Chapter II: HONORATI FABRI Soc. Jesu Theologi, Tractatus duo; quorum Prior est de (1)

Plantis & de Generatione Animalium; Posterior de Homine._

As the Matter of this Book is considerable, so is the order and dependence of all its parts excellent; in regard that all the Propositions are ranged according to a Geometrical method, and so well disposed, that the latter do always suppose the former, and seem to depend all of them upon certain evident principles, whence they flow by a natural consequence.

This _Volume_ contains two Treatises.

The _First_ is divided into 5. Books. In the _four first_, he treats of _Plants_, and distributes them into three _Classes_; some growing _in the Earth_, as _Trees_; others, growing upon _Plants_, as _Mosse_; and a third sort growing upon _Animals_, as _Hair_, _Horns_, and _Feathers_. He examins and considers the {326} Parts of all these Plants and their Use, the manner, how they are produced, and nourished; and their different Qualities. He discourses also of Bread, Wine, Oyle, and the other Mixtures, that are made of Plants.

In the _Fifth Book_, he treats of the _Generation of Animals_, where he delivers many curious matters, explicating in a very easie and familiar way that Argument, which hath always been lookt upon, as one of the obscurest in Natural Philosophy.

The _Second_ Treatise consists of 7. Books; wherein the Author considers, what appertains to _Man_. He discourses _first_, of Digestion, of the Circulation of the Bloud, and of the Use of the principal parts of the Humane Body. _Next_, he treats of the Senses, External and Internal; of all the Motions of the Body, both Natural and Voluntary, of the sensitive Appetite, and the Passions; _Thence_ he proceeds to the Temperaments, Habits, Instinct, Sleep, Sickness, &c. _Lastly_, passing to the _Rational Soul_, he endeavours to demonstrate the Immortality thereof, and to explain also the Manner, how it worketh upon the Body, and is united with the Body; where he omits not to reason of all the Powers of the Soul, of Liberty, and of the Operations of the Understanding and Will.

In _general_, the Author makes it his study, for the explicating of the most perplext Difficulties, to shew, that Nature works not but by very simple and easie wayes.

In _particular_ he intersperses several curious remarks. _E.g._ He teaches how to make _Perspectives_, that magnifie Objects, without Glass; telling us, that when an Object is look't upon through a small hole, it appears much greater than it is; and that therefore, if instead of Glasses one did cast before ones eyes two _Plates_ having little holes in them, it would furnish us with a new kind of _Perspectives_, more commodious than those of Glasses, which spoil the Sight by reason of the refraction of the Rayes, caused thereby. _Again_, He renders the cause of that common, but surprising, effect of Painters, drawing certain Pourtraictures, which seem to look directly upon all their Beholders, on what side soever they place themselves: _Videl._ That in those Pictures, the Nose it a little turned to one side, and the eyes to the other. Whence it comes, that such pictures seem to look to the right side, because the Eyes are indeed turned that way; but they appear also to look to the left, because the point of the Nose is turned that way, and the Table, whereon the Picture is drawn, being flat the Looker on perceives not, that the Eyes are turned th'other way; which he would do, if the Eyes of the Pourtrait were convex: Whence it comes, that no Figure can be made embossed, which looks every way.

The art, which he teaches of making _Parsley_ shoot out of the ground in a few hours, is this. Infuse the seed of it in Vinegar; and having sown it in good ground cast on it a good quantity of the Ashes of Bean-Cods, and sprinkle it with Spirit of Wine, and then cover it with some linnen. He mentions also; that if you calcine Earth, and then water it well, it will {327} produce a great variety of different Herbs, and that the Ashes of Corn burnt, being sown, have sometimes produced other Corn.

To add that by the by, this Author is not so addicted to _Aristotle_, as to be on his side, when he thinks Truth is not. He hath emancipated himself considerably from the _Scholastick_ way of Philosophing. He dares maintain, that the Vegetative and Sensitive Souls are not _Substantial_ Forms; and that it is with Plants and Animals, as with Artificial things, the Form whereof results from the Union and Disposition of the parts. According to this _Hypothesis_ he explicates all the Operations of Plants and Animals, without having any recourse to the Soul. He avers also, that there are no _Species Intentionales_, and no Habitudes, and that the Animal Spirits, which Philosophers commonly believe to be necessary for all the Operations of Life, are useless.

It might also be observed out of this Author, what he discourses of the Generation of Animals by Putrefaction; of the Cause of intermittent _Feavers_, and of the Animal Instinct, and of many other particulars; were it not better to refer the curious to the Book it self.

III. _RELATION DU VOYAGE de l' Evesque de Beryte, par la Turquie, la Perse, les Indes, _&c._ jusques au Royaume de Siam, & autres lieux_; par M. _de Bourges, Prestre_ &c.

This Author imploying his Pen chiefly, according to his design, to give an Accompt of the Success, the Undertakers of this Voyage had, in propagating the Christian Faith in the remoter parts of the World, and relating on that occasion, What number of Churches they have founded in _Cochin_, _China_, and the Kingdom of _Tonquin_, (in which latter alone he affirms, that there are more than three hundred thousand Christians;) being I say principally intent upon that Subject, he seems not to have made many Philosophical observations in those places. Mean while he does good service to those that have occasion to travel into the _East-Indies_ mostly by Land, by describing the passage, they took thither; which was, That they embarqued at _Marseilles_, in _September_, the most convenient and favourable season for that Voyage; whence Ships do ordinarily pass every Month from _Syria_, reckoning one Month for the time of Sayling, to _Alexandretta_. Thence to _Aleppo_, counting one Month more for the Stay, to be made there to meet the _Caravane_ for _Babylon_, and six weeks more for the march from _Aleppo_ to _Babylon_, where a fortnight will pass before an opportunity happen to embarque upon the _Tyger_ for _Balsora_; which Journey will require a fortnight more: And about this time it will be about the end of _January_. Thence is always conveniency to pass from _Congo_, 4 days Journey from _Comoron_ or _Gombroun_, to which latter part there is also frequent occasion to pass by Sea from _Balsora_, which will take up some 15 or 16. days Sail. There (vid. at _Comoron_) you will every year meet with _English_, _Portugal_, _Dutch_, and _Moorish_ Vessels, from _Surat_, from _October_ till the end of _April_, for they are obliged to be at _Surate_, before the end of _May_, because all the ports of those {328} _Indies_ are shut the 4. ensuing months, by reason of the danger of that _Sea_.

