Page:Theophrastus - History of Stones - Hill (1774).djvu/306

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

[ 290 ]

An Inſtance of this Courſe of Nature appears in the philoſophic Hiſtory of Spar.

1. The Primitives, as we have ſeen, are Water, Bitumen, Chalk, Clay, Talc, and Mineral Acid: To theſe the Operations of the Air, and Fire give great Powers of acting. We thus find

2. Heavy Vapours, formed of Air, and much Water. Theſe, pervading all Things,

3. Meet the Mineral Acid[1], and uniting with it; if they run clear to the Surface, afford Medicinal Springs; but

4. Thus united, they may fall upon Bitumen: This is no where more frequent than in Limeſtone Rocks; and often ſtands in Puddles, in their natural Hollows[2].

5. By this Mixture, uniting in its Courſe, is formed a real, tho' a fluid Sulphur: For Sulphur is nothing elſe; nor can be formed by any other Mean[3].

6. This Sulphur, not yet conereted, paſſes in its liquid Form thro' the Pores of the Lime-


  1. The Electric Æther of the under World; preſent every where, but only ſeen concentrated, or in its Mixtures. It affects ſome Things, Bitumen moſt: And avoids others.
  2. At Naples; in the Venetian Territories; and in Perſia, this is very common.
  3. Abſolute Sulphur may be made by Art with Eaſe and Certainty this Way. The Acid of Vitriol, with. any Thing inflammable, affords it.
ſtone;