe than an amethift, for this has been managed fo artfully, that it could fcarcely be diftinguilh from a diamond by the beft judges. According to Pliny, there are fix forts of diamonds, as the Indian, or oriental, that has fix angles, and ter- minates in a point almoft like a top, and is about the iize of a hazel nut. That of Arabia is like it, but lefs ; as he pretends it cannot be broken with a large hammer, when placed on an anvil. The third fort he calls cenchron, of the ftze of a millet feed. The fourth Cx s was 130 rhe Natural HISTORY of was from Macedonia, of the iize of a cucumber feed ; and was found in a piece of gold coin. The fifth is the Cyprian, and, as he fays, is a very effica- cious medicine ; and the fixth is the Sidsrites ; this fhines like polifhed Heel, and is heavier than the reft, but is of a different nature, becaufe it may be broken with a hammer, as well as the Cyprian, though it is heavier than any other. But thefe kinds are now en- tirely unknown ; for we have but one fort of diamond, unkfs thofe that are faulty, may be faid to be of dif- ferent kinds. They fometimes receive their names from the places where they are found, ^z the Hunga- rian, Bohemian, and the like. Among thefe there are two differences worth obfervation, for fome are found in the form of hexagons, and others almoft round ; but they differ greatly in hardnefs ; for thofe that have angles are fofter, and are little better than cryflal, as the Hungarian ; thofe that are round, and in fome fenfe refemble flints, are by much the hardeil, and come pretty near the luflre and fparkling of oriental dia- monds ; but as they will not ftand the trial of the maflick above-mentioned, they cannot properly be called diamonds. The oriental diamonds are diftin- guifhed from the places where they are found, for fome of thefe are denominated from the old mines, and others from the' new. However, they are not all e- qually hard, nor of the fame colour, but they will ftand the tell of the mafrick ; and the harder they are ih.^ more they fparkle. Diamonds are not weighed like gold, but by carats, each carat confifting of four grains ; and it has been faid, that there was one found in Bifnagar, that weighed an hundred and forty carats^ that is, five hundred and fixty grains ; it has alfa been reported', there was one met with that weighed tv/o bundled and liftv carats, and was of the fize of a pullet's egg : Likewife Tavemier affirms, that one belonging to the great Mogul weighed two hundred and feventy nine carats. However, the largeft now known in Europe, is one that belongs to the great duke of Tufcany, which weighs an hun- dred thirty nine caxats and a half ^ and that in the poiTeJlIion. « f/ <- v/ f//f J^'ur//i c VI f/j ^ /V>/^i //7c v/. :^ '^//'r//NVffM^ P/cud sr Waters, 'EARtks, Fossils ^t^^^Minerals. 131 poCeffion of the king of Frmice^ which is equal to aa hundred and fix carats. Diamonds are of fuch a nature that no fire will injure them, for when they have remained in one for feveral days, they rather come out with a more per- fedl lullre than orherwife. It has been faid, as was obferved above, that a diamond would bear the flroke of the largell hammer ; but this is not true, for by this means it may be broken to powder. vScme have re- lated, that a diamond will deprive a load-iron e of its polarity ; but this has been found falfe by many ex- periments. Diamonds have been faid to have been a prefervative againft poifon, the plague, witchcraft, charms, madnefs, vain fears, and terrible dreams, and many other dreadful diforders, but this is well known now to be entirely falfe. The value of a Diamond arifes partly from its fparkling and reflciflions, for it will imitate all the colours of the rainbow ; and partly from its hardnefs, from whence it may be faid to be almoll incorruptible; However, An^Iieas Baccius affirms, that a Diamond may be fpoiled by heat, and therefore he advifes thofe that would preferve their colour and fplendour to put off their rings at night when they go to bed. Diamonds v/ere formerly worn by kings, and other great perfons only ; but now they are ver/ common, and may be ealily purchafed by people in moderate circumfhinces. A well poliihed Diamond, formerly of the weight of a pepper-corn was fold for fifty fhiliings, but now it is not worth above two. A cut Diamond, weighing a carat, or four grains, has been valued at upwards of ten pounds ; but now the price is ex- tremely fallen. It has bten faid, that the value of a Diamond encreafes in proportion to the fquare of its weight ; thus, if it weighs two grains, multiplied two into itfelf, which will produce four ; which being multiplied by the price of one grain, vv'hich we will fuppofe to be ten (hillings, and then it will amount to forty, which is the price of a Diamond that weighs two grains, but this rule will not now hold good. With regard to the ufe of a Diamond, it not only ferves for ornament, but when reduced to powder, is extremely 132 The Natural HISTORY tf extremely ferviceable for polifhing and cutting all other Gems whatever ; and it is well known that Diamonds themfelves cannot be properly polifhed without it. A Diamond feems to confift of feveral plates, laid one againft another ; for which reafon, a Ccilful la- pidary, with the point of a knife, can divide one in- to two or more tables. If one be placed in the focus of a burning-glafs with its plates perpendicular to the rays of the fun, it will receive no detriment ; but if it be turned the other way, the rays will get between the plates, divide them, and afterwards turn them into a glafly fubftance, leaving not the leail fign of the fplendor of a Diamond. The places from which Diamonds are brought, are the ifland of Borneo, and the kingdoms of Vifapoury Golconda^ and Bengal in the Eaji-lndies, as well as from Brafil in South America. Ta'vernier, who travelled to the Eajl-Indiesy chiefly for the fake of Diamonds, vifited the places where they are chiefly to be found, in order to get the beft knowledge of them he could. The firft mine that he faw, was at a place called Carnatica, in the dominions of the king of Vifapoury and at a place called Raol- (onda^ five days journey from Golconda. This was found out about three hundred years ago ; and about the place where the Diamonds are met with, the ground is fandy, and full of rocks and low trees. In thefe rocks there are feveral veins, fometimes half an inch, and fometimes an inch broad. The miners have fmall pieces of iron, crooked at the end, which they thruft into the veins to draw out the fand or the earth, which they put into vefl'els ; and it is among this earth that they find the Diamonds. But as thefe veins are not always ftrait, but fometimes afcend, and fometimes defcend, they are obliged to break the rock to follow the courfe of the veins. After they have opened, and gathered as much fand as they can out of the veins, they wafli it two or three times, in order to difcover whether there are any Diamonds among it or not. This mine yields Diamonds of a very fine water ; but they are often flawed by the bad manage- ment of their hammers in breaking the rocks to pieces^ U Ta ^y/.vW ^j^. /c J ^fn(7/(r/r/t V^^/(y Trffu^ Waters, Earths, Fossils ««^Minerals. 153 If the Diamond is good, they only polifh the furface a little, becaufe they are afraid of bringing it to a proper form that would lefien its weight. But if there be the leaft flaw or foulnefs, they give it variety of faces, or fides, in order to hide the defeat. However, it is obfervable, that they had rather fee a black fpeck in a ftone than a red ; and therefore, when there is one that is red they put it into the fire, and then it becomes black. There are feveral men here, whofe employment is to polilh the Diamonds, and they have each but one wheel, which is made of fteel, and about the diameter of a pewter plate. They apply but one ftone at a time to the wheel, and they fprinkle it with water conftantly, till they have found out the way in which it will bell work. This being found, they take oil and the powder of Diamonds, which they never fpare, becaufe it is cheap here, that they may polifh the Diamond the fooner. There is always a lit- tle boy who continually fupplies the wheel with oil and powder of Diamonds. However, they cannot po- lifh the flones fo well as the lapidaries in Europe, be- caufe as it is necefTary to keep the fleel rough by ap- plying emery, or by filing it, they are too lazy to do i| fo often as they ought, and confequently the wheel will not perform the work fo well, nor fo foon, as thofe in this part of the world where they take more pains. The CARBUNCLE is a flone of a very deep red, with a mixture of fcarlet, and ha-s been formerly thought to Ihine in the dark like a lighted coal ; but this is now known to be otherwife. It was called by the ancients Anthrax, but they have given fuch a con- fufed defcription of it, that Boet is of opinion, that no particular flone was meant by that name ; and even our lapidaries, at this time, are acquainted with it by no peculiar name. It is faid to be as hard as a faphire, and to be found naturally of an angular figure, or fmaller at one end than the other. However, as it is very uncommon, there needs no more to be faid about it. The RUBY is a tranfparent gem of a reddifh co- lour, with a fmall portion of blue, and cannot be touched by a file. The rednefs is not like that of Vermillion, 134 "^^'^ Natural HISTORY of Vermillion but of blood, or rather of cochineal, or kermes ; but the lefs blue it has in it, the better it is. There are commonly faid to be four kinds, the Ruby cell, the Balafs and Spnel Ruby, which v/ith the true Ruby make up the number ; and the beft are found in the ifiand of Ceylon. In Pegu they are found in a river of that namx, and the inhabitants try their gcodnefs with their teeth and tongue, for they judge thofe that are coldeft and hardeil are the belt. They are faid to mend the colour by the alTillance of fire. They are ufually met with in a ftony matrix of a rofe colour, and if they meet with one that is tranfparent, they then call it a Balaft R.uby ; but if it is otherwife, and has no refemblance of a gem, it is then the true matrix of Rubies, becaufe it is formed, nourifhed, and increafes therein. At firfl: it is whitilh and aflumes a red colour, as it ripens. It is generally found in the fame mines with faphires, and {ome of them are pret- ty large j for the Emperor Rodclfhus lad one that was as large as a fmall pullet's t<^g, and this was thought to be the largeft that was ever fecn in Europe. It has been faid to have much the fame virtues as Diamonds, and has been looked upon as a great prefervative againll the plague ; befides which, it had according to Tome, the peculiar property of changing colour, when any misfortune was to happen, and one in particular, tells us a grave flory of one that had a very fine ftone, which almoft loft its colour before the death of his wife ; hov.ever, after her death, it re-afTumed its former fplendor again ; but it mull: not be forgot, that this Ruby was fet in a ring, which was formerly given him by his wife. When the value of a Ruby exceeds ten carats, it is thought to be ver}' great, and is not exceeded by a Diamond. When a Ruby is deficient in its colour, that is, when it is not fo red as it ought to be, fome lapidaries endeavour to mend it, by putting a red foil under it, or glafs of a beautiful red colour. Some have attempted to counterfeit a Ruby, with ftones of a whitifli colour, as a v^hite faphire, topaz, or cryftal, by the afiiftance of a red foil, for then it will fparkle and feem to differ vtry little from a true Ruby ; how- ever Waters, Earths, Fossils and Minerals, 135 ever, thcfe that have judgment in ftones will very eanly diftiuguiih it. Others endeavour to counterfeit Rubies with orpiment, which they put in a glafs vel- {el not exaftly Hopped, over a flow fire, and then the orpiment will fublime, and flick to the fides and neck of the veffel ; this matter v/ill grow biggei' and bigger by degrees ; and that at the top will grow thicker, and gather as it were into bubbles, v/hich at lafi grow fo large that fome of them v/ill fall down, and others v/ill ftick to the neck of the glafs ; but they will all be of a glorious Ruby colour, but fmall and brittle ; then they break the glafs and take the bubbles for ufe. But to make them larger, they lay many together up- on a piece of glafs, and melt them, and they v/ill run into one mafs of as fine a colour as before. The BALAS RUBY is the matrix of the true Ruby before defcribed, and is fuppofed to have its name, from its being the houfe or palace thereof, for by fome authors it is called palaii on that ac- count. This Ruby is of the colour of crimfon, for it has a very little mixture of blue, and when it is polifhed, it is a very agreeable gem, and will fparkle almoil as much as a true Ruby. It is found in veins of faphire, and is to be met with in the fame places as the other ; though it is not fo valuable by far. It may be adulterated like the true Ruby, and the fraud will not be fo eafily difcovered. The SPINEL RUBY is of a deeper colour than the true, but it has not the fplendor, for which rea- fon it is more eafily adulterated. However, there are fome fo good as to come very near the value of the true Ruby, efpecially thofe that are faid to be of the old rock, and are about hpdf the value of Diamonds. The RUBYCELL is a gem that feems to be between the Spinel and the Hyacinth, infomuch, that it is hard to fay to which clafs it properly belongs. Likewife they are fometlmes exceedingly like Bohe?man Garnets, and are not known from them till an experiment is made in the fire ; for thefe will bear it without the leaft lofs of colour, whereas the Rubycell will either lofe or change it. They are not near fo valuable as the Balafs or Spinel. The 136 The Natural HISTORY of The GARNETS have by fome been taken to be carbuncles, for when expofed to the fun, it will Ihine like a lighted coal, and much better than a ruby. They are brought from the Eaji and Weji Indies, and from Ethiopia, where they are of three kinds ; for fome are darker than the reft, being of a blackifh blood co- lour, and yet they will fparkle indifferently well. When a white foil is placed under them, they are of fuch a fiery colour, that fome have miftaken them for true carbuncles. Many of thefe are large, fome ha- ving been found bigger than a hen's &^^. Another fort is of the colour of a hyacinth, and if it was not for being redder, it might be taken for a true gem of that kind. When it has a yellowifh tinge it may be placed among the clafs of hyacinths, and will be that ftone called in Italy Jacintha la Bella. Thefe fome- times refemble other gems fo much, that even the lapidaries themfelves are not certain what they are. Another fort of Garnets are of a violet colour mixed with red, and thefe are better than the former, info- much, that they are called by the Italians Rock- Rubies. The OCCIDENTAL GARNETS are often ©f a fainter colour, and particularly the Spanijh, infomuch, that they appear like a pomgranate feed, and are pretty large. Some are of a yellowifh red, and will not change in the fire, particularly the Bohemian, and they are all free from flaws. Thefe are more valuable then the oriental, on account of their refilling fire ; and they refemble real carbuncles. Thefe are found in the fields almoft every where by the country peo- ple, without any matrix ; they are generally of the fize of peas, and are carried to Prague to be fold. At firft they are fo black on the outfide that no red- nefs can be perceived, till they are held up to the light. Others are found in Silejia, but thefe are rough, and generally full of flaws, infomuch, that they are feldom transparent. \i a Garnet be expofed to the focus of a large burning-glafs, upon charcoal, it will be reduced to a metallick mafs of the nature of iron, for it may be attraded by a loadftone. Garnets were formerly worn as Amulets j or they were reduced to powder Waters, Earths, Fossils ^^^Minerals, 137 powder and drank, for they were thought to refill ladnefs, and to chear the heart ; bat fome of the an- cients were afraid of its fiery nature, and thought that they hurt the brain, heated the blood,, and pro- voked anger. The moderns affirm, they are of an alkaline nature, but as they evidently partake of iron, they muft certainly have the properties of that metal, though it is not worth while to make ufe of them in medicine, becaufe iron itfelf is fo very cheap. Thofe Garnets that are large bear a conliderable price; but as for the fmall they are exceeding plenty, and there- fore very cheap ; but this muft be underftood of the , Bohemian, for the oriental, though large, are not in high efteem. They fell the Bohemian Garnets by the pound, and the price is always proportionable to the fize. • The HYACINTH is fo called, from its being of the colour of a flower of that name, which is of a yellowifli red. There are four kinds, as being of fo many different colours; the firft is as as red as vermil- ■ lion, and pretty nearly refemble Bohemian Garnets, but without any mixture of blacknefs. Thefe are more valuable than the reft, and may be placed in the clafs of carbuncles. The fecond fort are of a reddifh • faffron colour ; the third are like yellow amber, and could not be diftinguifhed from it, unlefs by their hardnefs, and by their want of eleclricity. Thefe are of little value, no more than the fourth fort, which look like white amber, and are worft of all. Some affirm, there is a fifth fort, whofe colour is a mixture of fallow colour and blue ; but thefe are very feldom, if at all to be found. The Hyacinth oi Pliny, is now thought to be the Amethift of the moderns ; and the Amethifts of the ancients, are now called garnets. This gem is of various fizes, but is feldom larger then a nutmeg. It is found in the Eaji and Weji Indies, as well as in Silejta and Bohemia, The AMETHIST is a tranfparent gem, of a vio- let colour, arifmg from a mixture of red and blue. However, they are of different colours, for fome, as the oriental, have a mixture of yellow, and fome are purplilh like red wine ; but the beft fort are thofe that fhine 138 The Natural HISTORY of Ihine moft like a carbuncle, and they are fo hard that they may be turned into a ibrtof cianionds, foas to de- ceive the moft ikilful lapidarlts. ^cr/ affirms that he has feen one ilt in a geld ring which was fold for two hun- dred crowns ; they may be converted into diamonds in the fame manner as faphires. They are found in Indian Arabia, Armenia., Ethiopia, Cyprus, Germany, Bohemia, and Mi/ma ; but as they are generally as folt as cry Hal, they are not in very great efteem. The oriental are hard- eft; if they are without fpots they are of the greateft va- lue. They are found of various nzes, and in various Ihapes, from the bignefs of a fmall pea, to an inch and a half in diameter. They are adulterated with maftick tinged of a- violet colour, placed between two cryllals; but the Germans do not think it worth while to coun- terfeit them, becaufe they are pretty common. The S APHIRE is a hard gem of a blue or fky co- lour, is very tranfparent and fparkles very much ; but fome of them are whitilh, and others of a deeper blue ; and when they are deftitute of all colours they arc called white faphires, and are fo like diamonds that they may very well fupply their place. They are either oriental or occidental, and the former are brought from Calicut, Cananor, Bifnagor, and Ceylcn ; but the beft are found in the kingdom of Pegu. The occidental are found in various places, as in Bohemia and Silejia, where they are pretty good ; though there are fome that are foft, and almoft of a milk white co- lour, with a fmall mixture of blue. It is very fubjcd to flaws, and yet is fo hard that a file will not touch it. The colour may readily be taken away by fire, and then it will be converted to a fort of a diamond, info- much, that when it is fet in a ring, it can hardly be known from one by afkilful lapidary. The value of a Saphire is derived from its colour, purity, and mag- nitude ; for if it has no flaw, and is of a deep co- lour, continuing tranfparent at the fame time, it is then the beft. It is faid to have the fame virtue as other precious fl:ones ; but in medicine it has, in leality, none at all. It has been common to counter- feit Saphireswith a bit of blue glafs placed between two Bohemian diamonds. Some tinge glafs of a blue colour, WAttRs, ^ARtHs, Fossils a»ed or of a finer green ; it is alfo found irregukrlyciouded and fpotted, wich the fame or other colours, as white, flelh-colour and yellow. It is never entirely tranfpa- rent in thofe that are clearefl: ; and it is found in dif- ferent parts of the world, but not equally good ; for the European are the worft, they being more coarfe, foft, and opaque than thofe of the Eaji or IVeJl Indies. The CAT'S EYE, or the Eye of Bchs, differs greatly from the baftard Opal, becaufe it is entirely opaque, and is a kind of Agate. It receives its name from the figure of an eye which is painted with divers colours. The body of this gem is white, and in the nr'ddle of it there is a fpot like a pupil, furroundcd v/'th an iris of a lighter colour, v^hich gives it the ptrfed refemblance of an Eye ; but the colours are not fo diflinft as in the baHard Opal, though it has • obta"ncd V/aters, Earths, Fossils «;/^ Minerals. 153 obtained the name of the Cat's Eye, becaufe it is partly tranfparent, and within it is partly coloured like the Eye of a Cat. It is of a greater value than common Agate, becaufe it is more fcarce. The JASPER differs little from an Agate, only it is fofter, and v>'ill not bear fo fine a polifn, becaufe it confifts of groifer particles ; befides, it is not fo tranf- parent, and is moft commonly green ; and the nearer it comes to an Emerald, it is of the higher value. However, it is of other colours, and on that account is divided into different fpecies. among which are in- cluded the Nephritic Stones. The White NEPHRITIC STONEhas a very fine, compa£l, firm texture, with a fm.ooth gloffy furface, and is of various fizes ; but the common fort are two inches in diameter. The fhape is very irregular like a common fiint, and it is naturally of a fine white, vvith great brightnefs and tranfparency. It has fome- times a blucifn tinge, which makes it appear of a deep pearl colour, and upon that account is more valued by fome; but when it is yellowill/ it is not in great efrcem. It looks pretty much like marble, but breaks into fine gloffy bits, and is confiderably heavy, as well as very hard. It is found in many parts of America, particularly near the river of the Jma^ons. It is often cut into fmall cups and other toys, which are extremely bright. The Green JASPER is a bright fern i- tranfparent flone, and of a clofe, very hard, irregular texture. It has been found in maiTes of many feet in diameter, and fometimes no bigger than a horfe-bean. It is of a deep beautiful green, and almoU always of the fame colour throughout ; though it has been fometimes met with clouded with white. It is externally pretty bright and gloffy, and breaks into fmooth pieces, fceming to be of a texture between flint and marble. It is con- fiderably heavy, -.nd its very great hardnefs renders it capable of a fine polifn. The Soft Dufky Gieen JASPER is not fo heavy nor fo valuable as ' the former, and is generally found in ftones of a flat fhape, from two to five inches in diameter. The furfa-ce n pretty full of fuperncial H c cracks. 1^4 "^'^^ Natural HISTORY cf cracks, and the colour is always dull, with fometlmes a blueilh and ibmetiraes a brownifh cafl. It is of the fame colour throughout, unlefs it has a paler fhade of its own colour, or whitifh clouds. It is hard, though not fo hard as the former ; but will cut very eafily and take a pretty good polifh. It is very com- mon in Ger7na7iy\ Bohemia, France and England, and is ■fometimes found on the banks of rivers, and fome- . times, though not often, in gravel-pits. It is fo com- mon in Guernjey, that it is frequently brought over with ether things, and is often made ufe of to pave the llretts cf London. Hard Blueifh Green JASPER, variegated with red, is called by ^i;^/, after the ancients, Heliotropium, and by others Oriental Jafper. It may be eafily diftin- guifhed from all others by its blood-red fpots, and it has a very firm and compadl texture. It is found from two to fix inches in diameter, and has a roughiih ir- regular furface, but has no determinate iliape. It is r.ot at all tranfparent, except in very thin pieces, and it is fometimes veined and clouded as well as fpotted with red. It is moft commonly known by the name of Eiood-Stcne, and v.ill take a very fir.e poliili. It is common in Egypt, Africa, and the Weji Indies, and is by fome termed the matrix of the Emerald. It fervcs for various purpofes, particularly cups, fnuff-boxes, and feals. Boet affures us, that it has been found in fnch large pieces that Sarcophagi have been made therewith to inclofe the bodies of the dead ; likevvife over the high altar at Bruges there was a ftone placed of this kind, which was brought from Italy, and was taken from thence at the time of the reformation. The Hard Whitifh Green JASPER is the nephritic flone of the ancients, and is generally of the fame colour throughout. It is harder than a Jafper, and the furface feems as though it was fmeared with oil. "When it is reduced to the fize of a man's little finger it is a little tranfparent, and is called by the Italians, Ofiada. It is fometimes of a whitifh green, which lafl colour is fometimes yellowifh, and fometimes blueifh ; but generally it feems to be compofed of greeaifh white, yellow, blueifh and black colours ; but Waters, Earths, Fossils ^?»^/Minerals. 155 but not all at the fame time. The common fort are from two to five inches in diameter, ard the ihape is very irregular like common flints. Boet had feveral kinds, one of v/hich had a white cloud like cryftal, which he had taken oif from the green. It is found on the furface of the earth, and in the beds of rivers in many parts of America^ where they form them into the figures of birds, beails and fifties. The very hard Yellowilh Green JASPER is more dull imd opaque than the former, though the texture is very firm and clofe. It is ufually found from one inch to twelve in diameter, and is generally of a flattifti Ihape with a gloffy furface. The colour is properly a mixture of green and yellow, in which it differs chiefly from the former, and in its tranfpa- rency. The Blueifti Green JASPER, variegated with blue and black, is a kind of nephritick fl:one, it being of a middle nature, between the oriental green Jafper, the green nephritick ftone, and the marble Ophites. The texture is firm and compadl, and is found from four to fix inches in diameter, and generally of a fiattiHi oval Ihape, with a rough furface. The colour is ufually very agreeable, and is always made up of a mixture of green, grey and blue, which are fometimes paler and fometimes deeper, as well as inclining to other colours. Sometimes they are fo blended, as to render it of one colour throughout, and fometimes they are difpofed in clouds, fpots and veins ; and then the colours are as diftinft as in the blood-ftone. It is found on the banks of the great river of the A7na%ons in America. The Hard Greyifti Green JASPER is called Jade by the Frenchy and is a very hard flione of a greyifti green colour, approaching to that of an olive ; but the green is of three difi^Erent kinds. The fineft fort is brought from the Eajl: hidies, and the Turks and Poles make handles of it for their fabres and cutlaftl^s. It is fo hard, fays Lemery^ that it cannot be worked without the powder of diamonds. Some call it Divine ftone, on account of the great virtues attributed tutre- to ; but thefe are all imaginary. It is capable of a very 156 The Natural HISTORY cf very elegant poliih, and is found from fix to ten inches long, of an unequal fliape with a rough fur- face, it has little or no degrees of tranfparency, but it is remarkably heavy, and is found only in the Ec-Jl Indies. The Diill Deep Green JASPER is the Malachites of Boct, and is of a green colour like mallows, from whence it had its name, for Malache in Greek figni- fics mallows. Ic is gen-rally adorned with white veins, and the blueilh colour that is intermixed is very orna- mental ; but when there is any black therein it debafcs the value. Boet informs us there are four kinds, namely, that which is exadly of the colour of the Jeaves of mallows ; that with white veins and black fpots ; that with a blue colour exadly intermixed, and which is nearly of the colour of a Ttirhy Hone, which is more valuable than the reri, and is fo large, that fmall cups and handles of kni\res may be made there- of. It is pretty heavy, and will take an excellent poliili. Ir is brought from the Eafi Indies and Jmerica, and is alfo found in Germany, and fome other parts of Etircpfy but is not fo good as the former. The Blueifh Green Soft JASPER is the fame as one of the former mentioned by Boet, and is much foft:r than the firih The texture is not fo firm and -Dure as many other of the Jafpers, though the furface is very fmooth. It is generally fmall, being feldom more than tvvi inches in diameter, and it is of an oblong form, being twice as broad as thick. The colour is various with regard to the degree, being fometimes lighter and fometimes darker, though it always con^fts of green and blue ; but there is now and then more of the one and lefs of the other always blended together. It is at prefent found chiefly in America, and fome parts of Germany, in which lall place it is not fo valuable. TheDuf^y Green JASPER, variegated with white and flelh-colour, is a rough, coarfe and rugged flone, which is fcund from thirteen to eighteen inches in diameter, and is generally of a roundifh or oval (hape, and always flatted more or lefs. The texture is firm and compad, and it is often mixed with a variety of colours Waters, Earths, Fossils ««^/Minerals. 157 colours difpofed in a dliFerent manner. It is always green in part, and has often thin tranfverfe veins of iie ill -colour and white, with fpots and clouds of black. The green is not always the fame, for it is fometimes deep, and at other times light ; but gene- rally the variety is very agreeable. It is very hard, and for that reafon will bear a good polifh ; and it is common in the ifland of Jerfey^ from whence it is brought among other flones to pave the fireets of London \ but it might be put to a much better ufe. Hard Variegated Purple JASPER has been called the rofe-coloured Jafper by Pliny. It has a fmooth, fine, hard texture, though the furface is rough and unequal like a flint flone ; it is fometimes fifteen inches in diameter, and is varicufly tinged with co- lours, in which the red and blue are always predomi- nant, which when uniformly mixed render it purple y but where it is blue, it is always moft bright and tranfparent. It is brought from vajious parts of the world, as the Eaji and Wefi Indies^ Egypty Gormanyy Bohemia and Spain ; in which laft place it is cut into veiTels and images, becaufe it will bear a v^ry fine poliih. Bright Red JASPER variegated with white is not fo hard as the former, nor of fo fine a texture, and it is found from the flze of a hazle-nut to that of a man's head. The colour is that of red lead, and the moft certain colour of the variegation is white, which is almoft always difpofed in regular narrow veins, though fometimes in fpots. That which comes from America is generally accounted bell. Dull Purple and White JASPER is of a coarfe and irregular, though of a very firm texture. The purple colour fometimes infenfibly changes into a pale red, and the white to a yellowiih or blueifh colour, and it is hard to fay which of the two is predominant. It is confiderably heavy, and fo very hard that it is capable of a good poliih. It is brought from If a/y and Ger- many, as well as found in England, and ferves to make the handles of knives and tops of fnufr-boxes. Pale Brown Hard JASPER with purple veins has much the fame texture as the former, but is more beautiful. 158 The Natural HISTORY of beautiful. It is ufually found from two to four inches in diameter, and is commonly of an oblong flattifh fhape. Its ground is an agreeable pale whitilh brown, and is variegations confift of regular horizontal and fine deep purple veins, or of a prety pure white. It is commjon in Torkjhire and SuJJexj and is fometimes met with in gravel pits near London. Yellowifh Hard Variegated JASPER has a very clofe, hard, and compad texture, though the furface is very rough and irregular. It is generally met with from three to feven inches in diameter, and the pre- dominant colour is a pale dufky yellow, not unlike honey. It is variegated with white, brown, lead-co- lour and a very pale red, with which is mixed a cloudy cryllalline fubftance. Thefe colours are blended in the form of clouds ; but fometimes one and fometimes another is wanting. It is extremely hard, and will take a very fine polilh. It is very common in the Eaji Indies, and is alfo met with in feveral parts of Europe. The only ufe of it at prefent is to make handles for knives. The Pale Blueifh JASPER, with black veins and clouds, has a very clofe firm texture, and its fize is from four to fix inches in diameter. It is always of a dufky blue or lead-colour, and the black clouds always appear like curling fmoke, by which charac- teriftick it is taken notice of by Boet. It is but of little value, and confequently not much in ufe. The Blueilli Marbled JASPER, variegated with white, is of very little value. The colour is of a pale difagreeable grey, and a pretty clear white ; but the former colour is the ground, and the other appears in veins or irregular clouds. It is pretty heavy, hard and will bear a good polilh. It is common in the gravel pits about London, and is generally taken for a bit of blue and white marble that feems to be worn by the collifion of other ftones, for it is rounded at the edf^-'s. Th.'i31ack Marbled JASPER variegated with white is a very common ftone as well as the former, and is often mifiaken for a piece of black and white marble. Its fize is uncertain, and the ftiape irregular, th ugh generally Waters, Earths, Fossils ^»^Minerals. 159 generally fomewhat round. The ground is black, and the variegation white difpofed in veins. The iurface is fmooth, though it has but little brightnefs when broken ; however it is capable of a beautiful polifh. It is common in many of our gravel pits. The Black Marbled JASPER marbled with yellow, like the two former, is taken for a fragment of marble. It is of a coarfe but compadt texture, and its fize is from one to feven inches in diameter. The colours are a fine deep black and a palilh white, or a brownilh yellow, which are fo equal that it is hard to fay which is predominant, for it confifts of thin plates of both laid clofely on each other. It is very hard, and will bear a very fine polifh. It is common on the Ihores of Torkjhire. The Hard Dull Fleili-coloured JASPER is extreme- ly hard, and of a very clofe texture, and is found from eight to eighteen inches in diameter. It is of ex- tremely pale whitilh red or flefh-colour, which is ge- nerally the fame throughout, though there are fome- times horizontal veins of a darker red. It is found on the fea-lhore, and is commonly made ufe of in pavements. It muft be obferved, that all thefe Jafpers rtrike fire with fteel, and will not effervefce with aqua fortis. The TURKY STONE, called by fome the Tur- quoife, 'is of two kinds, the oriental and the occiden- tal ; the firft is rather blue than green, and the other is more inclinable to the latter colour, though it fome- times inclines to awhitenefs. They are found in the Eaji Indies, Perjia, Spain, Germany and Bohemia. In Perjia it adheres to blackifli ftones, and they are very common ; but it feldom exceeds the fize of a hazle- nut. Thofe of the EaJi Indies differ in their colour, for fuch as are faid to be of the old rock always preferve the fame colour, but thofe of the new are more greenifh. This flone is in fo high efteem among the Turks, that thofe of the better fort are feldom or never without one ; but it is never worn by the wo- men. It is generally valued in proportion to the brightnefs of the colour. Thofe that are of the fize of a hazle-nut, are of a fine fey blue without any blackifh veins : i6o rhe Natural HISTORY of veins ; but the lefTer fort are not fo good. Thofe that have blackiOi veins, or are inclinable to j^rcenilh, or to the colour of milk, are of no value. Some take it to be a copper ore, and is fuppofed to be counted a gem only for its fine colour. There is another !r«;7^ llone which is nothing but ivory, a tooth, or a bone which have lain in the neighbourhood of copper ore till they have been tinged with deep blue fpots and veins; but when they are put into a gentle fire the colour diiFufes itfelf throughout the whole fubftance, . and becomes of a very fine pale blue. There are feveral mines of thefe llones in France ; but they may be perfedly counterfeited by art with a tinfture of copper in an alkaly. 1 he LAPIS LAZULI is an opaque ftone of a faphire colour, with golden fpots or flreaks. It differs from an Armenian Hone in being harder, for this may be eafily reduced into powder; and befides, it is without veins of gold. This is the ilone with which they make the colour called Ultramarine. It is of two kinds, one of which will remain unchanged in the fire, and the other not. It is found in various coun- tries, as in JJia., Africa and Germany\ and the Armenian ftone is faid to be its matrix, which is met with in gold mines. It is found in very large pieces ; but the com- mon fort are only big enough to make knife-handles and the top- of fnuff-boxes. The beft fort, which is that that will not change its colour in the fire, is brought from the Eaji Indies ; and this is the tell whether it is right or not ; for that in Germany^ which is of a middle nature between an Armenian &.on& and the true Lapis Lazuli, alters in the fire, and is much more brittle than the true. However, they both will ferve very well for the ufe of painters. Lapis Lazuli has the property of purging upwards and downwards, and therefore has been accounted good for melancholy diforders, quaitan agues, apoplexies, and the falling ficknefs. There is no room to doubt that the blue colour al'ifes Irom particles of copper, for which reafon it is taken by fonie to be a copper ore. Th. ARMExXIAN STONE has a fmooth furface, and is of a iky-blue colour ^ but it is brittle, by which it \ ^^Yjtft/v//l;j J '2^ Waters, Earths, Fossils ««^ Minerals. i6i it may be diHinguirned from Lapis Lazuli ; befides^ which it has no gold fpangles, nor will it keep its colour in the fire. The blue colour has a greenilli caft, and when it is made ufe of in painting, by length of time it changes to green. It is found in various places of Germanyy as in the County of TyroU and in other filver mines. It is alfo met with in Himgary and Tra?i/il-vania. It has the fame faculties as the Lapis Lazuli, only it is ftronger, and has been given for the fame purpofes to a fcruple ; but it is now quite out of ufe. Whenever it is ufed as a paint, it muft be mixed with petroleum, or rock oil, and then it will keep its colour. The method of preparing it is by grinding it to powder, but not very fmall ; after which it is ta be mixed with water, ftirring it about for fome time, and then letting it fettle till the heavier particles fink to the bottom. This done, the water is to be poui"ed into another veflel j and if there is much fediment re- mains, with extraneous matter, it is to be wafhed over again. When it appears to be quite free from it, it mull be ground very fine, and put into fmall cups, with a folution of Gum Arabic. It mufl be kept iUr- ring with the fingers, to prevent the powder from finking to the bottom. Then it mull iland for half an hour, at which time it mull be poured off, and will carry the finell part of the colour along with it. What remains is the worfl part of the colour, and mull be kept by itfelf. Then the fame procefs muH be re- peated with regard to the fineil part of the colour, and it muH fettle as before. If this be done feveral times, a very fine colour will be obtained. Th€ ASTROITES, or STAR STONE, feems to be a kind of opal, and by fome is called a Cat's Eye, or Gem of the Sun ; but that which is properly (o called has been treated of before. It is a very beau- tiful flone, and is uiually fet in rings : it contains the figure of flars (o exa<5lly, that no painter can imitate them better. It is an opaque gem, fometimes of a white, aih, dufky, or grey colour. In this fort of flones are fometimes feen rofes, fometimes waves, and at other times they contain all three together; which, may ferve as fo many different dillindions of this flone. i6z T^e Natural HISTORY of ftone. It is found in various places, particularly in ^j/rolf as large as a man's head. Cardan fays, when it is put in vinegar it will move about, and that a fluid will proceed from the liars or marks in the ftone. He attributes the motion to the fluici endeavouring to get a vent; but it is more probably owing to the adlion of the vinegar upon it, which may put it into a kind of fermentation. The TOAD STONE feems to be a kind of an ailroites, for it is of the colour of that ftone, and marked with dark fpots, only the afti or grey colour has a reddilh caft. It is convex like an eye on one fide, and flat on the ot^ier. There are two kinds of thefe ftones, the firft of wh^,:n is called by fome Bron- tia and Ombria, and are of a dulky, reddilh, yellow- ifli, or gretnifli colour ; fomctimes of the flze of an ^g&» ^"^ iik^ oi'^j only they are flat on one fide. Some take thefe to be ierpent ftones or thunderbolts ; but the common name is that of a Toad Stone. All thefe ftones diiFer among thcmfelves : iiowever, that properly fo called has the name of Batrachites, but the Brontia and Ombria are called Cheionites. It is now taken to be a petrified fubftance, and fome fup- pofe it to be the tooth of a fifti ; but this does not feem to agree with its fliape. Indeed there may be fome in the form of teeth comprehended in this gene- ral name ; but that refembling an egg is the moft common fort. They are all hollow more or lefs, only fome are filled up with the ftratum in which they lay, and fome of them refemble the cup of an acorn. An- other fort are of an oblong figure, but round at the top, and others fwell a little in the middle. Many of them have an outward circle of a different colour from the reft, and this is fometimes ftreaked with very fine lines : fome are alfo found very long in proportion to their breadth, and others perfectly round. They are all naturally of a very fine poliih, and are worn in rings without alteration. They are of different flzes, from a pin's head to two or three inches in circum- ference ; and are of a great variety of colours, as above taken notice of. CHAP. V/^TT' /iPz. ( 0(;4/e.t Mem f^ 02. C'^ ef ^'t'^(^*~y^f /LC ^ 02 ' /v/i/e^r 162 7V//y er Waters, Earths, Fossils and Minerals. 163 CHAP. XX. Of the more ignoble STONES. THE EAGLE STONE feems to confift of feveral (hells or crufts laid one over another ; but that which diftinguifhes it from all others is its being hollow on the infide, in which cavity there is another ftone that is fmaller : this, when it is fhook, may be heard to rattle. It is of various colours, as white, grey, dun, or brown. It is by Pliny divided into four kinds, the firft of which is found in Africay and is foft, making but a fmall noife when rattled ; and it is brittle, and of a white colour : this he takes to be the female. The fecond is the male, which is found in Arabia^ and is very hard, and of a reddifli colour, containing a hard ftone within it, as may be known by the noife. A third fort is found in Cyprus, and is of the fame colour as thofe in Africa, but larger and more round. The ftone that is contained in the cavity is fo foft, that it may be crumbled between the fingers. A fourth kind he calls Taphiufius, which is met with in Leucadia, now called 6V. Maur. It is of a whitifh colour, round, and found in the rivers. La- ter authors have only three forts, the firft of which is rough on the outfide, and is of different colours, but commonly of a black dun : this makes a very diftinft noife when rattled. The fecond is of an aih colour, and contains a fort of marl in the infide, which is fometimes white, yellow, red, or blue. The outfide is rough and fandy, and feems to coniift of the parti- cles of flint. A third is of feveral colours, but has the like contents as the former. The firft kind is no bigger than a peach-ftone, but the other two are often as large as a man's fift. Thefe fort of ftones are found almoft every where ; and one was very lately picked up in the new road leading to Kennington Common, but was like none of the former; for it was very large, and by its rattling fhewed it contained a ftone of 1^4 'The Natural HISTORY of of a veiy hard fubftance. The Oriental kind is faid to be taken out of an Eagle's neft, from v/hence this ftone had its name ; and it v/as faid to have very great virtues in promoting child-biith, when tied to a wo- man's thigh; but this property is well known now to be fabulous. The GEODES is a fort of an Eagle Stone of a round fhnpe, and contains fand or earth, which makes no noife when fliook ; for when it rattles it may be properly placed in the former clafs. It is found in Mifnia^ and near Pelfna in Bohemia. It is of a reddilh colour, and of the fize of a man's fill; but it is of no manner of ufe. There is another of this kind that is white, of an oblone iirure, and lliarp at both ends. When it is broken it feemi, to confifl: of crufts or (hells, not unlike the bezoar ftone ; and perhaps is the fame that is called by feme the Foffile Bezoar. The ENORCHUS is another fpecies of an Eagle Stone, and is generally of the fize of a pigeon's ^2^%.- This contains one ftone within another, as the yolk of. an fy^ is contained in the white. It is not fmooth on the infide, but it is tinged with various dirty co- lours ; and on the outiide it is of an afti colour. This is all that Boot mentions of thefe Hones v/orth taking notice of; but other authors have other kinds, as the Brown and Purplifli EAGLE STONE, with a whitilli green nucleus or kernel. This is generally of an oblong oval figure, being about an inch in length, and half an inch in diameter. The Rough Purplifh EAGLE STONE, which has a thin cruft, and con- tains a large kernel of very light earth. The ihape is nearly round, and it is about half an inch in dia- meter, with a very rugged furface. The nucleus or kernel is a pale or whitifh earth, with a fmall cart of green. The Red and Dulky Yellow EAGLE STONE, with a greenifh white nucleus, is very indeterminate as to fhape and fize. The nucleus is very hard, and confiils of a greenifh white earth, which will readily melt in the mouth. It generally confills of five or fix coats, and the outermort is a thick clayey fubftance, containing a large quantity of fand. It is extremely brittle, and very rough on the outfidc ; but the crufts are Waters, Earths, Fossils, /^w^Minerals. 