But besides this Direction, the Book is not quite destitute of _Natural_ Observations. It relates, 1. How Diamonds are found and separated in _Golconda_; They take of the Earth, held to be proper to form them, which is reddish, and distinguish'd with white veins, and full of flints and hard lumps. Then they put near the places, which they will digge, a close and even Earth; and to it they carry those Earths, they have digg'd out of the Mine, and gently spread it abroad, and leave it exposed to the Sun for two days. Then being dryed enough they beat it, and sifting this Earth, they find the Diamonds in ashes of Flints, in which Nature hath set them. Here he adds, that the King of that Country farms out these Diamond-Mines for 600000. Crowns _per annum_, reserving to himself the right of all the Diamonds, that exceed ten _Carats_ in weight. There are Diamonds, that mount to 35. and 40. _Carats_. And this is the great Treasure of that Prince.

2. That the most esteemed fruit in those parts; the _Durion_ (of the bigness and shape of an ordinary _Melon_) has a very unpleasing and uneven untollerable smell, like to that of a rotten _Apple_.

3. That _Rice_ prospers most in waterish grounds; and that the fields, where it grows best, resembles rather to Marshes, than to any ploughed Soyle: Yea, that that Grain has the force, though 6. or 7. foot water stand over it, to shoot its Stalk above it; and that the Stem, which bears it, rises and grows proportionably to the height of the water, that drowns the field.

4. That the way of keeping ones self harmless from a wild _Elephant_, when he runs directly upon one, is, to hold something to him; as a Hat, a Coat, a piece of Linnen, which he seises on with his Trunk; and playes with it, as if he were pleased with this apparent homage, done to him; and so passes on. If he be in a rage, that then the only remedy is, to turn incessantly behind him to the left side, in regard that naturally (_saith this Author_) he never turns himself that way, but to the right: And the time, there is to turn, because of the Beasts unweildiness, affords leisure enough to climbe up some high Tree, or to mount some steep ground: all which if it fail, by holding always his tail, and turning with him, the Animal will be tired, and give opportunity to escape.

* * * * *

_London_, Printed by _T. R._ for _John Martin_, Printer to the _Royal Society_, and are to be sold at the _Bell_ a little without _Temple-Bar_.

{329}

* * * * *

_Numb._ 19.

PHILOSOPHICAL _TRANSACTIONS._

* * * * *

_Munday_, _November_ 19. 1666.

* * * * *

The Contents.

_An Addition to the Instances of _Petrification_, formerly enumerated.
Articles of _Inquiries_ concerning _Mines_; as, to the neighbouring
Country about them; the Soyl where they are; the Signes of them; the
Structure and other particulars belonging to the Mines themselves; the
Nature and Circumstances of _Ore_; and the Reduction of _Ore_ into
_Metal_. Promiscuous _Inquiries_ formerly recommended to Monsieur
_Heuelius_, particularly about _Cold_; together with his own, and his
Correspondents _Answer_ to some of them. The success of the Experiment
of Transfusing the Blood of one Animal into another._

* * * * *

_An Addition to the _Instances_ of _Petrification_, enumerated in the last of these _Papers_._

_This _Instance_ was some while since communicated to the _Royal
Society_ by that Ingenious Gentleman Mr. _Philip Packer_, a worthy
Member of that Body; in these words;_

On a Bank in a Close of Mr. _Purefoy_, neer his house, call'd _Wadley_, a mile from _Farrington_ in _Berks_, there grows an _Elme_, which hath now lost the top, and is grown hollow, containing neer a Tun of Timber. From the But of the same Tree, one of the spreading Clawes having been formerly cut off with an Axe, that part of the But, from whence the same was sever'd, being about 1½ foot above ground, and inward within the trunk {330} of the Tree, hath contracted a petrfied Crust, about the thickness of a _shilling_, all over the woody part within the Bark; the Marks of the Axe also remaining very conspicuous, with this petrified crust upon it. By what means it should thus happen, cannot well be conceived, in regard there is no water neer it; the part, above the ground and out of the weather; the Tree yet growing: unless being cut at some season, when the sap was flowing, the owsing of the sap might become petrified by the Air, and the Tree grow rotten and hollow inward since that time; which how long since, is not known.

A piece of that part cut, was presented, together with this Account, to the said _Society_, for their _Repository_.

* * * * *

_Articles of Inquiries touching _Mines_._

What the Honourable _Robert Boyle_ gave the Reader cause to hope for, in _Numb_. 11. when he was pleased to impart those _General Heads_ for a Natural History of a Country, _there_ publish'd; He is not un-mindful to perform, by enlarging them as occasion serves, with _Particular_ and _Subordinate_ Inquiries. Here he gratifies the Curious with a considerable Set of Inquiries about _Mines_: which though unfinish'd, yet the _Publisher_, was instant to obtain their present Publication, to the end, that he might the more conveniently recommend them to several Forreigners of his Acquaintance, now ready to return to their several Countryes, which he understands to abound in Mines; and from the Curious Inhabitants whereof, he expects to receive a good Accompt upon some at least of these Inquiries; which also by several of them have been earnestly desired, as Instructions, to direct them, what Particulars to inquire after upon this Subject.

