Page:Theophrastus - History of Stones - Hill (1774).djvu/312

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

[ 296 ]

petrifying Springs; but that is a fouler Sort: There is in Norway a Pyramid of Spar two Inches long, which was once mine; in which two Branches of the ſolid Heath Moſs, or Lichen, are perfectly embodied.

It has been thought the Spar in Cracks of Rocks was brought from elſewhere by Water; or was and is originally in all Water: The latter is the Opinion of Linnæus; Henkell maintains the former. But if either were the Caſe, Spar would be ſometimes found in vitreſcent Rocks, and Cryſtal in thoſe of Limeſtone; which Obſervation denies.

Spar they ſay will be formed where Water can be retained; but indeed alſo where it cannot; 'tis enough that it ouzes ſlowly: Nay, not Water alone diſſolves Spar; but it can be retained in Vapour. I have from Cornwall Incruſtations of true Stalavtite, formed in the Pipes of Fire Engines in the Mines, at Heighths to which the Water never aſcends, by many Feet; but only Vapour.

Mundick is alſo thus a Creature of the Air, in many Places. I have trigonal Pyramids of Spar, which hung from the Top of the Bauman's Cave, in the Hartz, covered with Cubic Mundick; there is none in the Spar itſelf; and from the particular Circumſtances of the Specimen, Water could not have lodged upon it, only Vapour.

Spar is one Thing, of one Weight, one Hardneſs, and when pure can never be miſtaken for any other Foſſil. It is liable to have

other