165 are hard and firm, and not eafily broken. The Yel- low Brown and Black Cruiled EAGLE STONE, ■with a vvhitifh nucleus, is almoll always of an oblong form, with a rough uneven furface. It is ufually about four inches in length, three in breadth, and two and a half in thicknefs. The outward coat is of the fame fubilance as the inner, and has a very rugged appear- ance. The nucleus is a pale whitifh earth, and though it is confiderably hard, it readily melts in the mouth. The Purpliih Red EAGLE STONE is very indeter- minate as to ihape -and fize, but the texture is firm .and hard. The furface is pretty fmooth, and is of the fame fubftance as the other coats. Some of thefe have been found twelve inches in length, and four in diameter. The nucleus is diiFerent froni the crufts, it being very light and fine, though hard, and of a pale yellow. The Coarfe Yellow and Brawn EAGLE STONE, with a brownilh yellow nucleus, is confi- derably heavy, though not hard ; and is generally of a roundifh or oval (hape, between one inch and tv/o in diameter. It confiils of from two to four crufls, and inclofes a hard folid nucleus, which will rattle when fhaken. The Coarfe EAGLE STONE, with brown, black, and or.mge-coloured crufts, and a yellow nu- cleus, is of a fpungy texture, though moderately hea- vy ; but is very irregular both as to ihape and fize. It is ufually about an inch and a half in length, and about half as much in diameter. This ftone when perfedl is compofed of fix or feven crufts, which are alternately of a duflcy brown, a reddiih yellow, and purplifh black colours. The nucleus is coarfer thin the fhells. The reader will plainly fee to which of thefe kinds the former are to be referred. There are alfo five kinds of the Geodes, which are diftinguiihed by the names of the Cracked GEODES with ferruginous brown and yellow crufls. This is aUvays hollow, heavy, and of a regular ihape ; it be- ing oblong, and larger in the middle than at the ends. It is generally about two inches long, an inch and a quarter broad, and three quarters of an inch thick. The outer iliell or cruft is of a yellow colour, v/ith a mixture of reddiih brown ', and is fmooth to the touch, though i66 The Natural HISTORY of though it is all over cracked in different diredions. However, it is very hard, and will not break without a ftrong blow ; and, when broken, it is found to con- tain a yellow earth, with a little mixture of fand. It ufually confifts of three crufts, the innermoft of which is of a blueiih black colour, the middle of a deep brown, and the outermoll yellow as above. It is met with among gravel. The Wrinkled GEODES, with ferruginous, reddifh brown, and gold-coloured crufts, is very heavy when pieces of it are confidered apart; but when unbroken it is light, becaufe it confifts of a large hollow cafe. It is about three inches long, and two and a half in diameter, and has no diftinft coat different from the general fubftance. It is of a fine yellow gold colour, with a fmall mixture of brownifh red, and is full of wrinkles or fuperficial cracks. The cavity is ufually divided into feveral cells, and contains a fmall quanti- ty of fine bright yellow earth. The fhell when per- fed confifts of a great number of coats, fome of which are of a ferruginous colour, others of a reddifti brown, and others as yellow as gold. The Sparkling GEODES, with ferruginous, pur- ple, and orange-coloured crufts, is fubjedl to great va- rieties, excepting the internal ftrudlure. However, it is generally oblong and flattifti, and fometimes it is full of protuberances, fometimes branched, and fome- times again tapering to one or both ends. It is bred among gravel, and confequently has a very rough out- fide. It being covered with pebbles of different fizes. It is generally four inches long, two broad, and an inch and a half thick ; though fometimes it is twelve inches long. Different ftones contain earths of differ- ent kinds ; and the fticll is compofed of eight or ten coats, which are all bright and fparkling. Some are of a dark iron grey colour, others of a dufky purple, and others of a faffron or orange colour. The Long Rough GEODES, with a fingle purplifh cruft, is always of an oblong ftiape, of a firm fub- ftance, and confiderably heavy and hard. It is yel- lowiih on the outfide, and is about four inches long, and three quarters of an inch in diameter; but the fur- face Waters, Earths, Fossils ««^Minerals. 167 face is ftrangely rugged and uneven. It has only a lingle coat of a mixed purplifh iron-grey colour, and is a little fparkling. The Long GEODES with a fingle blackifh cruft is always of an oblong irregular form, it appearing fre- quently twitted, and of a different thicknefs in the dif- ferent parts of the fame mafs. The outfide is gene- rally fo invefted with a llratum in which it was formed, as to appear of a brownifti yellow. It is fometimes two inches long, three quarters of an inch broad, and above half an inch thick ; but it varies in fize. It is very brittle, and when broken is of a blackifh colour a little fparkling ; and the cavity is filled with very fine bright red earth, though fometimes it is not with- out mixture. The ftone called ENHYDRUS is a-kin to the Ea- gle Hone, but it contains nothing but water. The firil of thefe is the thick -fhelledEnhydras, with black, reddifh brown, and yellow crufts. It is of a clofe, even, compaft texture, pretty heavy, and very hard ; and always is of an irregular roundifh fhape, but very flat, rifmg in the middle, and thinner towards the edges. It is about four inches in diameter, and two thick where thickeft. The furface is rough, and of a mixed yellow and brownifh red colour. When bro- ken it is found to be a very thick fhell or cafe, con- taining a fmall quantity of water, which is generally muddy. The fhell ufually confifts of three thick coats, of which the innermoft is blackifh and fhining, but that in the middle is of a dufky brownifh red, and the outermofl of a bright yellow. The cavity is large, and generally divided into different cells. The Thin-fhelled ENHYDRUS, with yellowifh brown and purplifh crufls, is always of an irregular oval fhape, with many cavities and prominences there- on. It is commonly about three inches long, and al- mofl as much in breadth and thicknefs. The outfide is very rough, and when broken it is found to contain a whitifh fluid as thick as cream. The fhell is bnt thin, confifling only of two coats, the innermoft of a fine deep purplifh colour, and the outermoft of a yel- lowifh brown. There tSS The Natural H I S T O R Y 0/ There are ftill other flones of the Eagle kind which jnay be referred to the Enorchus, of which the firft is the very Hard Smooth ENORCHUS, with brown, yellow, and red coats. The texture is fine and com- paft, with a pretty fmooth even furface, and it is re- markably heavy. It is always of a roundiih oblong figure, and is found from a quarter of an inch to four inches in length ; but its ufual fize is that of a pi- geon's egg. It is fometimes met with fmooth and gloify, and fometimes covered with a whitifh cruH. It confilts of only five or fix coats, inclofing a firm, hard, and folid nucleus of the fame nature and texture. This is of a deep dufky brown colour, fometimes of a ftrong red, and fometimes has a mixture of both. The coats are alternately dark brown, and reddifli. The Hard Glittering Rough ENORCHUS, with brown, purple, and deep yellow coats, is much more rugged than the former, and of a coarfe unequal tex- ture. It is always of an oblong ihape, and is found of feveral fizes, from half an inch to eight inches long. The furface is made up of fmall prominences and cavities, lefs than the heads of the fmalleft pins, which give it the appearance of fhagreen. The nu- cleus is but fmall, and is furrounded with eight or ten coats, irregular in thicknefs and of feveral colours, as pale brov/n, deep brown, dufky aad reddifh yellow ; and the nucleus is fometimes purple, but more gene- rally of an orange colour. The fubftance is pretty bright and fparkling, not only within, but on the fur- face of the ftone. The Soft Brownifli Yellow ENORCHUS is quite of a different nature from the former two ; for this is only a ccmpofidon of foft earth, though the texture is clofe and fmooth. It is always of a flattifh oblong fhape, and is commonly four inches in length, two in breadth, and one in thicknefs. It is of the fame co- lour throughout, and the nucleus is of the fame fhape as the flone, but is of a very agreeable brownifh yel- low, as v/cll as the coats themfelves, which are almoll innumerable. It has no maaner of brjghmefs, but has the appearance of clay. The Waters, Earths, Fossils <^WMin£rals. i6p The Soft ENORCHUS, with fhlning brown and dufky green coats, is of a coarfe loofe texture, but is remarkably heavy, and always of an oblong iliape. It is about an inch and a half in length, and is thick in the middle and fmall at both ends, like a ninepin. The furface is ragged and uneven, and the ftone it- felf is very brittle. It confifls of three or four coats furrounding a nucleus of the fame fubftance as them- fclves, and of a very dark greenifli colour. Next to this is a coat of brown, and then one of the fame co- lour as the nucleus ; after which comes one of a very pale brown,, with a glittering appearance, infomuch that it may be miilaken for a cryflal by its looks. Over all thefe is a coat of dulky brown clay, which is very rugged and unequal. This is very common ia feveral parts of England. The Soft ENORCHUS, with (liining whitifh yeU lowifh and red coats, is of a loofe brittle texture, buc moderately heavy. It is commonly oblong, round at the ends, and about the fize of a pigeon's ^'gg. The furface is rough and uneven, and it will break with a fmall blow. It is compofed of four, five, or ilx coats, fbme of which are whitiOi and grey, others yellowiHi, and others of a very fine red, ail which fparkle pret- tily. The nucleus is generally whitifh, and foraetimcs a mixture of white and ^-^llow. It is found in tht; clay pits of Northampto-nflArey and oth^r counties of England. The HEMATITES, or BLOOD-STONE, is (o called from its colour, which is that of darkiili blood ; though it is fometimes black, fometimes yellow, and fometimes of the colour of iron j but its ftreaks always refemble antimony, and when it is calcined it turns to a reddilh colour. It was formerly divided into fe- veral kinds, but now there is only one treated of by authors. It is found in various parts of Germany^ in marl pits and iron mines. It is now known to be a rich iron ore ; for, when melted, a great deal of that metal may be extracted. It is of various degrees of purity and hardnefs ; for fometimes it is of a coarfe texture, and feems to be compofed Qt large filaments. With regard to its medicinal qualities, it has been ac- VoL.V. I counted i^O The Natural HISTORY of counted good in fpitting of blood and ulcers of the lungs, when given from half a dram to a dram ; but it is now generally ufed in fome diforders of the eyes, efpecially to remove fpots and films. There is a baftard Haematites found in Silcjia, which when burnt is of the colour of faffron of iron, and has the lame elFed in flopping of bleedings. There is alfo another kind found in iron mines> of a round Ihape, partly of the colour of marl, and partly of a blackilh iron grey. A third kind is of an iron grey colour. The SMIRIS, in Englijh Emery, may be placed in the clafs of the Haematites. It is of an iron grey co- lour tending to blacknefs, and fo hard that it is ufed by jewellerSj glafs-grinders, and fmiths, for polifhing their work. It will cut glafs almoft as well as a dia- niond* and is reckoned a fort of an iron ore It is found in large maffes, befpangled all over with fhining fpecks. The MAGNESIA, or MANGANESE, is nearly of the fam.e fubftance with the Haematites, it being compofed of regular parallel ftreaks of particles di- verging from the centre to the circumference when it i:; fine ; but this is very fcarce : and there is another not quite fo pure, which is irregularly ftreaked like the fteel-grained lead ores ; but the. common Manga- nefe is quite irregular, though it is very heavy and moderately hard. It is of an iron grey colour ap- proaching to black, though fometimes a little brown j and is found in large malTes of no determinate Ihape, with a rough, rugged, and unequal furface. It is found in Germany, Italjy and many other places befides Eng- land, where it is met v/ith in Mendip hills. When the miners find any of this fubftance, they certainly con- clude that lead ore lies under it. The potters make mc of great quantities of it for black glazing, as they «lo blue with zaiFeri It is alfo employed in making glafs, to take away the natural greennefs or blueifh colour which is in all glafs. The PUMICE STONE is fpungy and full of fmall holes and cavities. It is of feveral colours, as afh- coloured or white, which are fo foft that they may be crumbled Waters, Earths, Fossils /?«i/ Minerals. 171 crumbled to pieces between the fingers; but fome are more hard, though they are all fo light that they will fwim on the furface of th^ water. It is found in di- vers places, but efpecially near burning mountains, from whence it is thrown out. It is ufed by various artifts for different purpofes ; and in fome places thev ufe them in the baths to clean the Ikin. The powder has been ufed for cleanfmg, drying, and cicatrizing ulcers, as well as to clean the teeth ; but it is now out of ufe for medicinal purpofes. The MAGNET or LOAD-STONE is well known for its property of attracting iron, and for its polari- ty ; for, when fufpended, one end always points to the north, and the other to the fouth. It is found in various places, and often in iron mines ; which is no wonder, for it is a kind of iron ore. It is generally of an iron grey colour, with a blncifh caft, and fome- times reddifh without, and blackifh within; but that which is blueft is beft. When a needle is touched with a Load-ilone, the Magnet will not attra6l both ends equally, but will repel the one, and draw the other ; which is known almoft to every one. It was formerly given medicinally for the fame purpofes as the Haematites, and particularly for purging off water in the dropfy; but now it is not ufed in medicine. CHAP. XXI. 0/ L O A M S , or E A R T H S found in Strata or Beds. THE WHITISH LOAM is coarfe, loofe, foft, and moiil, while in the ftratum ; and though it is eafily cut with a fpade, it will not flick thereto. When dry it is of a loofe crumbly texture, con- fiderably heavy, hard, harfh, and gritty to the touch. It does not at all (lick to the hand, but will melt freely in the mouth, and makes a flight hiffing noife when thrown into the water, where it almoll immediately falls into a loofe powder. It is compofed of a large coarfe white f^nd, united to a greyilli marly clav, and I 2 ' ' wiJl 172 The Natural HISTORY cf will burn to a pale brownifh red. It is fomctimes mixed with fliff clays in making of bricks. The Brownifh White LOAM is of a fine even texture, and confiils of very fine white fand joined to a pale brown clay. When it is cut with a fpade it leaves an even furface, and when dry it is of a whitifh brown colour ; but fo very pale, that the brown fcarce needed to be mentioned. It does not break very eafily between the fingers, nor does it ftick to the hands j but it will melt in the mouth, though Howly, and makes a violent effervefcence v/ith aqua fortis. It is ufed fcr making bricks mixed with clay, and then turns to a pale red colour. The Pale Yellow LOAM is of a fpungy texture, and confiils of v/hite fand united to a yellow clay. When it is cut with a fpade it leaves irregular mafles with a rough uneven furface behind it, and when dry it is Icofe and fpungy, and feem.s mixed with a great number of ihining particles. It is harfli and dry to the touch, and crumbled readily between the fingers, but does not flick to the hand. It makes an efFcrvef- cence with aqua fortis, and turns red in the fire ; but it is never ufed alone for bricks. The Rough Yellow LOAM confiils of a coarfe yellowifii find, joined to a pale yellow clay, which in a few places is white. It is fmooth when cut with a fpade, and when dry is extremely hard. It makes no efFervefcence with aqua fortis ; but when thrown into the water it makes a little hifiing noife, and foon falls into a loofe powder. It turns to a deep red in the fire, and makes excellent bricks for making furnaces for melting iron, and even endures the fires of the glafs- houfes ; it alfo makes fine lutes for chymical veilels. It is met with near Hedgerlj^ five miles from U'hidfory and bears aconfiderable price. The Deep Duf^y Yellow LOAM confiils of a deep yellow and a whitifh fand with a very little clay, and 15 very harfh and coarfe. It is moifi: in the flratum, and when dried is of a loofe texture, readily crumbling between the fingers without flicking to the hands. It makes no effervefcence with aqua fortis, nor does it hifs 3/^ ^Dw/t^ro".^ Troud. . -i Waters, Earths, Fossils and Minerals. 173 hifs when thrown into water. It is ufed for making- bricks when mixed with good clay. The Hard Brown LOAM confifts of large white fand and deep brown clay ; it is very hard, but not tough, though it cannot be got up without pick-axes : when dry it is very hard and heavy, and v/iil not break between the fingers. It v/ill not hifs when th.own into water, nor make an eiFervefcence with aqua fortis. It is often full of fmall fea-lliells ; and in Isortho.mptonjhire it is fo full of them that they make floors for barns therewith ; it likewife ferves to make roofs for ovens, and other purpofes. The Light Pale Brown LOAM is the lighteii and moil fpungy of any of this kind, and is compofed of fine pale yellow fand, mixed with light brown clay. When dry, it crumbles eafily brtween the fingers, and flicks a little to the hand. It will not efFervefce with aqua fortis, but wlien thrown into v/ater makes a little hiffing, and almoll immediately falls into a loofe powder. The Yellowifh Brov/n LOAM confifls of a white and yellow fand, together v.'ith a fmall quantity of fine brown clay. It is moill in the llratum, and when dry is of a loofe crumbly texture, with a rough and fomewhat dully furface. It makes an eiFervefcence with aqua fortis, and hifies a little when thrown into -water. This fort alone will make fine red bricks. The Greyifn White LOAM is compofed of a fine white fand and a pale blueilh clay, fpangled with a great number of liiiail plates of talc. While in the earth it is moiil and foft, but when ^xy is very heavy and compact, with an even fmooth furface ; but it v/ill not break between the fingers, nor Hick to the hands. It raifes a great effervefcence v/ith aqua fortis, and when thrown into water makes a flight hilling, and after a little time breaks into fmall lumps. When burnt it becomes very hard, and of an agreeable reddifn colour, and will make good bricks when mixed with a proper clay. The Pale Yellow LOAM is of a loofe fpungy texture, and confifis of fmall whitifn fand with a pale yellow clay. It is pretty tough in the flratum as well I 3 £3 174 '^^^^ Natural HISTORY of as moiil, but when dry it becomes firm and hard, and is fpangled with talc. It will not break readily be- tween the fingers, nor ftick to the hands, nor yet make any eiFervefcence with aqua fortis : when thrown into water it makes a very little hiffing, and foon falls into a locfe powder. It is proper for making fine red bricks. The Yellowilh Brown LOAM has a very loofe texture, and is compofed of yellowiih fand with fine brown clay. It will not effervefce with aqua fortis, but it makes a very fmall hiffing when thrown into v/ater, where it moulders into powder after fome time. Mixed with afhes it is greatly ufed near Londcn for making bricks. Tlie Reddifh Erown LOAM confifts of a hard whitifli fand, and a reddifl\ brown clay. It is pretty firm in the ftratum, and when dry becomes very hard and heavy. It will not effervefce with aqua fortis, and it hilfes but little when thrown into water, where it falls into powder after fome time. This Loam ferves for making bricks in many parts of England. The Red Sandy LOAM confifts of fine pale yellow fand, and a bright red clay mingled with fragments of a very red iron ore, and a great deal of reddiih dufky fpar. While it is mcift it is quite loofe, and of a very deep red ; but when dry it is of a pale red, and of a very Icofe tf^xture, for which reafon it crumbles to powder between the fingers. It will eircrvefce with aqua fortis, and burns to a fine florid red. The land compofed of it is very proper for rye, barley and peafe. The Brittle Brown Sandy LOAM is an earth partly fandyand partly ftony, and when dry it will not keep together in a lump, the texture being fo loofe and fpungy. It makes a brifk efTcrvefcence with aqua fortis, and hifies pretty much when thrown ir.to v/ater. Thofe lands that confiilof this are accounted poor and barren. The Greyifn Brown Sandy LOAM is compofed of fmall white fand m'xed with pebbles, and it is full of ca- vities which are fmooth and gloffy at the bottom. It is pretry tough and very heavy, and has a rough rugged appearance. Waters, Earths, Fossils, and Minerals. 175 appearance, without any duft on the furface. It does not readily crumble to powder, nor does it ftain the hands. It makes little or no hixTing when thrown into water, nor does it eirervefce with aqua fortis. Land confifting of this is very good for barley. The Heavy Yellowim Brown Sandy LOAM is com- pofed of a great numbei of different hard particles : a brown gritty ftone, a yellow fand, pieces of fpar, and a very glittering bright white fand, with a brownilh fpungv earth. It is hard, heavy and fomevvhat tough, and in dry feafons breaks into very large maiTes, though it is of a very brittle loofe texture. It is very duily and hard when dry, and very fticky in wet feafons, v/hich renders the walking on it very flippery and troublefcme. Itmai.es a confiderable effcrvefcence with aqua fortis, and burns to a pale red with very liitle hardnefs. Some of thefe lall are more properly called Moulds than Loams, though they are placed in the fame clafs. CHAP. XXIL 0/ S A N D - S T O N E S, R O C K - S T O N E S, MARBLE and ALABASTER. THE Bright White Brittle SAND-STONE is coarfe, harih and rough, and of a loofe porous texture. The furface is of a duiTcy, dead white ; but immediately after it is broken it glitters pretty much. It is compofed of a large angular cryfialiine grit, which is very hard and firm in the mafs ; but when in fmall pieces as foft as loaf-fugar, and falls into a white fand like powder. Water, when poured thereon, will im- mediately fmk through it, though it will lirike fire with lleel, and will foon blunt the workmen's tools. It makes no efFervefcence with aqua fortis ; but it burns to a beautiful pale red. It is ufed in building, and will bear the weather pretty v/ell ; but it will not take a polifli. They build houfes with it in Nortkamp- tonfhire without mortar. I 4 The 176 The Natural H 1 S T O R Y £/' The Dull Greyilli White Brittle SAND-STONE !& coarfe, rough, and of a looie texture. It is pretty heavy, without fplendor, and is compofed of a large irregular grit, mixed with a foft loofe fubftance in the form of powder. When examined with a microfcope, it appears to confiil of an angular oblong tranfparent Isrge grit, which adhere together in very flew places; but the pores are filled up with a whitifli powder, while in the earth it is very moift and crumbly; and is much ufed in building, becaufe it cuts very eaiily. In Ibme places it is made ufc of for carving the coats of arms that are placed before the houfes. When vv^ater is poured thereon it will become wet through ; but it will hardly ilrike fire with fteel, and yet it will make a violent effervefcence with aqua fortis. It burns to an aim oft white flefh colour. The Hard White Dull SAND-STONE confifts of cryftalline grits that are not very pure ; but they are cemented together by a finer cryllalline fubflance. It is very coarfe and rough, and of a clofe compad denfe texture, it being very hard and pretty heavy. It is penetrated by water very flowly, and will not readily ilrike fire with fteel ; but it ferments very ilrongly with aqua fortis, and burns to a pure white. It is common in DorfetJ?,ire, and dees not lie fo deep in the earlh as laiany others. It is a very good ftonc for building. 'i he Loofe Dull Whitilh'SAND-STO.NE is very coarfe and pretty heavy ; it is compofed of a very hard ronndifh grit cemented by an earthy fpar. It is not very hard in the mafs, and when in fmall pieces it will crumble into pov/der between the fingers, and v.'hen water is poured on it will ready readily penetrate its furface. It v.'ill not Ilrike lire with Heel, but it \A\\ etfcrvefce violently with aqua fortis, and burn to a reddiih white. This is known in Lotclon by the name cS Portland '$>x.or\?., where it 13 much ufed in building. It is fo foft while in the earth that it is ufually cut into a proper form on the fpot, for afterwards it becomes ccnfjcitrably hard. The Hard Greyifh SAND-STONE is compofed of grit of an oblong angular ^.z'r)Q, many of which are .jaircly cryftalline and very bright and glittering when viewed Waters, Earths, Fossils ^?;?^Minerals. 177 viewed through a microfcope ; but to the naked eye they appear like fhining fpecks fcattered here and there. The grits themfelves do not at all cohere, but they are cemented together by an earthy fpar. It will not crumble when broken into fmall pieces, nor is it at all dufly ; likewiie water poured on it penetrates its fubllance very flowly. It will not flrike f.re with Heel though it cut with fome difficulty ; but it will make a violent effervefcence with aqua fords, and burn to a white. This is v/hat is called in Londony Purbeck Stone, and there are often fhells contained therein. It is a good ftone for building, but will take no great pollfh. The Brittle Brownilh White SAND-STONE is very coarfe, rough and of a loofe texture, being fome- what porous. It confifts of large angular grit, (lightly cemented together by an earthy fpar; when reduced to fmall pieces it readily crumbles between the fingers, and fticks to the hands. Water will penetrate it very freely, and therefore it is no wonder it will not ilrike fire with fteel ; but it makes a violent effervefcence with aqua fortis, and burns to a pale reddifh white. It is common in many parts of the kingdom, but it is chiefly brought to London from Portland, where it is much made ufe of in building, becaufe it will liand the weather, thouoh it cuts very eafily. The Brittle SAND-STONE with 'a round grit, is known by the name of the Kettering Stone> though it is not only found about that town in Ncrtha-Kpio.vjhire, but at Ketton in RutloMdjhire. It is of a loofe texture, and feems to be porous when broken, which is occa- fioned by the falling out of the inner part of its grit. It is pretty heavy, with but a little brightnefs, and it confifts of a roundiih grit laid very clofely together, as well as cemented by an earthy fpar. In fmall bits it will crumble between the fingers, but not Hick to the hand. It will not ftrike fire with fteel, but it ferments violently v/ith aqua fortis, and burns to a pale whitifh colour. It is ufed in many places for buildino-. The GreeniOi White Brittle SAND-STONE i-coarfe and dufcy, and ils particles cohere fo flightly, that they are continually falling off in powder. It is of I 5 a looie 178 Tie Natural HISTORY vf a loofe texture, though moderately heavy, and is full of glittering fpanglcs of talc. The grit is pretty large and angular, cemented by a very loofe coarfe earthy fpar. Water poured thereon will readily pene- trate through it, and it cuts very eafily. Jt vvill not Ihike fire with fteel, but it ferments violently with aquafortis, and burns to a reddiih white. It is com- mon in all parts of Eiiglandj and will bear fire better than many harder ftones. Hard Greenifh White SAND-STONE is very hard, coarfe and rough, though of a firm texture, and it is fpangled all over with broad glittering flakes of talc. In feme places it is variegated with brown fpots, and confilb of large grit with irregular angles, lodged in a fort of cryiiailine cement. It is confiderably hard in the mafs, bat fmall bits may be reduced to powder be- tween the fingers, and it Hicks to the hands. It will not firike fire with Heel, nor make any great fermen- tation with aqua fortis. It bnrns to a pale reddifh white, cuts eafily, and takes a pretty good poli(h. It is fometimes brought to Lonclcn, where it is ufed in building. The Brittle Yellowiih Brown Glittering SAND- STONE is very coarfe, and of a loofe texture ; but it is confiderably heavy, and very full of fragments of talc. It confifts of large angular grit, lodged in a dufty cementitious fubllance, and is foft and brittle in the mafs, and will crumble between the fingers in fmall pieces. It will hardly firike fire with fleel, and it makes but a Jlight fermentation with aqua fortis. It io ufed in building becaufe it is cheap and eafily cut. The Brittle Pale Brown SAND-STONE is extreme- ly coarfe, rugged and rough. It is fomewhat fpungy and pretty heavy; but it has not fo much talc as the former. It confifts of oblong grits with obtufe angler, and is cemented by a fort of cryftalline fubftance mixed with earth. It is foft and brittle in the mafs, and is eafily penetrated by water. It will not ftrike fire with fleel nor ferment with aqua fortis. It is com- mon in the northern counties, and they make whet- fiones of it which are brought up to London^ that are much Waters, Earths, Fossils ^/WMinerals. 179 much ufed by flioemakers ; it alfo ferves for grinding ilones. The Hard Red Glittering SAND-STONE is coarfe and rough, though of a very clofe firm texture, and will -bear a pretty good polifh. It is remarkably hard and heavy, and of a deep reddifh brown colour, with glittering fpangles of talc. It confiils of large ob- long angular grits cemented with a fparry fubftance. It cannot be rubbed to pieces between the fingers, nor will water fo much as penetrate its furfacc. It is cut with diiHculty, and therefore it is no wonder it ilrikes fire with Heel. It makes but a flight fermen- tation with aqua fortis, and it undergoes little or no change in the fire. This is brought to England in large quantities from Norwoay. The Hard Glittering SAND-STONE of the colour of rufty iron, but fometimes more yellow and fome- times browner, is very beautifully fpangled with talc. It confifts of a fmall roundifh grit, cemented by a firm deep brown ear.h, and is remarkably hard even in the fmaliefl pieces, and yet it will not llrike fire with fteel, though it cuts with great difficulty ; nor v/ill it ferment with aqua fortis, though it burns to a deep chocolate colour. It is very plentiful near^r//rc/ where there are ftrata twenty feet thick. It Hands the weather very well, and is ufed in fome places for building. The Soft Brittle SAND-STONE of a brownilh rufty colour, is compofed of large roundifh grit, cemented with a loofe ferruginous earth. It will readily crumble into fmall bits, and is eafily penetrated by water. It crumbles to pieces in cutting, and will not llrike fire with fleel, nor ferment with aqua fortis. It is com- mon in mofl counties of England, and is of little or no ufe. The Grey Brittle Dull SAND-STONE confiils of large coarfe obtufely angular grit, cemented by a loofe earthy fpar. It is very foft and brittle in the mafs, and much more when reduced to fmall pieces. It will readily fplit into horizontal plates, and burns to a pale whitifli red. It will not readily fnike fire with fteel, but it ferments greatly with aqua fords. It will not i?o The Natural HISTORY of nctftand the weather very well, for it is very apt to crumble after hard frofis, though in fome places they cover their houfes with it inftead of tiles. Th- Erowniih White Glittering SAND-STONE has a moderately fmooth and even texture, and is pretty firm, compad and heavy, but it varies in colour on account of the earthy particles that get into the pores of this flore with the water. It is the moll bright and glittering of any ftone of this kind, and IS commonly known by the name of the FJag-Hone; It is always found in fiat- plates from a quarter of an inch to four or five inches tlrick, and the thinnefl of thefe always lie upperrnoft. It is confiderably hard^ and will not break in any direftion. It will ncteafily ftribe fire with fteel, bufit ferments brifkly with aqua fortis, and burns to a preyifli white. It is ufed in the north of Efiglaml^or covering houfes inllead of tiles ; that is, thofe of the thin fort, for the tliicker are em- ployed in paving and building. It confifts of grit with blurt angles, cemented with an earthy fpar, and interfperfed with flakes of brig-ht talc lying in a hori-- zontal direction. The Greeniih Grey Shining SAND-STONE is of a hard, coarfe, rough and fomewhat fpangy texture ; but it is confiderably heavy, and is full' of bright glittering fpangles. It confifts of large angular grit that lie very clofe together, among which are difperfed- great numbers of fine fmall very bright flakes of talc, v/hieh, wi:h the grit, are cemented with a fmall quan- tity of a very pure tranfparent fubfiance. It wilF readily fplit in a horizontal diredion, but not into very thin flakes. It does not readily ftrike fire with Heel, and it makes but a flight fermentation with aqua fortis. It is ufed in fome places for covering of houfes. The Yellowifli Grey Glittering SAND-STONE fomewhat refembles the former; but it is very rough, coarfe and harfli, and confiderably heavy. It is fpangled very beautifully with talc, but will not fplit fo readily as the former. It confifts of large grit with obtufe angles, which lie pretty clofe together. The fpac€-s between them are filled w^ partly with a cryfta-. line. Waters, Earths; Fossils and Mikerals. i8.i line, and partly with an earthy fpar. It is very hard in the mais, and will not eafily crumble in fmall bits : it will not readily ftrike fire with fteel, but it ferments violently with aqua fortis, and burns to a iine pale red. It is met with in many parts of France. The Hard Purple and White Laminated SAND- STONE is the hardefl and moil elegant of thisclafs, though it is very rough and harfh. It is of a very clofe texture and extremely heavy, and the colour is finely variegated with greyifh white and purple. The plates or flakes are much thicker than many of the former, and it is extremely bright and glittering, on. account of the large quantity of talc contained there- in. It fplits very eafily, and is compofed of fine glittering grit, cemented with a pure fhining fub- ilance. It is extremely hard, and confequently will ftrike fire with fteel ; but it will not ferment with aqua fortis. It is common in Italy., where it is ufed for pavements. The Blueifh Glittering SLATE-STONE is pretty fine and fmoGth> and of a clofe compadl texture. It is extremely heavy, and full of talky particles, and more eafily cleaves into plates than any of the former, which, are generally about one tenth of an inch thick. It confiib of fmall irregular Iharp grit, which is often entirely blended with the cement, which is of the fame cryftalline fubftance with itfelf, though debafcd by a mixture of earthy particles. It is extremely hard^ iirikes fire with fteel, and ferments Hightly. witJi aq^ua fortis. This ftone is common in Italy. The Denfe Dull WhitiOi ROCK-.STONE is mode- rately fine, but of a very irregular texture. Jtis com- pofed of a foft whitifh earthy fpar interfefted with flat plates of the cryftalline fort. The eartliy part of this ftone is pretty denfe, but notfo hard as the cryftalline, and there is no grit of any kind. It ferments greatly with aqua fortis, and burns to a blueifh white mixed with a little red. This is very common in many- counties, and is brought to London from different places, where it is ufed in building. The Hard Greyifh White Dull ROCK-STONE ia of a compa<^ texture, v/ith a fmooth furface, and ia confiucrably i82 The Natural HISTORY of confiderably heavy. It is compofed of no vifible grit, and is eafily cut; but it will not readily flrike fire with fteel, and it ferments violently with aqua fortis. It is common in feveral counties of England^ and is ufed in buildings, and ftands the weather pretty well : fome burn it into a poor coarfe fort of lime. The Hard Porous ROCK-STONE is of a coarfe fpungy texture, and yet very hard and heavy. It is generally of a greyilh white, though it is fome- times brownifh, yellowifh or black, from the different kinds of earthy particles falling into it with the rain. It has no grit, and is very hard, even fo much as to fpoil the workmen's tools. It ftrikes fire with Heel, but will not ferment with aqua fortis. It is common in Torkjhirey where the ftrata lie y^ry deep. It is ufed for building in that county. The Hard Bright Grey ROCK-STONE is more like cryftal to the naked eye than the former, and con- ii'^^i altogether of a fparry fubftance. It is a very ele- gant biautiful ftone, for it is bright, Ihining and very heavy, being one pure homogene mafs. It will hardly llrike fire with fteel, but it ferments violently with aqua fortis, and burns to a pale blueifh red. It is not very common, but there is fome of it in Torkjhire, where they both ufe it for building and for burning into lime. The Hard Bright Brownifh White ROCK-STONE is very heavy, and of a clofe texture, it being a pure homogene mafs, confiding of a cryftalline fpar, which in thin plates is a little tranfparent. It will not flrike fire with fleel, but it ferments very brifkly with aqua fortis, and burns to a pale whitifh red. It is brought from Purbeck to Londouy where it is ufed for building and pavements. Itisalfo ufed in Northamptonjhire for building and making tomb-flones. The Dull Yellowifh White Hard ROCK-STONE has a clofe firm texture, with an irregular furface, and is very heavy. It is of a pale dull white colour, with pale yellow veins and fpots in feveral places ; but it is not blight, though compofed of cryflalline fpar. It will not eafily flrike fire with fleel, but it ferments violently with aqua fortis, and burns to a white colour. It Water-S, Earths, Fossils ^WMinerals. 183. It is common in DorfetJJnre^ and fometimes contains Ihells. It is very ufeful in building, becaufe it bears the weather very well. The Dull Hard Brownidi White ROCK-STONE generally confifts of above half fhells, and it is a very coarfe harlh ftone without any brightnefs. It will not readily ftrike fire with fteel, but it ferments vio- lently with aqua fortis, and burns to a greyilh white. It is brought in great quantities from Purbeck to London, where it is ufed for flat pavements. The Whitifh Grey Marble ROCK-STONE is con- fiderably fine, remarkably heavy, and of a fine firm texture. It has a remarkable faintifli fmell, nearly like that of Florentine orris. It has a fomewhat fparkling appearance, and is entirely without fhells. It is con- fiderably hard, and will bear a pretty good polifli ; it ftrikes fire with fteel, but will not ferment with aqua fortis. It is found in the Eajiern countries, as well as Italy^ and fome Parts of Gertnany. The YellowiOi White Flinty ROCK-STONE is very fine fmooth and gloffy, and its texture is pretty much like that of common flint. It will hardly ftrike fire with fteel, but makes a very great and lafting fermentation with aqua fortis, and burns to a greyifli or blueifti white. It is common in fome parts of England, and is known by the name of the Rag-ftone and Lime- ftone. It is generally free from clefts, but when there are any, the fides are always covered with a cryftalline fpar. It is ufed in the pavements of ftreets. The Brownifti White Flinty ROCK-STONE is in fome Parts of England called Chert or Wern, has a very compadl firm texture, and is confiderably heavy. It has fometimes veins and fpots of red, white or black. It breaks with an even glofTy furface, like that of flinty pebbles ; and it ftrikes fire with fteel, but makes no fermentation with aqua fortis. It is often found among other ftrata of ftone, and Dr. Wood-ward mentions one of three feet thick in Torkjhire. The BlueiOi Fliniy ROCK-STONE is very foft and fmooth, with a clofe even texture, and is con- fiderably heavy and hard. It has fometimes blueifti white 184 '^h^ Natural HISTORY of while veins, and is found in moft counties of Englojid, It flrikes fire with fteel with fome difficulty, and makes a ftrong and lafting fermentation with aqua fortis. In fome places it is burnt into lime, which is very good. The Hard Blueifh ROCK-STONE is very rough, and is generally full of fliells or fpar. Its texture is firm, and it is extremely heavy ; it will not readily ftrike fire with fteel, but it ferments violently with aqua fortis, and burns to a pale whitilh grey. It is brought from Purbeck to Lo7idon, where it is ufed in pavements. It is hard to cut, and therefore not much ufed in building. The Brownilli Blue Dull Hard ROCK-STONE is coarfe and rough, and pretty heavy. It is generally variegated with lines and fpots of a pale red and of an opaque white. It will not flrike fire with fteel, but it makes a ftrong and lafling fermentation with aqua fortis, and burns to a pale blueilh white. It is. called in LeicefierflAre the Blue Lime-ftone,. for it makes good lime. "^ The Dull Pale Red ROCK-STONE is pretty fine and fmooth, of a firm texture, and confiderably heavy. It is variegated in moft places with lines and fpots of a pale red, or of an opaque white, which generally make a ftratum either above or below it- It will not readily ftrike fire with fteel, but it ferments violently with aqua fortis, and burns to a very pale whitifti or greyifii red. It is ufed for building walls in fome places, and is alfo burnt to lime. The Hard Shining Red ROCK-STONE is very heavy, and is fpangled in many places with fmall bita of a very glofly fpar. It is extremely hard, and will take a good poliih ; it will not readily ftrike fire with iieel, but ferments violently with aqua fortis, and burns to a pale red. It is imported from Snvedeny Nornvay^ and Denmark^ and is ufed in pavements ; it is alfo to. be met with in Tork/hire. That of Norivay contains fine ftrait fhells, but that in England is without them. The Green and Red Variegated ROCK-STONE has a rude irregular ftrudure, and is but coarfe for one of this clafs. However, it is not porous, and is preity Waters, Earths, Fossils ^^^Minerals. 185 pretty heavy, and interfperfed with blotches and foft uneven lines of a fine paler green fpar, as well as a few fragments of a white and femi-tranfparent one. Thofe that are white appear to be blended among the matter of the mafs. It will not readily ftrike fire with Heel, but it ferments violently with aqua fortis, and burns to a pale yellowilh white. It is found in the lead mines of Derbyjhire, but is of no ufe. , The Hard Black Dull ROCK-STONE has a clofe firm texture with a fmooth furface, is pretty heavy, and extremely hard ; but has no glofs, except a few ftining fpecks in fome places. It is not unlike black marble, but will not readily ftrike fire with fteel ; it ferments violently with aqua fortis, and burns to a fine blueiih white. In Leicejierjhire it is burnt into lime. The Hard Black Shining ROCK-STONE is fome- what coarfe, but extremely hard, very glittering, and remarkably heavy. It does not ferment with aqua fortis, and it burns to a pale brownifh red. It is found in DerbyJJnre^ but is hitherto of no ufe. The Soft Dull Black ROCK-STONE has a pretty fmooth furface, but no very firm texture. It is very heavy, but has not the leaft brightnefs. It has fome- what the appearance of flate, though it will not cleave ; nor will it ftrike fire with fteel, nor yet ferment with aqua fortis. This is known every where by the name of Rag-Stone, and is more properly fo called than the yellowilh white one before mentioned, becaufe when broken it has a ragged appearance. This is ufed as a whetftone all over Englandy for common knives and carpenters tools. CHAP. XXIII. 0/ S L A T E S. TH E Brittle White SLATE-STONE has a pret- ty clofe texture, and is confiderably heavy, tho* dull, it confifts of various plates from one fixth of an inch to an inch thick, and will fpJit pretty eafilv. it i86 The Natural HISTORY of It will not flrike fire with Heel, and it ferments ilrong. ly with aqua fortls. It is very common in England^ and particularly in Northamptonjhhe, where it lies near the furface of the ground. It is made ufe of to cover houfes. The Purple SLATE is a fine beautiful kind, and is pretty heavy. It is firm and compad, and the co- lour is a fine pale purple, glittering all over with fmall gloffy fpangles, which are very bri^^';ht, and fo minute that they are not to be feen diftindly without a care- ful examination. It confilis of very thin plates or flakes laid evtnly upon each other. It will not ftrike fire with Heel, nor ferment with aqua fortis; but it is greatly valued as a cavering for houfes in the northern counties of E?:gla/id, where it is found. The Common Blue SLATE is almoft univerfally known, and is a very ufeful frone. The texture is fine and fmooth, and it confiits of even plates laid clofe upon each other, and will readily fplit. It will not Itrike fire with fieel, nor ferment with aqua fortis. It is ufed almoft all over England for covering of houfes, and is much better than tiles. The Brownifh Blue Brittle COAL-SLATE is al- ways to be met with in coal-pits. It is a coarfe fmooth brittle ftone, of a compi^dl texture, and very heavy. The colour is fometimes blue, but moftly black ; and it is remarkable for containing vegetables of the fern kind, like thofe that are found in Jmerica. This is of no manner of ufe. The Greyilh Black Brittle SLATE, by fome called Shiver, is of a very loofe open texture, though pretty heavy ; but the ftru6lure is regularly plated, and the plates feldom cohere to each other. It is ve- ry foft, and is readily penetrated by water. It will not ferment with aqua fortis, and it burns to a faint red. It is common in the northern counties of Eng- la7idy and is made ufe of for manuring land, in the fame manner as marl. Upon exannination fome of it has been found to contain a confiderable quantity of alum, and perhaps it might be made ufe of advan- tageoufly for the procuring of that fait. The Waters, Earths, Fossils ««^Minerals. 187 The Greyifli Blue Sparkling SLATE has a very compa6l texture, but fomewhat uneven, and confifts of irregular plates, which will fplit into thofe that are very thin. When large maffes are found, they are often bent and undulated, and towards the upper part of the ftratum are frequently obferved to be defedlive. They are compofed of regular oblong fibres, which are all very bright and glittering when the mafs is juft broken, having fomewhat of the appearance of talc. It will not ftrike fire with Iteel, nor ferment with aqua fortis ; but it burns to a yellow fpangled mafs. There are large flrata of this in fome of the counties of £ug- la7idi and it is fometimes found on the fea-fhore. It is often ufed as a whetftone to give a good edge to tools. The Irljh SLATE is the mofl foft and brittle of all this clafs, it being coarfe, rough, and of a crumbly texture; but it is pretty heavy, and of a hrownifii black. It confifts of a multitude of thin plates laid evenly upon each other, and fplits very eafily. It will not ftrike fire with fteel, nor ferment with aqua fortis; but it will burn to a ftrong bright red. It is fome- what of the nature of alum, and is very common in Ireland^ it is alfo found in S o?nerfetJhire and other parts of England^ where it always lies near the furface of the ground in a very thick ftratum. It is ufed in me- dicine againft bruifes, and is given by fome from one dram to t'.vo in curing quartan agues; but its princi- pal ufe is for internal bleedings. Bcc'f tells us there is a great variety of colours in thefe Slates ; for fome are of an afh-colour, others of a whitiih afh-colour, and others again are green, red, blue, yellowifh, or black. Some are found with the boughs of trees reprefented in them, as if they had been painted. In fome of the afti-coloured kind there feems to be large quantities of heath of a dufky co- lour, that could not be more elegantly painted by the moft fkiiful artift. This is found in a riv^er not far from Florence^ from v/hence Boet had a fpecimen of this ftone. Near Werjhurg^ at a village called Somberg, in Franco7iiay there are found fome of thefe ftones painted like heath, which the inhabitants call Water- ftones. 