These Quæries are reduced by the _Author_ to six Heads:

The _first_, The neighbouring Country about the Mines.

The _second_, The Soyl where the Mines are.

The _third_, The Signs of Mines.

The _fourth_, The Structure and other particulars belonging to the Mines themselves.

The _fifth_, The Nature and Circumstances of the Ore.

The _sixth_, the Reduction of the Ore into Metal. {331}

_QUÆRIES_

_About the first Title._

1. Whether the Country be Mountainous, Plain, or distinguish'd with Vales? And in case it be mountainous, what kind of Hills they are; whether high, or low, or indifferently elevated? Whether almost equal or very un-equal in height? Whether fruitful or barren; cold or temperate; rocky or not; hollow or solid? Whether they run in ridges, or seem confusedly placed; and, if the former, what way the ridges run, North and South, &c. And whether they run any thing parallel to one another?

2. Whether the Country be barren or fruitful? And, if any way fruitful, what it produces, and what it most abounds with?

3. What Cattle it nourishes, and whether they have any such thing peculiar in point of bigness, colour, shape, longævity, fitness or unfitness to make good meat, &c. as may be rather adscribed to the peculiar nature of the place, than to the barrenness of the Soyl, or other manifest causes?

4. Whether the Natives, and other Inhabitants, live longer or shorter than ordinary? Whether they live more or less healthy? Whether they be subject to any _Epidemical_ Diseases, that may very probably be imputed to the Mines; and what these Diseases are; and what Remedies are found successful?

5. Whether the Country be, or be not furnish'd with Rivers, Brooks, Springs, and other Waters; and how these waters are conditioned?

6. Whether the Air be dry or moist; hot or cold; clear or foggy; thick or thin; heavy or light; and especially, whether the Weather be more or less variable than ordinarily; or whether it be subject to great and sudden changes, that may probably be imputed to the Mineral and Subterraneous Steams; and what they are? {332}

_About the second Title._

7. Whether the _Soyle_ that is neer the Surface of the Earth, be Stony; and, if it be, what kind of Stones it abounds with? Whether it be Clayie, Marley, Chalkye, &c. And, if it be of several kinds, how many they are; and by what properties they are distinguish'd?

_About the third Title._

8. By what _Signs_ they know or guess, that there is a Mine in such a place?

9. These Signs are _either_ upon the Surface of the Earth, _or beneath_ it.

To the _former_ belong these _Quæries_.

10. Whether the Ground be made barren by Metalline or Mineral Effluviums?

11. Whether it be observed, that Trees and other greater Plants seem to have their tops burnt, or other leaves or outsides discoloured? or whether there be any Plants, that do affect to grow over such Mines; and whether it have been tryed, that other Plants, that would prosper in the adjacent places, will not be made to grow and thrive there?

12. Whether the Stones and Pebles, that are wash'd by the Brooks, Springs, or other Waters, have any colour'd substance left upon them; and if they have, of what colour, weight, &c. these adherences are?

13. Whether the Waters of the place proposed, do by their tast, smell, ponderousness, &c. disclose themselves to contain Minerals? And, if they do, what Minerals they or their residences, when they are evapourated away, do appear to abound with, or to participate of?

14. Whether _Snow_ will not lye, or _Frost_ continue so long, or _Dew_ be generated or stay upon the ground in the place proposed, as on other neighbouring grounds?

15. Whether the _Dew_ that falls on that ground, will discolour white Linnen or Woollen-Cloths, spred overnight on the {333} surface of the ground, and employed to collect the Dew? And whether the _Rain_ that falls there, and may be supposed to come thither from elsewhere, will discolour such Clothes, or afford any residence of a Mineral Nature?

16. Whether the Place be more than ordinarily subject to Thunder and Lightning, and to sudden Storms or Earthquakes; as likewise to Nocturnal Lights and fiery Meteors.

17. Whether Mists use to rise from Grounds stored with Minerals? What is observable in them, and what Minerals they signify, and may be supposed to be produced by?

18. Whether the _Virgula Divinatoria_ be used to find out the Veins of proposed Mines; and, if it be, with what success?

19. What other Signs above ground afford probability of Mines, or Direction for following a Vein over Hills, Valleys, Lakes, Rivers, &c.

The _second_ sort of _Signs_ belonging to these _Quæries_, are such as follow.

20. Whether there be any Clayes, Marles, or other Mineral Earths, yellow or liquid matters, that usually give notice of the Ore? And if there be more than one, how and at what depths they are wont to lye respectively? Of what thickness and consistence they are; and in what Order the Diggers meet with them?

21. Whether there be any Stones or _Marchasites_ to be found neer, or not very far from the surface of the ground, by which one may have ground to expect a Mine? As is often observed in the Tin-Mines of _Cornwall_, over which such kind of Stones are divers times found lying above ground?

22. Whether all Stones of that kind do equally signify that Mine? And, if not, how the significant Stones are to be known, as by Colour, Bigness, Shape, Weight, Depth under ground, &c.

23. Whether there be any Earths of peculiar kinds, as to Colour, Consistence, &c. that indicate a Mine beneath or near them; and, if there be, what they are, and what is their consecution, if they have any?

24. Whether Heat or Damps give any assurance or a probability of finding a Mine? {334}

25. Whether Water of any kind, met with in Digging, especially at this or that depth, do betoken a Mine?

26. Whether there be any Signs of the neerness of the Mine, and what they are?

27. Whether there be any Signs of ones having miss'd the Mine, either by being past above, or beneath, or having left it on either hand; and what they are?

