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XXIX. There[1] is alſo found in the Mines of Scapteſylæ a Stone, in its external Appearance ſomething reſembling rotten Wood; on which, if Oil be poured, it burns; but when the Oil is burnt away, the burning of the Stone ceaſes, as if it were in itſelf not liable to ſuch Accidents.
XXX. Theſe then are the Differences of the Stones which are ſubject to the Force of Fire.
XXXI. But there is another Kind of Stone, formed, as it were, of contrary Principles, and entirely incombuſtible[2]:
- ↑ It is much to be quſtioned, whether this was the true original Reading, and genuine Senſe of the Author; in all probability ſome Errors in the old Editions have made this Paſſage expreſs what he never meant to ſay. The Subftance, and indeed the only Subſtance deſcribed by the other antient Naturaliſts as reſembling black Wood, is the Gagates or Jet, before mentioned among the Bitumens: but that has no ſuch Quality as the Author has here aſcribed to this Stone of Scapteſylæ.
The Antients had a common Opinion of the Bitumens, that the Fire of them was encreaſed by Water; and extinguiſhed by Oil; and very probably this was the Sentiment originally delivered here by the Author; however Errors upon Errors in different Copies of his Works may ſince have altered the Senſe of them. The Stone itſelf was probably a Bitumen of the Lapis Thracius Kind, as the Place from whence it has its Name was a Town of that Country.
- ↑ The Author having now gone through the different Effects of Fire on the various Kinds of Stones which are ſubject to be acted upon by it, comes here to the Conſideration of