188 ne Natural HISTORY of ftones, becaufe they are met with under the water. They are foft, fat, and fmooth, like hard foap, which they refemble in colour. At Jjleb^ in the County of Ma??sfey, there is found a black Slate, which has the images of various fifhes of a black or yellow colour; and they appear to be fo finely done, that the very fcales may be feen. Beet had one that contained the figure of a perch of a brafs colour, but the reft of the flone was black. CHAP. XXIV. Of MARBLES. THE PARIAN MARBLE is fo called be- caufe it was brought from the ifland of Paros. I L is of a white colour, extremely hard, and takes a very fine polifn. It has a firm, compad, clofe tex- ture, and is confiderably heavy ; and its extraordinary whitenefs has fometimes a blueifli caft, with blue ftreaks of diiFerent breadths. It is not very hard to cut, and therefore is in great efteem among the ftatu- aries. It connfts of pretty large particles with flat furfaces, but much fmaller and more regular in their fize and ihape than thofe of the alabafter kind. It wiil not ftrike fire with fteel, but it ferments nulently with aqua fortis, and when burnt is as white as fnow. Some fay this marble receives its name from Agora- critus Pariusy who firft carved a ftatue of Fenus cut of it. It was called by the ancients Lychnites, becaufe they made ufe of the light of lamps in getting it up ; for Luchnis in Greek fignifiss a lamp : but more pro- bably it wao fo called from its extreme brightneis when polilhed. The Hard White MARBLE called Carrara by the Moderns is whiter than the Parian, but is not of fo great value, becaufe it is more hard to cut, and will not take a fine polifh; however, it is ufed for build- ing, as well as to make ftatues. It has a more firm and clofe texture than the former, and is very heavy ; befides. J'a^e /SS. ^XT-U/U//^^ ^12 /'fOrfr{7rj4 ? Uc;7^r^^t2 ..^-Jr/i/ ' :j. Kov/ever, he mentions another fort, which is afn-coloured, blackiih or greeniih, curioufiy K 3 variegated igS 7he Natural HISTORY of variegated with green or black fpots, and fometimes with black or white lines. They made fpoons and cups of it in his time ; but he thinks it was too foft for that purpofe. Of the black Ophites there are now to be feen many fmall columns, and particularly in the church of 6",'. Jchn Baptiji at Pifa, and this the common people call the Egyptian Viper. It is of a livid colour with black fpots ; and there is another afn-coloured Ophites in the fame place, which they c::ll the 5>r/<7;/ Granite. The ground of this is whitifli, and it is fpottcd with bJack. But this now under con- fideration is a very beautiful and pretty hard marble, of a firm texture, and remarkably heavy ; the ground is a very fine green, variegated with fmall black fpots and irregular lines, and fometimes with thofe that are white. They are fometimes pretty large^ and half blended with the general fubftance of the mafs, and fometimes there is the blufli of purple throughout the >vho]e. It ferments violently with aqua fortis, and. burns to a mottled grey. This marble is now found in various parts of the world, and particularly in the Sflnnds of the Archipelago ; there is alfo a fort of it ia li^ales, which is known by the name of the Anghfea Marble. The Greenifh Soft MARBLE, variegated v/ith white and black veins and fpots, is the white Ophites of the antients. It is of a pretty fine fmooth texture, moderately heavy, and, when pure, of a very elegant pale green, with fpots, clouds and lines of a fine deep black and whitifh green, which is fometimes en- tirely white. It is foft and eafily cut, but locks very bright when wrought. It ferments violently v/i»th aqua fortis, and burns to a duiky grey. It is found in France^ Italy and Germany. The Aih-colourcd MARBLE with fmall black fpots is the Tcphriaand grey Ophites of the antients. It is a fine fmooth marble, pretty firm and compaft, and coiifiderably heavy. The alh colour is lively and beautiful, and the black fpots of irregular figures, but much of the fame fize, that is, the fixth part of an inch in length. It is pretty hard, and takes a fine poliii^* There is a great deal of this in Qermany^ but it Watep.s, Earths, Fossils ^//^IMinerals. 159 It is not fo good as that of the antients, which is brought from Ethiopia and Egypt. The Greyifli Brown MARBLE with bright green fpots has an even texture, is confiderably firm, and very heavy. The fpots are fmall, and generally of an oblong figure, and it will take a very fme polifii. The green parts efpecially ferment greatly with aqua fortis, and burns to a pale nioitltrd grey. It is com- mon in Egypt and Araliay and is faid to be met with in England. The pale grey MARBLE with green fpots and veins is extremely firm and very heavy, and in fon:e places flic^^htly tinged with a very faint red, and in others with a colour that is nearly white. It is varie- gated with a very beautiful pale green, confifdng of i'mall oblong irregular fpots, and fonietimes of narrow uneven veins. It is very heavy, and will bear a beautiful poliili. It is common in Gsnnany, and Dr. Woodn^Jard tdikcs notice of a fpecimen found on the fca Ihcre in Cornwall. The Red MARBLE with white and gold veins is the Theban marble of the antients ; and Boet tells us, that it has gold drops or fpots, and is called Bro- catello by the Italians., becaufe it appears like cloth compofed of gold and filk, which we call Brocade. There are faid to be fmall pillars of this under the pulpit of the epifcopal church, and in ^t.John^ church at Pifa. It is a very beautiful marble, and of a very fmooth regular texture. The red is variegated in fome places only with white, and in others only with yellow or gold colour ; and thefe are very large and broad in fome places, and very narrow in others, for they generally make up almoft half the mafs. It is found in Egypt, Italy, Germany and England. ; but the Egyptian is fiiieil, and the Englijh the worll. C H A P. zoo The Natural HISTORV of C H A p. XXV. 0/ ALA B A S T E R, PORPHYRY an.i GRANITE. THE Snow-whxlte Shining ALABASTER is that called the Lygdine by the antients. Beet jniorns us, that it is extremely white, and is found in Tntriis in very rmall pieces, that are only larg.e enough to make diflies and the like ; bnt it was for- merly brouglit from Jirahia. It is not very compaft, br:t it \i heavy, and confiits of a multitude of bread lliit large pai tides, which are very bright and pcrfedlly white. It cuts very freely, and is capable of a fine }-ol:!h. I'hcre are very laige Hrnta ci it in Jrahia, f^gyft, and many pans of Iicilj; but it is feldcm Lfou^ht over to IlnglaiuL Winiifh Vsllov/ ALABASTER, of a foft ccn- i)flsi cr, is called ly But the Phenghj^ of /V/V/r, who ;. firms it was found in Cappadcciaf and that h'ero built * the texnpic of Fortune v,'i;h this flone. This fhone en \.\:z isifide ia the fanic manner as paper that is imcared v/ith oil, and is not tranfparcnt. Vic farther adds, that it diJcrs in nothirig from common maible but in hardr.cfs, and in its ihining vJien poliflicd. It is of a loofe open texture, confiderably heavy, and nearly of the colour of honey; but the colour is iriore deep in feme places than others. It confiiis of irregular pieces that lie in tables one o\ cr another, though v^ith regularity ; however, they all together ccm2dMiKERAL5. 201 loofe and open, though it is moJerately heavy. The ground is of a fine clear pale yellow, between that of honey and amber, and has the fame texture as the Phengites ; but is beautifully variegated with crooked undulated veins, fome of which are broad and others narrow ; fome of a pale red, others whitilh, and others again of a very agreeable pale brown. It will bear a very fine polilh, and confiife of large angular fparry concretions. It is not, proof againfl water. It fer- ments violently with aqua fortis, and burns to a pale grey colour. It was formerly found in Egypt, and is now met with in many parts of England. Purple PORPHYRY with pale red and white fpots is the Porphyry of the antients, by whom it was placed among the red marbles, of v,^hich it was reckoned the chief, on account of its hardnefs and fplendor : when there were any white fpots among it, it was called Leucoiiidlos by Pliny, It is named Porfido by the Italians, and there are two columns of it before the gates of St. "John Baptiji in Florence, The texture is not fo fine as many of the common marbles, and it always breaks with a rough irregular furface ; but it is remarkably firm, compa<^ and heavy, and of a fine deep purple variegated more or lefs with pale red and white fpots, as alfo a few flaky black fpots. The purple is of all degrees, from the colour of claret to that of a violet, and the variegations are generally diftinft fpots of various fizes. It approaches the neareft to the hardnefs of a gem, and was always ia very high efteem. It is found in great plenty in Egypt, which was always famous for this ftone ; but now it is met with in other places, at leail vv^irh variations. They will all ftrike fire with fleel, but will not ferment with aqua fortis. This is frequently made ufe of as a ftone for grinding of colours. The PORPHYRY of the colour of red lead, varie- gated with black white and green, has the hardnefs and all the other characters of purple Porphyry ; but it excels it in brightnefs and in the beautiful variegations of the colours. The texture is harfli, rough and ir- regular, but it is remarkably heavy. The ground is of a bright red lead colour, and in various degrees. K q It 202 The Natural H I S T O R Y of It has very regular green veins, and fome that are perfeftly white, v.'ith a great number cf fmall black jpecks; but thefe are never mixed with the green, that make a confiderable part of the v/hole. It takes an exceeding fine polilh, ftrikes fire with fteel, and will not ferment widi aqua fortis. It is found in the ifland of ikf///o;\-^7, and this might ferve for many va- luable purpofes, if it was imported into England. The Pale Red PCRPHYPvY, variegated with black white and green, is of a very compact firm texture, confiderably heavy, and of a pale flefh colour, often approaching to white. The variegations are in large blotches from half an inch to an inch broad, and now and then difpofed in irregular veins. The furface is bright, but it does not glitter, and its extreme hard- nefs renders it capable of a very high polifh. The red white and green parts appear to be all tabulated, and the green has a tinge like that of gems, and is the brightefl of all, it being nearly tranfparent. It is found in Arahia Petraa^ and in tipper Egypt. There are alfo fmall pieces of it in Germany and Ireland.^ and they have been fometimes feen in De-uonJInre on the fea fhore. The Hard White GRANITE with black fpots, called in Corn'mal Moor-Hone, is of a large and grofs texture, and appears to be a rude, but beautiful mafs of varioufiy conftrufted and differently coloured par- ticles, diilinft from each other, though they cohere very frrongly. It is confiderably hard, and mottled with black and white, among which there are per- fedtly tranfparent particles that are very bright, and there are great numbers perfedly black, and others of the colour of brown cryllial : fome of thefe interfed, and are divided by other granulae ; but others lie pa- rallel with, and others evenly upon them ; and others aaain are quite buried in the fubllance of the cryftal- line particles, like flies in amber. Some again are fmgle and thin plates, and others large and broad laid fingly on each other. The whole is extremely bright and glittering, and v/ill ' take a pretty good poliih. It ftrikes fire with ftcel, but will not ferment with aqua fortis. It undergoes little 9hange in the fire. Waters, Earths, Fossils^«/Mtnerals. 205. fire. There are vaft quantities of this in fome Parts Q^ Irela/id, as well as in Corni colour; but if according to the partitions, it is of the colour of rufty iron. The partitions arc of a clayey cartli, tinged with iron par- ticles; and they are irregular and few in number: befidcs thcfe there are exceeding fine cracks, in which places Vv^ATERS, Earths, Fossils «W Minerals. 213 places the Stone naturally breaks. It is very heavy, confiderably large, and will bear a pretty good polirfi, but it will not rtrike fire with Heel. The Soft Pale Brown STONE, with partitions con- fining of the fame fubflance as the pyrites, is of a prettv coarfe and loofe texture, and fomewhat porous, v/ith a very fmooth furface. Its fliape is very uncer- tain, though moil commonly roundifh, or oval ; and it feldom exceeds fix inches in diameter. When it is broad and flat it is moft commonly tiaked ; but when roundifh, it has a thick whitifli craft. The furface is irregular when broken, and has a tafte of vitriol, which none of the others have : the partitions are pretty nu- merous and irregular, but never thick ; and they con- fill of a double plate of the vitriolic pyrites. This fcone may be readily divided at thefe partitions, as v.'ell as the plates from each other, after it has lain fbme time in the air ; for before that it will break more eafily any where elfe. The fubllance is foftand brit- tle, and confequeutly will not bear a polifn. I'he Rufty Red STONE with yellowifh brown par- titions has a very fine compact tex^ture, with a very fmooth glofiy furface. It is of various fhapes, fome- times oblong or oval, but more generally pretty much flatted, and is from three to twelve inches in diame- ter, ?.nd from four to fix thick. Its colour is of a du&y brownifli red, not aKvays perfeftly mixed ; for in fome places they are almofl diflind, and form a fort of clouds or fpots. When broken it appears to have an even gloffy furface, without fhining fpecks. The partitions are many and pretty thick, with a flreaked texture, compofed of an arrangement of brownifh yellow columnar fpar, which is pretty hard, though not very bright. The pieces divided by thefe partitions are of different fhapes and fizes, and from half an inch to four inches in diameter. This Stone is very heavy, extremely hard, and will bear an ex- ceeding fine polifli. It will flrike fire with fteel, but with great difficulty, and ferments briilcly with aqua fortis. It is very common in Torkjhire, and in moH of the northern counties of England, The 214 ^^^ Natural HISTORY of The Brownifh Yellow STONE with whitiHi parti- tions is of a very firm texture, with generally a per- fe6lly fmooth furface. It is of various fhapcs and fizes, and is fometimes found in continued rtrata, though more commonly in irregular fnapes, but al- ways comprciled and flatted, from three to fourteen inches in diameter, and about five inches thick. It is met with on the fea coaft, particularly near Scarbo- rcugh in Tcrkfcire. They have feldom any cruft, but when they have it, is of a rufty colour, and about a third of an inch thick. The colour of the Stone is of a very fine ferruginous yellow, and when broken the furface is fmooth and glofly, looking almoft like flint. The partitions are numerous, and in many places thick and broad; they confill of a femi-tranfparent fpar, which is very hard, and by thefe the Stone is di- vided into a multitude of irregular pieces, from one to four inches in diameter. It is very heavy and ■hard, and will fl:rike fire with fleel, but with great difficulty. The Blueifli White STONE with ftraw-coloured partitions has the fame texture as the two former, with a rough rugged furface. It is generally found in loofe marfhes, of a flattifli fliape, with fome tenden- cy to round or oval, but generally with rough edges, and from four to eighteen inches in breadth, and from two to fix thick. It has feldom or never any coat, and the colour confifts of a mixture of blue and white. When broken the furface is glofly, and without any Ihining fpecks. The partitions are of a ftreaked tex- ture, and are compofed of a fine tranfparent bright fpar, with irregular columns. It is confiderably hea- vy, pretty hard, and will bear a good polifti. Itflrikes fire with fteel with great difficulty, and ferments brifkly with aqua fortis. It is common in TorkJJnre. The Pale Yellow STONE with a rufly-coloured nucleus is of a pretty clofe compafl texture, and of a roundifli ihape. It is about four inches in diameter, and is covered with a thin pale crufl:, within which there are from three to five coats of a difl^erent thick- i^efas, but all of the fame fubflance, and much of the iame colour, that is, of an agreeable pale yellow. ' When Waters, Earths, Fossils a;/^ Minerals. 215 When broken, the Airface is pretty fmooth, with many fhining fpecks of fpar. Thefe coats have a nucleus or kernel in the center, confilling of a hard ferru- ginous fcone, and are divided from it by a thin regu- lar partition of a Uraw-coloured fpar, from which there run a great many other ftrait partitions diredly to the circumference, but growing narrower as they come near it. It is pretty heavy, but not very hard, for it will not ftrikc fire wifli fteel. The nucleus is of a different fubflance from the reft, and is very heavy, and of a firm texture ; itftrikcs fire with fteel, but will not ferment with aqua fortis. It confifts of a large quantity of ferruginous matter with a deep brown clay. It is to be met v/ith on Mendip Hills in Scmerfetfoire, and in a clay-pit near IJlington. The Brownifli STONE, with a biackifh brown nucleus, is ofa pretty f.ne ciofe texture, with a fmooth regular furface, and is always roundifh, though ge- nerally a little Hatted. The fize is two or three inches in diameter without any crufl, and there is a hard blackiili brown nucleus in the center, ofaclofe texture, contained in a thin cruft of a paler colour, but of the fame fubflance. It is about half an inch in diameter, and the cruft about an eighth of an inch thick. The Stone is compofed of two other coats nearly of the fame thicknefs, and of different degrees of brown. They are divided from the nucleus by a fine thin par- tition of whitifh fpar, from which oihers run that are flrait towards the circumference, and yet but feldom pafs through the inner coat. The nucleus is hard and ftony, but not fo much as the former, for it breaks pretty eafily, and is full of fmall fpecks of loofe fpar. It confifts of earthy and ferruc^inous matter, and will ftrike fire with fleel, though with great difficulty ; and it will ferment a little with aqua fortis. It is to be met v/itli in Ncrthamptonjhire, Leicefierjhire and York- Jhirey and has been fometimes found near London. The Hard Whitifh Grey STONE with a brown nuchas, is ofa very fine clofe texture with a fmooth furface, and is always roundifh or oval. It is gene- rally about two inches in diameter, and is covered with a pale whitilli yellow crufl. The nucleus is brown 2.i6 The Natural H I S T O R Y of brown and covered with a cruft as hard as itfeif, but fomewhat of a paier colour, and on its outfide thci'-e is a fine fparry partition, wliich is firm and hard ; from this there generally runs three or four narrow partitions towards the furface, which feldom reach the outer cruft. It is very hard and capable of a good polifl"!, bat it will not flrike fire with Heel, nor yet the nucleus. It is a very uncommon Stone, and iiard to be met with. The Small Ferruginous STONE, of a roundifh or oblong fliape, is generally known by the name of Mineral Bezoar, becaufe it has coats like Animal Be- zoar. It has a clofe firm compaft texture, with a fmooth furface, and is always cither of a round or oblong form, generally about three quarters of an inch in diameter, and from half an inch to two inches in length. They are always covered with a cruft of a a pale whitifli fubftance of about a fixth of an inch thick. They always confiil of a large central nucleus, fjmetlmes furrcunded with two or three coats of fer- ruginous matter, and fometimes irregularly blended with it, making together a fmgle nucleus furrounded with a cruft. Both the nucleus and the cruft are gene- rally divided into three, four or five parts by pretty large cracks, which are wideft on the outfide, and ufually become narrower as they approach the cen- ter. They are commonly empty towards the furface, but near the center they are filled up with a fine tranfparent fpar. The Stone itfelf is pretty hard, and will bear a pretty good polifh. It will hardly ftrike fire with fteel, and ferments but very little with aqua fortis. It is common in the brick and tile clay- pits in all parts of E-ngland. The Oblong Pale Brown STONE, with a long hol- low nucleus, is of a very clofe firm texture, with a rugged unequal furface. The ftiape is oblong and cylindric, only it is largeft in the middle, and be- comes gradually lefs towards each end ; but for half an inch they each term.inate in a fmall cylinder of almoft a whitifti colour, and of a harder fubftance than the other parts. This is nothing but a lengthen- in o- oi the inv/ard fubftance, being only the extremity ^ of I Waters, Earths, Fossils arte/ Mm ekals. 217 of the nucleus. It is between feven and eight inches long, and yet the diameter is three inches where thickeft. The nucleus confifts of a long cylindric tube, terminating in a blunt point at each end, which is fometimes empty, and fometimes filled with a white marl, or the matter of the ftone that contains it. It is of a ferruginous colour, and is inclofed in a thin cruft of a browniih fubftance, which is furrounded with a fingle, double, or triple partition of beautiful fpar, and this again with two thick crufts confiding of the fame fubftance as the reft of thefe ftones. It is divided by three or four partitions, running like rays from the circular partition ftrait towards the circum- ference, but they generally vanifti in the firft or fecond coat. The whole is furrounded with an unequal whitilh brown coat about a third of an inch thick. The cavity of the nucleus is half an inch in diameter, and the nu- cleus itfelf about an inch. This Stone is fubjeft to a great number of cracks lying in different dire«ftions, fo that when ftruck it will fall into many pieces, not more than the tenth of an inch in thicknefs each. The nucleus is very heavy and hard, but will not ftrike fire with fteel, no more than the body of tlie Stone. The partitions con fill of a pure white fpar, which appears very bright when juft broken. It has been only found hitherto in a great tile clay-pit near 7yhurn road, about three quarters of a mile beyond 'Tyburn. The Very Hard Smooth STONE with yellow brown and red coats, has a very fine compa(5l texture, with a pretty fmooth furface, and is remarkably heavy. Its fhape isroundifh or oblong, and the fize is from a quarter of an inch to three or four inches in length ; but moft commonly of the ftiape and fize of a pigeon's ^ZZ' ^^ is fometimes found naked with a fomewhat glofly furface, and at other times covered with a whitilh cruft. It confifts of five or fix coats, which clofe a firm folid hard nucleus of the fame fubftance, that is fometimes of a deep dufky brown, and fome- times of a ftrong though not bright red ; at other times it is compofed of both thefe colours, either blended or in fpots. The coats are alternately brownifh. Vol. V. L yellow.fh 2l8 The Natural HISTORY t>f yellowirn and reddilh, that next the nucleus being brown, the next yellow, and the third reddifh, with another that is yellow, and over thefe one that is brown. However, they fometimes vary in the difpofition. It is very common in clay and gravel-pits, and par- ticularly about Lcvdon, when covered with a crull. One fourth part of this Stone is iron. The Hard Glittering Rough STONE, with brown purple and deep yellow coats, is of a coarfe, uneven, and very irregular texture. The fliape is always ob- long, but of different lengths and thickneffes ; it is from half an inch to eight inches long, and about three quarters of an inch in diameter. It has a rough furface made up of fmall prominences and cavities, lefs than the heads of the fmalleft pins ; but tliis is un- common, for it is ufually ftuck full of fmall pebbles. It is pretty hard, and breaks with a rough furface, and there is a nucleus furrounded with eight or ten coats, fome of a paler, fome of a deeper brown ; others of a dufky and fomewhat reddifh colour, and others again of a deep brownifli purple 3 but they are placed without any order or regularity. It is pretty bright and fparkling, not only when juft broken, but on the furface ; and the whole fubftance of the coats is full of fmall fhining fpangles like talc. It is common in the gravel-pits about Oxford.^ as well as in other places, and contains a fmall quantity of iron. The Soft Brownifh Yellow STONE is almoft as foft as earth, but it is very compad, of a fmooth texture, and confiderably heavy. It is of a fiattifh oblong fhape, and round at the ends. It is nioft com- monly four inches long, two broad, and one thick. It is oily to the touch, like fome of the finer boles, and breaks with an irregular but fmooth furface. It con- tains a nucleus of the fame fhape as the llone, and of the fame colour, furrounded with coats of the fame, which are extremely thin and exceeding numerous. It has no crufty covering, nor does it at all fparkle. It ferments very brifkly with aqua fortis, and burns to a beautiful pale red. It is very uncommon, but has been fcen in the potters clay-pits in Staffordjkire^ and in the foreft of Dcan^ The Waters, Earths, F-OssIls <^;?^MiNtRAL3. 219 The Soft STONE, with (hining brown and duflcy green coats, confifts of a coarfe opaque fubflance, and is of a loofe texture, it is remarkably heavy, of an •oblong fhapc, and commonly about an inch and a half in length, fomewhat in the form of a ninepln. It is harfh and rough to the touch, the furface being -extremely uneven ; and when broken it has an irre- gular and pretty rough furface. It is generally com- pofed of four coats, furrounding a nucleus of the fame fubftance and fhape as the ftone. This is fur- rounded by a brown broad coat, and that by another that is broader. The next is a very beautiful one, it making a fine glittering appearance, and is of a very pale brown colaur ; over all there is a coat of dufky brown clay, which is always rugged and un- equal. It is very common in clay-pits in many parts of the kingdom, and particularly in a clay-pit near London behind Black-M arf s - Hole . The Soft STONE, with iliining whitiih yeilowifh and red coats, is of a loofe brittle texture, and mo- derately heavy. It is commonly oblong, rounded at the ends, and of the fize of a pigeon's egg. It is very rough, and it will readily break with a fmall blow ; it has from four to fix coats of the fame loofe texture, but of different colours; but there is ahvays ' one that fparkles, and is compofed of the matter of the common felenites. The nucleus is commonly whitifh, though fometimes with a mixture of yellow, and is of the fame Ihape with the llone. The coat which immediately furrounds the nucleus is generally yellow, the next red, and the next whitifh ; then one that is yellow, and over thef? is the outermoft, which is compofed of great numbers of fmall columnar fele- nites, that together appear altnofi: like cryltal. It is very common in the clay-pits of Northamptonjhire, and may be met with in feveral other counties. L 2 C H A Po 220 7ht Natural HISTORY tf CHAP. XXVIT. Of the harder Common STONES. TH E Hard Shining Black and White STONE is of a very irregular ftradure, but extremely firm, with a fmooth though not glofTy furface. It is from eighteen to twenty-five inches in diameter; but it is of different fliapes, which all tend to be round, oval, or flat. At firfl fight it appears to be only of two colours, that is, a dull yellowifh white, and a glofTy black. The white fpecks are fometimes flightly tinged with a fleih colour, others are of a cream co- lour, and others again fhine like pure cryflal. The furface is of a dull dead colour, but it is very bright and fparkling when jull broken. It is confiderably heavy, very hard, and will take an excellent polifh. It ftrikes fire with fleel, but will not ferment with aqua fortis. It is common on the fhores of the ifland of Guernff.yy and is met with in many places on the Englijh coail. It is ufed in paving the ilreets of Lon- don. The Hard Shining Red and White STONE is of much the fame texture as the former, but of a better colour, and the fhape tends to roundnefs or an oval. It is found often of twenty or thirty inches in diame- ter, with a very fmooth furface; and the colour is a pleafant light red, and fometimes a flefli -colour, inter- iperfed with fmall parcels of a pure bright white, from one eighth to one fourth of an inch in diameter. When broken it is fmooth, bright, and beautiful; and is fo hard it will bear a very fine polifli, as well as ftrike iire with fleel. It is brought from the fhores of Scot- land, and is ufed in London for paving the ilreets. The Red STONE variegated with white and black is of the fame texture with the two former, and has a fmooth, bright, glofTy furface. Some are eight inches in diameter, and the Ihape is generally oblong and fiattifyi. The colours are all beautiful and bright, the ground Waters, Earths, Fossils ^^^Minerals. 221 ground being red, variegated with all the different de- grees and forms of a white tranfparent and black cry- Italline talc, which are fo various in different ftones, that they do not feem to be of the fame kind. It is confiderably heavy and hard, will take a fine polifh, and flrike fire with fleel. They are found on the (hores of Guernfey ifland, and brought to London to pave the flreets, where they may be eafxly dilUnguifhed by their furfaces after a (hower of rain. The Hard Heavy Greyifh Black STONE, varie- gated with white, is of a more rude, irregular, and harih texture than any of the former, though it is more compad and hard. The furface is fmooth and even, but not gloffy, and it is generally about ten or twelve inches in diameter ; but the fhape is uncer- tain, though it is commonly fiat on one fide. It is not fo beautiful as the former, being of a greyifh or blueifh black, with opaque but very bright white, diflinfl from each other, yet regularly intermixed throughout the whole flone, fo that it feems to confifl of a regular mixture of black and white. When frelh. broken the furfaces are remarkably fmooth and bright, and it will bear a high polifh. It ftrikes fire with fleel, but will not ferment with aqua fortis, nor fuffer any great alteration by the fire. It is found on many parts of the fhores of Torkjhirey and is fometimes feerl in the flreets of London. The Brownifh Red STONE, variegated with white and yellowifh, is of a pretty even fine texture, fome- times from three to four feet in diameter, and of a fomewhat oblong and fiattilh fhape. The ground is of a reddifh brown colour, which is variegated witli an impure talcky cryftalline matter, generally about an inch long and half an inch in diameter, that is ei- ther of a pure or yellowifh white ; and thefe variega- tions are often four or five inches diilant from each other. It is pretty hard, will take a good polifh, and ftrike fire with fleel, but does not ferment with aqua fortis. It is found on the furface of the earth in York- Jhire and other counties. The Reddifh White STONE, variegated with black and gold colour, is of a more loofe texture than any L 3 of 222 "Ths Natural HISTORY of^ of the former, and very coarfe. It is generally found between four and eight inches in diameter, and is of a \try irregular ihape, being feldom round, oval, or flat. The colour is either a pale flelh, a deeper red, or entirely white. The particles of which this ftone is compoled feem to be a cryflal debafed with earth,, and more or lefs of a metalline tinge, of the ilze of a horfe-bean. Among thefe, black and yellow variega- tions are difperfed, which are ccmpofed of cryftal, earth, and talc, of ditferent degrees of brightnefs It. is confiderably hard, very heavy, and capable of taking a fin« pclifh. It is common on the fhores of Torkr jLire. The Hard White STONE variegated with browa is of a very coarfe harih texture, but extremely firm, and hard, with a fmooth glofTy furface. The {\7.z is from two to ten inches in diameter, and it is generally of a roundifh or oval iliape. The ground is of a dufky Vv'hite variegated with pale brown, but they are diittnil from each other, and interfperfed with a great many flakes, fome of which confift of a pure cryftal- line white talc. When frefh broken it glitters very much, efpecially in the white parts ; and it ilrikes fire with fteel, bat will not ferment with aqua fortis. It is common in Wejinioreland and Yorkjhire, The Blueifh White Bright Brittle STONE contains, more talc and lefs ciyftal than the forq:ier, for which rt-afon it is of a flaky texture, though very irregular,, anci the furface is rough and uneven. It, is from ten to fourteen inches in diameter, and of a very uncer- tain fhape, being generally rough and jagged at the ends and edges. Its colour confu1:s of a dark blueifh grey, and a pretty pure opaque white; the former of which is the ground, though fometimes it happens otherwife. It is compofed of diiferent mafles, as in the other kinds ; and thofe that are ftony or cryllalline are much of a fize, and feldom larger than a horfe- bean. It is but light in comparifon of the reft, and is very brittle. It does not at all feem proper for po- ll filing, though its ftony parts will ftrike fire with fteel ;. but it will not ferment with aqua fortis, and when burnt it is whialh. with, a filvery glofi.. It. is common in. Waters, Earths, Fossils A^rt'MiNERALs. 223 in Yorkjhire 2>xi^ the neighbouring counties, where the common people make ul'e of it in the winter nights to keep the bed warm, or rather their feet, to which it is laid after it has been heated ; for it will retain the heat a confiderable time ; and they give it the name of the Warming- Stone. The Brown Brittle STONE variegated with yellow is very beautiful, with a pretty fine even texture, but more loofe than the former, and with a rough fur- face occafioned by prominences and cavities. It is of various fizes, but feldom exceeds fix inches in diame- ter; and the Ihape is quite irregular, though it is fometimes flat, and tending to an oval. The diftinft parts of which it confills are feldom above one twelfth of an inch in length ; and they are all of the fame co- lour in the fame mafs, which is of a pale brown ; and among thefe are a great number of talcky flakes that are extremely bright, which are fometimes intermixed with fpangles of black and whitifli talc ; but they art; fo uncommon, that brown and yellow may be faid to be the true colours of the ftone. When broken it ap- pears extremely beautiful; but it is fo foft as not to be capable of a good polifii, and therefore it is no won- der it flrikes fire with fteel with difliculty. It is found in many parts of Suffex and TorkJInrCi and has been feen on Hampji^ad Heath, The Hard Purpliili Brown STONE, variegated with white and yellow, has a very rough, coarfe, uneven texture ; but it is firm and hard, with a rough un- equal furface. It is commonly found from ten to eighteen inches in diameter, and the fhape always ap- proaches to round or oval, with a fmoothnefs and flat- nefs on one fide. The colours are generally brown and white, or brown and yellow. The browniih pur- ple parts make the ground, and confift of confiderably large pieces, that are perfedlly opaque. Thofe that are white and yellow are fmaller,, more bright, and in fome degree tranfparent, they being compofed of a mixture of cryftal and talc. It is a little bright when frelh broken, and is very hard, for it will readily ftrike fire with fleel. It is common on the Ihore near Scar- \x 4. ioroughf 224 "The Natural H / S T O R Y if borough J and has been fometimes feen in thre ftreets of London. The Heavy Red STONE variegated with black and white, named Call by the Miners, 15 of a pretty fine even texture, extremely hard and firm, and gene- rally of a fmooth furface. It is from five to twenty inches in diameter, and the (hape has a tendency to round or oval, with a flat fide. The moleculas are of different figures, and feem to contain no pure talc. They are of a fine deep red, variegated with black and white irregularly interfperfed among them, and lodged in all direftions. The white are bright and glolTy, but the black are more glittering; and when frefh broken the black and white appear very bright. It is remarkably heavy, very hard, and will readily ftrike fire wiih fteel. It is found about the mines of ^ujpx and Gloucejferjhire. The Hard Blueilh Green STONE, variegated with white, is the moft beautiful of the whole clafs. It is of a pretty firm, fine, but unequal texture ; and in many places it is loofe, irregular, and porous. The furface is very fmooth ; the ufual fize is from three to four inches ; and it is of a round or oval fhape, but always flatted on one fide. The greeniih particles, of which the Stone chiefly confifts, are all of a cryftal- line fubftance debafed with earth, and tinged with metalline particles. Its variegations are fmall maffes of white, crnfiliing of cryftal and talc, and debafed with very little earth. It is very beautiful when bro- ken, and is extremely heavy and hard ; but it will not admit of a perfed polifli, becaufe its texture is a little porous : however, it readily flrikes fire with fteel. It is found on the fhores of Svjexy but is moil common in If'iilis ; and contains a pretty deal of copper.. CHAP. Waters, Earths, Fossils ^WMlnerals. 225 CHAP. XXVIII. Cy S T O N E S approaching to the Nature 0/' Flint. THE Yellowi/h White STONE filled with peb- bles, commonly called the Pudding-Stone, is of various fhapes, according to the various pebbles it contains. It has been by fome ranked among peb- bles, but improperly ; for they are no part of the Stone itfelf, which is a diftintl fpecies, and different from all others. The fementitious fubftance is an opaque Stone, of a very fine, clofe, and firm texture, with a pretty fmooth furface on the infide, though in the mafles it is frequently very rugged and unequal. In fize it is from that of a walnut to three or four feet in diameter, with fome tendency to roundnefs. It is of a pale yellowifh colour, and when broken the fur- face is fmooth, even, and flinty. It is pretty heavy and very hard, and confequently will take a very beau- tiful polifh. It will readily ftrike fire with fteel, but does not ferment with aqua fortis. The pebbles con- tained in it are of various kinds and fizes, from that of a pin's head to the bignefs of a walnut. It is found in many parts o'i England y particularly in Hert^ fordjhire, and is ufed for the tops of fnufF-boxes and other toys. The Greyifh White STONE filled with pebbles is finer and harder than the former, but it is very opaque, and has an exceeding frxiooth gloffy furface, for it re- fembles a fmooth fpotted pebble. It feldom exceeds ten inches in diameter, and its fliape is almoll: always roundifh all over. The pale greyilli white colour often contains more of blue than pure white, and the furface is very fmooth when broken. When cut into thin pieces it is fomewhat tranfparent, and it is capa- ble of a beautiful polifh. It readily flrikes fire with lleel, but will not ferment with aqua fortis. It is al- moft always found in gravel-pits among flints and pebbles, and is ufed for fnufF-boxes like the former. L 5 The 226 rht Natui^a-b H r S T O K Y cf The -Red STONE filled with pebbles is of the fame nature with the two former, and is very <5paque, with a pretty coarfe texture and a rugged furface. It is found from fix inches to four feet in diameter, and of very irregular fhapes. The colour is a deep red, and and fometimes there p.re different fhades in different parts of the fame piece. When broken it is fcarce at all bright or gloffy ; and its finenefs is generally in proportion to its colour, for ir is greateft v/here that is leart. It will readily ilrike fire with fteel, but will not ferment with aqua fortis. The pebbles it contains- are of various fizes and kinds, and not fo perfeftly joined to the mafs as in the other fpesies ; they are, however, not eafily feparated from it, and therefore ir is as fit for ufe as any of the former. It is common in Lincclnjhirej Derbyjhirej and YorkJIoire, but is feldom. brought up to London, The Brownifn STONE filled with pebbles is of the fame kind as the former, but is more impure and coarfe. It is perfedlyduU and opaque, with a roughs harfh texture, but yet pretty firm j and the furface is rough, rugged, and unequal. It is from two to five feet in diameter, aad is of a very irregular fhape, though it fometimes Ihews a tendency to roundnefs. The colour is always of a dulky brown, but in va- rious degrees. It is not fo heavy as the former, though it ftrikes fire with fleel. It contains very fmall, as Y.'ell as fome large pebbles, which are generally a lit- tle flattifh. It is common in Leicejierpire, The Fle(h-coIoured STONE, filled with reddiih impure cryftalline nodules, is of a coarfe, harfh, loofe texture, and fomewhat porous, with a rough irregu- lar furface. It is found from four to twelve inches in diameter, and the Ihape is almoft always flattifii. It is generally fo full of the maffes it contains, that it is hard to find a fpeck of the pure cement of the big- nefs of a pea. Its colour is a very pale whitifti red^ and the furface when broken is uneven without any glofs. It ftrikes fire with fteel, though not without ibme difficulty, but does not ferment with aqua fortis. The nodules are all of the fame kind, but of various fizfs, from the bignefs of a pin's head to an inch in diamet^. 'WATEKs,EAkrnsy Fossils ^«/ Minerals. 227 diameter. There is a great number of them, and they lie in different directions. Thofe that are large are eafily ftruck out of the cement, kaving a pretty fmoothr\ cavity behind. Thefe nodules confiH of a fort of cry- ilalline particles. This Stone is common in the fides of hills in TorkflAre. The Blueifh Glittering STONE, filled with white impure cryftalline nodules, is of a pretty coarfe, harlh, Uuev^en, and irregular texture, with a rough furface ; and is of various fizes, from one foot to four or five in diameter, and generally of a flattilL fhape. The colour is a deep dulky blue or lead colour, and there are many bright glittering fpangles. The furface is roughil"h when broken, and it feems to be a-kin to fome of the lime-ftones. It is very heavy, moderate- ly hard, and capable of a very good poiiib. It rea- dily llrikes fire with Heel, and ferments a little with aqua fortis. The cryftalline maffes are the fame as thofe in the former Stones, only they are without any colour. It is found in many parts of L^icefierjlytre^ as well as on the fhore near Scarborough ; but it is never put to any ufe. The Whitiih Green Beautiful STONE, filled with cryftalline nodules, has a pretty fine, clofe, firm and hard texture, with a rugged unequal furface, without the leaft glofs or brightnefs ; and the cryftalline no- dules generally ftand pretty far out of their cement. Its fize is from two inches to two feet in diameter, and its fhape is generally flattifti, feldom inclining ei- ther to round or oval. The colour is a pale whitifh grey, irregularly tinged with a very beautiful green ; though it is not diffufed through the whole Stone, but appears in the form of fpecks and clouds. It has a rough and v/rinkled furface when broken, v/ithout the leaft tranfparency ; and in breaking of it the nodules get out of their places, leaving cavities behind. They are generally fmooth, but not glofty ; and they feldom exceed the fize of fmall peafe. They are out- wardly of a very deep green, but within are white and opaque. They confift of a tabulated fpar, and the green colour is owing to the mafs in which they are included, This Stone is moderately heavy and pretty 228 The Natural H X S T O R Y 0/ pretty hard, but it will not take a good polifh, nor yet ftrike fire with fieel without difficulty. It is found on the fliores oi Minorca, and now and then on the Englijfjco^^. The Brittle Pale Red STONE variegatedwith white; veins, and containing red nodules, is the fofteft and' moil brittle of this clafs, with a coarfe loofe texture,., and a rough irregular furface. It is. of various fizes^ for it has been found from one to thirty inches, and is always fiattifh. The red colour is different in diffe- rent raaffes, it being fotneiimes of a brick colour, while- ether parts are of a pale flelh. When broken, it is in many places perfedly fpungy, without the leaft". brightnefs, except in the white veins, which are not- many. The red nodules are from the fize of a pin*s head to that of a hazle nut, and confifts of the fame fubflarce as the Stone itfelf. This Stone is not proof aj^ainft water, and" it will fcarce give fire with Heel. It i.s common in the lliores about S'car Borough. CHAP. XXIX. 0/ STONES thai outivari^fy appear like TEBBLES. TH E Stone called PEBELE CRYSTAL has a. very fmooth equal texture, it being in reality nothing elfe but Cryftal in this form. It is free from ail mixtures, and is found from the fizeof a pin's head' to twelve inches in diameter. It is generally pretty- round, though fometimes it is not without irregulari- ties on the furface, and it is fometimes fiattilK. It has^ a clofe firm texture, is pretty heavy, and as tranfpa- rent as water. It is very hard, and is capable of a very high polifh ; and when broken it is very bright and glittering. It ftrikes fire with fteel, but does not ferment with aqua fortis. They are found in almoft all' parts of the world, but are mod common in America^, where they are very Targe, and are generally known: here by the name of Brajll Pebbles. They are found' in that country on the banks of rivers, as well as in Germanyy Waters, f.AftiTiiSy Fossils ^>z^Miner als'. 