28. Whether there be any Signs not only of the distinct and determinate kind of Metals or Minerals; but of the Plenty and Goodness of the Vein; and what they are?

29. Whether there be any Signs of the depth of the Vein beneath the surface of the Earth; and what they are?

30. Whether there be any proper or peculiar Signs, that show it to be hopeless, or at least unlikely, to find a Vein in the place where it is digg'd for; and what those are?

_About the fourth Title._

31. What is the depth of the Shaft or Groove (which though named in the _singular_ Number; the Questions about it are _generally_ applicable) till you come at the Vein or Ore?

32. Whether the Vein run or lye Horizontal, or dippe? And if it dippe, what _inclination_ it hath, how deep the lowest part lies; and consequently how much deeper than the uppermost? As also, what it's Flexures, if it have any, are? And whether it runs directly _North_ or _South_, _East_ or _West_; or seem rather to have a Casual tendency, than any determinate one by Nature? and how far it reaches in all?

33. What is the Wideness of the Groove at the Top, and elsewhere? Whether the Groove be perpendicular or crooked; and if crooked, after what manner, and with what distance it winds?

34. How the Groove is supported? What are the kinds, length, bigness, and way of placing the Timber, Poles, &c. that are employed to support it? And how long the Wood will last, without being spoyled with the subterraneous fumes and waters? and what wood lasts longest? {335}

35. What Air-shaft belongs to the Mine? Whether it be _single_, or more than One? Of what breadth the Air-shaft is at the Orifice? Whether it be convenient enough, or not? How neer it is placed to the Groove; and in what position? And if there be _several_ Air-shafts, what their Distances and scituation are in reference to the Groove, and to each other? Or how Air is supplied, if there be no Air-shafts?

36. Whether they meet with any Waters in the Mine? And, if they do, how copious they are; at what depths they occur; how they are qualified; and what way they Spring, &c.

37. Whether they are constant or temporary? whether they increase or diminish notably in Summer or Winter, or at any other time of the year; and if they do, at what season that is; how long it is wont to last; and the proportions of Increase and Decrease?

38. What Expedients and Engines are employed to free the Mines from Water? The materials, the parts, the bigness, the shapes, the coaptation; and, in short, the whole structure, number, and way of applying the Instruments, that are made use off to free the Mines from Water?

39. What are the Conditions, Number, &c. of the _Adits_?

40. Whether the Mine be troubled with _Damps_, and of what kind they are? whether they come often or seldom at any set time, or altogether irregularly? what Signs fore-run them? what mischief they do? what remedies are the most successfully imployed against them, aswell in reference to the Cleering of the Mine, as to the Preservation and Recovery of the Workmen?

41. What Methods the Mine-men use in following the Vein, and tracing their passages under ground (which they call _Plumming_ and _Dyalling_) according to the several exigencies? And whether they employ the Instruments, made with the help of the Load-stone, the same way that is usual; and if not, wherein they differ in the use of the same Instruments; or what Instruments they substitute in their place?

42. What ways they take to secure themselves from the uncertainty, incident to the guidance of _Magnetick_ Needles from the _Iron-Stone_ or Ore, that they may meet with under ground? {336} (of which yet perhaps there is not so great danger, as one may imagine; as far as I could find by a Trial, I purposely made in a Groove, where I was sure, there wanted not Iron-Ore.) And what other wayes may be used to direct Miners without the help of a Load-stone?

43. How the Miners deal with the Rocks and Sparrs, they often meet with, before they come at the Ore? Whether they use Fire to soften, calcine, or crack them? How they employ it, and with what measure of success?

44. What wayes and cautions they use, to free the Mine and secure the Work-men from the inconveniencies and danger accruing from the use of much fire in it?

45. What Instruments they use to break the Rock &c? And how those Instruments are conducive; and how long they last?

46. How the Mine-men work; whether naked or cloathed? And what Lights they use to work by; what materials they are made of, what measure of light they give; how long they last; and by what wayes they are kept burning in that thick and foggy air?

47. How Veins are follow'd, lost, and recover'd? And how several Miners work on the same Vein? And what is the best way of getting all the Ore in a Vein, and most conveniently?

48. How they convey out their Ore, and other things, that are to be carried out of the Mine? Whether they do it in Baskets drawn up by Ropes, or upon Mens backs; and if this last-named way; what kind of Vessels they use for matter, shape, and capacity? And whether the Work-men deliver them one to another; or the same Work-men carry them all the way? And whether the Diggers descend and ascend by Ladders of Wood, or of Ropes, &c.

_About the Fifth Title._

49. Whether the Ore runs in a Vein; or lie dispers'd in scatter'd pieces; or be divided partly into a Vein, and partly into loose masses; or like a Wall between two Rocks, as it were in a Cleft; or be interspers'd in the firm Rock, like speckled Marble? Or be found in _Grains_ like _Sand_ or _Gravel_; as store {337} of excellent _Tin_ is said to be found in some parts of _Cornwall_ at the Sides and in the Channels of running Waters, which they call ...; or whether the Ore be of a softer consistence, like _Earth_ or _Lome_, as there is Lead-ore in _Ireland_ holding store of Silver, and Iron-ore in the North parts of _Scotland_ and elsewhere? And what is observable in it as to Weight, Colour, Mixture, &c?

50. Whether any part of the Metal be found in the Mine perfect and complete? (As I have had presented me good valuable _Copper_, and pieces of perfect _Lead_, that were taken up, the one at _Jamaica_, and the other by an acquaintance of mine, that took them out of the ground himself in _New England_.)

51. Whether the Mine affords any parcels of Metal, that seem to grow like _Plants_ (as I have sometimes seen Silver growing, as it seemed, out of Stone, or _Sparre_ almost like blades of Grass; as also great Grains of a Metal, which appear'd to me, and which those, that tryed some of it, affirmed to be Gold, abounding in a stony lump, that seem'd to consist chiefly of a peculiar kind of _Sparre_.)

52. Whether the Vein lie near, or much beneath the surface of the Earth, and at what depth?

53. Whether the Vein have or have not any particular Concomitants, or Coats (if I may so call them;) and, if any, what they are, and in what order they lie? (As the Veins of _Lead-ore_, with us, have frequently annnext to them a Substance call'd _Sparre_, and next to that another, call'd _Caulk_.)

54. Whether (besides these Coats) the Vein have belonging to it any other _Heterogeneous_ substance? (As in _Tin-mines_ we often find that yellow substance, which they call _Mundick_.)

55. What are the principal Qualities of these Extraneous substances? (As that _Sparre _ is white, but transparent, almost like course Crystall, heavy, britle, easily divisible into flakes, &c. _Caulk_ is of a different texture, white, opacous, and like a Stone, but much more ponderous. _Mundick_ I have had of a fine golden colour; but, though it be affirm'd to hold no Metal; yet I found it in weight, and otherwise, to differ from _Marchasites_; and the Mine-men think it of a poisonous nature.) {338}

56. Whether the Vein be inclosed every way in its Coats; or whether it only lye between them?

57. Whether the Vein be every way of an uniform breadth, and thickness; and, if it be, what these Dimensions are; and if not, in what places it varies, and in what measures? (The like Questions are to be made concerning the _sparre_, _Caulk_, and other Teguments or mixtures of the Ore?)

58. Whether the Vein be un-interrupted, or in some places broken off; and whether it be abruptly, or not; and whether it be by Vales, Brooks, Gullets, &c?

59. How wide the Interruptions are? what Signs, whereby to find the Vein again? whether the ulteriour part or division of the Vein be of the same Nature, and hold on in the same Course, as to its tendency upwards or downwards, or Horizontally, Norward, Southward, &c. with the Vein, from which it is cut off?

60. Whether, in case the last end of the Vein be found, it terminate abruptly, or else end in some peculiar kind of Rock or Earth, which does, as it were, close or Seal it up, without leaving any crack or cranny, or otherwise? And whether the terminating part of the Vein tend upwards, downwards, or neither? And whether in the places, where the Vein is interrupted, there be any peculiar Stone or Earth, that does, as it were, seal up the Extremity of it?

61. Whether it be observed; that the Ore in Tract of time may be brought to afford any Silver or Gold, which it doth not afford, or more than it would afford, if it were not so ripe? And whether it have been found, that the Metalline part of the Vein grows so, that some part of the Mine will afford Ore or Metal in tract of time, that did not so before? And whether to this Maturation of the Mine, the being exposed to the free Air be necessary; or, whether at least it conduce to the Acceleration of it; or otherwise?

62. Whether all the Ore, contained in the Mine, be of the self-same nature and goodness; and, if not, what are the differing kinds; and how to be discriminated and estimated?

63. What is the fineness and goodness of the Ore, by which the Mine is wont to be estimated? And what are the marks and {339} characters, that distinguish one sort from another?

64. What proportion of Metal it affords? (As in our _Iron-mines_ 'tis observed, that about three Tuns of Iron-stone will afford one Tun of Metal: And I have had _Lead-Ore_, which an Ingenious man, to whom I recommended such Tryals, affirm'd to me to afford three parts in four of good Lead.)

65. Whether the Ore be pure in its kind from other Metals, and, if not, of what Metals it participates; and in what proportion? Which is especially to be Inquired into, in case the Mine be of a _base_ metal, that holds a _noble_ metal: (As I have known it observ'd, that _Lead-Ore_, that is poor in its own metal; affords more Silver, than other; and I remember, that the _Ore_ lately mention'd, being rich in Lead, scarce afforded us upon the _Cuppel_, an Atome of Silver. And _Matthesius_ informs us, that a little Gold is not unfrequently found in _Iron-Ore_. And I have by me some Gold, that never endur'd the Fire, taken out of a Lump of Tin-Ore.)

_About the sixth Title._

66. What are the mechanick and prævious Operations, as Beating, Grinding, Washing, &c. that are used to separate the Ore from the Heterogeneous Bodies, and prepare it for the Fire? Or whether the Ore requires no such preparation? (as it often happens in Lead, and sometimes in Iron, &c.)

67. Whether _Mercury_ be made use off, to extract the nobler from the baser metals? (as is their practice in _Peru_, and other parts of the _West-Indies_.)

68. Whether the leaving the Ore expos'd to the open Air and Rain for a good while, be used as a Præparative? (as I have seen done in _Iron-stone_.)

69. Whether the Burning and Beating of the Ore be used to prepare it for the Furnace? (as is practised in _Iron_, and almost always in _Copper_:) And, in case they use it more than once, how often they do it; (for, _Copper-Ore_ is in some places washed 8. or 10. times, and in others, 12. or 14.) and with what circumstances; as, how long the Ignition lasts at a time, whether the Ore be suffer'd to cool of it self, or be quench'd? whether it be washed betwixt each Ignition?

70. What Flux-powders, and other ways they have to try {340} and examine the goodness of the Ore in small quantities?

71. Whether, when they work in _great_, they use to melt the Ore with any Flux or Additaments, or only by the force of the Fire, or in any way between both? (As throwing in of Charcoals when they melt Iron-stone does not only serve to feed the Fire, but perhaps by the _Alchaly_ of its Ashes to promote the fusior: so Lime-stone, &c.)