229 Germany^ Italy Sind France. They are alfo met with in England; but their fize is very fmall. Spedacles are niade with this ftone. The Purple Half-tranfparent Cryftalline STONE has a rough uneven texture, but is very firm, with a fmooth furface ; it is generally between anr inch and four inches in diameter, and of a roundifli fhape, a little flatted. It is of an unpleafant yellowifh white on the outfide, but i* pretty heavy,, and when broken: the colour is a reddilh purple, very bright and glit- tering. The colour is not uniform, bat appears fometimes in blotches, and fometimes in vein?, in fuch large quantities, that they feem to tinge the whole- mafs. It is not quite fo hard as the former, but will llrike fire with fteel. This is found in rivers and gravel-pitSy and has been brought from Germany and Bohemia. It is faid alfo to have been met with ia gravel-pits near London. The Snow-white Opaque Cryftalline STONE is; of a very fmooth, firm, and clofe texture, with a fmooth even furface : its fize is generally between, a quarter of an inch and two inches, and though it is ibmetimes round, it is more frequently oval and flat- tifti. It is as white as chalk on the outfide, is pretty heavy, and when broken the colour is bright and ihining, and as white as fnow. It confifts of a ho- mogene fubftance, and is extremely hard. It freely ftrikes fire with fteel, but will not ferment with aqua fortis. ft will take a very fine polifh, and is commoa in the gravel-pits of Norfolk. The Opaque Whitifh Reddifti or Yeirowiih CryftaU line STONE, commonly known by the name of the- red white and yellow fparry Pebble, is the moft common Stone we have. It confrfts of a rough ir- regular and opaque fubftance, which is pretty Rnoi and compaft in its texture, with a pretty fmooth fur- face, though often full of cracks which fometimes pe- netrate deep into the body of the Stone. It is met with from the fize of a pea to fix or feven inches vrt diameter, and is inclinable to a roundifli ftiape, though it is fometimes flattifli, efpecially on one fide. The colour is much the fame without and within, and it is irregularly 230 The Natural HISTORY of irregularly tinged with different colours. Thefe are fometimes uniform throughout the whole fubftance of the Stone, but fometimes appear in fpotSy blotches^ and irregular veins. It has a little brightnefs when broken, and appears to be of a loofe texture. It has been thought to confift of fpar, but this is a miftake. They are to be met with in gravel -pits and other pla- ces all over the kingdom. The Yellowifh White Spungy STONE has fome- what of the nature of fand-itones hewn out of quar- ries, infomuch that it might be miftaken for a frag- ment of that kind. The texture is coarfe, but pretty firm, though there are fm all cavities that giveitfome refemblance of a fpunge ; the furface alfo has the fame appearance, and it is generally from half an inch to two inches in diameter. It is pretty heavy, and more or lefs of a yellowifh white, without the leafl bright- nefs. It is compofed of an irregular cryl!alline matter, debafed with a mixture of whitifh and yellowifh opaque fubftance. Tho' it is pretty hard, it will not eafily flrike fire with fleel, nor does it ferment with aqua fortis. When examined with a microfcope it appears to be a petrified fpunge, for there are more cavities than fo- lid matter. It is common in all parts of the king- dom, efpecially in gravel-pits. The Hard Porous Whitifh Cryftalline STONE has a rough cavernous and fpungy furface ; but it has not fo many pores on the infide as the former kind. There are veins on the outfide, difperfed in an irregular man- ner, of different breadths, and often interwoven with each other ; likewife they all fland up in ridges above the furface of the Stone. Sometimes the pores on the infide are wanting, which renders the texture the more firm ; and it is from one inch to fix in diameter, and generally of a flattifh fhape, though fomewhat roundifh. It is naturally white, and fometimes there is a mixture of faint red, or pale yellow. It is pretty heavy, very hard, and is gloffy when broken, efpeci- ally in its veins, which are more clofe and compaft than the refl of the mafs. It flrikes fire with fleel, but will not ferment with a^ua fof tis. It is common in all gravel-pits, Tht Waters, Earths, Fossils, aW Minerals. 231" The Greyiih White Opaque STONE is of a very clofe texture, with a fmooth even furface ; but it is fubjedl to cracks of various fizes, and is from an inch to a foot in diameter, fometimes roundiili, and fome- times flat; but in this lail cafe it is always fubjedl to fijperficial cracks. It is perfeftly opaque and dull when broken, though it confifts of a uniform cryrtal- line fubftance, debafed by a mixture of white and grey clay. It is very heavy, and pretty hard, and will readily ftrike fire with fleel. It is common in gravel-pits. The Brittle White Sandy STONE is of a very loofe brittle texture, with a pretty fmooth regular furface, though it is fomewhat rough to the touch y the ihape is irregular, though generally flattifh, and the fize is from one to twelve inches in diameter. It is pretty- heavy, and when broken appears of a bright glitter- ing white. It Gonfifts of a great deal of pure white fand, to which it may be reduced, and it breaks with the flightell blow into a great number of pieces. It is readily penetrated by water, which will pafs through it unchanged. It will not ferment with aqua fortis. It is not very common, but has been found in the gravel-pits of Northatnptonjhire. The White Cryftalline STONE with yellow fpecks, is by fome called the Worm-feed Stone. It is of a pretty hard compact texture, and generally has a fmooth fur- face, though fometimes there are irregular cavities. It is of a roundiih or oblong Ihape, and thicker at the middle than at the edges. It is commonly about three or four inches in diameter, and the colour is generally- white, though it has fometimes a pale brown call. The fpecks are about the breadth of a fmall pin's head, and are of a very bright pale yellow, by which charadleriftic it is eafily diftinguiihed from all other Stones. The co- lour is dull on the outfide, but bright and glittering when broken ; and it confiils of a large angular grit, extremely well united. It ftrikes fire with fteel, but does not ferment with aqua fortis. It is common in Torkjhirey and is fometimes fouad in the gravel-pits- near London, Whitifij 232 The Natural HISTORY ef Whitlfh Brown Dull STONE is fofter than any of the former, and yet the texture is pretty even and regu- lar. Jt is generally above a foot in diameter, and its fhape is always broad and flat, with deep longitudinal cracks on the furface, which are crofTed with lome that are fmaller. It is of a very pale brown, and has fome- times a faint yellowifh or reddifh tinge. The furface is dull and opaque, and when broken is generally full of cracks, the largeft of which are often filled up with cryllals, which look very bright and glittering. It is pretty heavy, and is harder in fome places than others. It is found in many parts oi England y and particularly on Hampfiead Heath , very deep in the ground. It fometimes contains large pieces of petrified wood, which are fo ftony they cannot be perceived, except by the knots and the like. The Blueilh White Hard Cryftalline STONE is not of a very fine Itrudure, but it is firm and clofe, with a fmooth furface. It is generally from three to ten inches in diameter, and ofaflattifh fhape, fomewhat approaching to roundnefs. It is of a dull light lead colour on the outfide, but when broken is bright and gloify, and the thin pieces are a little tranfparent. It is very heavy, will take a fine polilh, and readily ftrikes fire with fteel. It is very common on the ihores oi Italy, France and England. The Brownifli White Hard Shining STONE is pretty coarfe, but very firm, and has a rough irregu- lar furface. It is about fix or feven inches in dia- meter, though fometimes much fmaller, and at other times extremely large. It is of a dufky white on the outfide, with a fmall mixture of pale brown; but when broken it is bright and glittering, with an un- equal furface. It confifts of a grit with blunt angles, together with roundifli bright particles, cemented to- gether with a fubftance nearly as bright. It is fome- times full of black and green fpecks, of the fize of very fmall grains of fand. It is pretty heavy, and capable of a good polifh ; but it will not ftrike fire with fteel. It ferments violently with aqua fortis, which difcovers its nature, and that it confifts pretty much of fpar. It is found in Dirhyfhin* CHAP. Waters, Earths, Fossils «« Waters, Earths, Fossils ^WMinerals. 255 fpots, and fhort lines. It is without cavities or cracks, aad its outer coat is of various colours, but generally with a white and chalk-like appearance ; fometimes it is of a blueilh brov/n> and fometimes very thick and yellow. It is pretty hard, will take a good polifh, and freely flrikes fire v.'ith fteel. It is very common in gravel-pits.. The Greenifh Flinty STONE is not fo clofe and compad as former, nor yet fo fine, though the fur- face is pretty fmooth and even. It is generally of a roundifh or oblong fhape, and from half an inch to two inches in diameter. It is always of the fame co- lour, without either fpot or cloud, which is of a deep dufky and fomewhat blueifh green. It is fometimes of the colour of green jafper, but has a coarfe look,, as it contains a great deal of earth. The coat is ge- nerally thick and white, and fometimes of a blueifh dufky grey. When broken the furface is even, and as it is very hard, it will bear a good poliih. It rea- dily llrikes fire with fleel, but v/ill not ferment with aqua fortis. It is not very common, and confequently but feldom found. CHAP. XXXI. Of Common PEBBLE-STONES. TH E Yellowifh Grey PEBBLE with a blueifh, white cruft is of a fine clofe texture, and the furface, though regular, is a little wrinkled. The fhape is roundifh or oblong, and the fize from one to five inches in diameter. It has commonly a large nucle- us in the centre, inclofed in a broad coat, which is covered with a very thin cruft. The nucleus is of a greyifh yellow^ fometimes perfeftly blended together, and fometimes irregularly mixed in the form of clouds or large fpots. There are often white opaque fpots difpcrfed here and there, and the nucleus approaches to pure flint. The coat next to it is of a blueifh white, and of a. fomewhat coarfer texture. The ex-. ternali 236 rhe Natural HISTORY of ternal cruft is of a whiter colour, and is of the fame fubftance, only there is a greater mixture of earth. When broken it has a fmooth gloffy furface, and the nucleus is pretty tranfparent. It is very hard, will bear a good polifh, and Ilrikes fire with fteel. It is found in the gravel-pits in Northamptonjhirey and fome- times in thofe near London i however, when found it is of no value. The Whitifh Grey and Reddifh Coated PEBBLE, with a yellow centre, is more beautiful than the for- mer, and has a fine clofe texture, with a pretty even furface, though full of wrinkles. It is of a flattifh round fhape, and the common fize is about three inches in diameter. It is compofed of a large nucleus, which is the principal part of the flone, and is of a deep bright yellow, and pretty tranfparent. It is fome- times marked with roundifh whitifh fpots, from the bignefs of a pin's head to that of a pea, and is fur- rounded with a coat of a pale greyifh white, of a flinty fubftance, which fometimes receives the matter of the nucleus into itfelf in the form of clouds, mak- ing a broad undulated line. This is generally covered with a red coat, and that with the external cruft, which confifts of a great quantity of earth. Wheji broken it has a gloffy furface, and is hard enough to take a polilh. It is ver)' common on Hampjiead Heath, and in many other places. The White Black Brown and Straw-coloured PEBBLE, with a yellow nucleus, is a very beautiful Hone, and of a fine texture. It is generally of a roundifh or oval fliape, and feldom exceeds three inches in diameter. The nucleus is large, and is the principal part of the ftone. It is furrounded with feve- ral coats, which refemble the zones of the onyx. The nucleus is very bright, and pretty tranfparent, and of a deep but not bright yellow. It is fometimes of the fame colour throughout, and has clouds of a different yellow and flint colour, alfo opaque Ipecks of a palifh white, and fometimes likewife the centre is tranfpa- rent cryftal. The nucleus is ufually furrounded with a narrow black circular line, and is covered with a coat of a paler yellow than the nucleus, and that by another Waters, Earths, Fossils an^i Mikekals. 237 another of an opaque white ; the next is of a pale brown, befides which there are four or five others of the fame colours placed alternately. Thefe are all covered with a blueifli cruft, but fometimes with a whitifh, and always greatly wrinkled. When broken, the furface is glofly and pretty tranfparent, and is very hard and will bear a good polifti. It ftrikes fire with fteel, but will not ferment with aqua fortis. It is common on Hampjiead Heath. The Whitifh Blueifti and Brown PEBBLE, with a dull brown nucleus, has a clofe and firm texture, with an even furface, only it is wrinkled. It is ge- nerally of a roundiih or oval Ihape fomewhat flatted, and the fize is from one to five inches in diameter. The nucleus is pretty large, of a deepifh brown and of a pretty fine texture, but not very tranfparent or bright. It is commonly furrounded with a broad whitifh coat, then with a narrower of the fame co- lour as the nucleus ; after that is a third of the fame fubftance with the inner coat, and thefe are covered by one of a blueifh colour, of a more flinty texture than the other part of the Stone, over which there is a crufl like the reft, but more earthy. This account of the Stone will hold good in general, butit is fubjed to great varieties, as indeed are many others. When broken the furface is very bright and gloffy, and as it is pretty hard, it will bear a good polifh. It is common on Hampjiead Heath, and in the gravel-pits about London. The PEBBLE with white and brown coats, and a fhining brown nucleus, is a very pure and beautiful Stone, and has a fine clofe texture, with the common wrinkled furface of other Pebbles. It is generally of a round or oval form a little flatted, and commonly four or five inches in diameter. The nucleus is very large and oblong, and of a deep bright pleafant brown. It is tranfparent, though fometimes fubjedl to whitifti fpecks. It is furrounded with a coat of a milky white, fometimes mixed with a little pearly blue ; and next to that is one of the fame colour with the nucleus, only it is not fo tranfparent nor bright. Over this is the cruft that covers the whole, and in general it is not i^S ^-^ Natural H IS TORY of not inferior to an agate. When broken, it has it bright glofTy furface, and where thin is pretty trnfpa- rent ; it is extremely hard, capable of a fine polifh> and will ftrike fii-e with fteel. It is found in gravel-'' pits, but is not fo common as the former. The PEBBLE with white brown and yellow coats, with a fmall brownifh yellow nucleus, has a fine clofe texture> with the wrinkled furface of other Pebbles. It is commonly roundifh or oval, and the common fize is about an inch in diameter. The nucleus is about as big as a fmall nutmeg, and is furrounded by a coat of a dull opaque impure white, and that with one of a pale whitifh brown ; the next is of a pale red or flefh-colour, and the fourth of a blackifh brown. The outer crufl is a pale yellow, and as thick as any of the reft. The nucleus is pretty bright, but has little or no tranfparency ; however, this Stone, as well as others, is fubje<5l to fome varieties. It is very hard, will bear a line polifh, and readily ftrikes fire v^'ith fteel. It is pretty common in the gravel-pits about London, and might be put to good uies by the lapidaries. The PEBBLE with greyifh white, pale bi-own, and reddifh coats, with a fmali brown nucleus, is of a very fine clofe texture, and has the wrinkled furface common to other Pebbles. The Ihape is roundifh or oval, and is commonly four or five inches in diameter. The nucleus is ufually of the fize of a nutmeg, and of a deep brown colour. This is covered with a coat of a pale whitifh grey colour, and that by another that is of the like but thinner, and next to thefe there are generally four or five of the fame colour as the nucleus, and others of a very pale whitifh brown alternately difpofed. There are alfo five or fix others alternately dilpofed of the fame brown with the nucleus, and of a very pale brown. Thefe are furrounded by the cruft, which is generally whitifli ; the nucleus is frequently fpotted with fmall black points. It is more tranfparent than moft other Pebbles, and when broken has a flinty furface ; it is very hard, will bear a good polifh, and ftrikes fire with fteel. It is com- mon in the gravel-pits on Hampjicad Heath, Th« i Waters, EarthS; Fossils ^?;7^Minerals» 239 The PEBBLE with yellow, red, and blueifh white coats, with a reddifh brown nucleus, is of an exceed- ing tine firm texture, and is not fo wrinkled on the furface as moft of the other kinds. Jt is of a roundifh flattiih fliape, and commonly about three inches in diameter; the nucleus is pretty large, of a very fine texture, and pretty bright and tranfparent. It is of a pale red, and is inclofed in a coat of a fine pearl- colour or blueifh white, which is pure, bright and tranfparent ; next to this is a fine red coat, and after that feveral pearl-col-oured and red coats alternately placed ; over thefe there are three or four coats of a pale yellow, and the outer cruft is of a pale blueifii colour. It is more tranfparent than moft other Pebbles, and when broken has an even furface ; it is very hard, will bear the highefl polifh, and readily ftrikes fire with fteel. It is common in the gravel-pits about Kenjington and many other places. It is in fome ufe with our lapidaries. The PEBBLE with white orange brown and dufky yellow coats, and a brown nucleus, is of a very fine clofe texture, with a wrinkled furface as the reft of the Pebbles. It is of roundifh or oval fhape, and from one to three inches in diameter. The nucleus is fmall, and the coat that immediately furrounds it is of a clear white. The next to that is orange, and then there are eight or ten of different colours, compofed of brown or yellow, after which are others of a dufky white, v/ith a fine orange-colour between them. The whole is very pure, bright and tranfparent, though it is fubjeft to many variations. When broken it has a fine gloffy furface, is extremely hard, and con- fequently will bear a very fine polifh. It is common in the gravel-pits on HampJIead Heathy and in many other places about London. The PEBBLE with whitiih brownifn and yellowlfii coats, and a brown nucleus, is of a more coarie texture than any of the former, though it is pretty firm and hard. The furface is more fmooth than that of other Pebbles, and it is generally pretty round, and be- tween two and three inches in diameter. The nucleus feldom exceeds the fize of a horfe-bean, and is fur- rounded 240 ne Natural HISTORY ef rounded by an irregular undulated coat, compofed of others that are narrow ; next to this are three or four others, which are compofed partly of a very deep brown, with fome that are yellowiih, and others of a dufky pale blue. They have all a mean appearance, and are perfectly opaque. It is very fcarce, and is of no value. The PEBBLE with yellowiih brown and afh- coloured coats, and a blueilh white large nucleus, is a very beautiful ftone, and has a fine firm texture with a wrinkled furface. It is generally roundifh, and from one to four inches in diameter. The nucleus is large and very beautiful, and fometimes makes the principal part of the ftone. It is of an exceeding £ne texture, and very bright and tranfparent, ap- proaching to a white cornelian. It is of the colour of pearl with a blueiih white, but is often debafed with clouds, fpots, and veins of an opaque white. This is furrounded with a yellowifh brown coat that is clear and tranfparent, and then there is another of a pale afh-coloured grey as fine as the former : thefe are furrounded with the outer cruft, which is of a blueifh or afh colour ; however, the coats and the Hones are met with in different proportions. It is more tranfparent than any of the reft, is very hard, will take a fine polifh, and ftrike fire with fteel. It is common in the gravel-pits on Hampjlead Heathy and about Wind/or. The PEBBLE with flefh-coloured, brown, and blueifh white coats, and a fine large white nucleus, has a fine, clofe and firm texture, and the furface has only fome flight wrinkles ; the fhape is roundifh or oval, and generally about two or three inches in diameter. The nucleus is oblong, and not fo blue as that of the former, but is as fine, bright and tranfparent. \t is encompaffed with a great number of coats of a pale brown, blueifh white, and a pale white light red placed alternately, and covered with a whitifh cruft. They feem all to be of an equal de- gree of brightnefs and tranfparency ; but it is fubjedl to great variations. Jt is hard enough to ftrike fire With fteel, and will bear a very fine polifli. It is common Waters, Earths, Fossils a;?^ Minerals. 24! common in the gravel-pits of He,tfordJJnY.ej and is ufed in London to make tops for fnulF- boxes. The PEBBLE with red flefh-coloured and yellow- coats, and a white nucleus, is a fine beautiful Stone, and of a very fine clofe texture, with a wrinkled fur- face like that of other Pebbles. It is generally roundifh though fometimes oblong, and is commonly about three inches in diameter. The nucleus is commonly pretty large and opaque, though of a very fine texture, and is frequently full of coarfe roundifli white fpots. This is commonly encompafTed by a thin bright red coat, and that by one of a beautiful bright yellow, next to which there is another of a flcih-colour, and tlien four, five or fix others of the fome colours, but not placed in an alternate order. They are all very bright, and more tranfparent than tlie nucleus. Some- times the nucleus with the coats all blend into one mafs ; but they are more frequently, inftead of bsing formed into coats, difpofed in irregular lines and veins. When broken, the furface is fine and fmooth, and as it is very hard, will take an elegant polifh, as well as ftrike fire with fteel. It is common in the gravel-pits on Hampjfead Heath. The PEBBLE with very thin numerous brown and yellow coats, and a greyifh white nucleus, is of an exceeding fine clofe texture, with a furface not fo much wrinkled as in other Pebbles. It is generally of a roundiili fliape, and from one to four inches in diameter. The nucleus is large and of a fine texture, but not quite fo tranfparent as the reft of the Stone. The grey and the white are fometimes difl:in6l, and at others blended together, but is fubjeft to fmall grey- opaque fpots. The coats are many in number, but only of two colours, that is, a pale brownifh yellow and a duflcy brown placed alternately. They are very bright and beautiful and very tranfparent, and are covered with white opaque dull cr^ifts. It has a gloffy furface when broken, is very hard, will bear a £ne polifh, and will ftrike fire with fteel. It is com- mon among gravel in Hertfordjhire. The PEBBLE with brown, yellow and white coats, and a greyifh white nucleus, is of a fine clofe texture. Vol. V. M with 243 The Natural HISTORY of with a rugged wrinkled furface; is generally oblong and flattilh, and from one inch to hve in diameter. The nucleus is fometimes no bigger than a horfe-bean, though the Pebble be large ; and yet it is kmetimes an inch broad in Imallcr. The furface is gloiiy, but it is very opaque, encompaffed by m:.ny fine regular coats of a fine deep brown, a very pale yellow with a little mixture of brown, and a ytry fine white. The brown is next to the nucleus, and the other colours are placed alternately, but tinged more than one at a time. The white olten looks a little dirty, from be- ing tinged with the coats ^ on each iide. That under the crull, which is generally of a blueifh grey, is brown ; however, the v/hole is fubjedl to great vari- eties. Its furfice is gloffy when broken, and, as it is very hard, will bear a good polifh, and llrike fire with fteel. It is common on Ha?npj}ead Heath, and in the gravel-pits about IjUvgton. The PEBBLE with white grey and flefh-coloured coats, and a very white nucleus, is of an even clofe texture, with a very rough wrinkled furface, and a flat roundiili ihape, from two to three inches in dia- meter. The nucleus is of various fizes, from the big- nefs of a pea to that of a v.alnut; and is of a fine texture, but opaque and dull, as are all the other co- lours. It is irregularly furrounded with many coats of diiferent thicknelles and different colours. Some- tim-cs the grey, the white, the yellow, and the flefh- colour appear dillin<5l in the fame ilone ; but this is feldom., for they a;e moil commonly blended together. When broken it has a fmooth but not a gloffy furface, and is fo hard as to be capable of a good polifh, and llrikes fire with fleel. It is common in the gravel- pits about London. The PEBBLE with brown ferruginous and ysHow coats, and a brov^nifh white nucleus, is one of the coarfefl of this kind; but the texture is hard and com- pact, and the furface is not fo wrinkled as many others : however, there are feveral prominences and cavities, which render the fnape irregular, though it is gene- rally fomcwhat oblong. It is from one to four inches in diameter J and the nucleus is fometimes fo pale, that Waters, Earths, Fossils 43;;^ Minerals. 2^; tnat it is almoft white. It is encompafled with four or five coatf, whofe colours are very good : that next the nucleus is of a rufly-coloured brown, the next to that piile brown ; after which is another of a rufly brown, then one of a deep yellow ; the next is brown, and then comes the crull, which is of a pale whidili grey. It appears rough when broken, and it is fo hard as to ftrike fire with fteel. It is not very com- mon, though it has been met with indifferent places. The PEBBLE v/ith brown and grey coats, and a blueiih nucleas, is of a very fine firm texture, with a fmooth furface, and not fo much wrinkled as many others. 7'he Ihape u oblong, and from one to three inches in diameter. The nucleus is of a pure flinty fubftance, fometim.es of tlie fame uniform colour, but more frequently veined or fpotted with a ligliter or darker colour of the fame kind. This is encompafied with a fine deep brown coat, which is very bright ; and that is fucceeded by one of an afh-colour, as bright as the nucleus. The crull is next to thefe, which is pretty thick. This ftone is fubjefl to varia- tions, for it has fometimes to the number of fix coats, and fometimes there are two blended into one. It has fomevvhat more of a tranfparency than moil: of this kind ; and as it is extremely hard, it is cap.ible of a good polifh. It is met with in fome parts of Herf/lt d~ foire. The PEBBLE with thick whitifh and red coats, and a grey nucleus, is of a very fine texture, but the fur- face is rough, irregular, and deeply wrinkled. Its fliape generally tends to roundifli, and it is moll com- monly an inch and a half in diameter. The nucleus is hard, bright, gloify, and tranfparent ; the next coat is ufually red, with a little mixture of rufty brown, and is not fo tranfparent as the other parts of the ftone; next to this is a coat of a blueifh white or pearl co- lour, very bright j after this comes the cruil, which is thick, coarfe, of a very bright white, and of a loofe flony fubftance. This is the common appearance of the ftone, and fometimes the coats are more nume- rous. It is very hard, the fubftance being flinty, and is capable of the higheft poliOi. It is not common ; M z but 244 "^^^ Natural HISTORY of but it has been found in Northamptonjhire, and near Paddi7:gtcn. The PEBBLE with white flefli-colour and bright red coats, and a blueilh white nucleus, is of a fine dole even texture, with a very rugged wrinkled fur- face, and a roundiih fhape. It is not above two inches in diameter, and the nucleus is furrounded with many white, fiefh-coloured, and red crufts, beautifully dif- pofed, but not always alternately; though that next it is generally red, and they all together have a very fine effeft. This ftone is generally xtxy bright and tranfparent, and when broken it has a fmooth glofiy furface, is very hard, and will bear a fine polifn. It is very common on Harnpjiead Heath. The PEBBLE with brown yellow and flefh-coloured coats, and a greyiih blue nucleus, is of exceeding fine fmcoth texture, with a furface a little wrinkled, and is of a roundifh or oblong fhape, but a little flatted, and feldom mere than three inches in diameter. The nuc- leus is very beautiful, bright and tranfparent. It is encompaffed with many coats of a pale brown, and a fine red, which fometimesis of a flefh-colour, and alfo of a fomev.'hat dark yellow, they are not always difpofed in the fame order ; but the fiefli-coloured coat is ge- nerally next, the nucleus and the yellow coats are fewefl in number ; but it is often debafed with fmall coarfe fpots, and perhaps more than any other. When broken, it is of a fine gloffy furface, is extremely hard, and capable of a very fine polifli. The PEBBLE with white yellow ilefh-coloured and red coats, and a greenifh blue nucleus, is undoubtedly the moft beautiful of the EngUJh Pebbles, for it comes up to the Gerjnan Agates. The texture is exceeding fine, fmooth, and hard, with a furface lefs wrinkled than moll other kinds. The fhape is roundifh or oblong, and from three to four inches in diameter. The nu- cleus is pretty large, and fometimes round, but more commonly oval. It is of a very fine texture, with a glofiy furface, and in thin pieces quite tranfparent. It is gene ally of a deep blueifh green, which is fome- times fo dark as to appear almoll black, and often of a dufky blue : it is likewife fometimes of fo bright a green, Waters, Earths, Fossils /j;?^/Min&rals. 245 green, that it is not inferior to the green jafper. The coats are fine, and beautifully difpofed like the zones of an onyx, and are all bright and tranfparent. Some are of a bright v/hite, others of a fine deep yellow, others of an agreeable pale flefh-colour, and others again of a bright deep red. The coats are very thin, and lie evenly throughout the whole fubrtance of the fione ; but the flefh-colour and v/hite are moft com- monly near the nucleus, and the yellow towards the furface : however, it is fubjed: to great varieties. It is more tranfparent than any other Pebble, and wheti broken is of a fine even flinty furface,~Capable of bear- ing the moft perfect polifh. It is common in many parts o^ England, in particular near London in the road to Highgate, and efpecially among the gravel in the foot-path from Pancras to Kenii/h-Tc-cvn. It is fome- times ufed by our lapidaries, but not fo much as it de- fer ves. The PEBBLE with whitifh brown and yellowifh coats, and a flefh-coloured nucleus, is of a fine and fmooth texture, with a very firm, rough, unequal, thick cruft, it being full of prominences and cavities. 7'he fliape is very irregular and uncertain, it being ragged and uneven in feveral parts, and looking more like a flint than a pebble. The fize is from an i:ich to eight in diameter, and the nucleus is prettv large, with a fhape like that of the fl:one itfelf. It is of an agreeable flefli-colcur with a flight tinge of blue, and the coats are not above three or four in number; which are of a fine deep brown, a duflcy white, and a pale and darkilh yellow. The yellow coat lies next the nucleus, the white next to that, and then the brown ; and in fome a thick yellow coat lies over thefe, bound- ed by a very narrow one of deep brown. The fur- face is of a pale whitiih brown, and extremely coarfe, being often half an inch thick. This ftone, like others, is fubjc^t to great variations. It is pretty tranf- parent, and when broken it has a fine flinty furface; and it is fo hard as to bear a very good polilh. It may be met with in Torkjhire. The PEBBLE v/ith white and brown coats, and a white nucleus, is of a very fine clofe texture, with a M 3 rugged 246 The Natural HISTORY 0/ lagged unequal furface, having prominences like warts^ with frndl irregular cavities and deep wrinkles. It is commonly of a roimdifn, cblong, fiattidi fhape, and from two to three inches in diameter. The nucleus is bright and white, but not very clear; and the num- ber of coats is uncertain, being fometimes three or four, and at ether times fix or eight; which are all of two colours, that is, a fine deep brown, and a very bright white. This flone is alfo fubjedl to great va- riations, for the nucleus is often wanting, and a white matter is diiTufed in irregular veins, like thofe of agates. The brown parts are very bright and gloffy^ aiid pretty tranfparent; but the white is much more opaque. When broken it is bright a,nd fmooth, and being extremely hard will bear a pretty fine poliih. It is \^\y common in the gravel-pits of Northampton/hire and Lcicejierjbire. The PEBBLE with black, white, and flcfli-coloured coats, and a red nucleus, is of an exceeding fine clofe texture, with a fmooth even furface, the wrinkles be- ing very fjpcrficia!. The ihape is generally roundifh, and it feldom exceeds three inches in diameter. The nucleus is encompaiTed with many tliln coats of a fine jet black, a clear white, and a fiefti-colour. The black is commonly next. to the nucleus, then the flefli- cclour, and after that the white; but it is fometimes one, and fometimes the other : the reft follow alter- nately, though not always. The outermoft coat is ge- Ticraily of a flefh-Oolour, and over that is the cruft, which is very thin. The nucleus is of a fine bright tranfparent red, and equal to many of the heft cor- nelians. The nefli-ccloured parts are the moll opaque of any in the (lone; but the black coats are extremely beautiful, being very bright and gloffy, and when thin are pretty tranfparent: however, this ftone is fubjeft to great varieties, and fometimes the nucleus is wanting. When broken the furface appears to be flinty, it being extremely hard, and capable of an ex- cellent poliih. It is not very common, but it has been iound on Hampjhad Heath, and in the gravel-pits of Nortbamptovjhire, The Waters, Earths, Fossils ^7;?^ Minerals. 247 The PEBBLE with yellow, and greenilli white coats, and a yellow nucleus, is of a very fine dole texture, with a remarkably imooth furface, it having only a few fuperficial wrinkles. It is generally pretty round, and between one and three inches in diameter. The nucleus is fmall, but of a fine texture, a glofiy fur- face, and pretty tru.irparcnt. It is of the colo j- of the common yellow cornelian, and encompafied g-^ne- rally with but a Imail number of coat of two colours, namely, a yeliow a little deeper than the nucleus, and - a very pleafaut v/h'tiih green; of which colour the coat next the nu.leus always is, and after that is a yellow, next a green, and fo on alternately. The outer coat, on which the thin cruft is laid, is fometimes of a pale browniih white, but not always ; befides which there are often other varieties. The nucleus and the yellov/ coats are tranfparent, and much m.O'-e Co thaa the green. It is extremely hard, capable of a fine po- litli, and readily ft; ikes fire with freel, like the relt of this kind, it is very uncommon, but has been feeu on the fnores of Yorkjhire. The PEBBLE with purple and pale yellow coats, and a red nucleus, is of a fine firm texture; but the furlace is remarkably rough, being full of inequali- ties, though it has but a few deep wrinkles. The Ihape is irregular, and the fize various, fome being lefs than an inch, and others four inches in diameter. The nucleus is alfo irregular, and of a ftrong deep red, though pretty bright and glofly, but with little tranf- parency. It is furrounded by two or three coats of a fine pale yellow, and a purplifn black colour ; which laft, held up to the light, • appear of a fine deep pur- ple. All parts of the ftone are bright and gioily, but thofe that are yellow are moft tranfparent, and there is generally a yellow coat next the nucleus : thofe that follow are commonly placed altej-nately, and are pret- ty thick ; there is iikewife a yellow one next tfic out- ward cruft, which is white within, and yellowiili on the furface. This ftone, as vvell as many of the for- mer, is fubjeft to great varieties ; but it is always ex- ceeding hard, and when cut into plates is very tranf- parent. It is very uncommon, but lome have been M 4 found 24S The Natural HISTORY^/ found on the fhores of Sii£}x, and in the gravel-pits libout Oxford. The PEBBLE with grey and pale red coats, and a yellow nucleus, is pretty fine and firm, with a fmooth even furface, only there are fuperficial wrinkles. It is generally roundilh, and from one to fix inches in diameter. The nucleus is of a dufky yellow, and commonly about the fize of a hazle nut. It is opaque, and has a curdled look; and is furrounded by feveral coats of a pale red, placed alternately with fome that are thicker, of a pale afh-colour or blueilh grey, not unlike ferae of the paler flints. The pale red or flefh- colour is made fo by a mixture of grey, and the outer- mcfl: coat is ufually of this lafl: colour, over which there is a pale blueifh grey cruft. This alfo is fubjecl to the like varieties with the reft ; and it is coarfe in comparifon with one of the former, though it is pretty- hard, and takes a tolerable polifli. It is found in great plenty on the (hores of TcrkfrAre, and fometimes in the gr.avtl-pits about London. The PEBBLE withted, parple, blueifh, and brov/n coats, and a pale grey nucleus, is not of fb fine a tex- ture as any of the reft, though it is pretty fmooth, and \Q.ry firm, with a furface furrowed with deep wrinkles. It is commonly of a roundifh fhape, and about four inches in diameter. The nucleus is of a pale grey, or whitifh alli colour, encompafled with a creat number of thin coats of feveral colours, as a deep red, a bright purple, a greenifh blue, and a glofiy brown ; thefe laft are more tranfparent than any of the reft : but thefe, upon the account of their coarf- nefs, liave but a dull look, which renders the ftone \t(^ beautiful. The coat next the ftone is of a red colour,, and thickifti, but not clear or bright ; next this is one of brown, bat the reft of the coats are difpofed with- out any regularity, though they are \txy prettily va- rieo-ated. The outer coat is generally of a blueifh grey, and thicker than the reft ; but the cruft is com- monly very thin and whitifti. It has a fmooth flinty furface when broken, and is fo hard as to take an even polifti. It is not common, though it has been fome- times met with in ilertjlrdjhire. The Waters, Earths, Fossils ^;;^/ Minerals. 249 The PEBBLE with black and white coats, and a black nucleus, is of an exceeding fine clofe texture, with a rough furface, generally full of deep wrinkles and protuberances, of the fize of a horfe-bean. It is of a flattiih round Ihape, and commonly four or five inches in diameter; the nucleus is pretty large, and of a fine glofiy black. The coats are of a pearl co- lour, and black like the nucleus, and placed alter- nately ; but the whiteft are the thinnefl, and the out- ermolt is always black, and thinner than the rell. The cruft that covers the whole is generally very thick, and feems to be of a coarfe chalky fubftance. This is alfo fubjedl to great varieties like the reft, and there- fore hardly needs to be fo often repeated. It is more tranfparent than any of the former, it being extremely hard, and when broken has a fine glofiy furface. It will bear a very good polilh, and like the reft ftrikes fire with fleel, but will not ferment with aqua fortis any more than they. It is pretty common on the Sujfex and Torkjhire ihores. It is fometimes made into feals and other toys, and looks like an oriental ftone. The PEBBLE with brown and greyilh black coats, and a yellowifh brown nucleus, has a pretty fine firm texture, though the furface is pretty rough and une- qual, and deeply wrinkled. It is commonly of a flatti/li round fhape, and from two to fix inches in diameter. The nucleus is large, and of a brownifli yellow, or tawney, furrounded with a few thick coats, fome of which are of a greyilli black, and others of a pretty clear brown. The nucleus is generally fur- rounded with a pale grey coat, after which the brown and darker grey are placed alternately. The outer- moft coat is always brown, though but thin, and the cruft that covers it is thin and blueifh, but of a much paler colour on the protuberances, than on the other parts. It is not very tranfparent, but has a gloiiy furface when broken, and is fo very hard as to be ca- pable of a good polilh. It is to be met with in t;.e gravel-pits oi Hertfordjhire, Buckinghamjhire, and Ncrt/j- amptonjhire. The PEBBLE with white and greeniih coats, and a pale grey nucleus, is of a pretty fine texture, and M 5 vt'cy 250 The Natural H I S T O R Y c/ I very firm, with a fmcoth furface, without many wrin- kles. It is almoll: always round, and is from one to three inches in diameter. The nucleus is fmall and round, and encompafied with coats of two colours, feme of which are entirely white, and others of a faint grpyifii green ; but a white coat is generally next the nucleus. Sometimes thefe colours are blended with each ether, and have undulated edges running through one another, to the fucceeding coat : the outermoft coat is of a paler or greyer green than the reft, and but thin, as well as the crult that lies over ir, which is of a pale blueilli afli colour. It is but little tranfparcnt, though it breaks with an even furface ; however, it is fo hard as to bear a pretty good polilh. It is found on the fiiores of the river Thames, and fometimes in the gravel-pits about IJlington, The PEBBLE with yellowifli brown and black criirrs, with a brownifli white nucleus, is the Egyptiatt Pebble of the lapidaries. It has an exceeding fine clofe texture, and the furface is not fo wrinkled as many of our Pebbles. It is commonly of an oblong fhape, though fometimes very irregular ; it is of various fizcs, but the moll common feems to be about four or five ir.chcs long. The nucleus is of a very irregular fhape, and of different fizes, but it is always of a pale whitifh brown, and fometimes with veins or fpots of a dufky colour. It is alfo often variegated with the colours of black trees, flirubs and mofTes. When it is large^ it fpreads itfelf fo much as to have fome refemblance to a beaft or fi(h, or at Icaft fome of their parts ; like- wife fome have had the diilin(5l reprefentation of a hn- rr-an face. It is pretended that one in the mufasum of Sir Hans Sloan, exadlly reprefents the features of the poet Chaucer ; and that fome have known it immedi- ately to be fuch. However, the beauty of the ftone is in a great meafure owing to thofc oddneffes. The nucleus is commonly furrounded with a pretty thick ciufl:, of a pale brovv'nilh yellow, and that by one of black ; thefe are encompafied with others which are irany in number, and paitly black, and partly of a deeper or paler yellow. Every part is much of the fame degree of purity, but, if any, the black is finer than Waters, Earths, Fossils ^7«^Minerai ?. 251 than the relt. It is met with in Egypt^ Aralia^ rtnd fome of the iflands of the Archipelago. There is a ibrt of it in Germmiy, and fome parts of Sufex, but the/ aie not fo fine as the Egyptian. The PEBBLE with yellow and pale brown coats, and a deep green nucleus, is very beautifully varie- gated, but is not fo pure as fome of the former, and it is of a pretty coarfe rough unequal texture, though it is pretty firm, and has a fmooth furface, with very few wrinkles. It is generally roundiih, and from one to five inches in diameter. The nucleus is large, and of a dark dufky green, furroUnded by a number of crults in different Hones, which are alfo different in their thickneHes. Some are of a deep yellow, and others of a pale whitifh brown, difpofed aUernately ; but one that is whitifh, or very pale, ufually furrounds the nucleus, and the outer coat is commonly yellow, and pretty thick ; the cruft is always whitifh, and has a chalky look, but not very thick. The furface when broken is not very fmooth, and yet it is fo hard as to bear a good poliHi. It has been found on Ha?npJ!ead Heathy and about Kenjingtofi, CHAP. XXXII. 0/ S A N D S and GRITS. FINE Shining White SAND is generally made ufe of to dry up the v/etnefs of the ink in writ- in?;-, lell it fhould blot, and for this reafon is almcft univerfiily known. It is pretty fine, and is generally found very pure, and of a pretty fine white. It has fome brightnefs, and if it be very good is a litrle fparkling, and the particles feem to be much of a. fize. It feels a little rough between the fingers, and fettles very quick when mixed v*ii:h water ; but. '''evv ed through a microfcope the particles appear to be of very different fizes and fhapcs, bui: they are all ibme- what angular. Tliey aru all .vhitc, and hou;ih fome are opaque, many are as tranfparent as cryilai glafs. It 2^2 7he Natural HISTORY cf It makes no feimentation with aqua fortis, nor yef any of the reft, and therefore this circumftance needs not be repeated. It is found in many parts of Eng- land, in ftrata of great depth; but as there are fome cf yellow fand lying near it, it is no great wonder it Ihould be fom.etimes mixed therewith. It is of great n^Q in making glafs, but not fo good as tliat with flint;, however, it dees not require fo laborious a procefs. Sands in general will ferve for the fame purpofe, and they are made ufeof in fome counties to manure ftiiF clay lands, for though they are barren of themfelves, the lands; are rendered fertile by their mixture, be- caufe they are thereby made more fufceptible of water, which otherwife would not penetrate ftiit clay. This like wife is the principal part which beftows firmnefs to bricks, tiles and Hone. It is alfo of great ufe in making mortar, which commonly unites the joints of bricks and ftones, and renders them immoveable- Likcwife Sand mixed with mud or clay will make a fort of mortar, but lefs durable, though often ufed in the country for the walls of cottages. It is alfo Sand that gives a confiftence to potters clay, for otherwife it would crack when wrought into veffels, and con- fequently fall in pieces, or at leaft the veflels v/oulA be ufelefs. It fometimes ferves for polifhing the liardeft bodies, and for cleaning thofe that are tar- nifhed. The Large Shining White SAND is coarfe, with T^i^'^^Qt to the former, though it is generally very pure. It is of a pretty good white, \sith fome brightnefs and fparkling, and feems to confifts of regular uniform par- ticles, which are harfh and rough to the touch. When mixed with water it fettles immediately, leaving no foulnefs behind it. All the particles are of a fome- what oblong and irregularly angular Ihape, and when \iewed through a microfcope, the furfaces appear to be fmooth, and as tranfparent as white glafs. It is of great value among thofe that make glafs, and is commonly brought out of Kent to LondoJi. Fine White very Shining; SAND is thebeftofall of that colour, it being perfedlly pure, pretty heavy, and of a pure white, and is very remarkable for its lullre. It Waters, Earths, Fossils ^^^^Minerals. 