72. What kind of Furnaces they use, to melt the Ore in? Whether they be all of one sort and bigness, or of differing?

73. What are, the Situation, Materials, Dimensions, Shape, Bigness, and in short what is the whole structure and Contrivance of the Furnace? If there be any thing peculiar and remarkable? What Tools are used in Smelting, their Figures, use, &c. And the whole manner of working?

74. What kinds of Fewel, and what quantities of it, are wont to be employed in the Furnace, within the compass of a day, or week? How much is put in at a time? How often it is renewed? And how much Ore in a determinate time, as a week or a day, is wont to be reduced to Metal?

75. In case an Additament be employed, what that is, and in what proportion it is added? Whether it be mingled with the Ore, before that be put into the Fire, or cast in afterwards; and, if so, at what time, &c?

78. Whether the Ore be melted by a Wind, excited by the Fire it self; as in Wind-ovens? Ore by the course of Waters? Or acuated by the blast of Bellows; and, if so, whether these Bellows be mov'd by a Wheel, turn'd by Water running under it, or falling on it? And what are, the Dimensions, Situation, &c. of the Bellows?

79. What contrivance they have, to let or take out the Metal, that is in fusion; and cast it into Barrs, Sows, Pigs, &c?

80. What Clay, Sand, or Mould they let it run or pour it through? And after what manner they refrigerate it?

8l. Whether or no they do, either to facilitate the fusion, or to obtain the more or better Metal, mingle differing sorts or degrees of Ore of the same metal? (As in some places 'tis usual, to mingle poor and rich Ore; and at _Mendip_ they mix two or more of these differing kinds of _Lead-ore_ that they call _Frim-ore_, _Steel-ore_, _Potern-ore_, &c.) {341}

82. Whether or no, having once brought the Ore to fusion, they melt all the Metal it self, to have it the more pure? And, if they do, with what circumstances they make the fusion?

83. Whether they have any Signs, whereby to know whether the Fusion have been well or ill perform'd; and the Metal have obtain'd the perfection, to be expected from such Ore, melted in such a Furnace?

84. Whether they observe any great difference in the goodness of the Metal, that first melts, from that of the rest of the Metal which comes afterwards in the same or another operation? And whether the Rule holds constantly? (For, though they observe in _Tin-Mines_, the best Metal comes first, yet in the works of an Industrious friend of mine, he informs me, that the best Metal comes last.)

85. Whether the produced Metal be all of the same goodness? And if it be, how good it is in reference to the Metal of other Mines, or other parts of the same Mine or Vein? And if it be not, what differences are observ'd between the produced portions of Metal; and what disparity that amounts to in the price?

86. What are the Wayes of distinguishing them, and estimating their goodness?

87. Whether they do any thing to the Metal, after it is once brought to Fusion, and, if need be, melt it over again, to give it a melioration? (As when _Iron_ is refined, and turn'd into Steel;) And what distinct Furnaces, and peculiar Ways of ordering the Metals are employ'd to effect this improvement? With a full description of them and the Tools in all Circumstances, observ'd in the refining of Metals.

88. Whether in those places, where the Metal is melted, there be not elevated some Corpuscles, that stick to the upper parts of the Furnace, or Building? And, if there be, whether they be barely fuliginous and recrementitious exhalations, or, at least in part, Metallin Flowers? (As in the _Cornish_ Tin-mines, after some years they usually destroy the thatch'd Houses, where the Ore hath been melted, to get the stuff, that adhears to the insides of the Roofs, out of which they melt store of excellent Tin.)

89. Whether the Metal, being brought to fusion, affords {342} any Recrements? (As _Iron-stone_ affords store of a dark Glass or Slagg) And, if it do, what those Recrements are? How they are separated from the Metal; and to what Uses they are employed?

90. Whether, after the Metal has been once melted, the remaining part of the Ore being exposed to the Air, will in tract of time be impregnated, or ripen'd, so as to afford more Metal? (For, this is affirm'd to me of the _Cornish_ Tin-Ore; and what remained after the fusion of _Iron-ore_ in the _Forest of Dean_, is so rich in Metal, that a Tenant of mine in _Ireland_, though he had on the Land, he held from me, an Iron-Mine, found it less profit to work it, than to send cross the Sea to the _Forest of Dean_ for this already us'd Ore, which having lain for some ages, since it was thrown aside in great heaps expos'd to the Air, he affirm'd to yield as well great great store of Iron, as very good: though I somewhat doubt, whether this be _totally_ to be ascribed to the Aire, and length of time; or to the leaving of Metal in the Slaggs in old times, before great Furnaces were in use.)

* * * * *

_Promiscuous Inquiries about Mines, from the same Author._

1. Whether the Territorie, that bears the Mine, abounds with no other Kind of Mineral in some distinct part of it? (As in _Kent_ near _Tunbridge_, one part of the Country which is Hilly, abounds all along with _Iron-Mines_; the other, which is also Hilly, and divided from it but by a small Valley, abounds exceedingly (as the Diggers and Inhabitants told me upon the place) in _Quarry's_, which the Metallin-Country wants, but is quite destitute of Iron-stone. And so at _Mendip_, in one part of the Hill, I saw store of _Lead-Mines_, containing several Kinds of Ore of that Metal; another part of the Hill I found to be full of _Cole-pits_, which had some _Marchasites_, but no Metal; and in another place, _Iron-ore_, and mixt Ores, which yet they did not think fit to work.)

2. Whether the Air appear to be really cold in Summer, {343} and hot in Winter at the bottom of the Mines, by surer proofs than the Testimony of our Touch?