253 It is compofed of very uniform particles with even furfaces, and is extremely hard. When thrown into water it fmks immediately, without leaving foulnefs behind it. When viewed through a microfcope the particles appear to be a little oblong, and of irregular angular fhape, with a fine clear water, it being little inferior to the purell cryrtal ; and indeed this and the two former are entirely of that fubllance, except, as fome fuppofe, there is a fmall mixture of white earth. It is found on the Ihores of moft of the rivers iti Italy y and is of great value in glafs-making» Some affirm, it glitters by candle-light like fo many fmall diamonds. Fine brownifh white dull SAND is pretty heavy, but does not Ihine to the naked eye, for it appears rather like a heap of fine duft. The particles feem to be very regular and uniform with regard to their fize and fhape ; however, when it is mixed with. water it does not fubfide with fuch fpeed as the for- mer, and it leaves a whitifli muddinefs behind it. When viewed by a microfcope, the particles appear to be of different fliapes and fizes, but chiefly roundifh, fome of them having rough furfaces, and others flattifh ; but they are all more or lefs tranfparent. It is found in Sitjj'ex and Kent, but is not made ufe of for glafs, becaufe better forts are plenty. Yellowifh White Fine Dull SAND is pure, fine, and pretty heavy ; but it has no brightnefs. The particles are very fmall, and feemingly very uniforni and regular : to the touch it feems to be fofter and finer than mofl other fands, and yet mixed with water it foon fubfides to the bottom, but leaves a yellowifli muddinefs behind it. When viewed through a mi- crofcope, the particles appear to be of irregular fhapes, though they have fomewhat of a roundnefs, and the furfaces of many are rough ; they are tranfparent in different degrees, and the colour is not quite the fame in all, for fome are almoft without any. It is met with in all parts of the world, and fome pretend the defarts of Arabia are covered with this fort, which, however, is very uncertain, becaufe it may be doubted whether it has ever been brought to Ejtgland or not. • Red- 254 5"/v Natural HISTORY of Reddifh White very Fine Dull SAND, though ex- treirely fine, is pretty heavy, and of a whitifli colour, tinged with a little flefli-colour. It has not the leaii brightncfs, and the particles ieem to be all of a fize, though they are exceeding fmall, and they feel harfh to the touch. Shaken together with water, it fubfides very flowly, but when thoroughly fettled it leaves no muddinefs behind; however, when viewed through a microfcope, the particles appear to be of different fhnpes and fizes, fome of them being at leaft twenty limes fmaller than the reil. They are all more or Icfs tranfparent, and fome of them are perfectly fo. There are fome of this fort in England, particularly in Large Brownifli White Shining SAND contains di mixture of coloured particles, and is coarfe, heavy, and of a colour which feems to be made up of a mixture of brcwnilb, yellowifh and whitifli, with a faint reddifhnefs. It is very bright, and its particles, though of different colours, feem to be m.uch of a f:7e to the naked eye. When fliook with watef it immediately fettles, without leaving any foulnefs. When viewed through a microfcope, the particles ftill .nppear to be much of a fize, and of an oblong Ibape with angular edges ; but there are fome that are roundilb, and of a fine clear yellow ; fome dufey, but very beautiful, and fome of a pale fleih-colour. The white particles are perfedlly tranfparent, but the reddifli are almoft opaque. It is found at Hcdgerly near Wind/or, where it lies among loam. Large Yellowifh W ite Shining SAND confifts of pretty large coarfe particles, which are very heavy, though fomewhat lefs than the former. It is very clean and remarkably bright and fhining, and it feels very harfh between the fingers ; when mixed with water it fubfides immediately without leaving any muddirefs. When the particles are viewed through a microfcope, they appear to be of all fhapes and figures, though in general they have a tendency to roundnefs ; but they are much cf the fime hze. They are generally tranfparent, and are chiefly white, which are mixed with fome of a pale yellow or lemon colouri It Waters, Earths, Fossils, ^//^Minerals. 2^5 It is found all over E?tglandy and particularly near Deptford, Highgate and Hampjhad. v Large Coarle Shining Variegated SAND is a very common ibrt, and is a very beautiful Sand, though not pure. It differs in its coarfenefs and finenefs, and in the different Ihapes of the particles. It is pretty heavy, and of a tranfparent white colour, variegated with black, red and brown, and of a chalky white^ as alfo with different fliades of yellow. The whit^ particles, which are much the moil numerous, have a confiderable brightnefs, and it feels very hard, tho' not fo rough as fome others. When viewed through a microfcope, it appears to be mixed with fmall pebbles, that are opaque and of different colours, befides fragments of larger pebbles and flints, with many pieces of the wdiite opaque crufts of flints. It is fometimes found in Ilrata by itfelf, and at other times mixed with gravel. That on the fea fnore is always clean and bright, and mixed with fragments of Ihells ; in this laft cafe it will ferment with aqua fortis, vv'hich is owing to the flniells mixed therewith. Fine Dull Brownifli White SAND, with heteroge- neous particles, is of a dead difagreeable colour ; but is pretty fine, though not fo heavy as many other Sands. There is little or no brightnefs, excepting a very fx;w white glittering particles, v/hich are here and there interfperfed, and which are certainly of a different nature from the other particles. The prin- cipal part feem to be pretty uniform with regard to their fize, and the whole does not feem fo harfli as other Sand ; when fliook together in the water it fub- fides but flowly, and leaves a brownifli foulnefs be- hind it. The fliiniag particles, when examined by a microfcope, appear to be fragments of talc, for they will not ferment with aqua fortis. It is common almoft ev(^ry where, and is mixed with lime and hair to make mortar for pladering walls and cielings. Fine Dull Greenifh White SAND with heterogene particles is pretty fine, though it has a dirty look, and the heterogene particles are not many. It is very heavy, is of a deep brownilli white colour with a fort of a greenifli caf., and does not at all glitter, except 256 7he Natural HISTORY of except where the heterogene particles lie, which are certainly of a talcky nature. The other particles are not all of the fame fize, and the whole feels hard and harfh between the fingers ; when mixed with and lliook up with water it fettles but flowly, and leaves a whitilh brown muddinefs. When examined by a microfcope it appears to confift of particles of all fhapes and fizes, but moftly with fmooth furfaces, and of a diirerent colour. They are generally tranfparent and of a gloiTy white ; but there are many of a fort of greenifh brown, and not fo tranfparent. It is com- mon near Deptford^ Black Heath and Woohvich. This is pretty much ufed for the making of green glafs. Fine Glittering Greyifn White SAND with hetero- geneous particles, owes its brightnefs to the great quantity of talc it contains; for the fandy particles are fmall and fine, and feem to have little or no tranf- parency. It is pretty heavy, and the particles are irregular in their fizes, but all of them fmall. The talc alfo is of different fizes, but larger than the fand, though at the fame time very thin. It feels hard and harfh between the fingers, and when it has been mixed with water and fhook up, it fubfides in a Ihort time, and leaves the water clear. When examined by a microfcope, the particles feem to be of three dif- ferent kinds ; for befides the talc, there are fome that have a gloffy appearance, and a few that con fill of an opaque fpar, for which reafon it will ferment a little with aqua fortis. It is found on the fhores of the jflands of Scilly. Large Shining Red SAND confifts of large coarfe heavy particles, and is of a ftrong red, approaching to a deep orange colour. It is not quite fo bright as fome of the white fands, but the particles which com- pofe it feem to be pretty much of the fame fize^ though of various fhapes, with a tendency to round- nefs. It feels extremely hard and harfh, and when mixed with water fubfides immediately, leaving it clear. It is a foreign fand, and perhaps is particular to the ifland of Santorini. Large Shining Flefh- coloured SAND, is pretty coarfe and very heavy, and is of a bright agreeable pale Waters, Earths, Fossils and Minerals. 257 pale red, or rather of a flefli-colour. It is remarkably bright and fparkling, and the particles appear to be pretty much of the fame fize, though all not exadlly of the fame colour. It feels very liarfli and rough, and when mixed with water fubfides immediately, leaving no foulnefs behind. When examined with a microfcope fome have gloffy furfaces, others are quite tranfparent, and others again intirely opaque ; many are femi-tranfparent, and with regard to the colours fome are white, others yellow, and others of a pale red. It is common near Naples. Coarfe Shining Brownilh SAND, with a reddifn call, coniills of large but pure particles, which are very heavy, and feemingly roundifh. It is remark- ably bright and fparkling, and the particles are of very different iizes. It is no wonder it is very rough to the touch, nor that it fubfides immediately in water. It is common on the heaths of Sujfex and Buckinghamjhire . Fine Bright Shining Brownifh Red SAND is vtry heavy, and the brown colour is more predominant than the red. The particles feem to be nearly of the fame fize and fhape, and it feels harfh to the touch ; when mixed with water it finks pretty foon, and leaves a whitiih muddinefs behind it. It is met with in manv parts of England, and particularly on Harnpjlead Heath. Very Fine Pale Shining Brownifh Red SAND is not of an agreeable colour, but is pure, though not fo heavy as many other Sands. It is pretty bright and fhining, confidering its finenefs, and the particles are of different fizes. It is pretty hard to the touch, and fubfides but flowly in water, leaving a reddim brown muddinefs behind it. It is com- mon on the heaths of oi'Jjex. Very Fine Pale Red SAND with heterogene par- ticles is remarkably fine, heavy, and of a very plea- fant colour, which confiih of a mixture of white, pale brown, and pale red. It glitters pretty much, and is compofed of fmall uniform particles with a flight mixture of talc. It is harfh to the touch, and when mixed with water fettles but flowly. When ex- 258 The Natural HISTORY of examined by a microfcope, the particles appear to be rcufidilh and quite tranf] arent. Ipx the fire it lofci all its rednefs, which is a circumilance not very com- mon. If we nay credit our aathor, it is only found in the d, farts o^ Arabia-, but how he (houid know this we are at a lofs. The fin; Paliili Brown Yellow SAND makes but a dull appearance, though it is pure, fine, and pretty heavy. The colour fccms to be made up of white, pale brown, and pale yellow, which are all very dull. The panicles are of diiferent fizes, and fo fmall that they feem foft to the touch, and fettle very (lowly in Water, leaving a whitidi muddin fs. W( en examined T. ith a microfcope {QW.t of the particles appear to be perfedly tranfparent, and others almoft opaque, it is very common '^\\ over the king OiU. The Fine Shining Pale Yellow SAND is pretty iine, heavy, and of a fine colour, made sap 01 white^ yellow and reridilh brown. It is bright and fhining^ and the particles feem to be yretty uniform. It is rough to the touch, and fettles but flowly in water, leaving a yellowifh muddinels behind it. When ex- amined by a microfcope, the particles are found to have different degrees of tranfparency, and thofe that are angular are as clear as cryftal. It is found about Hampjf:cu^ a no Highgate. The \'ery Fine, Shining, Pale Yellow SAND is confiderably heavy, and th.-re is no mixture of any other colours with the y. How. It is atfo verv clean, with uniform particles, which fhine pretty mficb. it is harfh to the touch, and when mixed with water quickly fubfides, an<3 leaves it clear. Ir is found in Kent and Si/J/ex^ and other parts of England. The Fine Shining Gold- cole urcd GAND is very pure, fne, and heavy, and is of a fne b- ^ht yellow refembling the colour of gold. It glitters pr^'^v much, and feems to confifc of uniform part;v.je It is harfh to the touch, and fettles immediately in water, leav- ing it clear. It is common on Harnpfiead Hcaihj and in moll other parts of the kingdom. The very Coarfe, Shining, Pale Yellow SAND confifts of very l?.rge heavy particles, and is generally puie Waters, Earths, Fossils ^/VMinerals. 259 pure, with a uniform colour. It glitters very ttiuchy but the particles are irregular with regard to their lize. It is very rough to the touch, and I'ubndes in watt^r immediately. This is commonly called Scouring Sand, and is ufed by ftone -cutters in catting their hard iiones : it alfo lerves to polifh thofe that are defigned for the more curious fort of pavements. It is com- mon in moll parts of the Kingdom, and particularly mav be met with at Hampjiead and Highgate. The very Coarfe, Dull, Whitilh Yellow SAND is generally found among gravel, and is remarkable for its coarfenefs. It feems to have no brightnefs, unlefs A iewed very nearly ; and its particles are of very dif- ferent fizes. It Is common about Lcndo^i, and in moil other parts of the Kingdom. The Large Shining Yellow SAND is alfo common among gravel, and is quite pure, though coarfe and heavy. It ihines pretty much, and the pavticies are pretty regular with regard to fize. It is extremely coarfe to the touch, and when mixed with water fet- tles immediately, leaving it clear, V/hen viewed through a microfcope it feems to conliil: of panicles lihe fmall pebbles, wirh pretty friiooth furfaces. It is common about London and other places. The very Coarfe Bright Yellow SAND is always found at confiderable depths, and is perfectly pure, though remarkably coarfe and rough. The particles are heavy and regular in their fize, and perhaps it feels the roughefc of all Sands ; when mixed with water it fettles immediately, leaving it clear. Viewed through a microTcope, it appears to confiil of large cryitalline particles of an amber colour, and of the Ihape of pebbles. It is found in Northamptonjhire and other places, under the ftrata of gravel. The Large Dull Yellow SAND is of a difagree- ably colour, though generally pure. It is confider- able coarfe, very heavy, and of a little deeper yellow than the former, but is very far from being fo bright. The particles are of a very irregular fize, and though confiderably hard they do not feem fo harfh as any of the former. When mixed with water they quickly fubfide, leaving a little yellow muddinefs. Wheu viewed 26o The Natural H I S T O R Y 5/ viewed by a microfcope, the particles feem to refemble pebble?, but many of their furfaces arc very unequal and fomewhat flaltifh, and others crooked. It is a common Sand, and is found not only in pits, but on the fhores of the Englijh rivers. It is ufed by the plumbers in Loridon as a bed whereon to caft their ilieet lead, and it is generally brought from Hackney river. It is alfo ufed by ftone-cutters in fawing their marble. The Fine Dull Deep Yellow SAND is pretty fine, though the panicles are of different fizes. It is lighter than moft other Sands, and the deep yellow colour is entirely without brightnefs. It is foft to the touch, and when mixed with water it fubfides very flowly, leaving a yellow muddinefs behind it. When viewed through a microfcope the particles feem to be of the fnape of common pebbles, with very irregular furfa- ces ; they are pretty tranfparent, and of an amber co- lour. Some of the particles are fo fmall that they appear like duft iHcking to the furfaces of the reft. It is common in Wiltjhire, and is found in other parts of Ej7gla7td. The Very Large Dull Saffron-coloured SAND is very pure, hard, coarf<=, and pretty heavy, and of a deep ftrong bright yellow. The particles are not all of the fame fize, and it is hard and rough to the touch : when mixed with water it fubfides immedi- ately, leaving it clear. It is found on the Gold Coaji of Guinea in Africa. The Coarfe Shining Dirty Yellow SAND is very pure, large, coarfe, heavy, and of a deep dufky yel- low. The particles glitter pretty much, and they feem to be regular and uuiform, with regard to their fize. It is harfh and rough to the touch, and when mixed with water quickly fettles, leaving it clear. When viewed by a microfcope the particles appear in the fhape of pebbles, and are pretty tranfparent, though of difl-erent degrees of yellow. It is common in Hampjiead Heathy and many other parts of the kingdom. The very Coarfe Brownifh Yellow SAND is very large, harfh, and confiderably heavy ; the colour is of a deep I^a^e 2{^c. <^ y C/n //U^fUf c / C c^ / vi d ,./to/^c^J^^/^ >^ v>' 3 i3 ■ !Prctt£t St . Waters, Earths, Fossils ^^^^Mikerals. 261 a deep, dafky, brownifli yellow, but very bright and fparkling. The particles with regard to fize and Ihape are very regular, and it is exceeding harlh to the touch ; when mixed with water it foon fubfides, and leaves a brownifli yellow muddinefs. When viewed through a microfcope, the particles appear to be uniform, and in the Ihape of pebbles, with very uneven furfaces, but pretty bright and tranfparent. It is common among, the gravel in many parts of Eng- land. The Fine Greenifh Yellow Pale Dull SAND is very fine, and of a faint ftravv-colour, with a mixture of green particles, which are geiic^rally the largeft. The fizes are very irregular, and it is foft to the touch, when mixed with water it fubfiJes {lowly, and leaves a white muddinefs therein. When viewed through a microfcope the particles appear to be diffe- rent in fliape, fize and colour, and the greateil part have uneven furfaces. Some are of the colour of fulphur, others without any colour at all, both v/hich are very tranfparent ; but the largell are in Ihape like common pebbles, without much tranfparency, and of a deep dufky green. It is found on Hampjiead Heath, and many other places. The Fine Greenifli Red Pale Dull SAND in many refpecls refembles the former, but it is confiderably lighter than moll others, and of a pale yellowifh flefh colour, with a mixture of green fpecks. The parti- cles are of different fizes and fhapes, thofe that are green being confiderably larger than the reft, and it is hard and rough to the touch. When mixed with' wa- ter it fubfides but flowly, and leaves a yellowifh brown muddinefs therein. It is common in SuJJex. The very Coarfe Shining Blackifh Yellow SAND is large, coarfe, confiderably heavy, and of a deep yellow, but mixed with black particles. It is very bright and fhining for one of this kind, and the par- ticles are nearly of the fame fize, only thofe that are black are a little fmaller than the reft. It is remarka- bly rough, and harfh to the touch, and when mixed with water fettles immediately, leaving it extremely claar. When viewed by a microfcope, the particles ap- pear 262 The Natural HISTORY cf pear in the (hape of common pebbles, and are very bright and tranfparent, except the black, which are almofl opaque. It is common in the fand-plts about Tyburn^ and elfewhere. The Fine Shining Blackifli Straw-coloured SAND is neither large nor heavy, and the llraw-coloured par- ticles are mixed with thofe that are black. It is very bright and fhining, confidering the fmallneis of its particles; but thefe are of different fizes, and thofe that are black are fomewhat larger than moft of the reft. It is hard to the touch, but not very rough, and when thrown into water fubfides very foon, leav- ing a little brownifh muddinefs therein. When Wcvv- ed through a microfcope, the particles appear to be of an oblong, blunt, angular fnape, and are all very tranf- parent and bright ; and even the black particles, which are not very numerous, have fome degree of tranfpa- rency ; but they are of a roundiili fliape, with fmooth furfaces. It is common in Su/Jex, and may be met with in many other places. The Shining" Coarfe Blackifh Sulphur-coloured SAND is hard, heavy, and of a fine brimflone colour, with a confiderable mixture of black. The particles are bright and fhining, but irregular with regard to fize, and they are very harfh and rough to the touch ; being mixed with water it fubfides immediately, leav- ing it clear. When vievved with a microfcope, the particles appear to be in the fhape of pebbles, but are very tranfparent, and the black feems to be nothing elfe but fragments of dark coloured flints, and is com- mon in the fand-pits on Hampjlead Heath. The Shining Fine SAND, of a rufty yellow colour, is pretty fine, very heavy, and of a deep dufky yel- iowifh brown, with a mixture of white particles, and others that have no colour at all. The brightnefs is owing to the laft mentioned particles, for thofe that are yellow and brown are entirely dull. They are all very irregular with regard to their fize and fhape, and are very harfh to the touch : being mixed with wa- ter they fubfjde very foon, and leave a muddinefs therein as if mixed with ochre. When viewed through a microfcope they all appear to be fomewhat angular, and Watef.s, Earths; Fossils <3/7'hich are large and bright. It is harih and rough to the touch, and fubfides im- mediately in water, leaving a little yellow foulnefs therein. When vicv/ed through a microfcope the par- ticles appear in the fiiape of pebbles, and are very tranfparent, and of a fine yellow colour: the fpangles confifi: of flat fragments of felenites. It has been met o with in Nortbampfon/kire, Kent and Sii/Jcx. The very Coarfe Saffron-coloured SAND, with heterogeneous particles, is pretty heavy, and of a fine Itrong fafrron colour, or rather of a deep reddilh yellow. The particles themfelves are v/ithout bright- nek, but it is full of glittering fpangles of talc. The particles are very irregular with regard to fize, and they are pretty harfh to the touch ; when mixed v/ith water they fettle very flovvly, leaving a yellow foul- nefs therein. It is common in. G^rr/^;?)-, and has been found in Si/Jex and LeicejQcrJJ.-ire. The very FineDufky Satfron-coioured SAND with heterogeneous particles is very fine, and not heavy ; the colour is a duflcy brownifli yeilov/ with fomewhat of a brightnefs ; but the numerous fpangles of talc make it appear greatly fo. The particles are pretty regular with regard to fize, and the fpangles are but little broader than they. It Is harfh to the touch, fettles flowly in water, and leaves a brownifh muddi- nefs therein. When viewed through a microlcope the particles appear to be fmall, and in the fnape of pebbles, but not very tranfparent ; the fpangles ap- pear to be thin flakes of talc. It is common in the fand-pits about Highgafe and Hampfiead, and in other parts of the kingdom. The very Fine Brown Dull SAND confifts of fine particles, which are not very heavy nor bright, info- much that they appear like a heap of dufl ; however. Vol. V. N they 7.66 The Natural HISTORY cf they are pretty regular and uniform with regard to \ fize, and are harlli to the touch ; in water it fubfides but flowly, and leaves a muddinefs therein. Through a microicope the panicles refemble fmall pebbles with unequal furEices, and they are pretty tranfparent, but not bright. It is met with in the fand-pits about irool-wicb and Blackheath. The very Coarfe Shining Pale Brown SAND is one of the coarfeft that is met with in this kingdom, though it is not remarkably heavy. The particles are pretty bright and fparkling, and regular with re- gard to fize. It is very coarie and hard to the touch, and mixed with water fubfidcs immediately, leaving it clear. It is comm.on about PFookvich. The very Coarfe Shining Dufcy Purple SAND is very large and heavy, and of a deep purpliib brown cr chocolate colour interfperfed with white. The brightnefs is in a great meafure owing to the white particles, and it is very rough to the touch ; when mixed with water it fubfides almoft immediately, leaving a fomewhat yellow muddinefs therein ; thro' a microfcope the particles appear to be much of the fame fize and ihape, being roundifh. They are of two different colours, that is, chocolate colour and white, which laft are always fmooth, and the former rough. It is to be met with near the Hot-Well at Bripl. The Dull Brown Coarfe SAND with heterogeneous particleo is pretty heavy and of a pale brown, but very dull. The particles are irregular with regard to fize and colour, fome being much browner and coarfer than the reft. When mixed with water it fubfides immediately, leaving it clear. When viewed through a microfcope, the particles appear of different lliapes and fizes, but chiefly like pebbles, and pretty bright and tranfparent. There are flattilh fragments among them, which fcem to be a fort of flint of different fliapes, and there are others which are fragments of" fpar, upon wliich account it will ferment with aqua fortis. It is met with near Oxford, The very Coarfe Shining Pale Brown SAND with heterogeneous particles is large, pretty heavy, and of Waters, Earths, Fossils and Min^erals. 267 tjf a faint pale brown colour ; the particles are biig-ht and pretty uniform with regard 10 hze. It is h.inh to the touch, and mixed vviik water fubfides immediately, leaving it clear. When viewed through a microicope, the particles appear to be of diiFerent fliapes and colours^ fome being opaque and biueifn. others tranf parent and inclining to yellow ; but the greateft num- ber are in the fhape of pebbles with fmooth furfaco?, and of different degrees of a pale brown. Alio th.°re are many fragments of white brown tranfparent fpar, upon which account it will ferment a lii'ie with aqua fortis. Small Shining Greyilh Black SAND is perfeaiy pure and co. fiderably fine and heavy 5 the colour is of a bright greyiili black, and has a very agreeable look, the particles being uniform both with regard to fhape and fize, and of a confiderable brightnei's. It is harfii to the touch, and when mixed with water fettles but flowly, though it does not leave the leail foulnefs therein. When viewed through a microfcope it appcxirs to be very bright and qu'te tranfparent, tne particles appearing to be of an obtufely angular figure, and without any manner of colour. It is brought from Italy y v/here it is common. The Fine very Shining Reddilh Black SAND is K:lean, heavy and of a fhining black, variegated with pale red, flefh-colour and white. The brightnefs is inherent in the particles it confills of, wliich are nearly of the fame fi2e> though different in fhape ; thofe that are black appearing roundifh, and the others flat. It is fnarp and harfh to the touch, and when mixed with water fettles immediately, leaving it very clear. Viewed through a microfcope, the par- ticles appear like different gems ; thofe that are black are almol?: opaque, with fmooth furfaces and pretty l-ound, but the others are all very bright and quite tranfparent, fome being iT>undifli and others f^at. It has been hitherto found only in A'lnevic-a on the fides of hills and the fhores of rivers. The Coarfe Duficy Green SAND variegated witk white is pretty heavy, coarfe, and of a deep doll green, with a confiderable number of white particles. N 2 They 26S The Natural HISTORY of They are all nearly of the fame fize, but of diifereht fhapcs. It is uncommonly harfh to the touch, and when mixed with water fettles immediately, leaving it entirely clear. Viewed through a microfcope the white particles appear to be of two forts, fome of wliich are half tranfparent and cloudy, with obtufe angles, and others have fliarper ridges, but are bright and quite withotit colour, befidcs which there are a few tinged with a faint yellow. The green particles, which are mofl numerous, are of a deep yellowifh green, and of various fhapes, and are divided into lefTer pieces by partitions of a whitifli fnar pervading the whole fubftance of fome, and lodged on the fur- faces of others ; but if this be really a fpar, what is the reafon it will not ferment with aqua fortis ? It is brought from Virginia, where it is common. The Fine Snow-white Stony GRIT is a perfeilly pure and homogene fubltance, fine and fmall in pro- portion to its weight. Its particles are very bright and fparkling, and very regular in the fize. It is harili to the touch, fubfides immediately in water, and leaves it quite clear. It ferments violently with aqua fortis, for v/hich reafon it feems to be compofed of a very fine fpar. It has been found in Mendip Hills in Somerfet/hirey in the perpendicular fifiures of the flrataof ftone. The Dull Coarfe V/hlte Stony GRIT is much in- ftrior to the former; for though it is perfectly pure, it is very hard and coarfe. The colour is dull, there being little or no brightnefs, but the particles are very regular with regard to their fize. It is hard to the touch, and in water fubfides immediately, leaving it of a fort of milky colour. This alfo ferments brifkly with aqua fortis, and therefore muft confift of fpar. It is met with in the fame places as the former. The Fine Cream-coloured Stony GRIT is pale, very heavy, and of a yellowilh Vv-hite or cream colour. It is very bright and fparkling, and confifts of par- ticles that are irregular with regard to fize. Jt is harfh to the touch, and in water fubfides immediately, leaving it a little milky. Viewed through a micro- fcope. Waters, Earths, Fossils ^//.'/Minerals. 269 fcope, the particles appear to be of dilTerent fl;iapes and fizes, but all approaching to a rhomboidal form. Tliey are all pretty tranfparent and bright, and fccm to be without any colour. It confilb of fpai-, for it will ferment violently with aqua fortis. It is found in one of the iflands of the Arch'ip£lago. The very Coarfe Bright V/l,ite Stony GRIT is very impure, and confiils of two forts of j^articles. It is very heavy, and of a dufky white colour, which however glitters in fome places. The particles are all large, but very diiierent in fiz.e, fliape and colour. It is hard and harih to the touch, and in v/ater leaA cs a little milky foulncfs. Viewed through amicrofcope it appears to be compofed of a confufed mixture of cry- llalline and fparry particles ; the former of which are angular, tranfparent and bright; but the others are white, opaque, and of a rhomboidal Hiape. ft ferments flrongly v/ith aqua fortis, and a ihin ftratum of it has been found near LoiighhorcKgh in Leicejicrjkire. The Very Coarfe White Stony GRIT with hetcro- gene particles is confiderably heavy, and of a pure white, with black, yellow, and white flakes of talc. It is harfh and gritty to the touch, and fubfides im- mediately in water, leaving a little whitenefs therein. When viewed through a microfcope it appears to con- fift of large irregular particles, pretty tranfparent, and very white. The particles of talc have all very glofly furfaces, though of different kinds. It will not fer- ment with aqua fortis. It is common in Wales on the fea fhore under cliffs. The Dull V/hite Fine Stony GRIT is pretty fine, heavy, and of a dull whitifli colour, with particles that appear to be much of the fame fize. It is rough to the touch, fubfides quickly in water, and leaves a foulnefs therein. Viewed through a microfcope it ajv pears to confill of opaque particles with rough furia- ccs, and of no certain fhape. Among ihcfe theic are a few loofe fpecks, with fjrfaces as bright as cryilal. It ferments violently wi-h aqua fortis, and is entirely wliite when burnt. It is common in Derbyfmre^ and other places where there are flrata of ftone. N 3 The z-jo The Natural HISTORY tf The Dull Whire Coarfe Stony GRIT is hard, pretty heavy, and void of brightnefs ; and the par- ticles are of different fizes and fhapes. It is coarfe and ]';ard to the touch, and when mixed with water fubfides immediately, leaving a muddinefs therein. Viev/ed through a microfcope the particles appear to have rough iurfaces, and are quite opaque; but th^re are a few very ;mall ihining crylialline fpecks. It fer- ments very ftrongly with aqua fortis, and when burnt is entirely white. It is common in Torkpirey and feme other counties,, where there are very large ftrata of it. The Brownifh White Fine Stony GRIT refembles the former, is pretty fine, but not very heavy, and void of all manner of brightnefs. The particles differ bcth in fhape and fize, and are not very rough or hard to ihe touch. When mixed v/ith water it leaves a muddinefs therein after the fubfidence. When viewed through a microfcope the particles feem to he of a loofe fpungy texture, and opaque, only there are a few fhining fpecks in fome parts. It is met with in the great fcone quarry near Bathy in the cavi- ties of the ftone, anti it ferments brifkly with aqua for- tis. It is alfo common in Leicejlcrjhire. Glittering Greyifli White Fine Stony GRIT with heterogeneous particks, is pretty fine, heavy, and of a plcafant pale greyifh white. The particles are mixed v/ith fine Ihining white fpangles, and are different with regard to fize, v/ithout the lead brightnefs. The glittering proceeds from the mixture of a confiderable quantity of talc. It is haid and rough to the touch, ?.nd when mixed with water fubfides but flowly, leav- ing a whitifh muddinefs therein. When viewed through a microfcope the particles appear to be diffe- rent, bcth with regard to fize and Ihape, and befides the talc there are a few cryrtalline fpecks. It ferments violently vvith aqua fortis, and is common in the hills of Torkjhire. Greenifh White Stony GRIT with heterogeneous particles is pretty fine, very heavy, and of a dufky grecnilh white colour. The particles are different both with regard to fize atid fhape, without any bright- nefs ; Waters, Earths, Fossils ^;:v/Minerals. 271 ncfs ; but there is a mixture of broad flat particles of talc, which makes it glitter pretty much ; it is not very rough to the touch, and when mi-xed with waier it fubfides but ilowly, leaving a grcyifh mnddineis therein. When viewed through a microfcope it ap- pears to confift of ftony particles, which are diifcrcnt both with regard to their iliape and fize ; but they art- pretty tranfparent and bright, and the white talc ap- pears in flakes. It will not ferment vvith aqua forth, and when burnt is of a pale browniih colour. It ii met with in fome parts of this Kingdom. The Coarfe Greenii'h Grey Dull Stony GRIT, wiih a few heterogeneous particles, is very large, harlh, pretty heavy, and of a dull greenlfti grey colour, in- termixed with a very few talky fpangles, v/hich are iDuch lefs than the ilony particles, that are alike both with regard to their fizc and fhape. It feels pretty ' harlh and rough, and fubfides immediately in water, leaving it quite clear. When viewed through a mi- crofcope the whitifn coarfe particles, though not bright, are a little tranfparent, and there is here and there a cryilalline fpeck, befides the particles of talc. It will not ferment with aqua fortis, and it burns to a pale dufky red. It is common in Tcrkjhire and other places. The GRIT called the Puteolan powder by the ancients, is a fort of greyifh powder, compofed of particles which are fo exceeding fmall, that viewed through the belt microfcopes, no diflindion appears among them. It looks perfeftly dull of itfelf, for what brightnefs there is may be probably owing to the talky particles. When mixed with water it fubfides very flowly, leaving a great whitifli muddinefs therein. When mixed with fait water it foon dries into a hard flony mafs, which will not afterwards eafily difTolve when mixed with common water. It was ufed by the ancients as a mixture for their cements of buildings near the fea, or, as fome fay, thofe that flood therein. It is now known by the name of the Pozzolane, and is an ingredient of hard plafters, in feveral parts of France and Italy. It will not ferment with aqua for- tis, from whence it appears there is no fpar among it. N ^ Fine 272 T:he Natural HISTORY af Fine Pale Reddifli Stony GRIT is pretty Tme^ heavy, and of a very pale vvhitilh or browniih red ; it is \{txy bright and fparkling, and even to a greater degree than many of the fands. It is harfh and rough to the touch, and mixed with water fubhdes imme-- diately, leaving it entirely clear. The particles when viewed through a microfcope appear to be of irregular Ihapes, fome of which are of a pale red, others brovvn- ifh, and others without any colour at all. It ferments ilightly with aqua fortis, and undergoes little change in the fire. It has been found near Brifid. The Pale Red Shining Coarfe Stony GRIT is pretty heavy, and of a pale vvhitilh red, with particles that are regular with regard to their iize, and remarkably bright. It is very harih to the touch, and immedi- ately fubfides in water, leaving it extremely clear^ -When viewed through a microfcope the particles ap- pear to be cryilalline and quite tranfparent, but of irregular Ihape? ; feme of them are without colour, and others are of a Viixy pale red. It v/ill not fer- ment witli aqua fortis, nor will the fire produce any great change. It is found on the coaft of Fife, in See: e :d. The Greyilh Red Coarfe Shining Stony GRIT is very heavy, and the particles are of various fhapes and fi'/es, many of which are very bright and fhining, and others quite opaque. It is very harfh and hard to the touch, and immediately fubfides in water, leaving it very clear. When viewed through a microfcope fome of the particles appear to be white, and very opaque ; others are without <:olour and tranfparent, and others again are flained with a pale red. Jt ferments ilrongly with aqua fortis, and burns to a fine red. It is found on the Ihores of the illand of Minorca, The very Coarfe Greeniih Red Dull GRIT is very heavy, and of a fine flefh colour, variegated with green. The particles arc pretty uniform and regular, with regard to tlicir fize, and ihey are of an irregular angi-lar fliape. It is very hard to the touch, and fub- fides immediately in water, leaving it clear. .Through a microfcope fome of the particles appear to be whit.- ifli, othcri, of a pale rtd, and others of a fine light green ; Waters/ Earths, Fossils ^//^'Miner als. 273 green ; but they are all pretty tranfparent. It v/ill r.ot ferment with aqua fbrtis, and is found on the Ihores of the Mediterranean fea. 7'he Fine Shining GRIT of the colour of rufty iron, but darker, is full of fpangles that appear bright and glittering, which arc not talc but cryilaliine, and without any colour. They are much of the fame fize, and extremely harfh to the touch ; they fubfide very foon in water, leaving it extremely clear. Through a micro fcope the particles appear to be of difrertnt colours, for fome are whitilh, others ycllowiih and femi-tranfparent, and others without any colour, and as bright as cryftal ; but the greateft number arc brown. It will not ferment with aqua fortls, and is found near Lijbon in Portugal. Fine Red Stony GRFF with heterogeneous parti- cles is very Heavy, and of an agreeable red colour, Vv'ith a whitifh caft.- The itony particles are a little brig'nt, but the mixture of glittering fiat fpangles renders the mafs extremely fo. All the particles fccni to be uniform with regard to their fize, and are xcry rough to the touch ; in v/ater they fubfide inimedi- ately, leaving it quite clear. Through a micro fcope the particles of this grit appear to be tranfparent cry- ftal, of a pale red, and all fomevs^hat angular, inter- fytvif^di with very bright tranfparent particles of brownilh white talc. It v>dll not ferment vvith aqua fortis, nor will the fre change its colour. It is found on the ihores of the iiland of Minorca. The Coarfe Red Variegated GRIT with hetercge- necus particles is very bright and heavy, though light and coarfe; the colour is variegated, though tlie red predominates, and the particles of that part are very bright and fparkling ; befides thefe thtre are ma- ny v/hite cry ftal line fragments, and a vail: variety of yellow and black flakes of talc, all which glitter \cry much, and give the v.'hole a very pjeafmg appearance. They are all nearly of the fame fize, and feel ex- tremely harfh and rough ; and in water they fubfide immediately, leaving it clear. It will not ferment with aqua fortis, but it becomes fomevvhat redder in N 5 the 274 ^-^'^ NaturaI in 5 t O R t of the fire. It is found on the fliores of the ifland on the coaft of Scotland. The very Coarfe extremely Shining Flefh- coloured Variegated GRIT, with heterogeneous particles, 15 more beautiful tiian the former, and pretty heavy. The flclh colour or pale red is very lively, and varie- gated with black and brown particles of talc, befides fome that are white and cryflalline ; and all the par- ticles in general are very bright and glittering, and very irregular with regard to their fize. It is very hard and harfh to the touch, and fabfides immedi- diatCiy in water, leaving it clear. When viewed through a microfcope the particles all appear to be large and coarfe, but of very different fhapes and co- lours, though fome are reddifli and yellowifh, others without colour, and others again, that are blackilh and reddifn, are opaque. The talky fpangles are brown and black, for there are none that are white. It will r.ot ferment with aqua fcrtis, and in the fire it turns to a deeper red. It is found on the fiiores of the iiknds in the northern parts of the world. The Fine Brownilli Red Variegated GRIT with heterogeneous particles, is not fo glittering as the former, but it is very fine, heavy, and of a faint browniih red, variegated with white, black and yel- low. The particles are all bright and (hining, and much of the fame fize. It is fharp to the touch, and in water fubfides but flowly ; however it leaves it clear. The particles when viewed through a micro- fcope appear to be of irregular fnape, fome of which fcem to be fpar, and are femi-tranfparent, and are whitifh, reddifn, or brownifn ; others are cryfcallinc without cclour, though fome are reddifli or browniih and ve-y bright, and others opaque and Hony, and of a blackifh or reddilli colour. Thefe with the lalky flakes make a very agreeable appearance, for they are of different colours, as white, yellow, white and black. It ferments a little with aqua fortis, but undergoes no change in the fire. It is common on the fhores of ifland s in the northern parts of the world. The Fine Flelli-coloured Variegated GRIT with heterogeneous panicles, i$ not fo beautiful as any of the Waters, Earths, Fossils ^;?^Minerals. 275 the former, though it is very fine, pretty heavy, of a bright flefh-coiour, and very glittering. The parti- cles are all nearly of the fame fizc, and there is little variegation of white and black. It is fharp to the touch, and fubfides immediately in water, leaving it clear. When viewed throup,h a microfcope the par- ticles appear to be of very irregular fhapes, and fome are Vv'hite, others reddilh, and others without any co- lour at all. They are not all equally tranfparent, but the greateft part of them are very bright, and there is a mixture of fllaky fpangles of talc, of white, brown, and black colours, with a few blackilli llony parti- cles. It will not ferment with aqua fortis, but it burns to a paler colour. It is common on the (liores of the iflands in the northern parts of the world. The extremely Pale Whitiih Red Variegated GRIT with heterogeneous particles, is not fo finely coloured as fome of the former ; but it is extremely fine, very heavy, and of a pale whitifli fleih-colour. It is variegated with many black fpangles, and the particles are all very bright and glittering, and are nearly of the fame fize. The talky fpangles are black, and remarkably thin. It is fharp to the touch ; and though it fubfides fiowly in water, it leaves it very c'ear. When viewed through a microfcope all the particles appear to be tranfparent, except a few that are black. It will not ferment with aqua fortis, but the fire turns it to a grey colour. This likewife i;^ common on the fliores of iflands in the northern parts of the world. The Brownilh Red Coarfe Stony GRIT, with hete- rogeneous particles, is confiderably heavy, and of a fine pale fiefli-colour, variegated with brov/n, and there are a few glittering plates of white talc. The particles are regular with regard to their fize, and pretty bright and fhining, which render the whole mafs very giifering. It is iharp and harfh to the touch, and fubfides imm.ediately in water, leaving a little muddmels therein. Through a microfcope the particles appear of difforent fhapes, but mofl: of them are flattifh and brighi, though not very tranfparent. Some are of different degrees of fiefli- colour, others of 276 7he Natural HISTORY tf ot no colour at all, and there are alfo brown particles that arc more tranfparent than the relt. There are a few fpanr^lcs of vvliite talc, which are very thin, and Imalier than the other particles. It will not fer- ment with aqua fortis, and it burns to a little pale red. It is met with on the fliores oi Red Sea. The very Coarfe Shining Blackilh Flefh-coloured GRIT with heterogeneous particles, is remarkably heavy and of a mixed colour, between pale red and black, and the particles are bright and iTiining, be-- fides which there are a few black flakes of talc, but not fo large as the other particles, though they are of diiTcrentfizes. They are very hard to the touch, and fubfide immediately in water, leaving it clear. Through a microfcope the particles appear of various colours, (liapes and fizes, for fome are white, others of a pale red, and a great number are black, and though they are not tranfparent they fliine more than the reft. The flakes of talc before taken notice of are partly white and partly black. It will not fer- ment with aqua fortis, nor does it undergo any change in the f re. It is found on the ihores of the iflands of Sicily. The very Coarfe Shining Reddifli Green Stony GRIT with heterogeneous particles, is conflderably heavy, and of areddifli green, or rather of agreenifh red. The particles are partly green and partly red, intermixed with many that are white ; and they all to- gether are bright and fparkling, and there are a few fpanglcs of grcenifh white talc. All the particles are nearly of the fame flze, and are very hard and iiiarp to tlie touch ; they fubflde immediatly in water, leaving a reddifli muddinefs therein. It is found on the fhores of the Mcditerranea7i Tea. The CHRYSOCOLLA of the ancients is a coarfe beautiful green, though dull Grit. Geoffrey obferves that it is of two kinds, the natural and the faditious. The natural is found in copper rnioes, and fometimes in ihofe of different kinds, but then he fuppofes there is copper therein. Sometimes it is found alone like fand, and is entirely of a green colour, and often of the deep colour of a Jcek, which is thought to be the bed. Waters, Earths, Fossils and Minerals. 277 bell. There is fome of a lighter colour, which is not at all efteemed ; and there is a third of a colour between both. It is cleaned by walhing, after pound- ing it in a mortar, and pouring water thereon ; when it is fettled it is to be drained ofr, and then it muft be ground with more water ; and this muft be repeated till it appears to be quite clear and pure. Then it is to be dried in the fun and laid up for ufe. If it is required to be ftill liner, it muft be bruifed, and then calcined afterwards, wafhing it as before. The faftitious Chryfocolla is taken notice of by Pliny, and it is only the native, which has been bruifed, calcined, and reduced to a very fine powder ; then fteeped in vinegc^r, pounded again, walhed in Ihells and dried ; afterwards it was tinged with the alum called Schiftos, and a yellow herb, whence it was called Herbaceous Chryfocolla. There is alfo another fadlitious Chryfo- colla mentioned by Pliny, who affirms it was called San- tcrna, and acquaints us that it was made of Cyprian verdigreafe, with boys urine, and the addition of ni- tre, and afterwards ground in Cyprian mortars. Ga- len, who followed Diofcorides, takes no notice of the nitre, and only advifes to have it prepared in the fum- mer time, or at le^ft when the air is hot. The urine was to be rubbed in a mortar for feveral days, till it became as thick as honey. The Chryfocolla now un- der confideration is fome what 'coarfe, moderately heavy, and of an exceeding lively and agreeable green, with very uniform particles, which are nearly of the fame fize, but of little brightnefs. It is not very harfh to the touch, and it fubfides immediately in wa- ter, leaving it quite clear. Through a microfcope the particles appear to be pure, and in angular figures, generally approaching to arhomboidal form. It fer- ments ftrongly with aqua fortis, and tinges it with a blueiiTi green. It is found on the Ihores of Nenre a great many tranfparent and without any colour, and exceeding bright ; the flakes of talc are alfo tranfparent. It will not ferment with aquafortis, and Waters, Earths, Fossils, /2«^Minerals. 279 and it is brought from the fhores of the Mediterranean fea. The very Coarfe Black and White GRIT with he- terogenous particles is extremely heavy, and its par- ticles feem to be all nearly of the fame fize ; the greateil part feem to be coarfe and dull, but there are a few that are bright ; however the quantity of talc makes it glitter pretty much, for they are white and gloify. It is rough to the touch, and fubiides immediately in water, leaving it very clear. Through a microfcope it feems to confift of a great number of %'hlte femi- tranfparent particles, of which there are fome as tranf- parent as cryftal, and very bright, befides many of coarfe white talc, and a 8;reat many others that are black and opaque. It will not ferment with aquafor- tis, and when burnt it is of a flefh-colour, with black and white fpots. It is found in Wales. The Shining GRIT of a rufty black colour, with heterogeneous particles, is confiderably fine and heavy, but entirely dull of itfelf, though the great number of black flat fhining particles make it fhine very much. It i.s harfh and rough to the touch, and fettles imme- diately in water, leaving it entirely clear. Through a microfcope it appears to confift of different particles, and thofe without colour, as well as the yellowiih and reddifti, are like fmall pebbles ; thefe are bright and pretty tranfparenf, befides which there are many others of uncertain fhapes, and quite opaque ; thefe feem to be fragments of ftones of different kinds ; and there are a great many that are dufky, with fomewhat of a reddifli colour, fuppofed to be pieces of iron ore. Befides thefe there are multitudes of fpangles of diffe- rent (hapes and fizes, which are all very bright, and are taken for fragments of lead ore. It will not fer- ment with aqua fortis, and in the fire it becomes blacker, and it is known in England by the name of black writing fand. The Coarfe Sparkling Brownifh Black GRIT is much like the former, but it is more coarfe and re- markably heavy. It owes its fparkling to flat fhining particles like the former, though they are not fo many in number j it is very fharp to the touch, and fubfides 28o The Natural HISTORY of in water immediately, leaving a little blacknefs there- in. Through a microfcope the particles appear to be various, of different fhapes and figures, but nearly of the fame fize. They are partly fragments of Hone, and partly iron and lead ores ; but they are not fo bright as in the former, they having fmaller furfaces. The iron ore is difcovered by means of a load-ftone, as likewife in the former. It is common on the ihores of Wales, and ferves for the fame purpofe as the former. The Fine Brownifh Black Sparkling GRIT is pretty fme, and remarkably heavy, with an agreeable blueifh black bright colour. Tke particles are of va- rious fhapes and fizes, and it is pretty harfh to the touch ; it fubfides immediately in water, and leaves it quite clear. Through a microfcope the particles ap- pear to be of various colours, for fome are reddifh, Ibme greenifh, and others blackifh, mixed among a vail number of particles of various iizes and fhapes, but all of a blueifh black, v.'ith gloffy furfaces. It ferments flightly with aqua fortis, which is probably owing to the fparry matter contained therein. It is common on the fhores of Wales. CHAP. XXXIII. 0/MARCHASITES««^PYRITES, or FIRE STONES. TH E generality of Authors think Marchafites and Pyrites to be the fame fubftance, and others dilHnguifh them, making two different fpecies thereof. Boet obferves, there are feveral kinds of Pyrites, and that all flones that ftrike fire properly deferve that name. Some are bright like filver, others confift of feveral coats, others are like dice. Some are like red marble, and Ihine with a metalline fplendor, others are purple, quadrangular and tranfparent, and others again are fpungy and fnining or pumiceous. Some have eight angles, others have twelve, others are like bifmuth. Waters, Earths, Fossils ^WMinerals. 2^8r bifmuth, and others again are tinged with a gold-co~ lour, from whence they take the name of Marchafites* Some are of a copper-colour, whence they are called Kupferies by the Germans, others are of various co- lours and forms, and others are mixed with flones. Among thefe, fome will melt in the fire, and are added to metals inftead of lead, to render them more fufible, whence they are named by the Germans Fluftreinen, and when they are broken they fhine like fugar-candy. He adds to this, that there are ftones called Pyrites, which will not ftrike fire with fteel, and thefe he thinks ought not to be placed in that clafs. Among the Marchafites fo called by fome there are The Silver-coloured MARCHASITE, which is of a very firm and compad texture, is remarkably heavy. It is found making firata of itfelf, which'though very broad are thin, being from three inches to a foot in thicknefs. Sometimes there are pieces. found by them- felves, and in general they have a very irregular and unequal furface, they being made up of great num- bers of irregular flakes, and of various fizes ; they being bent, undulated, and fometimes infold each other. However, thefe plates are not at all diftin- guilliable by the naked eye, but feem to conftitute one folid mafs. The colour refembles that of filver, but is more glittering. It readily ftrikes fire with Heel, but will not ferment with aqua fortis ; and when put into the fire it cracks and breaks, emitting a blue flame with the fmell of brJmftone. After it has burnt a confiderable time it turns to a deep red. Some- times this Marchafite is mixed with lead ore, fome- times with that of tin, and very often a dufky brown ferruginous fubilance. It is found in great plenty in lead and tin mines. The gold-coloured MARCHASITE is more glit- tering than the former, but not fo compadl, though it is pretty heavy. It is commonly found in thin firata, and fometimes in pieces. It feems to becom- pofed of a congeries of flat flakes, not unlike great numbers of irregular fragments of leaf gold, placed to- gether without the leafl: order. However, fome parts of this Prlarchafite are moreloofe and open than others, though -g2 7he Natural HISTORY tf though it is all iaits natural ihape of a deep yellow gold <^oiour ; however it is fometimes paler, and fometimes deeper, and at other times will x^^itOi ail the colours of the rainbow. It will not ftrike fire with Heel fo readily as the former, nor will it ferment with aqua fortis. When thrown into the fire it will flowly e- mit a blue flame from all parts of its furface, and will burn to a very deep fubftance. It is plenty in Ger- tncury, particularly in Hartz foreft, and has been met with in Englandi but not fo often as the former. Heavy white MARCHASITE is very firm and fo- Jid, and more heavy than the other two. It is often found in Hrata by itfelf, and fometimes in detached pieces ; but it is more commonly met with in the ca- vities of other firata, of the breadth of feveral yards. It has a fmoother furface than the others, and is more uniform in its compontion, though if it be carefully examined it feems to confift of undulated flakes laid cloi'ely upon each other. It llrikes fire with fleel, and it will not ferment with aqua fortis, and when put into the fire it burns pretty brilkly, emitting a blue flame, with the fmell of brimftone. It is found in De--ucnjhire, Ccrn^^all^ and fome other counties. Thefe are all the Marchafites properly fo called, taken notice of by authors. The Flat Pyrites or FIRE-STONE with a rough, coat, can hardly be dillinguifhed from other Stones by its external appearance. It is pretty firm and hard, as well as heavy, and is of no certain fize, being found from one inch to ten in diameter. It is always fiat and thin, and has \try unequal and irregular edges. . When it is about four inches long, it is half an inch thick, and requires a flrong blow to break it in pieces. When broken its texture feems to be regular and uni- form, and confiding of one homogeneous mafs, of a Qufky brownifh green colour, furrounded with a coat of a dufky ferruginous fubftance, which is rough and befet with fmall pebbles of different fhapes and fizes, though generally no bigger than grains of {and. It is always of the colour of rufty iron, and is thicker in fome than in others. It will Itrike fire with ^teX^ but not ferment with aqua fortis ; and in the fire it emits "Waters, Earths, Fossils ^zzt^/Minerals. 283 emits a blue flarn^ which foon goes out, and when fufficiently burnt it turns to a deep purple. It is found in gravel-pirs all over the kingdom. The Round PYRITES with a cracked coat is coarfer than the former, it being ccmpofed of vifible grit. It is very heavy, and is of various iizes, from half an inch to twelve in diameter, and requires a ftrofig blow to break it. The colour is pale, with a mixture of dull whitifh green, and a du&y brownifh cloud. The outer coat or cruft is of a brownifh yel- low, and of" different thicknefs ; the furface is divided by fhallow cracks, and after it has been for fome time in the air, they become deeper. It readily ftrikes fire with fteel, and in the fire emits a ftrong blue flame, and lall: of all calcines to a purple powder. It is com- mon in the chaik-pits o^ Kent, and manyother places. The Flat PYRITES with a very thick whitifli brown cruft, is extremely hard and firm, though mo- derately heavy. It is commonly flat and round, or oval, and its ufual fize is two inches and a halt in length, two in breadth, and one in depth. The fur- face is rough, it 'oemg full of fmall tubercles, and it has the look of a lump of brownifh clay ; but it re- quires a fmart blow to break it, and when broken, a nucleus is fomid of the fame fhape with the whole ilone. This is very compadl, firm, and hard, and of a deep dufky green. The nucleus will ftrike fire with ileel, and burns to a red ; but the cruft itfelf turns to a pale brick colour. It is found in a clay-pit near the end of Graf s- Inn- lane, and very probably in many other places. The Green PYRITES without a cruft is met with in a great variety of different fhapes. It is of a hard firm clofe texture, and very heavy, and is found from half an inch to ten inches and upwards in length. Sometimes it is in the fliape of a common pebble, but it is more generally flat, with an uneven undulated furface, and feems to confift of many plates laid one upon another. It is extremely hard before it has been expofed long to the air, and is of the fame colour both within and without, that is, of a pale filvery green. It readily flrikes fire with fteel, bat will not ferment with 28^ The Natural HISTORY of with aqua fortis ; and it readiiy cracks and breaks in the lire, emitting a fine deep blue flame, and turning at laft to a florid red. It is vcr/ common in all pa] is oi Ejiglavid, particularly in the ftrata of blue clay. The PYRITES refembling a bunch of grapes with- out a coat is of a firm hard fi;ru6lure, and remarka- bly heavy. It is commonly fmall, and of a longifh form, though fometimes round, and many pounds in weight. It is moil commonly without ever a cruft, and requires a ftrong blow to break it. When bro- ken it appears to be a kind of a metallic body. It is moft commonly of a very pale green, though fome- times deeper, and the furface is always covered with tubercles of various fizcs, fo as to have a diftant re- femblance of a bunch of grapes, it ilrikes fire readi- ly with Heel, emits a blue flame in the fire, and foon falls to pieces ; but it at length turns to a beautiful purple. It is common in many parts c^i England, and when it has been long expofed to the air it has often a thin coat of a ruily colour. The Round PYRITES with a ftreaked flrudure, and an irregular furface, is very heavy, and is ufu- ally found in a roundifli ihape. The general fize is from four to fix ounces in weight, though there are iome of two or three pounds. The furface is irregu- lar, and fometimes befet with flattifli tubercles, and fometimes raifed in ridges on account of their being placed in diftindl rows, which meet in various angles. It is pr. tty hard, and when broken appears to be of a flreaked texture, and the flreaks run from the cen- tre to the circumferance. It is of a whitifti green within, is covered with a brown cruft, and is very bright and glittering when juft broken. It ftrikes fire with fttel, and burns to a purple powder. It is common in chalk-pits. The Round PYRITES with angular tubercles is remarkably heavy, and is found from an ounce to a pound or upwards in weight. It is generally round- ifh, and the furface is remarkably rough, infomuch that Dr. Wood-ix-ard calls it the ecliinated or prickly Pyrites ; however, the tubercles are not fliarp pointed. It is of a rulty colour, and is covered over with fliort qua- Watep.s, Earths, Fossils «;.'^Minerals. 285 quadrangular pyramids, which are broad at their ba- fis, and blunt at their points, commonly ftanding very upright and clofe to each other. It cannot be broken without a ftrong blow ; but when it is in pieces are found to be llreaked, and of a greenifh colour, with fome fmall mixture of yellow. It ftrikes fire with fteel, and will flame foon in the fire, with the fmell of brimftone, and burfts to pieces ; after which it cal- cines to a fine deep purple. It is common in E?ig- land in the itrata of chalk. The Silver-coloured Round PYRITES with a fmooth furface, is of a pretty firm texture, and re- markably heavy. It is commonly round, and the ufu- al fize is about an inch and a half in diameter ; but it is fometimes met with to the weight of two pounds. It is always without tubercles and ridges, and the furface is of the fame colour as the infide, though not quite fo bright. It breaks with a fmall blow, and when broken appears to be of a ftreaked texture, and of a beautiful iilvery green colour; and the ftreaks run from the centre to the circumferance. It flrikes fire with fteel, and in the fire it emits a blue flame, with a ftrong fme 1 of brimftone, after which it burfts and calcines to a deep purple powder. The PYRITES with a foliaceous furface is of a very Arm but uneven texture, but very heavy, it is of various ihapes, but commonly round. It is of vari- ous fizes, but generally large, though thofe of fix or eight inches are commonly round. It is harder than moft other ftones of this kind, and when broken ap- pears to be of a ftreaked texture, and the extremities of the furface are feen in rows of thin leafy plates, of unequal plates which cover the whole. They gene- rally lean one way, but they are of unequal thick- nelTes, and fometimes notched at the end. The co- lour is of a dufky green, which when juft broken is very bright and glittering. It fometimes confifts of a homogeneous fubftance ; but moft commonly there is only a thick cruft of the true Pyrites furrounding a fubftance of a difterent kind. In the fire it emits a deep blue flame and burfts, after which it calcines to a purple powder. It is found at Gojlear in Saxony^ and ^86 The Natural HISTORY of and in Hartz foreft, and fometimes in England^ par- ticularly MejiAip hills, DerhyJInre-y and Cornwall, The PYRITES with a fmooth glofTy furfacc, is of a very firm coarfe regular fubftance, and remarkably heavy. It is of a very particular (hape, being always more or lefs hollow ; and in various forms, often like pebbles, but more particularly rugged and knobby. The common fize is five or fix inches in diameter, and the furface is fo glofly, that even the tubercles thereon appear to be fo. It is very hard, and when broken appears to be ftreaked with irregular cavities, and the ftreaks are more narrow than in other fJones of this kind. On the infide they commonly terminate in broad plates, nearly of a fquare figure, and are difpofed in rows. The general colour is greenifh, but if it is broken where thefe plates are, it is commonly of a bright beautiful yellow. It emits a blue flame like the reft, and calcines to a fine red. The Large Foliaceous PYRITES in the fhape of a cube, is of fo regular a figure, that it has by many been thought to have been the efi^ed of art. It is of a firm regular ftrufture, and very heavy, and it is commonly found about one third of an inch in diameter. All fides are perfedtly fmooth, and it breaks in all direfti- ons, for it confifts of plates m the direftion of all the furface. It is gloffy on the infide when juft broken, and feems to be compofed of plates like talc. It is of a fine whitilh green colour, with a fmall mixture of yellow. In the fire it emits a deep blue flame, with a llrong fmell of brimftone, and calcines to a deep purple. It is found in Germany^ Hungary^ and the EaJ} Indies. The Small Solid PYRITES in the fliape of a cube, is not unlike the former, it being firm and hard, and very heavy. The fhape is regular, and the fize is commonly about an eighth of an inch in diameter. It is perfe<5lly fmooth on every fide, and when broken is very bright and glofTy. Its colour is commonly of a pale yellowifh green, though in thofe that are large it is fomewhat of a ruft colour. It cracks and burfts in the fire, emitting a deep blue flame, and at laft calcines to a fine red. It is common in the north part* of Waters, Earths, Fossils a^idMiKE^ALS. 287 of England^ and many other coujatries. It Is here found in common black flate, but in Germany about the earth on the mountains. The Bright PYRITES with eight fides is very- firm and compadl, of a pretty even texture, and very heavy. It is always compoied of eight triangular planes, though it is fubjedl to fome varieties. Its moft perfeft ihape is when two pyramids are placed evenly one againft the other ; but they are more commonly fet uneven and flanting, and their planes are very ir- regular with regard to their fize. It is from the big- nefs of a large pin-head to that of a walnut; and they are naturally fmooth, and of the colour of poliftied iron. When broken the pieces appear very bright and fparkling, and often much paler than the outer fur- face. They feem to be compofed of irregular thin undulated plates, laid more clofely together than in the marchafites. In the fire it cracks and burfts, emitting a blue flame, with the fmell of brimftone, and at lafl: calcines to a deep purple. It is found in Coninvall, and i-s very common in North America. The Hard Shining PYRITES with twelve fides, when perfeft, is extremely beautiful, but is fcldom met with in that ftate. It is pretty hard, and of a regular texture, and very heavy. It is fubje6t to great irregularities, but it often wants one or more of its fides, and has commonly other bodies of its own fub- flance flicking fail to it. It is of various fizes, it be- ing from one inch to four in diameter; but it is more frequently about the third part of an inch. The fur- face is fmooth and fhining, and generally of a pale yellow, and fometimes it is of the colour of rufty iron, and fometimes of polifhed fl:eel. V/hen broken it ap- pears to be of a foiiaceous fubfiance, and to confift of very thin plates irregularly placed, and may often be diftinguifhed by the naked eye. In the fire it emits a blue flame, with the fmell of brimfl:one, and cal- cines to a blueifli purple. It is found in Ccrn'ujall, but is more common in Germanjy as well as in the EaJ} and Weji Indies. It is obfervable that all thefe kinds of ftones ftrike lire v/ith fteel, and will not fer- ment with aqua fortis. The ufe that fome of thefe are of 288 The Natural HISTORY 0/ of in making green copperas has been already taken notice of in its proper place ; befides which they get fiilphur out of them in many parts oi Germany, CHAP. XXXIV. O/FOSSILE PETRIFIED BODIES* BEFORE we come to particulars it will not be improper to take notice of petrifications in gene- ral, fome of which are performed as it were within our fight, and therefore are moft eafy to be underftood. 1'he firil: of which is the ftaladites, which is a kind of cylinder formed on the roofs of fome caves and grottos, which has been already taken notice of in its proper place. This is evidently brought to pafs by means of the water which carries with it very line fand, that by length of time increafes to different fizes, and forms the different layers which are fucceflively produced one over another. Another kind of petrification which is well known, ^re the crufts of flone which the water of fome fprings £xes by little and little to the pipe through which it paffes, for thefe are almoil every where to be feen. From thefe it plainly appears, that the matter of the petrifications, let their nature be what they will, is driven by water to the fides of the pipe in fmall par- ticles, v/hich being applied to each other without any regularity, forces the water itfelf to turn from the centre of its courfe, to make a pafTage for itfelf; be- caufe the ftony matter is applied as it were by chance. Another fort of petrification alfo very well known are the pieces of wood, fhells, and other fubilances, that are petrified in the bowels of the earth, or in fprings, without lofing their fhape, or diilinguifhing marks by which they are commonly known. Thefe may be dii- tinguilhed into three kinds ; that made in plates or layers, that done by pellets or balls, and that by pe- netration. The Waters, Earths, Fossils ^«^Minerals. 2b;' The fubllances by which thefe are bi-ouz -t abov ,, are water, fait, oily juice, land, mud, and cl:.y. I'l. water leldom penetrates the lubibmce of floncs to no purpoie, but carries with it and mixes ihe m iterials of which they are compofed ; mucii in the fame mariner as the mafons make ufe of water v/herewith to blend and intimately unite the material of which they make mortar or cement, that grows hard in propor- tion as the water flies off. All forts of walls are com- pofed of hard mafies and cement, for the cement alone would of itfelf be of little ufe; however, it cannot be denied that in fome parts of the world they make walls of mortar alone, particularly in Morocco, where they throw their mortar into wooden cafes, and let it re- main till it grows hard ; and then they do the fame Hill higher and higher, till at length they make a wall of the height they defign. However, this is not the cafe with us, for here mortar is made ufe of only to fill up the void places between the Hones and bricks, and to keep them fixed v/here they ought to Hand ; for by infinuating itfelf into the pores of the Hones or bricks, it makes one mafs of the v/hole ; infbmuch that when the mortar is quite dry, tlie wall becomes folid, and cannot eafily be Ihaken. It is juH the fame in the three kinds of petrifications, for the water contains fmall quantities of exceeding fine cement, which are generally particles of fand, clay, or mud. The HrongeH cement confiHs of falts and different bitumens : fometimes the falts and clay ferve as a cement for fands ; and fometimes it is the clay alone, or mud, that conHittites the mafs. From the different degrees and quantities of the different mixtures, a prodigious number of different fubfcances may be produced ; but it is the water that brings them together, by taking them up in its courfe, and mixing them one with another, depofing them in the paffages through which they run. After the water is gone they have time to harden and dry, becaufe their par- ticles being intimately blended together, can have no means of feparating again. To the firll kind of petrification we may refer talcs. Hates, plumous alum, and plaHer. As for cryHal, it Vol. V. O is 290 The Natural HISTORY of is nothing but aheapoffand, perhaps in a pyrami- dal or triangular fliape, which the water applies fuc- ceffively one upon another, uniting them together with a little fait, and very fine mud ; this is the more probable, becaufe when cryllal is decompofed in the fire, there remains nothing but calcined fand, earth, and a little fait. We need not wonder that cryftal fliould he thus formed into a tranfparent mafs, becaufe feveral forts of Avhite fand viewed through a microfcope appear to be nothing elfe but true white cryiial. The earth or mud that Is joined thereto only hinders them from fhining like a diamond. It is eafy to imagine that a fall of water may bring into any place a layer of fand and blackifti earth, and that a fecond may throw another upon the former, and fo en ; infomuch that in length of time flate may be produced of different thickneiies. In the fame manner oifferent fubftances may form talc, plumous alum, and plaftcr. Indeed it is hard to conceive how plumous alum or amianthus can be fo formed, becaufe it will refill: the £re ; hov/ever, it is well known that clay is little affected by fire ; and yet it is ftill hard to conceive with what it can be united, fo as to form threads on which the fire will have little or no effeft. But with regard to plafter of Paris, the explanation is more eafy, becaufe fand feems to be "the predominant fub- flance therein, and is united to a certain pordon of mud or clay ; for this flone being flightly boiled will diffolve, and let the clay fall in the form of powder. When this plaftcr is thus difiblved, it will foon grow hard again, by pouring a little water upon it, and flirring it about ; becaufe the particles of the clay are like fo many fine fpunges, which immediately fuck up thefmall quantity of water poured therein, which fwell- ing fii] up exactly all the interftices of the fand, and fo unite them together, and by this means the water entirely difappcars ; or if any moifture remains when it is evaporated, the fpungy particles will retain their form, like fo many pipes, and keep their pofition when the water is gone. The Waters, Earths, Fossils ^;7^ Minerals. 291 The fecond fort of petrification is that which is per- formed by fmall pellets or balls, and often by bunches compofed thereof. It is probably by this means that gems receive their formation, bccaufe many of them are found in the chinks and cavities of certain rocks, where the water can bring nothing with it but fand, falts, and a little bitumen, and by chance fome me- talline particles, Thefe fmall congeilions of matter, coming to fmk and harden by degrees, may carry along with them the very fine particles they meet with. The generation of irregular flints, and all other Hones that will llrike fire with fteel, feems to be the fame as that of gems ; for the water meeting in its courfe certain cavities" more or lefs wide in marl, chalk or clay, that are in rocks, there depofits the falts, the oily fluids, and the fine fand with which it is imbuted. This water afterwards evaporating, the fand, and every thing that is introduced within ihe ca- vity, becomes hard as in a mould, and forms a mafs which takes the fame figure. When fine fand is the principal ingredie..t, the concretion is more or lefs tranfparent and hard, as are all forts of gems. The colours are dull, variegated, or marbled with veins, in proportion to the difi^erent mixtures of the fubftance of which they are formed. When there is a great deal of fitlt or fulphur, which are well known to contain particles that flrike the nofe and yield fire, then the ftone v/ill have a ftrong fmell of fulphur when it is broken or ftruck, and will fparkle when it meets the blows of another ftone as hard as itfelf, or when it is ftruck with the Heel or hammer, that by its extra- ordinary hardnefs difcompofcs the pores wherein the particles of fire are lodged. Thefe forts of Hones veiy evidently contain a great deal of fire, and therefore they might be fuppofed by fome to be eleftrical, and yet it is plain they have no fuch quality,- which may be owing to the earthy particles in which the fire lies hid, and which may prevent the eiFefts of rubbing, in the fame manner as a lock of wool placed again ft a glafs, or when tied to the ftring of a mufical inftru- ment, prevents the vibrations, and confequently the found. O 2 There C(;2 The Natural HISTORY of 'I'here are a great many flints and flinty ftones that are exadly round or oval, or approaching thereto, and of all fizes, which feem to be compofed of, or form fmall pellets or plates, by means of a nucleus which is the bafis of the whole. When the water is loaded with a fmall bit of marl or fome fmall (lone, as it repafl'es through this fmall mafs, it will fill up its pores or inequalities with the clay or other particles con- tained therein, and it will bellow upon it a fmooih and pretty regular furface. If this is repeated feveral times by the application of the water to the mafs, it will always leave a fmall layer or coat of fand before it flies ofl^. Thefe circular layers or coats growing hard by the evaporation of the water, will form a fm.all arch, which will grow fl;ill fironger and flron^er, by the fuccelfive application of feveral other layers or coats. The whole will grow more thick in propor- tion to the number of times that the water returns, and dtpofits frefli matter. It may fo happen that the nucleus of chalk, marl, fl^one, or clay, which has been as it were the foundation of the firll arch, being ren- dered hot by fome external means, that is not now ne- cefiary to explain, all the moifture will evaporate and diminifli the fize. By thefe means it may often come to pafs that there may be a nucleus in the middle of the rtone, as we often find by experience ; which may be fometimes chalk, fometimes common earth, or other fubftance quite different from that of the flone ; fo that at length by fhaking the flone it may be eafily found by the rattling, that fome fubflance is contained therein. Thus the formation of round and oval ftones becomes much the fame as that of certain ftones which are known by the name of Bezoars, and which are found in the bellies of feveral animals, both in the Eaji and Weji Indies^ and to which great virtues are at- tributed. Some of thefe ftones, that have a cavity in the mid- dle, often contain a hard fubftance, or another ftone, V hich rray be eahly known from the noife it makes Vkhen fi. akci: ; and this ie commonly called by the name ct tht: iiage Stone, to which moil extraordinary qua- jjtitshave faiitly been attributed. The Waters, Earths, Fossils ^«^Minerai,3. 293 The third manner of petrification is what is called by fome penetration, and this is the moft common ; thus a large bed of fand, clay, or other matter, may be petrified by the falts and other particles wherewith the water is imbuted when it iinks therein. The wa- ter will carry with it all the fine falts it has diffolved and taken up by the way, as well as the exceeding fine earthy particles which have remained therein. This water will readily pafs, as well as every tiling it contains, through a bed of fand, that is too full of pores to Hop it ; but it will fill by degrees all the in- terftices of more compa6l fand, and will clofely unite all the particles ; and by this means v/e may under- ftand the formation of what we commonly call free- ftone. A bed of earth or of fand will be changed into a ftone more or lefs hard in proportion to the quan- tity of clay or fand contained ther:nn. Marl an i pot- ters clay thus mixed with fand will be ch:.nged into marble, whofe grouna m.ay be eirhjr r d, p^reen, or black, according to the natur* of the p^tiiried bed. Perhaps ti-e ground of any marble may be nothing but very fine fand, into which tlie water has penetrated, and carried at m^any thoufaud diiferent times the fine particles of marl and potters clay, and which in pro- cefs of time may obtain the hardnefs in which they are found ; and confequently their natures, colours, mixtures, and clouds, may vary to infinity. If the potters clay has been dried and cracked by fome fub- terranean heat, the fine fand, or marl, or other fub- Hances which are carried by the water, and depofited in the chinks or cracks, may produce veins of all co- lours, and of all fhapes. Likewife when there are particles of gold, or any other metal, that are fine enough to be dragged along by the water, they may ferve to augment the richnefs of thefe variegations. The drops of oily fluids that the water carries along with it, may expand and form a multitude of fmall fpots, which may be round when they are at liberty, or oval when they are a little confined on each fide ; or in fhort they may be angular, or of any other Ihape, according to the impediments they meet with. All tlie winding veins on the fides of which we fometimes O 3 fee 294 "^^^ Natujial history of fee rows of fmall fpecks of gold, or other metals, extremely fine, ferve to iliew very evidently the pro- grefs that the water has made ; for when it happens to be flopped, and obliged to turn, it penetrates wherever it can, and fo produces very irregular varie- gations. The particles which the water contains, be- ing naturally a little more heavy than itfelf, mull needs be depofited in time, and flopping by the way, mull penetrate the very firfl cracks or other cavities that they meet with. We may compare the formation of a marble, or other ilone, to that of cloth or ta- peflry ; for the body of the fand or clay, which is ca- pable of penetration by water, may be compared to that which weavers call the warp, and the water to the fhuttle, which pafles acrofs the other without flop- ping. The fine fand, the particles of common clay, the colours of potters clay, the fine threads or fmall leaves of metallic fubllances, may all together be com- pared to the woof which is introduced into the body of the work, and which fills it by little and little. However, it ibmetimes happens that there are thin plates or layers of clay between the different beds or llrata of flone, and v/hich are free from any mixture at all ; from whence it appears that they have hindered the progrefs of the water, for they only ferved to fuf- tainj and could not be penetrated by it. Perhaps it may be thought a wonder why there fhould be any flratum of Hone or marble under this clay, fmce the water could net get through it ; but this will foon cc-af.', when we confider that many parts of the clay may be very thin and full of cracks, and confequently will admit the water to pafs very freely through it. All the water with its contents may run over the clay, and may be ihed at the extremity of this layer, into the bed which lies beneath ; and it has been found by experience, that many rocks of an enormous fize will not prevent the w.^ter from pafTing thro' their bowels, and tailing into beds of fand that are placed under- neath. That v.'hich the water performs by the penetration f.fthc different flrata contained in the earth, it brings about in fome degree v.'ith regard to pieces of wood, bones^ Waters, Earths, Fossils <»;7rf'MiNERALs. 29^ bones, and other fubilances wliich it enters into ; and • which affords us a reafon or method of explanation of all the different petrifications, though never fo odd, which are to be met with in all parts of the world. We cannot determine whether there has ever been a univerfal earthquake or not, which has changed its primitive form ; or whether the accidental ihocks of comets may have produced the alterations which evi- dently appear therein ; for we find feveral forts of ani- mals, and fometimes mankind, in fmall iflands at a vaft diflance from the main land, which can hardiy be ac- counted for, but from fome extraordinary caufe, that has produced great irregularities in the face of the earth, making that to be a fea which was dry land be- fore, and raifing up mountains out of the bolbm of the deep ; elpecially fmce we find from fome fuch change, that there are a vail number of marine bodies at a great diflance from the fea, and a great deal higher than its furface. However, this is certain, that a great many fubilances which feem to have been prooer only to the fea, are now found in the bowels of the earth ; and which have perhaps been petrified by degrees, by the infmuation of water, falts, and excs^eding fmall cryllalline or ftony particles, proper to fill up their pores, without alteration of their fhape. To this all the produdlions which fome have looked upon as lu- fus naturae, or fports of nature, are evidently owing. Befides the bones of crocodiles, the ikeletons of fea horfes, the entire bodies of petriiied filh, there are al- moft every where found fea ihells of all kinds, and all forts of the parts of fea animals, converted into ilone. Some are very wonderful with regard to their fitua- tion, and others with regard to the oddnefs of their fhapes. However, fome are of opinion that if thefe changes have been in reality produced by earthquakes, it will not from thence follow we Ibould find them converted into ftone ; but this may be eafily accounted for, if we reflect a little on what has jufl: been iaid ; for their fituation is no harder to be comprehended than that of flints, which are generated in the middle of other fubilances ; for though they undoubtedly were in their natural ilate before the alterations were O 4 made. 296 The Natural HISTORY of made, yet It is eafy to conceive in what manner they have been petrified fmce that time. Thefe petrifica- tions have had different names bellowed upon them by naturalilts, and therefore it will be neceffary to give a more difdndl account thereof. They are principally of two kinds, that is, animal and vegetable fubftances ; io7:\t. of which have remained in the earth a vaft num- ber of years without any great alteration, and others have been covered with or turned into Hone ; however, they all come under the denomination of Foffils. Wiih regard to trees, there have many been found buried under ground in many parts of the world, and particularly in England-, as on the coaft o^ Suffolk near Dun".mch, in the fens of Lincoln/hire and Torkjhire, and more particularly in the Ifle of Jxholm, which is made by ri\ ers, and lies between JSottinghejnJhire, Lmccln- Jhire, and Torkfim-e ; as alfo on the coaft of Pernbroke- Jh'ire in Wales. Thefe have not only been found near the fea, but in inland countries at the depth of ten or twenty ells; and Beet tells us there have been whole woods of trees, with their trunks, boughs and leaves fo diftinftly appearing thereon, that it might be readily difcovered v/hat fort of trees they were. We are alfo told by another author, that in the terri- tory of Peland near Boijleduc, in the province of Bra- tent, there are the like. IVormlus afTerts, that there are many of thefe in the higheft and moft craggy mountains of Iceland^ v/here no one dares venture to go but fuch as have been trained up to clim.b preci- pices from their youth, and where they muft dig to the depth of fome ells before they can come at them. In England likewife there arc fome that lie at a di- ilance from the fea, as in Chatmcfs in Lanca/khCj fe- veral parts of Torkjhire ar.d Chejhire, as well as in Stof- fcrdjhire. The places in this iaft county where they are found are Laynton, and the old Peuuit Peel in the parifh of Nor bury ; Shebben Pod in the parifh of High 0{Jiey\ the modes near Eardley, in the parifn of Judley, and near the tov/n of Betley ; all which He in the high country of the moor lands. They are found ftill far- ther from the fea in Cr unmoor near Wrottefy\ in Rotten Mcadovj under IVed.ieJlury Hall 'f on Dorhy Ccmm:n ia the Waters, EarthS; Fossils /tw^Minerals. 297 the parifh of Gnofal ; in a place called Peat-Moor, and in the moors of Han^J'-vjorth; none of which are lefs than thirty, and fome are above fifty miles from the fea. Some will have thefe to have been originally formed in the earth, efpecially becaufe they refemble f.rrs, of which fort none ever grew naturally in Eng- land, if we may believe the account that Cir/^far gives in his Commentaries. However, this appears plainly to be a mlliake, becaufe many of thefe trees have their roots flill remaining, as well as the ftumps of their branches. H there is any fuch thing in rea- lity as foffile wood, it is generally allowed not to Avim on the furface of the water; whereas all thefe before mentioned will : bcfides, they Hill retain the qualities of wood, and fometimes they are found fvvim- niing in pools, which the country people get out, clc:ave into fplinters, and m.ake ufe of them iniiead of candles. The chief difficulty lies in knovv^ing whe- ther firrs ever grew in E-ngIa?id or not ; and fome, to folve this, have pretended that they have been brought hither by fome flood, particularly that of Noah, where they have lain ever fince. It muft be acknowledged, that there is no impoiTibility in this, or at leall that they may have been brought hither by fome fuch means; becaufe they are full of a large quantity of bitumen, which no doubt would preferve them from corruption a vaft number of years. However, this account is not very probable, becaufe if they had been brought hither by a flood, they would have bee:i found in all low places alike, and in the fouth of E/ig~ land z% well as in the north ; for there are none in the vales of E'vefham or Jylcfoury, nor indeed in many others, which feem to be molt likely. Some of thefe trees appear as if they v/ere burnt, and others have the marks of the ax ftill remaining upon them; be- fides, the ftumps from v/hich they were cut are \n fome places alfo '-emaining, and they appear in the fame podure as when the tree was growing; particu- larly in Sb:.bben Pool, when the fummer is dry and the waters low. Others, with more probability, have thought that tiiefe trees were not firr, but birch or alder, becaufe they delight to grow iu inoift places, O 5 and 298 The Natural HISTORY 0/ and having been foaked many years in a bituminoas iluff, have been fo well impregnated with an oily mat- ter as to imitate firr both in fmell and burning : how- fever, this can hardly be the cafe, becaufe they fplit exaclly like firr, and becaufe they have evidently a turpentine fmell ; and btfides, at Axhchii in Lincoln- fhire there have been found trees thirty-fix yards long, exclufive of the tops, which lay very near the roots to which they belonged. But it would detain the reader too long, and be foreign to our prefent pur- pofe, to endeavour to account for the manner in which thefe trees have been brought into this ifland. Other trees befides firrs have been found to have been buried under ground ; for Dr. Moreton takes no- tice of a fmall maple-tree that he met with in a flratum of clay at a confiderable depth ; and near Bath part of an elm-tree has been lately difcovered of a confi- derable length : and no doubt there have been many others which have not been thought worth notice. But befides entire trees, or the principal parts, there have been commonly found in the fuel known in many parts o{ England by the name of Peat, and which is dug out of the earth, feveral fruits and catkins of other trees, that have been little altered in their texture. The moil common of thefe are hazle-nuts ; and near Whitkfea the twigs as well as leaves of white poplar have been feen, 'with the branches of hazlc, and great numbers of the fkeletons of leaves and catkins, be- fides the ftones of plums or fome fuch fruit. There have been fome pretty large branches of trees found- in the llrata of Hone, and commonly more or lefs changed into the nature of the flrata in which they lay. A great variety of fmaller branches have beerv found in the ftrata of blue clay which ferves to make tiles in the neighbourhood of London ; but though they were in the'r original fiiape, yet their internal ftru- £lure was much altered; for they feem to be changed into the fubftance of the common vitriolic pyrites. Thefe will fall in pieces when they are expofed to a moiil air, and are of good ufe in making of copperas. Thefe and others of the like kind are thought to have beta branches of oak, and they are generally altered Waters, Earths, Fossils and Minerals. 29^ in fome fenfe to the nature of the flrata in which they lie, by the inllnuation of cryllal or flony particles ; but in fome the v^eins of the wood are flill preferved, and they appear very beautiful when poliihed. Some are entirely white, though not very hard ; others of a bi-owniili black, or quite black, which are much harder : in fhort they are almoft of all colours, and of diiferent weights and hardneiTes, according to the adventitious particles contained therein. Some are fo perfedly petriiied as to ftrike fire with fteel, as in one of the mines of Hartz forell; and the wood found in the Loughneagh in Ireland there is fome of this fort, part of which has begun to petrify, and the other part is petrified entirely. Dr. Plott takes notice of ftones which he calls STE- LECHITES, whereof one in his time was met witlx near Dudley, called by the country people the Pox Stone, that is a ftone which undergoes little alteration by fire. It was fo much like petrified wood, that he took it for the (lump of a tree at firll fight. There are others of this name that are not fo worthy of it, par- ticularly the Stelechites o^ Aldronjandus, that has the appearance of antimony ; whereof many are found in the rocks near Beresford and Stanfopy and among the rubble flones that lie loofe above ground in the fields near Heathy and Bagots -Bromley. They are a fort of annular flones, regularly jointed and regularly flreak- ed at the top and bottom ; and therefore as unlike the trunk of a tree, though fome of them are branched, as any thing can well be; nor indeed do they refem- ble the trunk or flem of any plant whatever. Mr. Ray takes them to be the petrified back or tail bones of fifh, becaufe they generally confift of feveral plates or pieces (ticking together like the vertebra of the back- bones of fome forts of fifh ; though he acknowledges that they are fhorter and thinner than the bones of any fifh he had then feen. The thickefl part of thefe feldom exceeds the eighth part of an inch, and fome are not above a twenty -fourth part; thought Dr. Lifter tells us that he met with fome about Stock in Yorkjhire full a quarter of an inch thick. Many of thefe are perforated with a round, others with foliated or afle- rial 700 Th'. N/^TURAL HISTORY of rial inlets of fix or fcven points. In former times they were put upon ftriugs like beads, particularly by JSt. Cuthbcrt, from whciice they were called St. Cuth- In-rs beads; but becaufe they are fall of fmall rays dra»vn from their perforated centre to the rim, they have been by feme ranked among the Trochites. Befides the trees and parts of trees there have been different kinds of plants which have undergone the fan.c fiite ; and they have either been wrapped in the black flaty ilone found over the llrata of coals, or in loofe Hones of a ferruginous fubltance. Some forts of ftones contain the perfect images of plants, which fe-m to be nothing more than a painting, becaufe the fluid contained in the plant has fo intimately penetrated the fubftance of the ftone, that it feems to be all of a piece with it, and has prefcrved nothing more than the figure. The plants that are thus found are of dif- ferent kinds, but the moft common are of the fern kind, yet not fuch as we have in England^ for fome pretend they are only ,to be met with in America, There are alfo a great number of fca moiTes, with which many parts of the bottom of the fea are cover- ed. An ear of barley has been found in one, or at leaft its image very exaftly painted. Jt/JJieu has found one in France which reprefented the foliage of the me- lancholy plant, fo called becaufe it always flowers by night. Some of the flones, when they have been fplit, have contained the figure only of the plant, while the other fide has appeared more prominent ; which feems to have been occafioned by the petri- faftion of the plant itfelf. Some of the ferns thus found have been different from any fpecies hitherto known j infomuch that it is hard to fay, whether or not they wtre precedent to the chaos out of which the prefent globe of the earth vyas formed. Though thefe impreffions have been moft common- ly found in the flaty ftones above mentioned, yet there have been other ftones met with in which they have been feen, though perhaps not fo commonly ; parti- cularly there is a whitifh ftone in Germanyy not much harder than chalk, in which they have been frequent- ly met with ; as alfo a grey flate ftone of a very fine texture. ^J:Z^a/' t^/tcntc- Si2. O/iL^e- fyte/t^^itz ^LC^aT7?i tytr7i€J TnrruC^c Waters, Earths, Fossils ^//^Minerals. 