3. Whether they ever meet with places and Stones actually very hot, as _Matthesius_ relates? And whether that spring not from the quenching of _Marchasites_?

4. Whether they find in the Mines any Mineral Gelly, such as the _German_ Naturalists call _Ghur_? And whether in process of time it will harden into a metal, or Mineral Concretion?

5. What are the Laws, Constitutions, and Customs, _Oeconomical_, _Political_, _Ethical_, that are receiv'd and practis'd among the Mine-men?

6. Whether the Diggers do ever really meet with any subterraneous _Demons_; and if they do, in what shape and manner they appear; what they portend; and what they do, &c?

7. Whether they observe in the Trees and other Plants, growing over or neer the Mine, not only, (as hath been already intimated) that the Leaves are any whit gilded or silver'd by the ascending Mineral Exhalations, but also, that the Trees or other Plants are more solid and ponderous? And if they have not also some discernable Metalline or Mineral Concretes, to be met within the small Cavities and Pores of their substance?

8. Whether there be not Springs, and also greater Streams of Water neer the Mine, that rise, and run their whole course under ground, without ever appearing above it?

9. Whether the Subterraneous Springs do rise with any wind or determinate change of weather?

10. How much heavier the _Atmosphere_ is at the bottom of the Mine, than at the top? And whether Damps considerably increase the weight of it?

11. Whether they find any strange substances in the Mines, as Vessels, Anchors, Fishes inclos'd in Sparr or Metal, &c.? {344}

* * * * *

__Promiscuous Inquiries_, chiefly about _Cold_, formerly sent and recommended to Monsieur _Heuelius_; together with his Answer return'd to some of them._

A considerable piece of the grand Design of the Modern _Experimental_ Philosophers being, to procure and accumulate Materials for a good Natural History, whence to raise in progress of time a solid Structure of Philosophy; all possible Endevours are used in _England_, to send abroad and recommend to as many of Forreign parts, as there is opportunity, _Directions_ for searching into the Operations of Nature, and for observing what occurs therein, aswell as in Mechanical operations and practices.

Several Heads of that kind have been already publish'd for this purpose in several of the former Tracts; to which, as we have added, in this, the _Quæries_ about _Mines_, so we shall subjoyn those, that were not long since committed to the care of that Excellent Promoter of Astronomy and Philosophy, Monsieur _Heuelius_, Consul of _Dantzick_; who demonstrates so much zeal for the advancement of real knowledge, that he not only improves and promotes it by his own Studies, but labours also to incite others to do the like; having already warmed many of the Northern Climate, particularly _Poland_, _Prusse_, _Livonia_, _Sweden_ and _Denmark_, into a disposition to be studious and active in inquiring after such particulars concerning Philosophy, as are recommended from hence, and rendred them, very willing to employ themselves in things of that nature.

_The Inquiries sent to _Dantzick_, are these;_

1. What Signior _Burattini_ (an _Italian_ Gentleman, Master of the Mint to the King of _Poland_, and reputed a great Master in the _Mechanicks_) hath perform'd in _Diopticks_? Whether at present he employs himself, as is related, in grinding a _Telescope_ of 120 foot long? And, if so, what way he means to make use {345} of, commodiously to handle a Tube of that length?

2. Whether the same have the Art (as has been written from _Paris_) to make such Glass, as is not at all inferiour to _Venice_-glass, and exceeds any plate of Glass, hitherto made there, twice or thrice in bigness?

3. What is the way of making Pot-ashes in _Poland_?

4. What is to be observed about _Succinum_ or Amber? whether it be an Exsudation of the Sea? whether it be seen to float upon the surface of the Sea? whether it be soft, when 'tis first cast on shore? At what season of the year, and in what manner 'tis taken up, &c?

5. What is to be observ'd in the Digging of _Sal Gemmæ_ in _Poland_? what is the Depth of the Mines, stored with this Salt? what their distance from the Sea, &c?

6. What truth there is in that Relation concerning Swallows being found in Winter under waters congealed, and reviving, if they be fish'd and held to the fire?

7. Whether there be in the _Bodnick Bay_ a Whirl-pool, as is related to be in the Sea of _Norway_, which is commonly call'd the _Maal-stroom_? And whether there be any Signs, that speak the communication of those Gulphs by subterraneous passages; as the Jesuit _Kircher_ affirms in his _Mundus Subterraneus_ T. 1. p. 146?

8. To what depth the Cold in those parts peirces the Earth and Water?

9. Whether their Watches go slower by the intense cold?

10. Whether their Oyls in hard frosts are turn'd into true, that is, hard and britle, Ice?

11. Whether they can freeze there a strong Brine of Bay-Salt; and a strong Decoction of _Sal Gemmæ_, or Soot; or a strong Solution of _Salt_ of _Tartar_, or of _Sugar_ of _Lead_?

12. Whether they can congeal meer _Blood_, all the serous part thereof being sever'd? Item, _Canary_ Wine; the _Lixiviums_ of Soap-boylers, and such as are prepared of other Salts; as also, the Spirits extracted out of Salts, as Spirit of _Vitriol_, _Nitre_, &c?

13. Whether an intense and lasting Frost makes any alteration in _Quick-silver_, exposed very shallow in a flat Vessel.

14. Whether the Purgative virtue of _Catharticks_ be increased or lessened, or even totally destroy'd by a strong and continued Cold? {346}

15. Whether Harts-horn thaw'd, and such like substances, using the same method of Distilling, yield the same quantity of Liquor, which they use to yield, when not frozen?

16. What Cold operates in the Fermentation of Liquors?

17. Whether Birds and Wilde Beasts grow white there in Winter, and recover their native colour in Summer?

18. Whether Colours may be concentred by a sharp cold? _E.g._ A strong Decoction of Cocheneel in a fit Glass?

19. Whether the _Electrical_ virtue of _Amber_, and the _Attractive_ and _Directive_ force of the _Magnet_, be changed by a vehement Cold?