301 texture, where they have been often found, befides one of a blackifh blue colour. Not only the entire branches of plants appear in thefe ftones, but fome- tinies the leaves of trees ; particularly thofe of the poplar, willow, white thorn, pear-trees, and many others. Perhaps it will not be improper to take notice of others that are lefs fingular, and which are common in Germany. Thefe are the leaves of oak and other trees which hang over fprings whofe waters have a petrifying quality, by whofe means they are often co- vered with a cruil like the mofTes in many parts of England, The Hone that covers them feems chiefly to confill: of a fort of fpar. Many fpecimens of all thefe kinds are frequently to be met with in the ca- binets of the curious. Dr. Plott has met with fome forts of thefe petrifica- tions in OxfordJJnrej particularly at Somerton, v.'here the grafs is covered v^ith a foft ilone, yet in fuch a manner that when it is broken off the grafs appears as freih and green as before it was incrufled. Some of the blades of grafs grow at leaft to a foot in length, and yet when pulled up with the root, and held up by that part, it might be palled out as entire as a fvvord out of the icabbard. At North A/ion ^ in a feld north- weft of tiie church, there is another petrifying water, where the roots of ruflies, grafs, and mofs are in a fnort time eaten away, infomuch that nothing remains afterwards except the figures of thofe plants, with fome augmentation. In the parifh of St. Clement's m the fuburbs of Oxford there is a ditch, the water ■whereof covers with a cruft the Hicks that fall out of a hedge. At Carfaxy in the city itfelf, there is a pump that not only covers the boards that fall into it with a cruft, but alfo enters the w^vy pores of the wood, which by degrees rotting away, there is no- thing left at length but the lineaments of the wood it- felf. Petrilications of this kind are always very brittle ; though they leave a faint reprefentation of the grain of the wood, yet they nev'er preferve its colour; and in the fire they are as incombulHble as ilone, for they \ change I 302 The Natural HISTORY of change nothing but their colour, which becomes mor6 whitiih : however, they will entirely diffolve in aqua fortis. There are fome indeed that are petrified in a different manner, and will preferve both the colour and texture of the wood : they are fometimes fo hard that they will cut glafs, and they will always flrike fire with fteel. The petrifications of marine fubflances are more common than thofe of any other fcrt ; and among them are found fifh of various kinds, more efpecialiy ihell-filh, or rather the fhells of thofe fiih. However, it is not very common to find any which reprefent the figures of river fiih ; though Dr. Plott obferved one that feemed to reprefent a carp, or a barbel; but it was more like the latter than the former, becaufe the fcalcs were thicker and ihorter. It was found in a block of coal, and was broken into feveral pieces in taking it out. The petrified fhells are fb numerous, that large mafTes of them have been found together, particularly in Ftrgi?iia. Some of thefe are compofed only of cockles, not exceeding a pea in bignefc, and flreaked circularly to the hinges of the valves ; yet none of them are hollow, but they fdck defer to each other than to the bed of Hone in which they lie. They are fo folid that they will bear a very good po- lifh ; and they have been made ufe of for the floor of a chapel. There are fome of this fort found near Charlto7i in OxfordJJoire^ that difter little from the for- mer ; in which the cockles are larger, but not fo thick fet. Another ftone of this kind has the cockles in their full proportion, and fome of them are beauti- fully cryftallized. A moderate blow will loofen them from their beds; and many of them are either hol- lov/, or filled up with a brittle fpar. There are other fofTils called OSTRACOMOR- PHOS, which coiifift of heaps of oyfter-fhells cemented together. There are many other petrified fhells that are not found in clullers, but each of them lie fingle in a feparate flate. Of thefe fome are curioufly Orcaked or furrowed, and others plain, with few or no orna- ments. Of thefe again fome are of a turbinated form, and others bivalvular joined together by a hinge, yet the Fa^e303 • / tyh-crm/^'^ ;^(7j ^J/^d^rtUt^ SJ3 J^^md y Waters, Earths, Fossils ^WMinerals. 30J the (hells of thefe are commonly found apart. Among thefe are thofe called the Stromboites, from their wreathing like a fcrew, and generally from the right hand to the left, and from the greater to the fmaller end. The largeft exceed nine inches in length; but thofe in England^ at leafl that have been hitherto found, are not much above five, with a plain furface ; and the leafl: are not above half an inch long, but cu- rioufly ftreaked. They are of an alli-colour fome- what* inclined to yellow, and of a harder confidence than the ftone in which they lie. There are fome petrifications that refemble cockles, fcoUops, and oyfters ; and thefe are very numerous. The CONCHITES or cockles may be divided into the greater and the lefs ; whereof fome of the greater are ftreaked with broad ftreaks and pretty deep furrows, defcending as it were from a centre at the top, and expanding themfelves to the rim of the ftone. They have alfo fix or feven tranfverfe fimple lines, bent cir- cularly to the hinge or joint : thefe appear to be a ftone without, of a dark afh colour; but within they are found to be black flint. There are others again whofe ftreaks defcend from the hinge or joint, and yet not in ftrait lines, but undulated, and much broader than the former. Aldronjandus gives an account of fome that are mnch larger than thofe found in England-, but then they are the real natural ftiells, and not petrifica- tions. This is to be met with at Great RoU-wright in a blueifh clay, and is not much harder than the clay itfelf ; it is alfo of the fame colour, though it is co- vered with a bright and ftiining fubftance. There is- another fort whofe lines or ftreaks are not dravyn, like the two former, from the joints of the valves to the rim, but tranfverfely and circularly from one fide of the ftone to the other, the leiTer circles being placed next to the joint. This feems to refemble the Wrin- kled Cockle of Rondeletius, with valves fwelling very high. They are of an afh colour inclining to yellow, but they are not hollow, for they are folid ftones, and much of the fame texture as the rubble of the quarry- in which they are found. There 304 The Natural HISTORY of There are feveral kinds of the fmaller Conchites, which differ in their colour, lines, and valves ; for fome are yellow, and are found in the fields ntzx Bur- fcrd in Oxfordjhire : their valves rife high, and ap- proach to a roundifli fhape. Thefe made red hot, and put into beer, are accounted by the country people to be an immediate remedy for a ftitch. In another part of this county there are fome of this fort that are flat- ter, and of an alh colour ; but in both the lines run from the joint to the rim. Thefe laH are found only at the head of a fpring, but never at any diflance from it. Some have thought that they have been brought out from among the rocks at the bottom of the hill where the fpring rifes ; others that they are formed by the peculiar virtue of the water which runs over rubble- ilones near its rife ; and it is faid that if they are picked away never fo clean, in a few months time there will be as many more. Some of thefe have been found only ftreaked on one fide, and rubble-llone oa the other; and others have but juil begun to be mark- ed v.'ith lines. There are others of this kind fo.md in a bank of yel- lowilli cia}', and they are of a different form from thofc juft mentioned, for they are ftreaked tranfverfely. Many of them appear to be hard flones, and yet feve- ral that have been met with were nothing but clay; which may juHly raife a doubt, whether or not many of thefe, v>hich have been generally fuppofed to be petrified (hells, are properly fo called. There is another fort of Conchites found in Horn- ton quarry, nearly approaching]; to an oval, and fcarce- ly llreakcd at all'j which inclines Dr. Plott to think that thefe ftones, which are fo like cockles, never were in reality the Ihells of that fiCh. Dr. Lijier is of the fame opinion ; for he takes them to be real ilones of a particular kind, differing not only from each other, but from any real fliells that were ev-er yet met with in any part of the world. There is fliU another fort of Conchites found in Hcrnton quarry, which is not Itony on the infide like the former, but is hollow, aiid filled up with fpar. It is fometimes in irregular figures, but generally forked. The Waters, Earths, Fossils <3r;?^MiNERALS. 305 The bafe, or place where the branches of the fork are united, is at the joint or hinge of the valves; which feems fomewhat hard to account for. There are alfo petrifications or flones which refem- ble fcollop-fhells, and are always found feparate. One of thefe is very curious, and refembles the Rough SqoWo^ oi JUro'vandus. It is of a yellowiih colour, and has ears on both (ides, with lines that run from the hinge or joint to the rim of the fhell. Thefe are very prominent; and there are others that run tranf- veriely, not bending towards, but from the hinge or joint : however, thefe do not pafs through the deep furrovvjj fo as to join with each other, for they are on- ly upon the ridges. There is another kind of fcoUop where the direft and tranfverfe lines are of an equal depth, but very ihallow, very numerous and fine. In thefe the tranfverfe lines bend towards the joint. It is of a light reddifli colour, with ears on both fides, and is found in the quarries of Heddingtnn in Oxfordfoire. There is another fheil or Hone like a fmall fcollop, and of a whitilh yellow colour : the ftreaks a.e large and broad in proportion, but the tranf/erfe lines are fmall and narrow ; however, it is eared, like the for- mer, on both fides. Thefe are called Peftunculi by Rondelctius, and he makes them a diftinft fpecies from the larger fort, which he names Pedines ; but then then ihofe that he (peaks of have never more than one ear, which is fometimes on the right and fometimes on the left fide ; but this has ears on both fides. There is another of the fmall kind entirely without ears, nor is there any fign of the ears being broken off; how- ever, there are real fhells of this kind taken notice of by different authors. There is ftill another fort re- femblino- a fcollop, or, as fome think, a fort of cockle> becaufe it bears too much on one fide for the former. It cannot be a Tellenites, becaufe if it has any ftreaks at all, they never ran that way. Thefe are in great plenty in feveral parts of Oxfordjhire\ fome of which are large, and as it were heaped one upon another ; and others fingle,-or found by themfeives. The real fhell-fifh that anfwers to thefe are called Streaked Cockles ; but they are always very fmooth within, whereas 3o6 The Natural HISTORY cf whereas fome of thefe are evidently ftreaked on the infide ; and the ftreaks not only run from the joint or hinge to the rim, but there are four or five broad tranfvTrfe ftreaks, made up of feveral lines almoll clofe to each other ; for which reafon fome would have it to be a ftone of a particular kind. Befides the fhells already mentioned, there are others that feem to be of the oyfter kind, which are very common in the gravel pits in fome parts o^Oxfordftoire; among thefe, there is one of an oblong fhape, which is very thick, and of a blueilh colour, and feems to be the fame as the thick oblong concha taken notice of by Dr. Merrit, which he found in Worcefierjhire, v/here they are called Crow-ilones, Crow-cups, and Egg-ftones. There are other ihells or flones that have fome re- fcmblance to mufcles ; but they are cf an odd fort of a figure, and there are no real fhells that we know of like them. They are not hollow, but are filled on the infide with a flony earth of a yellouilli colour, and their covering is white and fnining, with oblong lines. It is very long and narrov,^ in proportion, and it is marked, but very faintly, ]ike the fhell of a common Jnufclc. There is another of this kind which is ex- ceeding fmall : but is fomewhat like the former for ihape, only it is a little more oval on one fide ; foria the former only one cf their fides is ova), and the other a little concave. There are alfo detached oyiler-fhells found, that refemble thofe of common oyfters ; fome of w];ich are blue, and others reddifh, or of the co- lour of the gravel in which tliey are found. They are generally larger, thicker, and heavier than the true oyfler-lhells ; which perhaps may be owing to their petrification. However, there are real or true oyf^er-fhells in many places, which have undergone little or no alteration, only perhaps they are a little fofter. They have not the Icaft mark of diftinftion from the common fort ; and they have been found un- opened in many parts of the world, particularly near Reading in Berkjloive, where the labourers who are at work in digging the hill have always fome ready to prefcnt to ilrangers. There J^a^e ^06'. Co/tcA^/iiJ '\ S(^S t./;uuU/^z^/t^3]S '^^earf^/t^nc 3/2. ' rrtru. ^ jTa^To^oT // ^ ' J/v/n- ^]c6 . i. /ra v//r/v// -^07 /'c/r//r//u^ tj/o/rr, (vu/f/Viif ^o- r^ K /c/r c7fr(^/^/i,{>r/S(^7 e ylfrur/^c/^ffr^o^. -/-"/rw//., Waters, Earths, Fossils, /?«^ Minerals. 307 Tl»ere are other petrifications refembling fhell-fiih of the fofter crullaceous kind, which for fubllance and hardnefs are much like a pebble, and of a yellowilh colour. They are divided at firft by five pretty ftrait lines, adorned on each fide by a double row of points, afcending from a protuberant centre in the bafis of the ftone to another of the fame fhape at the top, but fo- liated round in the manner of a rofe. It is likewife fubdivided by five other indented lines, which termi- nate before they reach the centre ; but they make the fpaces between them appear like pentagons, or like the fhells of fome kinds of tortoifes. Aldro^andus takes notice of a Hone of this kind, which he ima- gined refembled the Sea Hedge-hog deprived of its prickly coat. Dr. Plott calls it the Porcupine Stone vvithout briftles. There is another that is curioufly embroidered, and refembles the Sea Hedge-hog of //«- peratus ; but it differs greatly from the former in co- lour and fubllance. It is of a whitifh alh colour with- out, but within a hard black flint covered over with thin glittering plates placed edgeways on the ball of the flint, and which compofe the uniform eminences and depreffures with waved and tranf/erfe lines. Beet calls them Serpents Eggs, becaufe fome have fuppofed they were formed by ferpents, on account of their ba- fis, v/hich is plain and fmooth, being befet as it were with five ferpents tails, or rather like thofe of lizards, and which turn up towards the upper part. Thofe of Boet are of a whiti-h brown colour vvithout, and en- tirely white within. Under the outer cruil was a coat of flint, under which they were fofter, and they were of the fhape of a hemifphsre. Some have taken thefe flones to be the eggs of land tortoiles hardened into ftone ; and the rather, becaufe the upper part of the ftone pretty much refembles a tortoife : though others fuppofe it to be a real ilone of a peculiar kind. Thefe are found in great plenty in the lile of MaltUy where they are called by the country people the Breafts of St. Pauly becaufe fometimes two of them are found together. There is another fort of Hedge-hog Stone, which refembles the fhell of a kind of fea hedge-hog; and it 3c8 The Natural H I S T O R -Y «/ f| it is faid to be like the ftellated eggs of that hedge- hog. Their outermoft coat is full of fharp prickles, upon which .iccount they are fometlmes called Sea | Chefnuts, becaufe of their likcnefs to the rough pric- j kles that encompafs chefnuts while they are on the tree. When they are dead all the prickles will fall cff, and then the (hell is difcovered, which is curi- oufly wrought, and refembles the ftone of which we are now fpeaking. They confift of many compart- ments and eminences, which are fo regularly difpoied that the moil ingenious embroiderer cannot eafily imi- tate them. One of thefe was found in the parilh of TeyntoJi in Oxfor^Jhire, according to Dr. Plott ; where there is alfo another kind much fmaller, for it is net bigger than a rouncival pea; and yet the lines of com- partment and other eminences are as large as ihe for- mer, but not fo numerous. It may be doubted whe- ther there is any animal with a {hcl! like this flor.e ; for no account has been given of any fuch hitherto. There is alfo another kind of Echinites or Hedge-hog Stone found in the quarries near SUto'ver Hilly which is very like the fifth Sea Hedge-hog oti AriftotUy as it is figured by Rondehtius. The inward fhell of this fifh is very fmall, though the prickles are long and ftiff; and it is always found in the deepefl waters flicking to the rocks. The CoRNU Ammonis, ot Jmmon*s Horn, is fo call- ed becaufe it is like the horns of rams which were con- fecrated in tlie temple o^ Jupiter Amnion, feated in the fandy defarts of Lybia. They were formerly taken to be petrified ferpents, and feveral authors have com- pared them to the nautilus, or have confounded them with each other. The unpetrified y//7z/;7o«'s Horns are divided by feveral partitions, but they have fewer fmu- ofities than the nautilus, and they have no fmall pipes that run through them to preferve a communication one with another. There is alfo fome difference in their covering, for the nautilus is very fmooth, or at leall the (Ireaks of the furface only anfwer to the wind- ings on the infide, and are very broad ; whereas Jm- nicn^s Horns have feveral external turns, are covered often with tubercles, and almoU always with ftreaks. There arc Waters, Earths, Fossils ^«^ Minerals. 309 are plenty of the foffile kind in the county of Oxford^ which are of different colours, Ihapes and fizes, but always fo curled up that the place of the head is in the circumference, and the tail in the centre of the ftone. Some are fmall, with protuberant parts fvvell- ing almoll to a round ; others are broader and more depreffed ; but the lines in both are undulated, and extended from near the centre to a fingle- edged ridge on the back of the ilone. In this refpedl they differ from a third fort that has broader lines, but not undulated, and they terminate at the large protube- rances on each fide the flone, between which and the broad back thereof there run other lines ; the whole body of the flone being likewife divided into futures, not much unlike the leaves of an oak. The two lat- ter of thefe are perforated at the centre, and therefore they are called by Bauhine the bored Ammoiis Horns, They are all three adorned with a fhining brafs-co- loured coat, of a brightnefs equal to the metal itfelf. Boet afhrms it is of a gold colour, upon which ac- count it is by Pliny ranked among the gems : he fays that Ammon's Horn is reckoned among the moft pre- cious gems of Ethiopiuy and that it is in the fhapc of a ram's horn, of the colour of rufty iron, which by- means of alum immediately turns into a copper or gold colour, juft in the fame manner as iron itfelf will do with the lame fait ; however, he fhould rather have faid with Roman \4triol, becaufe that is well known to have fuch an efFedl upon iron. However, it may be remarked that Dr. Plott is guilty of a fmall error, for he takes thefe to be the words of Beet himfelf, and not of Pliny ; likewife he reprefents him as faying that the gold colour proceeds from its lying in the earth, which is fated with aluminous juice ; but there is no fuch thing mentioned by either them, whatever their meaning might have been. A fort of thefe Hones have been found in the parifh of Cleydon in Oxfordjhire^ which have many more turns than the former, though they are not much bigger ; but they are without a covering, and are of a yeilowilh colour, with flreaks that run from the in- nermofl: part of the flone, and are all fingle except that 3IO The Natural HISTORY of that fome of them are divided into two parts before they reach the rim of the Hone, where they terminate with a back much more protuberant than the reft of the ftone, though ftreaked in the fame manner. There are alfo others met with that are not ftones like the former, but confift of a fine ftony eartli, or hardened yellow clay ; contrary to the opinion of fome authors, who affirm they are al! of the fame confiftence. The OPHIOMORPHITES nearly ref^mble the for- mer, and are fo called from their being like ferpents rolled up. Some of thefe are alfo found fo foft that it is eafy to break them with the fingers ; but there are others that confift of a hard blueilh ftone. They difler from thefe in their lines or furrows ; for in the former the ftreaks are wider, and more open near the rim ; but in fome of thefe they are clofer, and alfo united into pretty large protuberant knobs on each fide the back of the ftone, which in thefe is broad and fome- what rifing, and is croiTcd by other crooked or curve lines that ru n between the eminences. There are other ftones of this kind that have only ftrait fingle ribs, which likewife terminate in ftrait ridges, that run on each fide the back of the ftone; between which there is a third that is more prominent, and might be taken for the fpine of the back ; however, it is not v/reathed, but plain like thoie on cacli fide of it ; and it ap- pears to be fame as the crefted Ammon's Horn of jc/.vt Bauhine. One of this kind is about four inches in diameter, and is made up of the like number of turns ; but fome are of eight inches diameter. The largeft of this kind in Oxfcrdjhire was found at Landford^ near Oxfordy and is eleven inches over, and weighs feven- teen pound*. The ribs arc fmgle, and there are no knobs or ridges at the back, which is plain and even. Dr. Merrit takes notice of one that was twenty inches in diameter, which was inlaid with a fmall fort of cockle fliells ; that is in its fides, whofe fegments, if they may be fo called, are within the body of the ftone ; ■and therefore Dr. Ploit takes it to beef a different kind. TheBELEMNITESare fo called from the Greek word Belemnon, which ftgniiics^ dait, becaufe they are nearly Waters, Earths, Fossils «»4^Minerals. 311 nearly of that fhape. Authors are not agreed in what clafs to place this ftone j for Luyd takes it to be the form of the iifii called Narhwal, or a concretion form- ed in iliape of the Pennicella Marina. Helvjing would ha-v^e it to be a fea plant, and Wood--ward a mineral produftion of ths earth. Lang, in his hiilory of the ilones of S^AJferland, think- it is a fort of a Stalacti- tes or foilile pipe, formed by flowers. ^W/^w-s;;, inhis Subterranean Silejta, would have it to be the thorns of the back of fom:; animal ; and Ehrard, in his dilTerta- tion on the Belemnites, fays it is tlie covering of the cells of a lliell fiih, which is a kind of nautilus or Am- »z/?«'sHorn; though inllead of being fpiral it is ftrait. Bourquet maintains they are the teeth of a crocodile or fome fort of whale ; and Buttner places them among the foreign foflils. Kkin pretends they are the prickle of a fort of hedge-hog ; and Linn^us refers them to the clafs of Ihells with feveral ceils. The fhape of the Belemnites is lometimes conical, fometimes cy- lindrical, and they moll commonly confift ofa fubilance that is black and horny; the length is from two inches to eight, and the diameter from the fixth part of an inch to three or four inches in circumference. The inward parts confiil of rays, and there is generally a cell at the large end, and a furrow that runs from the top to the bottom. Dr. Plott informs us that when they are rubbed againil each other, or are fcraped with a knife, they have the fmell 01 rafped horn, and that their texture conuHs of fmnll threads which run like rays from the centre, or raiher from the axis of the flone to the firface. When barne>l they have likewife a fmell like that of horn ; and the greateil he found was fomewhat above four inches in Lmgth, and in thicknefs about an inch and a qu irter. It was hol- lou' at the top, about an inch deep, and filled with a kind of gravelly earth. It was of an aih-coiour, in- clining to yellow, and if rubbed brifkly would take up ftraws like amber. He found alfo fome of a blneiih colour, in a blueifh clay, hollow at the top ; and fome of them inftead of one had three furrows, wh Teas tlie former had but one farrow or chink. He met with another of an adi-colour, hollow at the top, and without 512 The Natural HISTORY ef without a chink. He likewife found a fourth fort, which were very common in the gravel-pits in the fuburbs of Oxford \ they were not hollow at the top like the former, but radiated like a ftar from the centre ; and thefe by fome are calkd the male Belem- nites, and they are always of an amber colour ; how- ever, they will not attradl flraws, though they are fomewhat tranfparent, and, when rubbed or burnt, fmell like the urine of cats. The Germans pretend thefe fort of flones are good againft the night-mare and the ftone in the kidneys, and they give it in pow- der from half a dram to a dram. There are other ftones that reprefent herbs and plants, among which arc FUNGITES or TUBE- ROIDES, fo called from their refemblance to fungi or mufhrooms ; thefe are of an afh-colour without, but a black flint within. Others refemble only the parts of plants, one of which has been met v.'ith like a root of briony broken off tranfverfely, which Ihewed the fmall fibres that run from the centre to the circumference ; as well as the other ftreaks that run down the fides, and the annular divifions. Likewife the colour is fo like that of briony, that it can hardly be diftinguilhed from it except by the weight. It was found in quarries of rubble-ftone near Shoto'ver Hill in Oxford/hire. There are other Hones like the fruits of trees, fome of which are called PYRIFORMES, from their like- nefs to pears : one of thefe was found of eleven inches in circumference, and in fize and form refembling a king- pear. This was a black flint ; but there is another that is whitifii without, and yellow within, in the fhape of a warden pear. Other Hones have been found in the fhape of apricocks, with the cleft or furrow from the ftalk to the top, exadly reprefenting a real apricock ; likewife there have been fpars found re- fembling mulberries, and white flints in the fhape of Lucca olives. There are alfo flones in the fhape of thofe belonging to fruits. Mofl of thefe have a kind of pedicle or ftalk, from which they feem to have had their growth, and are ridged and furrowed the whole length of the ftone. Their texture is very curious, they being made up of little J'at/f^/^ ^ /i)^flVf?Y//y'C'J iMii Waters, Earths, Fossils andMiKEKkLS. 313 little thin plates, not unlike the flone called the Se- lenite, only they are opaque, and the bulk of the ftone much different. The plates feem to be made up of Ilrings, fome of which run two ways, and others three, and according to their directions the ftone will readily cleave ; yet they are all oblique to the axis of the ftone. There is another kind that are much more flender than the former, and plain and fmooth on the out- fide ; thefe are taken notice of by CafalpinuSi and he takes them to be the true Tecolithus of Pliny y which hs pretends will break and expel the ftone, if the patient does but lick it. It is of a whitifn yellow colour with- out, and breaks into fhining white plates obliquely to the axis of the ftone, like the former. There are other ftones that refemble animals either entirely or in part, among which there are fome that feem to have been petrified reptiles, and very likely have been really fuch, which may eafily be accounted for without the help of a flood. There are others that reprefent the ftiells of garden fnails, and are very nume- rous. There are others called V/orm-ftones, which are of two forts, and one of them is of a whitifn yellow co- lour, but not hollow within, for they feem to be of the fame texture with the pebble-ftones among which they are found Some of them are of the fizeofafmall quill, and lie in the rock in mezzo-relievo, and are irregularly contorted much after the manner of vermi- celli; whereas the other fort lies in the very body of the ftone, and is of a white colour ; and it is irregularly curled up like the fpring of a watch. There are fome ftones that reprefent the parts of four-footed beafts ; particularly in the quarries at Heddington there are fome that are like the head of a horfe, having the ears and creft of the mane, with the places of tlie eyes, as prominent as in a real horfe; and the reft of the face entire, only the mouth and nofe are wanting in them all. Thefe are not uncommon, and they are of feveral fizes; though they are not taken notice of by any ancient authors. There are other ftones in the form of hearts, and on account of their fize are by authors called Bucardites, or fton«s VoL.V. P like \ 314 "^^e Natural HISTORY of like bulls hearts. They are of a whitifli yellow co- lour, with a fmooth plain furface ; though there are fome that are ribbed on each fide, and thefe are ten inches in circumference, and weigh about two pounds ; though there have been fome found that have weighed twice as much. The ORCHITES, or Lapides Tefticulares, are (o called from their likenefs to the tefticles of men, as well as ofbealb. They are generally found in pairs, and clofe together ; and thefe are called Diorchites ; but it fometimes happens that there are three found together, as they have been in fome monftrous animals, and then they are named Triorchites. Some are to be met with of a prodigious fize. Pr. Plott mentions fome in par- ticular that have been found on the wellern fids of S hoi O'X'er Hill; and indeed it feems to be compofed thereof, if only the outward appearance be regarded. He cannot imagine how they ihould come there, nor of what animal mould they are formed, if they are not owino- to the plalHc power of the earth. He met with fome forts of Hones in the quarries of the rubble-done near Sboto'ver, which were compofed of filaments like hair ; and which could not be the Polythrix of Pliny, bccaufe they are not grrenifli, nor the Boftrychites oiZoroaJicr, nor the Corfoides oi Pliny y becaufe they are neither grey nor long. However, it is a fort of Thrichites, becaufe it is moft like the ihort hair of beads. The colour is yellovvifh, and each hair when viewed through a microfcope appears to be llreaked and furrowed throughout its whole length. Some Hones have been found accurately reprefent- ing the combs of bees, with the cells of each cavity all hexangular, exadly like thofe of honeycombs. There was one done found in a marl-pit that was very like a mole both in the head and tail, but more efpe- cially in the foot ; it was fo very exaft that it was di- vided into claws, and reprefented the foot of that ani- mal in all particulars. Another was of the fliape and fize of a partridge's fkull, with the eyes and fhort beak, and was hollowed behind jud as if the brains had been taken out : to thefe may be added dill another, which was the accurate reprefentation of a pullet's heart, with 1 the Waters, Earths, Fossils ^j^.'/ Minerals. 515 the fat near the bafis thereof, and the coronary veflels •, and is called Leu- cophthalmus, which he fays is of a reddifti colour, and is in the form of an eye; bat then his had the black pupil, and this has not ; however, it may certainly be placed among the eye-ftones. There are other ftones which refemble the ears of a man, though much lefs, and Dr. Plott calls them Gtites or Auriculares; and they are common in the lubble-quariies near Shcto-ver, but more fo in a bank near a fpring at Somerton town's end, eaftward from the church. There are other ftones met with in the fliape of human breafts, having not only the nipple, but the areoki ftudded with fmall protuberances, and therefcre may be properly called Mammillares. There are other ftones whicli exadly refemble the heart of a man, with the trunk of the defcending part of the vena cava, as alfo the afcending part of the vein of the fame name. Likewife from the left ven- tricle there proceeded the trunk of the great artery, and a portion of the fame artery tending downwards. Within Waters, Earths, Fossils «;/^Minerals. 317 Within it appeared to be a whitilh fort of flint, and certainly deferves the name of Anthropocardites. An- other was found by Mr. Banijier of Magdalen ColiegSy but not fo exadly in the ihape of a heart as the for- mer ; it was flellated all over from the bafis to the point. Other ftones have been found exadlly reprefenting the private parts of a man ; and others in the fhape of kidneys, with the trunk of one of the ureters defcend- ing from the hollow part of it. Vv'hen found it was of the colour of a kidney, and was fo foft that it might be readily cut with a knife, that is, the part of it refembling an ureter ; but in lefs than an hour's time it grew as hard as the reil: of the ftone. Some ilones have been met vvith in the fhape of hu- man bones, and particularly one exactly refembling the lovvermoft part of the thigh-bone of a man, with the lower head ; between which are the interior and the larger pofterior fmus, which is the feat of the lirong ligament that rifes out of the thigh, and that allows a. pafHige to the vefTeh defcending into the leg. A little above the fmus, where the bene feems to have been broken off, there is a fhining fpar-like fubftance, refem- bling marrow in the hollow of the bone. Its circumfe- rence near the head is exactly two feet, and at the top above the fmus about fifteen inches, and the weight is near twenty pounds ; v/hich lliews that the bulk is too monftrous to have belonged to a man, though it is precifely of the fame ihape. However, Dr. PIctt is of opinion that it was a real bone, though nov/ in the flate of petrification. With this^ there was found a tooth that weighed two ounces and a quarter; but it was not at all petrified, which perhaps may be owing to the nature of teeth, whofe hardnefs and want of large pores does not {o readily fubjed them to petrifi- cation : for the fame reafon in graves they are often found found and good, when all the other parts have been confumed. Not far from Bath in Somcrjetpire^ there have been hatfuls of teeth picked up by thofe who followed the plough, though no other bones were met with to which they might have fuppofed to be- long. We are inform.ed by Tazellus in his hillory of P 3 Sicilj. 3iS The Natural HISTORY cf Sicily^ that two large ikeletons were found, which, when they came to be touched, all fell into duft, ex- cept the teeth called the grinders. What animal the thigh-bone above mentioned did belong to is hard to fay, though fome have taken it to be the bone of an elephant brought over by the Roma-ns when they were malters of this kingdom. However, it does not ap- pear from any authors, that thofe animals were ever brought over into Britain; and yet it cannot be de- nied that feveral have been brought over hither for publick fhows : but whether any died in Oxfurdjkirey and were there buried, mull: be left to the judgment of the reader. There has been a great number of monllrous teeth found in dliferent parts q^ England; and in EJj'ex there were two met with in the reign of Richard I. which were large enough to make tv/o hundred each of the common fize. One dug up near Maidjlone in Kent was near feven inches in circumference, and weighed five ounces and one eighth. In the year \b66^ ^fter the fire of London, when St. Mary Woclchurch was pulled down, there was a thigh-bone found larger than the above-mentioned, which however was not turn'ed to ftone. There was alfo another found in Londcn three feet and two inches long. Aft< r all we may be cer- tain that thefe bones did not belong to elephants, be- caufe they are of a quite different fhape, v/hich has been found by comparing them together ; and there- fore Dr. Plat was of opinion they belonged to men or women. To fupport his opinion he takes notice of the fizes of the feveral giants that have been men- tioned by authors; and he likewife mentions a giant in France y who lived there about two hundred years ago : this man was faid to be fo tall, that a man of a common ftature might go upright between his legs. He alfo takes notice of feveral others ; but the tallell he faw himfelf was at Oxford., and was a woman brought there for publick iliow, who was feven feet and a half high, and all her limbs proportionable. Dr. Plott likewife takes notice of a Hone found at the foot of Sboto'ver Hillj which reprcfents the leg and foot of a man cut off above the ancle, aud which from the ^rz^T-jnr. t^zHm/'(rAf^(>fa; r/iYru:/ S^/^zZ-ac/^r/i 317 7 ley CyCJVtu^77l ^^7/77/a/iU77L 3fJ Pri/iu/ j-r Waters, Earths, Fossils ^WMinerals. 319 the toe to the heel is about a yard long. However, he does not take this to be a petrification, but a rtone formed in this fhape by the plaftic power of nature. Befides thefe Hones refembling the parts of animals, there are others not unlike things made by art. Among thefe are fome in the Ihape of buttons, and others like the heel of an old fhoe, with the lifts plainly dillin- guiihed from each other. One of the button Hones was found at Tcyuton in Oxfordjhire, pretty near refem- bling a hair button. Stones of this kind are called by Dr. Ploit PORPl- T^E, which other authors would have to be foifii co- rals, but why they fhould be found in the ihape of buttons is not faid ; nor indeed can there be any rea- fon given why they ihould be placed in that clafs. Other ftones have been feen like the bags called the Sleeves of Hippocrates, made ufe of by the chemilh ; and there have been three one above another, as they ufually place them. There is another Hone of an aih colour called Trochites, from its likenefs to a wheel ; for it has rays or fpokes which proceed from the cen- tre, like thofe of a cart-wheel from its nave. Thefe are faid to be akin to the Jei^js Stone with regard to their texture, and to the Afteriae in the property of moving in vinegar. Some of thefe are called Entro- chi, or Wheels within Wheels; the rays of one of the Trochites being in relievo, and always lying in the furrows between the two protuberances of the other, as in the futures of a fcull. Boet alfo affirms that thefe ftones are akin to the Je^s Stones, and are called by the Germans Spangellein or Rederftein, becaufe they reprefent the figures of wheels. The round part is fmooth, and the nave is flat ; from which, as in com- mon wheels, the prominent rays proceed to the out- ward circumference, fo as to leave furrows between them. When broken it ihines like a Jeivs Stone, and is fmooth; and this may be done in any direction. He adds, that before the trochites are feparated from each other, the ftone is called Entrochos, becaufe it confiils of the conjundlions of fcveral trochites. They are joined together fo curiouily, that they feem to be the eife(ft of art ; for the fpokes of one are inferted in the P 4 furrows 520 The Natural H 1 S T O R Y e/ furrows of the other, fo as to reprefent the futures of a human fcull, as was before hinted. Sometimes there are twenty united together in this manner. When tiie Entrochos is fmooth in every part, the fpokes are prominent. Thefe ftones differ in colour frcm each other, for feme are white, others afh-coloured, and others again yellow : they diifer alfo in fize, for the largeft are near an inch broad, and about a third as much thick. It is found in Saxony, in the clefts of marble, of a whitlHi afli-colcur. Dr. Plctt has met \vith feme few which had every fecond, third, or fourth joint larger than the intermediate ones ; as alfo with one that tapered at both ends, and fv/ellcd in the mid- dle like a barrel ; but the rays or fpokes were very obfcure. Dr. Flott adds to what has been faid before of the* texture, that the rays infcribed at the top of thefe flcncs are made out of the edges of one of thefe courfes of plates cbliqudy like a pack of cards, end- ways or edgeways, according as the ftreaks appear long or lliort ; though there are feme that huve the rays made of the edges of plates that are fet oblique- ly, but quite in a contrary polition to thofe of the former. He alfo farther obferves, that when they arc broken or fcrr.ped they emit a ftinking naufeous imell, •A\ hich the Je^jjs Stone v/ill not do ; and therefore he concludes, though the texture is much the fame, they mcfl arife from different principles. Another that was given him had a double row of rays or fpokes, the f.rft of which run from the centre or nave, which is in the form of a cinquefoil, about half way to the cir- cumference, where they are cut off with a deep hol- low trench, taking up above half the remaining di- ftance of the rim. He had alfo another with four equi-diflant rays or fpokes, much larger and more pro- minent than any of the reft. Befides all thefe he had ilill another, that had an indented line running thro* the rays near the circumference of the ftone. The Entrochi oi StaffordJJ?ire are much larger, long- er, and confequently compounded of more trochites, than thofe of Torkjhire or So?nerfeiJhire \ for feme are three inches and a half in circumference, whofe cen- tiC or nave is half an inch over. One found in a rock WilS Waters, Earths, Fossils, ^?7/^Minerals. 321 was near fix inches long, but it was fo fail: inclofed that it could not be got out entire. Some of two inches and a half long confifted of thirty-five tro- chites. At Beresford, and other places in Stafford/hire, there are Hones that feem to be made up of thick trochites, tha* liave no bore at all, nor any rays at the top pro- cee !ing from afolid centre; which is no wonder, be- cau c when they are broken they do not feem to con- fiH of plates like the reil. There is another fort that itt.a to be made up of joints like the Entrcchi, in which the trochites neither appear round nor fquare on their outermoil rims, but fharp like the edge of a fcrew, tapering from the place of their joining, and are ftreaked on their furfaces ; fo that the rays of one do not enter into the furrows of the other, nor yet do the rays join to the centre at right angles; and this in thefe is a large cylinder of black flint. Neither are all thefe cylindrical as the former, for fome of them taper upwards fn^m a broad bafis, the lowermoft rims being greritefl, and decreafmg gradually to the top. Some of thefe are fo different from the former, that they have a thin llreaked plate paffmg from each rim to the fides of the cylindrical concavity; fo that there appears a diftinft concavity between each ring. Some again have others included within them, and appear like rings parallel to each other, and not like a fcrew, as thofe mentioned by Y^x. Lifier ; nor do the protu- berant edges of the one enter into the furrows of the other, like the male and female fcrews. Some forts of thefe Hones, that have fuch cavities, are in the form of five columns joined together with- out any addition; and others are bound by thin rino-s that Hand pre;ty tliick and at equal difrances, which are hot llreaked. Some again are knit together by the fame fort of rings, that are only in pairs,"' there bein'r fome diftance between each pair; and others have four placed in the fame manner. There is Hill another fort fenced in the fame way, fome of which are cylindri- cal, that is, of an equal bignefs from the bottom to the top, and are curioafly wrought in fmall rings, firll with two at fome diitance, and then with four clofe P 5 together; 322 The Natural HISTORY becaufe they are found in a yellowifh earth. They are here about an inch and a half in length, and fel- dom lefs than an inch in circumference : and whereas in other counties they are fo hard that it is difficult, if at all pofTihle, to feparate one from another without fpoiling them ; yet if thefe are fteeped in vinegar for a night, they may be divided the next morning with fafety and eafe. They Ijkev/ife differ from thofe of other places in ihape ; for, befides the fculpture that makes up the angles, there is the reprefentation of a rofe in the middle thereof; which is not commonly feen in thofe found elfewhere. Dr. Lijier affirms they all feem to be fragments, and not entire bodies ; and are fometimes found in one fmgle joint, and fometimes there are fifteen in number lying one upon another. According to what has hitherto appeared, about twen- ty joints go to an inch ; and from thence it will follow,, that fomc of them muil confifl of thirty joints. Every joint confilh of five ang'les, which in fome are very obtufe, and in others more acute. The middle of taeh angle is a little hollow, and the edges more pro- minent. Waters, Earths, Fossils /7«^Minerals. 323 minent, with thick farrows, by which the feveral joints are connected together, their ridges and fur- rows being alternately let into each other. Boet gives a defcription of them which differs very little from the former : though he fays the fabftance is pretty hard, and they are fo very clofely joined to- gether that they could not have been done better by the beft workman, yet he could eafily feparate them from each other ; however, he never found above eight of them at a time fo conneded. Many of the longeft jointed Star-Stones have fome of their joints a little broader and more prominent than others, dividing the whole body as it were into certain conjugations of two, three, or more joints, which, as Dr. Li/ier obferves, are marked with fets of wires, as he calls them : however. Dr. Plott could not perceive any in thofe he found at Cleydo?i; but yet, when he put fome of them in vinegar, he could per- ceive bubbles at thofe very places. Handing at the ori- fices where thofe wires formerly were probably infert- ed. Thofe in other counties are generally a little bent ', but thofe at Cleydon are not, which may pollibly be owing to their Ihortnefs. There are fome found about S-Lverford in Oxfcrd- JJ:irey which are not fo large as thofe at Cleydon, for they are never a full inch in circumference; but the conjugations or prominences of fome of the joints be- yond the reft arc more vifible in thefe than in thofe of other places. Tlie Star-Stones found in Staffordjhire are exactly of the fame fhape, in which ftars are com- monly painted ; for they have all five principal rays of an equal length, fhape, and make, and proceeding from th3 centre, which is either folid or hollow, and where they join in angles of feventy-two degrees. They differ fomewhat from each other in the different places where they are found, as alfb from thofe in Ox- fcrdjhire, as well as from thofe taken notice of by Dr. Lijier in the Philofophical Tranfadlions ; for tho* they are placed on each other in columns, and feem to be fragments, fome having three, four, or more joints, yet none of them feem to be made up of plates lying obliquely to the horizontal pofition of the ftar : and fome 324 ^^'^ Natural HISTORY of f<^me of them have their angles fo very acut?, and confequently their fides fo deeply furrowed, that they feem tx> reprefent the rowel of a fpur, without any fculpture or indented future; but when there is a ay fuch, they are of a quite different kind from thofe al- ready mentioned. The firft fort are placed in a cafe of a flinty kind of ftone, confilHng of five angles ; and the rays proceed from a folid centre of a coal-black colour, not bigger than a common pin; yet they are evidently of a flat figure conflfting of five angles; though the angles of the inner one do not point againfc the fharp rays of the outer, but againil: the deep furrows between them ; hov.'ever, they are both fmoothly jointed, without any hatching or engraving. The fecond fort confills of a flat and not hollow- lided piece, fuch as Dr. Lifter has defcribed in the- P-hilofophical Tranfadlions ; and the hatchings there- of are very different from all his. There is one prin- cipal ray which extends itfelf from the centre to the extremity of each angle, with oblique lines proceed- ing upwards therefrom, in fuch a manner that they in. fome fenfe reprefent fo many boughs of a tree. The third kind has alfo flat fides; but the joints are all unequal, one of them being always more protube- rant than the next, and fo alternately throughout the whole column. It confills of twelve joints, and the hollow of each angle, is neither hatched on the top, nor is the column bent, or the leaft inclining, as thofe commonly are which are of a greater length. Thefe have the property of moving in vinegar, like the for- mer ; and this property feems to have been known to Roger Bacon near five hundred years ago; for in one of his epiftles he afnrms they would run in vinegar. The ASTROITES are akin to the Afleria^, and are of difl'erent fizes, but are adorned all over with many Itars ; and there are no lefs than four different kinds found in O.xfordfAre^ in two whereof the flars are in mezzo-relievo, they being prominent and ftanding outwards, with the flreaks defcending from the centre at the top and all fides to the rock on which they grow. Some of thefc are of a larger and othei^ of a fmaller Waters, Earths, Fossils ^//^Minerals. ^j-- fmaller kind, which are both found In the quarries of rubble-ftone. There is a third foit which are mor& beautiful than the reft, and' are intagli', that is, deep- ly engraved like a feal, and. ftreaked from the promi- nent edges above,, to a centre in the bottom. Thefe are generally hexagons, and foraetlmes pentagons ; and yet they agree with the former in this, that the ftars are only fuperficial, and not found in the body of the ftone. The fourth fort has been imperfedly defcribed by Gefnery and after him by feveral others. The ftreaks of thefe are like the third fort, defcending in a con- cave ; but from the edges are generally round, or with five angles at the top, and tend to a centre, but not of their own kind, for they are fmooth and apparent- ly prominent. They are found in quarries of rubble- ftone, and are ftellated not only on the furface of the ftone, but quite through the depth thereof; yet not fo as to have one continued ftar reach through the whole, but many, according to the thicknefs of the ftone ; for about ten of them lie in the depth of an inch, much after the fame manner as the ftar-ftones j only they are not feparate, but join together, and make as it were fo many rows of the ftone. Some of thel'e are fo large in Francey that they have been there ufed for the building of walls and houfes ; but with. «s they are generally employed in paving caufeways^ particularly in Oxfordjhire, The property of moving in vinegar Is common both to the Afterias and the Affroites ; though the Afteri^ will move not only in a whole joint, but two or three connedled together; whereas the Aftroites muft be broken into very fmall pieces before they will move.. The Afteria has not only a progreflive motion, but will turn round in vinegar, and will ftir more brilkly and longer than any other ftone that vinegar has the like efted upon ; and though it has been ftecped there- in for three or four days, yet whea frefti is poured upon it, it will ftill emit a great many little bubbles as at firft from underneath it, and at the inftant it be- gins to move. It once happened, that when vinegar was not at hand, another fluid was made ufe of by a chemift;>. 326 T:he Natural HISTORY of chemift, which caufed the ftone to emit fuch a quan- tity of effluvia, that they afcended in a cloud to the furface of the menilruum, where they fettled exactly in the form of the ftone, aud that not only of a fmgle joint, but of a whole column. Linnaus places the LAPIS JUDAICUS, or Jews Stone, among petrifications; and Beet informs us that it is in the fhape of an olive, and is roundifh, tender, and brittle, with ftreaks that run according to the length, and placed at equal dillances, as if they were done by art. The colour is whitifh, or a faint afh colour, fliining within, and it may be obliquely cloven into foliaceous plates. It is called a Je-ws Stone becaufe it has been found in Judceuy and other parts of Syria ; but fome of thefe have been found in EvglancU particularly in Oxfcrcljhire, which are of a more llender and longer ihape than any fort of olive. Some are about two inches in length, and an inch and a half in circumference ; but others have been met with lefs than an inch long, and not much above half an inch round. Moil of them have a kind of pedicle or ftalk, from which they feem to have had their growth ; and there are ridges or furrows through the whole length of the ftone. The ridges are marked with fmall knots fet in the order of a quincunx, that is, in four points placed in a fquare, and a fifth in the middle. Their texture is very curiou?, for they con- fift of thin plaies as above, not unlike the felenites, only they are opaque. They have formerly been accounted excellent againft the ftone, and were faid to diminifli or break it in pieces; butnov/*no fuch properties are acknowledged. They might perhaps have occafioned gravel to come away, which has been taken for bits of ftones. Not only thefe, but coral, the belemnites, crabs eyes, and the like, confifting of fixed earthy particles, may unite with the falts in the fluids of a human body, and by that means render them unfit for pafling through the pores of the fkin ; and then it is no wonder they Ihould rufh towards the kidneys, and feek for an exit that way, and afterwards be excreted in the form of large Waters, Earths, Fossils ^» commonly called Incombullible Flax, and is found in Lapland and Siberia. It may be ufed to make linen, paper, and the wicks of lamps. 7.. Amiantas with angu- lated, rigid, opaque fibres, confifts of angulated hard cohering fibres, that imitate wood. It is called by fome Albeftus, with parallel hard fibres, that wili not feparate. 3. Amiantus with brittle tranfparent fi- bres. It confifts of rigid fiUres that will feparate, but are as brittle as glafs, fome what tranfparent, and of a ^reenifli colour. 4. Amiantus with foft downy fi- bres is the Plumous Alum of the fhops, but Lnpro- perly. ASBESTUS has interwoven light fibres. 1. Af- beftus that is fifule and fomewhat folid is called in Siveden Mountain Flefli, and confifts of a fiflile, pale, ponderous ftone, that will not fwim in water. 2. Meni- branaceous flexile Afbeftus, called by fome Mountain Leather, confifts of a ftone with interwoven fibres, like old leather. It will fwim upon water, and has a hard, fmooth, white furface. 3. Somewhat folid flexile Albeftus is called in Snjueden Mountain CcrL, and is a light ftone, with a furface like the inner bark of the cork-tree. It will fwim in water. CHAP. XXXVI. 0/MINERALS, T -Y//}^f/ivd^c fJv^y^ {(;>u^i/-i/^^rr// j/c 319 "tMA^t^^^nif^d f^/cen 'T i}ia ^c/a,af^f 33S o-X^.^n../tz^. T/W'. ' Waters, Earths, Fossils ^i«4?Minerals. 339 fum with rhomboidal plates, and is found in the mines of plailer of Paris. It confiUs of a Hone that will cleave into exceeding thin traufparent plates. NITRUM confills of oaaedjal cryftab, with a prifmatic hexaedral column, terminated at both ends with a hexagon pyramid. It will hifs in the iire, and flafh with a phlogillon ; and it has a cold acrid tafte. 1. Ground Nitrum is the common falt-petre, and is found every where among ojd buildings. It confifls of parallelograms with fix long rectangles, that con- clude the prifmatic column, and have fix triangles con- curring at the extremity of the pyramid in a point. 2. The quartzous aqueous Nitrum is of feveral forts, as the quartzous Nitrum fharp at both ends, called by fome Mountain Cryftal accumulated at both ends ; the quartzous Nitrum with oblong diftant cryrtals ; the quartzous Nitrum with aggregated cryfrals with- out a column; and the quartzous, aggregated, fiftu- lous Nitrum. They are found every where in the ca- vities of ftones. 3. The quartzous coloured Nitrum, of which the yellow is a topaz, the brown a jacinth, the red a ruby, the purple an amethyft, the blue a fapphire, the blue-green a beryl, the green an eme- rald, and the black a morion. It is found in or near mines of metal. 4. Spatous Nitrum is of different forts ; as, the fpatous Nitrum with equal pyramids, and without a column; the fpatous Nitrum pyramidal at each end, and without a column, but the upper py- ramid is fubulated; the aggregated fpatous Nitrum, without a column, with a fubulated oblique pyramid, called by fome the hexangular cryitallized Spate; the aggregated fpatous Nitrum without a column, and which is fafciculated and decumbent ; the plain fpa- tous Nitrum imbricated three ways ; the fpatous Ni- trum that is plain and truncated at both ends, and is a roundiih hexaedron ; the fpatous Nitrum truncated at both ends, called by fome a cryftallized, prifmatic, hexangular Spate ; the fpatous, triangular, truncated Nitrum, with all the angles plain; the folitary fpa- tous Nitrum, in the form of a ftone in fruit ; the ag- gregated, three ways imbricated, ftreaked, fpatous Nitrurn; and the aggregated, imbricated, heniifphe- Q. 2 rica^ 340 The Natural HISTORY of rical, fpatous Nitrum. They are all found in the mines of Germany, MURIA confifts of cubic hexaedral cryftals, which crackle in the fire, and have a pungent tafte. i . Ma- rine Muria or fea fait is found in feveral places near the fea, efpecially in hot countries. 2. Fountain Mu- ria is the fait that is got out of fait fprings. 3. The folhle Muria is the fal gem of the fhops, and is found in Poland and Hungary. . 4. The fpatous rhombous Muria confiils of rhombous cryilals, in the fliape of the particles of fpate. 5. The ftony Muria, that is like a phofphorus, called by fome the fhining Spate, and by others the folid Spate, more or lefs tranfpa- rent, with particles not to be diftinguillied from each other. There are feveral forts of this ; as, the aggre- gated white fpatous Muria; the yellow aggregated fpatous Muria ; the purple aggregated fpatous Muria; and the green aggregated fpatous Muria. It is found in feveral parts of Europe, and confifts of a tranfpa- rcnt, folid, rafile ftone, that will not ferment with acids ; but it will crackle and bounce in the fire, turn into glafs, and being heated will fhine like a phof- phorus. In fome mines it has no cryftalline figure when it Is old, for then it lofes it. 6. The Muria of Hones, confifting of ifinglafs and fpate, is called by fome the nitrous Stone melting in the air. It confifts of a ftone compounded of yellow fpate and a mica, that will melt about noon. ALUMEN has oftaedral cryftals, and will melt, froth, and ferment in the fire : it has alfo an aftringent tafte. I. Naked Alumen is the plumous Alum of the fhops, and efHorefces out of a ftony rock. 2. Schif- tous Alumen is called by fome mineralized fiflile ftone Alum. It has faline odaedral cryftals, with eight plane triangles ; but the vertical angles are terminated with a rhombous plane, and the tranfverfe angles have an oblong plane quadrangle. 3. Reddifli marble Alu- men is a mineralized Alum from a calcarious ftone, and is the Roach Alum or Roman Alum of the fhops. 4. The talcous opaque Alumen confifts of an odla- edral teffera, with fides confifting of eight plane equal uiangles. It is of a brownifli afti-colour, opaque and rafile, Waters, Earths, Fossils ^WMinerals. 341 rafile, and is found in Siveden. 5. The tranfparent, fpatous, rafile Alumen is found in Germany. 6. The ftony, tranfparent, extremely folid Alumen is of fe- veral kinds ; as, the fpatous Alumen with an equal tefiera, which is a moft tranfparent gem, extremely hard, of the colour of water, and is the true diamond ; the extremely tranfparent gem, which is next to a diamond in hardnefs, is of a red colour that will not change in the fire, and is a ruby; the exceedingly tranfparent gem, the third in hardnefs, is of a blue colour, which is deflroyed in the fire, and is a fap- phire. VITRIOLUM confills of many-fided crydals im- buted with metal. It will melt and calcine in the fire, and has a ftyptic tafte. i . Vitriolum of iron is green and cubical, and is the Vitriol of Mars in the ihops. It is found every where in iron mines, and where the earth is of the nature of pyrites. It confifts of a cu- bical faline cryftal. 2. The blue Vitriolum of copper, with twelve fides, is the Cyprine Vitriol of the fhops, and is brought from Cyprus, where it is prepared. It confifts of a faline, dodecaedral, rhomboidal, deprefied cryftal. 3. Vitriolum of copper and iron is of a green- iih blue colour, and is ftaladitious. It is by fome called the Hermaphrodite Vitriol, and is found 2ii Fa- lun, where it hangs from the roofs like ificles. 4. V/hite oblong Vitriolum of zinc ; it confifts of oblong cry- Hals, which approach a little to the fliape of natium. SULPHURA. ELECTRUM emits a fweet fmell, and is of a brownifli colour, i. Opaque tenacious Eledlrum is by fome called Variegated Ambergreafej and there is alfo another without variegations, which is of a citrine brown or black. It is found in the fea, efpecially in the Eaji Indiesy where it fvvims upon the water, and is of the confiftence of wax, with a very ftrong fweet fmell. It is ufed as a perfume, and in medicine; and is an aphrodifiac and analeptic; but it is extremely dear. 2. Tranfparent folid Eledrum is by fome called Tranfparent Amber; which is ei- ther white, yellow, or brown. There is another that is opaque, and either yellow or brown. It is found chiefly in the Baltic Seay where it is thrown upon the 0^3 Ihores, 342 The Natural HISTORY tf Ihores, particularly of PruJJia. It confifts of a tranf- parent, yellowifh, folid mafs, and is the common Am- ber known by every one. It is ufed to make veffels, cane-heads, and the like ; and in the fliops there are A-^rious preparations of it, fuch as the volatile fait, tin dure, and oil. BITUMEN has a difagreeable fmell, and is of va- rious colours. 1. Fluid whitifh Bitumen, commonly called Naphtha, is found in Perfia and Egypt, and is the Magnet of fire. 2. Liquid brown Bitumen is the fluid, thick, dark brown Bitumen of other authors, and in the Ihops is called Petroleum. It is found in Dttlecarlia and many other places, and confifts of a rude afh-coloured marble variegated with red; or it is the marmoreous ^tile, with cryftalline fixed embry- oes, as at Skierhacky where it is found. 3. Tenacious black Bitumen, commonly called Maltha, is found at Dannsmore, and in various iron mines among the cry- ftals. 4. Brittleifh black Bitumen is the folid coa- gulated Bitumen of other authors, and is commonly called Aiphaltum. It is found in Oeland and other places, between the plates of fchiftus, like a honey- comb. 5. Marfhy ground Bitumen, according to fome, is a mineralized earth, and is called Ampelites. It is found in S^Miizerland, and is ufedinftead of pit-coal and turf. 6. Bitumen of fchiftus is the fame as pit-coal, and is a Bitumen confifting of a fiffile mineralized Itone. The Greek name is Lithanthrax. It is found in almoft every country, efpecially in Europe, and is ufed as fuel for fires. 7. The fetid Bitumen of marmor is the opaque fpate, which emits a bad fmell when rub- bed, according to fome authors. It is called the Hog- ftone in S-jueden, where it is found, upon marble, but below the upper fchift. It confifts of a fomewhat fo- lid, fetid, fcaly rock, or of cryftals that lie clofe to each other. PYRITES has a pungent fmell, a yellow colour, and a faltifh tafte. i. The naked tranfparent Py- ritei is the Sulphur vivum of the fhops, and is found in Rujffia. 2. The almoft naked, arfenical, micaceous Pyrites is, according to fome, an arfenic confifting of fulphur and a fpatous micaceous ftone. It is the Or- piment A Waters, Earths, Fossils ^«^Minerals. 343 piment of the Ihops, and is brought from Venice. 3. The cryftallized Pyrites, according to fome, is a mineralized fulphur with iron, and in a cryftalline forrti. It is of various figures, as tetraedral, confid- ing of triangles ; hexaedral, confiiVng of quadrangles ; oftaedral, confifting of triangles, but is feldom found entire; dodecaedral, confilHng of qiiinqua.ngles, and often containing filver; hemifpherical, containing ar- fenic, iron and copper; and globous, containing ar- fenic with copper. It is found in various mines, where it is very common. 4. The iron iparkiing Pyrites of an uncertain form, according to fome, is a mineralized fulphur with iron. It is found in various mines, and confills of a pale Pyrites of an uncertain form, and will give fire very freely with flcel. 5. The ferreo- cupreous Pyrites, with a melting matrix, is, according to fome, a copper mineralized with fuiphur and iron. It is of various colours, as livid, of the colour of liver, yellow, tawny, of a yellowifh green, and with ochre- ous holes. It is found in the copper mines of S^veden* 6. The ferreo-cupreous Pyntes, with a vitrefcent ma- trix, is either quartzous or cetaceous, and is found in the fame places as the former. 7. The ferreo-cupreous Pyrites, with an apyrous matrix; of which ther^i is the micaceous, the fifTiie talcous, and the talcofo- acerous. It is found in the fame places as the two former. ARSENICUM has the fmell of garlick, and is of a white colour, with a fweetiOi tafte. i. Naked white Arfenicum is by fome called the fimple native Arfenic, and is commonly known by the name of white Arfe- nic. It is found in Gsrmany. 2. Naked re'K'ifh Ar- fenicum is treated of by authors bv the name oi Re- algar and Sandarach. It is found in S^ved/T, Germany, and Turfy. 3. Cryftallized Arienicum is round in Germany y and confifts of odaedral brown cryllals im- buted with iron. 4. White Arfenicum with plain fragments is commonly called the white Pyrites, and is found in feveral parts of S^weden. 5. White Arfe- nicum with convex fragments is a teftaceous Arfenic mineralized with iron, and is found in Heljingia. 6. The reddilh cupreous Arfenicum is an Arfenic mi- 0^4 neralized 544 ^-^^ Natural HISTORY of ncralized with fulphur and copper, and is of the C6- Iciir of red copper. It is found in Germany. 7. The Liueifh afh-coloured llnning Arfenicum is an Arfenic niineTf.lized with iron, and has Ihining grains of blue- ifii aHi-colour. 8. Lenticular Arfenicum of black fchiftus, confifts of a large black, extremely folid, ve- ry hard body, of a lenticular form generally, and ftems as though it was turned in a lathe, and in the open air it will melt en the ground. ' It is found in alu^m mines. MERCURIALIA. HYDRARGYRUM confifts of a white metal which is always fluid, and will fly away in the f.re before it is red hot ; when diflblved in aqua, fortis it is whitifli. 1. Naked Hydrargyrum is the common qnickfilver, and is found in Hu?igary. 2. Red Tirferical Hydrargyrum is Japan Cinnabar, and is found in Japan. 5. Pyrititious red Hydrargyrum is the native Cinnabar of the liiops, and is found in Hun- gary, Rchemia, and IJiria. 4. Petrous Hydrargyrum is found in fchiil, talc, ore of lead, and ouartz. STIBIUM is fireaked, brittle, and has white me- talline particles ; it flies away in the fire, after it is red hot ; when turned to glafs it is pnrple, but being viiifolved in aqua regiait is yellow, i. Stibium inter- fperfcd with capillary fibres, is antimony mineralized wivh a great quantity of fulphur, and has the capillary fibres feparp.ted like wool. It is found in i^r^wr*?. 2. Streaked Stibium is ilreaked antimony mineralized with fulphur; it is found in />^/fc<2r/;/^. 3. Cryftalline Sti- bium is antimony mineralized and cryftallized with ibiphur ; it is found in Germany. 4. Spatous Stibi- um, with fibres that crofs each other ; it is found in Cermavyy where the fibres are between the tranfvcrfe and perpendicular plates of fpate. 5. Red Stibium is red antimony mineralized with fulphur and arfe- nic, and is found in Gerjnany. BISMUTH has metalline particles, is brittle, teffulated, and of a yellowifli white colour ; it v.'ill melt in the fire before it grows red hot, and turns tp a brown or blueifh glafs; when diifolved in aquafor- tis it is red, bat in aqua regia yellow, i. Naked bi.^muth is the native, cohering with thin plates, ancj Waters, Earths, Fossi-ls /2WMinerals. 345 is found in Germaiiy. 2. The whitifh yellow fhinin.^ Bifmuth is mineralized with arfenic, iulphur, and- cobalt ; it efflorefces with a variegated yellowifh co- lour, and is found in, Heljtfigia. 3. Shining Bifmuth with blueiih grains is a cobalt mineralized with arfe- nick, and has fhining grains of a lead colour. It is the ore of cobalt, and is found in Helfingia, This fort turns to a blueifh glafs. ZINC has metalline particles, and is of a blueifh white colour, and is malleable. It will melt in the lire before it is red hot, and will emit a yellowifu green flame with a floccous fmoke. When diffolved in aqua fortis it is white, but in aqua rcgia yellow. I. Hoary Zinc intermixed with galena is mineralized with fulphur, and lead or iron, and is of a dark co- lour with Ihining particles. It is found in S~ojeds7iy and is an afh-coloured ftone, refembling weifgoldcn, but is more heavy and opaque ; it is intermixed with galena, and covered with yellow ochre. 2. Micaceous fubteifulated black Zinc is mineralized with fulphur, arfenic, and iron, and the ore is dark and fomewhat fhining, with a fort of fcales ; it is found in S^Mcden, and in feveral forts of mines. 3. Micaceous reddifh Zinc that colours the fingers is m.ineralized with arfenic and iron, and the whole is either red, or is found in a reddilh powder. It is called the reddifli Gaknn, and is found at Salhburg. 4. Earthy Zinc has an earthy ore, of a yellowifh or brov/niili colour. It is the Lapis calaminaris of the fhops, and is found in Poland and Httngary. FERRUM is a whitifli afh-coloured metal, extreme- ly hard, malleable, and fparkling. It will not m.elt in the fire till a long time after it is red hot, and will turn to a green glhfs, but when diiToIvcd in aqua fortis it is brown, i. Intradable cryftal.ized Ferrumis found in various iron mines, though kldom ; it confifts of odlaedral triangular cryllrds, refembling pure iron ; but they are in.ra»5lable, or are not to be attradled by the loadflone. 2. Iiitrad:able Ferrum with lliining plates flreaked t^cnfverfely. ItconfifSis of fhining, pure, remote, tranfverfely flreaked, and tranfverfeiy oblique broken plates, that a loadflone will hardly attra(5l. 3^. Q.5 ' Ja 346 The Natural HISTORY of Intractable Ferrum with cubic (hining particles, is the biacki(h tefTulated ore of iron, and is found in Lap- land. It confills of cubic (hining particles of a filver or liver colour. 4. Intradable Ferrum with plain cen- tral white fibres is iron mineralized with arfenic, and the ore is black or brown, but when rubbed is reddifli. It is found in Germany. 5. Intradable Ferrum with red central fibres is mineralized iron, and the ore is red or reddifli when rubbed. It is the Haemati- tes or Blood-flone of the (hops, and is found in England and Germany. Intradtable red Ferrum with impal- pable points, confifts of a red heavy Hone with (hin- ing impalpable points, and is found in Cumbtrland, 7. Intractable (hining micaceous Ferrum, is iron mi- neralized with arfenic, and the ore is red and mi- caceous, or reddi(h when rubbed. 8. Intractable brown Ferrum that colours the fingers, with micaceous ilreaked particles, is mineralized iron, and the ore fouls the fingers like foot ; and it confifts of conver- gent interfperfed (Ireaked particles. It is the Magne- iia of the (hops, and is found in Germany. 9. Intracta- ble brownifh a(h-coloured Ferrum with (hining points,, is iron impregnated with arfenic, and is found in I Snjjeden. It confifts of a (tone that fmoaks in the fire like arfenic. 10. Intradtable fpatous whitifh perrum is the white ore of iron, and is found in Germany. 1 1 . Intractable fcaly ftreaked Ferrum is mineralized with iron, and is a very hard rapacious folid ore, of a brown or iron colour, that will not be attracted by the load- (lone. It is the Smiris or emery of the (hops, and is found in the fouthern parts of £^r<7/^. 12. AttraCtory Ferrum, or the ftone that will attraCliron, is a minera- lized iron, which ferves to fhew the poles of the world. It is the Magnes or Loadftone of the (hops. 13. Re- traCtory folid Ferrum. By retraCtory is meant the Ferrum that the loadftone will attraCt. It con(i(ts of a folid equal black ore, interfperfed here and there with (hining fpots looking like water. 14. Re- traCtory Ferrum with impalpable particles. 15.. RetraCtory Ferrum with fandy particles con(i(ts of a heavy ore, with particles a little (hining, in the form of fand. 16. RetraCtory Ferrum with angulated par- ticles. Waters, Earths, Fossils «;/ with fragments of afh-coloured fubimbricated unequal mica, on account of red granitine grains of tin, and particles of quartzous fand, with fcales of mica inter- fperfed. 13. Flefh-coloured fiffile micaceous Saxum, with quartzous grains, confiils of depreffed grains of quartz, every where fpeckled, and as it were barked with a red mica. This makes excellent millftones^ 14. Flelh-coloured fiffile micaceous Saxum, with gra- nitine grains, confiils of a rock that will eafily cleave, Ilreaked with a filvery impalpable mica, and mixed with reddirh granitine grains. 15. The afh-coloured fifnie micaceous Saxum, fpeckled with micaceous quartzous atoms. It is found in various mountains, and confiils of an imbricated mica, which will cleave according to the length of the flone, and whofe fides are chiefly covered with fragments of mica ; but the fubilance confiils of almoil impalpable, micaceous, and quartzous atoms, blended together. 16. The cota- ceo-micaceous Saxum confiils of a fcaly filver co- loured mica and cos, with white, rough, quartzous grains, in the fame quantity as the cetaceous. 17. The micaceous Saxum compounded alternately with black micaceous particles, and white quartzo-cota- ceous particles. It is found in Norivay^ and is the ma- trix of the cupreous pyrita. It confiils of feveral pa- rallel and often undulated flrata, and thofe next to them, which are fquamofo-micaceous and black ; and a quartzous, whitifh, hardifh cos. j8. The blackiih micaceous Waters, Earths; Fossils ^r«e, 95 — — makes a fine varnifh, 95 . Its medicmal virtues, 96 Amber, black, 96 Ambergreafe, what, 93 where found, 93 its medicinal ufes, 94 Amethyil, a violet colour- ed gem, 137 where found, 138 Alford water in Somerfet- ihire, xxx Amianthus, reddilh black, 37 grey ifli green, 37 . of Lapland, 36 Amianthus or mountain flax, 36 Amianthus of Linnaeus, 3 3.7 Ammon's horn, a petrifac- tion, 308, 309 AncliiF, a burning well im Lancafliire, xiii Antimony, what, 98, 99 Antimony, INDEX. Antimony, golden fulphur Aftrop, chalybeate fpringln of, ICO - medicinal regulus of, 101 •'■ '- its vircues, loi ' when a poifon, ici crude its medicinal virtues, loi ■ its mechanical u^^s, lOI Apyri of Lirrrcus, 33 5 Arena of iinna:us, 361 ^tites ofLinr.aeus, 356 Argora of Linnasus, 360 Argentumof Linnaus, 350 Armenian fione, 1 8 iky coj cured, 160 how prepared for painters, 324 Arfnick, extratled from cobalt, .90 what it contains, 91 a medicine from it, Arttnicumofi_innxus,3 43 Afbeftos, 35 - greenifh, 37 brown fiiky, 37 grey f;lky, 37 greyifh green hlky , 3 7 Icole thready, 37 Afheftos of Linnaeus, 337 Afteiia, afortofopal, 144, 322 to 324 « by feme called a cat's eye, 144 • the diiTercnt forts, 1 44 Aftroitesor liar itone, 161, 324 — — moves if put in vine- gar, i6z Northamptonlhire, xix Aurum of Linnaeus, 350 B Bath hot fprings in SoHier- fetlhire, xxiv Barnet water in Hertford- {liire, ix Belemnites, a fort of petri- fadlion, 309, 310, 311 Berill, a gem of a bluifh green, 143 different kinds, 143 — ' — how counterfeited, 1 44 Bifmuth, a femi-metal call- ed tin-glafs, IC2 more brittle than zinc, 102 caufes metals to melt eafily, 102 where found, 10:, 103 m aginary of a great beauttfijr, 103 Bifmuth of Linnaeus, 344 Bloodflone, a fort of iron ore, 1 17, 169 Bole Armenick, 19 yellow, 20 red, 21 Bole, brittle white, 19 white alcaline, 20 — — of Blois, 20 bohemian, 21 brown heavy denfe, 22 greenilli, 25 French, 21 light brittle, 22 — — • of Tokay, 20 Bitumen INDEX, Chalk, 12 Chalk, marl bluifh, i 2 red, 17 black, 19 filvcr of the ancient.*. Bitiwnen of Linnaeus, 342 Borax, what, 85 — mechanical and me- dicinal ufes, 86 Briniflonc, 86 Brillol hot well water in Somerfetfhire, xxv Brofely burning well in Shroplhire, xxxii Broughton fulphureous wa- ter in Yorkfhire, xli Burnly water in Lanca- fliire, xiii Bufonites, a petrifadion, 3'> Buxton wells in Derby- ihire, iv Cat.s eye, the matrix of an opal, 133 Cats- eye, a different fort, 140 where found, 140 it5 value, 140 Cats -eye or eye of the fun, 144. Carbuncle defcribed, 133 Caergile, a mineral water in f linifnire, viii Carlton water in Lanca- fliire, xii Cawthorp water in Lin- colnfliire, 1 Calcarious ftones of Lin- naeus, 333 Calculus of animals of Lin- neeus, 359, 3^7 Chadlington water in Ox- ford (hire, xxi 23 Cinnabar, native, 106 ■ contains quickfil- ver, icrj Chryfol-te, the Topaz of the ancients, 145 gold coloured, 1 43 the kinds, 143 how counterfeited, H3 Chalcedony, 146 different kinds, 1 46 — — whit formerly ufed for, 147 ^ Cinnabar, its medicinal virtues, 107 Chryfocolla, a fort of dull copper grit, 2s 6 — found in mines, 276 factitious, 277 Cheltenham water in GIou- cefterlhlre, vlii. Clays and Earthr, 5 Clays defcribed, 5 Cimolian Earth, 6, 10 C'ay, brown fpoted, 6 » yellow, 4 forts, 6 Clays, Englifh 3 forts, 7 bluifli brittle foft, 7 foft pale red, 8 brittle black, 9 turf, green heavy, 8 Coal pit, fee pit coal Coal-kannel, its ufes, 98 Cobalt, what, 106 Cobalt, I N D Cobalt, contains bifmuth, 1 06 fdveral minerals fo called, 106 — — tinges ghfs blue. 106 Cobham, Chalybeate wa- ter in Surry, xxxvii Codfall water in Stafford - {hire, xxxi Clifton water in Oxfor.d- Ihire, xxi Colarian Spring in Corn- wall, iii Conchites, 303, 504 Corall, red, 327, 32S Cos or land Hone of Lin- naeus, 331 Copperas, 81 Copper, 120 white, T21 ores, 121 turned intoreddiih aihes, 123 ■ how changed to brafs, 123 — how got from its ore, 122 Copper pyrites, how known, 131 Copper fprings, 122 its difterent ores, 1 20 Cornelian, a femi-tranfpa- rent itone, 144 ^ of the colour of raw flefh, 145 — — different forts, 145 — . ufed for feals, 145 Crickle fpaw in Lanca- fliire, xiii Croft mineral fpring in Yorkdure, xli E X. Creta of Linnaus, 36"© Chryfial, what, 46 Cryllal, bright, \b — blackilh bright, 47, 49 — dull whitirti, 47 • brightifh colourlefs, 46 bright brown, 47 britifh colourlefs, 47 dull, 48 — — brown, 48 crooked, 49 — — yellowifh bright, 47 — ' — Imall blackilh bright,. 48 white, 48 — * — with 2 pyramids, 49 — — with, 2 long pyra- mids, 50 Cryftalsimperfeft, 50 to 60 Cumner water in Bedford- fhire, ii Cullens earth, 1 8 Cuprum of Linnseas, 347, 348 Diamond, the hardeft of all gems, 128 what fort beft, 128 remain unhurt in the fire, 131 where moft plenty, 132 ■ value of, 131 the largeft when found, 130 «—— faditious how made, 129 Diamond, INDEX. Diamond, powder of, ferves Erafmus's well in StafFord- to polifh gems, 132 Deddington fuiphureous waters in Oxford (hire, xxi Dog and Duck water near London, xxxvi Dulvvich water in Kent, xi Earth, cimolean, 6 chian, i i ' celenufian, 1 1 ■ Cretan, 12 — — fullers, 14 fullers green, 14 — of Malta, 6 — famian, 10 melian, 1 1 of Sinope, 1.7 ' eretrian, 20 Eledlrum of Linn^us, 34 Eagle-ftone defcribed ■ the different kind 163 to 165. Emerald, green gem, ■ different kinds -" where found, — the medicinal tues, 141 — how counterfeited^ 163 140 140. 40 vir- Enorchus, 164 to 1.69 Entydrus, a-kin to the eagle-itone, 167 Emery, cuts glafs like a Diamond, 1.70 Ei:itomolithus of Linnseus, ^ 357 Ejitrochi, or wheels within wheels, 300 to 3.2.1 Ihire, xxxi Epfom wells in Surry, xxxiii Euly vvCil in Cornwall, ii Eye of Belus, a fort of agate, 15.2 Ferrum of Linnaeus, 345 to 347 Foffile petrified bodies, 2SS Fruits petrified, 512, 315 Fungitcs, 312 Gainfborough fpring in Lincolnfliire, xvi Garnets, 136 their different forts^ 136 — occidental, 136 Garnets, large valuable, 1.37 _ — miilaken by fame for carbunclef,, 136. Geodes, a fort of eagfe ftone,. 164 to 167 Gold the heavJcft of all metals, 126 extremely dudile, 126" fometimes found in a» blue ilone, 127 native mixed w^ith ill- ver, 12 7 how feparated from filver^ 127 — — diffolves only in aqua regia, 128 — • mines of, where found,, 127 Grniniie;' white. I N D Granite, hard white, 202 exceeding hard 203 "- — red pale whitifh, 203 Graptoliihus of Linnasus, ^359 Grits, their diiFerent kinds, 368 to 380 Gypfum, what, 38 hard white, 38 "^ greyifh white, 38 — pale glofly, 39 "■" - fhining green, 39 fhining red and white, 38 foft red, 39 — — foft white, 39 H Hanbridge water in Lan- cafhire, xiii Hampilead water in Mid- dlefex, xvii Harregate water in York- fhire, xli Hartlepool, chalybeate wa- ter in Durham, vi Heigh, a vitriolick water in Lancafhire, xiii Hedgehog, fea, a petrifac- tion, 337 Hedgehog ftone, 307 Helmintholithus of Lin- naeup, 357 Hceriiatites, a fort of iron ore, 117, 1 69 Holy well in Cornwall, iii Holt, water, in Wiltlhire, xxxi E X. Humus of Linnaeus, 361 Hyacinth, a yellowilh red gem, 137 different forts, 137 ' feldom larger thaa a nutmeg, 137 Jafper, green, 151 — bright red, 157 black marbled, 15^ black marbled witb- yellow, 159 — bluilh green variegat- ed with black, 155 — — dull deep green, 1 56 — dufky green, i 56 — dull purple and white, 157 hard bluifii green, 1 54 — — hard dull fiefh colour- ed, 159 — hard greyilh green, hard whitifh green, — hard variegated pur- ple, 157 ' — bluifli marbled, 158 pale bluifli, 158 — — pale brown hard, 15^7 foft duflcy green, 1 53 — — very hard yellowilh green, 155 foft bluifli green, 156 yellowifli hard varie- gated, 158 Ichthyolithus of Linnasua, 358 Jeflbp's well in Surry, xxxiv Jews r N D E Jews Stone, 326 Ilmington Water in War- wickfliire, xxxvi 34 Indian red, 16 Inglewhite chalybeate Wa- ter in Lancafhire, xiv Iron, 1 1 7 — hardeft of all Metals, 118 — how melted, 1 18- — Ores of, 117 its medicinal virtues, 120 Ifing-glafs bright browii,25 bright purple, 26 ' white fliining, 25 X. greenifh white, 35:; fiefh^coloured glofTy Kings Clift- Water in^Nor- thamptonfhire, xix Kings SuttonWater inNor- thamptoufhire, xx Kinolton mineral fpring in Nottinghamfhire, xx Kirkby-mower a chaly- beate Water in VVeil- moreland, xxxvii. Knarefborough dropping Well in Yorkihire, xlii. Lachnis, pale glofly flefh- coloured, 32 — gloffy greeniih white, 33 — — dull greyifh white, *— — dull white, 33 — — dullflefh-coloured,34 — — bluifli white, 34 •'— glo% greenifh, 35 it, 190 — ^ white glofly,. 34 Lapis-Iazuli, a Scone with, golden flreaks, 160 ferves to make Ul- tramarine, 160 of two kinds, 160 Lead, iii - Ore of contains Sil- ver, I II Marks how to find it, 112 ufed to purify Gold: and Silver, 113 its bad effeds, 1 1 3 Lead, red, 113 white, 1 14 Lemington Water in War- wickihire, xxxvi Lithophytes, 327 Lincomb Water in Somer- fetfhire, xxx Livonian Earth,. 21 Litharge how made, 1 14 Loams their different kinds^ I?!. 173 Llandridod Rock Water in Radnorfhire, xxii Pump Water, xxiii fulphureous Water, xxii I Loadftone, 171 Lydian Stone, a fort of black Marble, 191 where found, 190 always in Co- lumns, 190 — File wiU not touch M Madern I N E M MadernWeIlinCornwaII,2i Madrepore, 329, 330 Mahon Spaw inYorkfhire, xl Magnet or Loadftone, 171 Magnefia or Manganefe, 117, 170 Marble, black and yellow, 196 — ■ black with red and white veins, 196 — black with red,white, and yellow veins, 197 — aih coloured, 198 — black namure, 189 ■ black coralloide, 195 — — black, 196 -■ bluilh, black, hard, 196 brown and white, brittle, 194 brown, 195 — blue and white^ 1 94 — chian,. 189 hard, pale, yel- low glofly, 1 89 — - hard black, 190 — of Derby (hire, 191- — - hard greyiih black, 192 ■ hard variegated red and white-, 194 . hard brown, 195 ■ green, 197, 192 — - green with white Veins, 197 » greenifh black and white (potted, 197 ■ greenilh (oft, j.98 -greyillibrown,i99 ■ greyiih green, 193 ■ Numidian, 189 - pale brown, 194 • pale grey, 199 ■ parian, 188 - Lacedemonian, 191 • purple and white. 193 - red with white and gold Veins, 199 Theban, 199 white hard, 18& yellow and purple. ■ yellow and blue, 195 Marga of Linnaeus, 359 Marbles of Linnaeus, 333>. 33-4 March afites, filver colour- ed, 2S1 gold coloured, 281 - heavy white, 282 Marls, 10 Marl, denfe white fpungy,, 1 1 white akaline, 1 1 Marl chalk bluifn, 12 Marl, brittle bluilh brown,, 12 blalfh^ony, 12 yellow brittle fandy, 12 pale red brittle, 13 red heavy brittle, 13 red fandy. 1 3 red ftony, 1 3 red heavy, 1 3 brown brittle, 14 green fandy, 14 - black brittle, 14 Matlock: I T^ D E X. Matlock Bath in Derby- ftiire, V Medicated mineral Wa- ters, I Melian Earth, 24 Mineral Waters with earth- ly particles, 2 ■ with Salts, 2 ■ with Sal Gem, 3 -■■ abounding with Nitrum, 3 Mica of Linn3EU9, 335 Mercurialia of Linnaeus, Moreton Water in Shrop- fliire, xxxii Mountain Flax, 36 Mofaic Gold, 116 Muria of Linnaeus, 340 N Naples yellow, 16 Naptha what, 91 ■' where found, 91 " what fort be ft, 92 its medicinal ufes, 92 Nitrum of the Antients, '^'j Nitrum of Linnaeus, 337 Nevil hot Water in Leicef- terfhire, xiv Newton Dale petrifying Water in Yorkfhire, xlii Nitre what, -j-] -»-^- how to obtain it, 78 — — its ufes in medicine, 7 6 Nitrum of Linnaeus, 339 Nephritick Stone, its ufe, ' white, 153 Nocerian Earth, 20 Northall Water in- Hertr- fordfhire, ix Nottington Water in Dor- fetfhirej vi Ochra of Linnaeus, 336 Okers, 14 Oker, bright red brittle, 1 7 '■ brittle black, 19 clayey yellow, 15 Oker, common yellow, 15 ■ — crumbly yellow, 1 5 ■ dufky yellow, 16 . gold coloured, 1 5 . — heavy pale yellow^ Oker, light clayey, 16 ■ pale red, 17 -— pale red clayey, 1 7 green, 18 — pale yellow, 1 4 iafFron coloured, 15 ftony yellow, 1 6 — red heavy, 16 — ~ purple, 16 Onyx, a Stone fo called from a man's nail, 147 the different kinds, 1 47 Columns made there- with, 147 — - proper for Seals, 147 Ophites or Serpent Stone^ 199 ■ black, 19S Ophiomorphites, a PetrK fadion, 310 Oftracomorphos, a petri- faction, 302 Opal, I N I Opal, a precious Stone, 139 — the different kinds, 1 39 Orchites.a petri!'a6tion,3i4 Ornithalithus of Linnaeus, 358 Crpiment, 88 its principles, 88 I- not poifonous, 89 • red, 89 Orflon mineral Water in Northamptonfhire, xx Pancras Wells in Middle- fex, xvi Pebbles cryftal, 228 Pebble Stones, common, 235 to 251 Petrifaflions in general how performed, 288 to 499 ■ like Ears, 316 ■ like the Olfadory Nerves, 316 like Hearts, 316 ■ like Kidneys, 317 ' bones, 317 like Buttons, 319 like Legi, 319 ofTeeth,3i7,3i8 X. Bodies, 28^ Petrified Fiih, 302 Plants, 300, 301 Shells, 302 Cockles, 303, 304 ■ Mufcle Shells, 306 Oyfter Shells, 302 ■ Scollop Shells,305 Trees, 296 . Trees where found in England, 296 Petrifications of Linnaeus^ 357 Phytolitus of Linnaeus,35S Petolem, fee Naptha Piffephaltum what, 92 Pit Coal, 96 of what it cooi' confifts, 96 Oil of, 197 Pit Coal Fires a preferva- tive againft the plague, 197 -^— — its medicinal vir- tues, 97 Pitch ford Water in Shrop- Ihire, xxxiii. Pitch mineral what, 92 — — its medicinal ufes, 93 Pitch, Jews, 92 — its medicinal ufe, 93 Porcupine Stone, 307 Porpitse, 319 Porphyry, purple, 201 — — of the colour of red Lead, 201 ■ pale red uEgyp- tian, 202 Portugal Earth, 22 Praflite, the Matrix of an Emerald, 142 .— the different kinds, 142 Plumbum of Linnaeus, 348 Pumice 5'tone, 170 Pumex of Linnaeus, 355, 356 Pyrites, flat with a rough Coat, 282 . flat with a thick whitifli brown coat, 383 — — brig lit i N D bright with eight Sides, 287 hard fhining with 3 Sides, 287 green without a Cruft, 283 like a bunch of grapes, 284 laree foliaceous like a tube, 286 round with a cracked coat, 283 roundftreaked,284 round angular, 284 round fiiver co- Joured, 285 fmall folid like a ■cube, 286 — with a foliaceous furface, 285 ■ with a fmooth •glofTy furface, 286 Pyriformes, petrifadions .like pears, 3 1 2 'Pyrites of Linnaeus, 342, 343 Quartzous Stones of Lin- nsEus, 332 'Quartzous precious Stones of Linnaeus, 3:^2 Queens Camel Water in Somerfetfhire, xxx X^uickfilver, 107 — where found, 1 07 -' which beft, 1 1 o -^ its medicinal virtues, no heavieft metal except Gold, 108 Realgar what, 89 Rock Stone, 181 /o 185 Road mineral Spring in Wikihire, xxxix Rougham Water in Laa- cafliire, xii Ruddie, 13 Rotten Stone, 24 Ruby defcribed, 133 — • its kinds, 134 its value, 134 Ruby balas, the matrix of the true Ruby, i 35 Rubycell defcribed, 135 Sal ammoniac of the an- tients what, 84 ■ f^aditious, 84 Sal ammoniac, its ufes in medicine, 89 Salt, common, 75 Salt foiTile, or Sal gem, 74 Spirit of, its vir- tues, 77 Salt,its ufes in medicine,76 Salt petre, 77 its ufes in me- dicine, 79 Sands, their different kinds, 251 to 268 Sand Stones of Linnaeus. 331 Sand Stones, 175 to 181 Sapphire, a hard il^y blue gem, 138 where found, 133 how changed to a Diamond, 138 — how I N D E X. . how counterfeited, 138, 139 Sardonyx, a Stone between a Cornelian and an Onyx, 145 , various kinds, 1 46 . bell from the Eaft Indies, 146 Saxum of Linnaeus, 351 to 353 , , Scarborough bpaw, xhii SchiftusofLinnseus, 335 Sealed Earth, of Striga, 21 — of Silefia, 20 • — redofLivonia,2i > Tufcan, 22 — — Turky, 22 Selenite, 40 Selenite, fine tranfparent, 40 ■ opake flreaked, 40 thin ftreaked, 40 thick, 41 fhort, 41 tranfparent, 41 - thick dull, 41 with longitudinal filaments, 42 - brown tranfparent, 42 - thin tranfparent, 42 dull thick, 42 - long fcaly, 43 with thin flak-es, 43 dull, 43 like a column, 43 like a column with thin fibres, 44 tranfparent colour lefs, 44 whitifh dull, 44 with eight fides, 44 with broader flakcsy^^ with white flakes, 45 with fibres like a liar, 45. Selenites of Linnaeus, 338 . Semi tranfparent gems of Lannaeus, 332 Shadwell Water near Lon- don, xvii Shapmore fulphureousWa- *ter in Weftmoreland, xxxvii Silex or flint Stones of Linnaeus, 332 Silver, 1 34 its different Ores, 124, 125 mines of, where found, 12 5 how Separated frona Copper, 125 how feparated from Gold, 125 cauftick made therewith, 126 Slate, Stone, 181 Slates their different kinds, 185 to 188 Slate, Irifh, 187 Smiris or Emery, 170 Smaragdoprafius, a fort of gem, 142 Speltei, fee Zinc, 104 Stanger Spring in Cumber- land, iv Spate of Linnaeus, 334 Stannum of Linnasus, 349 Stibium of Linnseus, 344 Stala6lites of Linnaeus, 355 Stones, circumfcri bed com- mon, ao4 to 220 Stones I N D Stones harder, common, 220 to 225 like flint, 225,10 228 ^ like pebbles, 228 to 235 *- — cryflalline, 228 to 233 flinty, 233 to 235 Stelechites, p-.trifa^ions fo called, 299 Streii field Water in Lin- colnfliire, xv. Stretham Water in Surry, XXXV Sulphur, native, 86 faditious how pre- pared, 87 of what it confifts, 88 — — — its medicinal ufes, 88 Sulphureous Waters, 3 Sulphura of Linnaeus, 341 nvanfey Water in Glamor- gan lliire, ix )} denhamWells inKent, xi 0- falc, 26 Venetian, 26 black fliining, 26 bright green fliining, 28 bright purple, 30 bright white, 31 du)lpale red, 30 du'l white, 32 Engliih, 31 — gold coloured fhin- ing» 27 YoL. V. E X. — greenifli (hining, 27 green greyiOi, 27 greyifti yellow fliin- ing, 28 grey fliining, 28 ■ glolfy yellowifli, 31 — - gloii'y white greenifli, fliining, 27 ■ fliining bluifli brown, 29 — — with flefli coloured fibres, 31 Talc, orange coloured, 30 — < — fweet fcented, 28 Talc of Linnaeus, 336 Tartarus of Linn3eus 356 Tarr.T of Linnaeus. 359 Tilbury Water in Efiex, viii Thetford fpring in Nor- folk, xvii Tincal, or green oker, 18 Tin, 114 — lighted of all metals, 1 1 4 — belt mines of, in Corn- well, 1 1 5 — melts fboner than other metals 16 i6 — its medicinal virtues,! Tin-glafs, 102 Toad ftonc, 162 Topaz of Linnaeus, 353 Topaz, the Chryfolite of the ancients, 143 Trochites, 319 Tutnag, 104 Tunbridge wells in Kent, x Tur.bridge wells near Loii- dnn, xviii Tripoli, yellow, 23 T Tripoli, I N D Tripoli, reddifl) white, 23 ■ greenifh red, 24. pale brown, 24 fparkling brown, 24 ' fparkling red, 24 Varnifh of amber, how made, 95 Venetian bole, 1 7 •Verditer, 8 Englifh, 8 A^'erdigreafe. 124 ufed by painters and dyers, 124 — its medicinal ufes, 1 24 Vitrefcent Hones of Lin- rseu-, 330 Vitriol, wh;te, 79 blue, 7-) — green, 80 .- how formed, 80 — — white, its virtues, 81 — — green, how made, 80 Vitriolum of Linnaeus, 341 Upminiler water m Ellex, W Weft-Adon fpring inWilti fhire, xxxviii '' Weft-wood fpring in Der- byfhire, vi Whithara water in Effex vii Whaley water in Lanca fhire, xiv Willoughbridge water Staftbrdfhire, xxxii Wigglefworth water Yorkfhire, xlii Waters impregnated \ metals, 4 Zarnick, what, 89 Zinc, afemi-metal, 103 — — how gained from ore, 103 Zinc, very volatile, 104. ores of, 1 04 — — flowers of, 104 r flowers of, their vi tues, 106 Zinc of Linnaeus, 345 Zoalithus, 358 End cf the Fifth Volume. ■?#