20. Whether pieces of Iron and Steel, even thick ones, be made britle by intense frosts; and therefore Smiths are obliged for prevention, to give their Iron and Steel-tools a softer temper?

21. Whether accurate Observations evince, that all Fishes dye in frozen Waters, if the Ice be not broken? Where it is to be diligently inquired into, whether the Cold it self, or the want of changing or ventilating the water, or the privation of Air, be the cause of the death of Fishes?

22. Whether any Physicians or Anatomists have inquired, by freezing to death some Animals (as Rabits, Pullets, Dogs, Cats, &c.) after what manner it is, that Intense Cold kills men? whether they have found any Ice in the Inner parts; and if so, in which of them; Whether in the Ventricles of the Brain and Heart; and in the greater Vessels?

_These were the Queries_ recommended about a Twelve-month ago. Monsieur _Heuelius_ in a late Letter of his, accompanied with several papers from others, returns this Accompt.

The Inquiries you proposed to me, I did impart to several of my Learned friends: But hitherto I have attained an Answer but to few particulars. Among the rest you'l find a Letter of the Learned _Johannes Schefferus_, Professor in the _Swedish_ University at _Vpsall_, wherein he discourses handsomly of several things, being ready to entertain a Literary Commerce with you about such matters. Touching _Amber_, I am almost of the same mind with him, that it is a kind of _Fossil Pitch_ or _Bitumen_, seeing it is not only found on the Shore of the _Borussian_ Sea, but also digg'd up in subterraneous places, some _German_ miles distant from the {347} and that not only in Sandy, but also in other Hills of firmer Earth; of which I have seen my self pretty big pieces. Concerning _Swallows_, I have frequently heard Fisher-men affirm, that they have here often fish'd them out of the Lakes, in the Winter; but I never have seen it my self. Whilst I am writing this, I receive Letters out of _Denmark_, advertising me, that those two Learned men, _Thomas_ and _Erasmus Bartholin_, do intend shortly to answer the same _Quæries_. Next Winter, if God vouchsafe me life and health, I purpose to make a Journey to _Konigs-berg_, where I hope to learn many things, especially about _Amber_.

_Thus far in answer to those Inquiries for the present._

To this he subjoyns other things, no less fit to be communicated to the Curious, in these words;

The Books you have sent me over sea, I have not yet received: I wish, they were all translated into Latin; for I have not _English_ enough, to understand all particulars perfectly. For the rest, you have obliged me, by communicating the Observations of the last _Eclipse_ of the _Sun_, aswell those made in _England_, as those of _Paris_ and _Madrid_. That I may requite you in some measure, I send you my Observations both of _that_, and the _Moons_ last _Eclipse_. In the _Sun's Eclipse_, this is chiefly observable, That the _Semidiameter_ of the _Moon_ from the very beginning, to about 5. or 6. digits of the increasing _Phasis_ was much less than the _Rudolphin_ Account imports. For it was then almost equal to the _Semidiameter_ of the _Sun_: but, after the greatest Obscuration, when I again contemplated the _Moons Semidiameter_, I found it 8" or 9" bigger than that of the _Sun_; so that the _Semidiameter_ of the _Moon_ was not always, during this Eclipse, constant to it self. It will therefore be worth while, to be hereafter more diligent and curious in this particular, and accurately to observe in the _Phasis_ of each _Digit_ the _Proportion_ of the _Semidiameters_ of both Luminaries; to the end, that _first_ it may be made manifest, Whether in all the _Eclipses_ of the _Sun_, or in some only, that variation happens; _next_, that the Causes of such a _Phænomenon_ may be diligently inquired into. Of this Variation, the Excellent _Ismael Bullialdus_ hath also observed something at _Paris_. For he has written to me, That in the same Eclipse the _Semidiam._ of the _Sun_ to the _Semid._ of the _Moon_ was, as 16'. 9". to 16'. 22"; but that in another {348} _Phasis_ of 6 _digits_, the Semidiameters appear'd equal. These my Observations, if you think them worthy, you may communicate to other Mathematicians. The last year 1665. _July_ 27. (_st. n._) the _Tables_ did also indicate an Eclipse of the _Moon_: but though the Sky here was very cleer, yet the Moon was not at all obscured by the _true shadow_, but entred only a little into the _Penumbra_, wherein it continued 50'. The beginning of its touching the _Penumbra_ did then almost happen, when _Aquila_ was elevated 36° 18'; which is an Example worthy to be noted. I have many Observations of the _Eclipses_ of former years by me, which I could not yet make publick, by reason of the multitude of my business, which do almost over-whelm me. The Eclipse of the Moon of this Year 1666. _June_ 16. (_st. n._) was observed from a Hill neer my Garden, to the end, that we might see both together the _Suns setting_, and the _Moon rising_. But I was disappointed of my hopes: For very thick Exhalations, besieging the _Horizon_, where the Moon was to rise, unto 2°. 30', hindred me from seeing the _Moon rise_, in the Article of the _setting_ of the _Sun_. Wherefore the first _Phasis_ of 1. _dig_. 45'. did not appear but in the _Moons Altitude_ of 2°. 30'; when the greatest Obscuration was already past. The _End_ fell out hor. 9. 27'. about 128° from the _Zenith_ Westward.

[Sidenote: * A Letter, written since from _Paris_, advertises, that some of the Curious there have received one of these Glasses of _Sr. Burattini_, and do esteem it to be good without mentioning the Dimension of it: which yet is look'd for by the next.]