350226Articles of Enquiry,
Metal is turned into Glaſs?
and when the Metal doth but hang in the Glaſ-
ſie part? alſo what weight the vitrified Body bears, compared with the
crude Body? Alſo becauſe Vitrification is accounted, a kinde of death of
Metals, what Vitrification will admit, of turning back again, and what
not?
ſie part? alſo what weight the vitrified Body bears, compared with the
crude Body? Alſo becauſe Vitrification is accounted, a kinde of death of
Metals, what Vitrification will admit, of turning back again, and what
not?
For Diſſolution into Liquor, we are to enquire, what is the proper
Menſtruum to diſſolve any Metal? And in the Negative, what will touch
upon the one, and not upon the other? And what ſeveral Menſtrua will
diſſolve any Metal? And which moſt exactly? Item, the proceſs or motion
of the Diſſolution? The manner of Riſing, Boiling, Vaporing? More
violent or more gentle? Cauſing much heat, or leſs? Item, the quan-
tity or charge the Strong-Water will bear, and then give over? Item,
the colour into which the Liquor will turn? Above all, it is to be enquired,
whether there be any Menſtruum, to diſſolve any Metal that is not fretting and
corroding; but openeth the Body by ſympathy, and not by mordacity or
violent penetration?
Menſtruum to diſſolve any Metal? And in the Negative, what will touch
upon the one, and not upon the other? And what ſeveral Menſtrua will
diſſolve any Metal? And which moſt exactly? Item, the proceſs or motion
of the Diſſolution? The manner of Riſing, Boiling, Vaporing? More
violent or more gentle? Cauſing much heat, or leſs? Item, the quan-
tity or charge the Strong-Water will bear, and then give over? Item,
the colour into which the Liquor will turn? Above all, it is to be enquired,
whether there be any Menſtruum, to diſſolve any Metal that is not fretting and
corroding; but openeth the Body by ſympathy, and not by mordacity or
violent penetration?
For Sprouting or Branching, though it be a thing but tranſitory, and
a kinde of toy or pleaſure; yet there is a more ſerious uſe oſ it: For that it
diſcovers the delicate motions of ſpirits, when they put forth, and cannot
get forth, like unto that which is in vegetables.
a kinde of toy or pleaſure; yet there is a more ſerious uſe oſ it: For that it
diſcovers the delicate motions of ſpirits, when they put forth, and cannot
get forth, like unto that which is in vegetables.
For Induration or Mollification, it is to be enquired, what will make
Metals harder and harder, and what will make them ſofter and ſofter? And
this Enquiry tendeth to two ends;
Metals harder and harder, and what will make them ſofter and ſofter? And
this Enquiry tendeth to two ends;
Firſt, for Uſe:
As to make Iron ſoft by the Fire, makes it malle-
able.
able.
Secondly, Becauſe Induration is a degree towards Fixation;
and
Mollification towards Volatility: And therefore the Inquiry of them, will
give light towards the other.
Mollification towards Volatility: And therefore the Inquiry of them, will
give light towards the other.
For tough and brittle, they are much of the ſame kinde with the
two former, but yet worthy of an Inquiry apart: Eſpecially to joyn
Hardneſs to Toughneſs; as making Glaſs malleable, & c. And
making Blades, ſtrong to reſiſt, and pierce, and yet not eaſie to
break.
two former, but yet worthy of an Inquiry apart: Eſpecially to joyn
Hardneſs to Toughneſs; as making Glaſs malleable, & c. And
making Blades, ſtrong to reſiſt, and pierce, and yet not eaſie to
break.
For Volatility and Fixation, it is a principal Branch to be en-
quired. The utmoſt degree of Fixation is, That whereupon no Fire
will work, nor Strong-water joyned with Fire, if there be any ſuch
Fixation poſſible: The next is, when Fire ſimply will not work with-
out Strong-waters: The next is, when it will endure Fire not blown,
or ſuch a ſtrength oſ Fire: The next is, when it will not endure Fire,
but yet is malleable: The next is, when it is not malleable, but yet it
is not fluent, but ſtupified. So of Volatility, the utmoſt degree is,
when it will flee away without returning: The next is, when it will
flee up, but with eaſie return: The next, when it will flee upwards,
over the Helm, by a kinde of Exufflation, without Vaporing:
quired. The utmoſt degree of Fixation is, That whereupon no Fire
will work, nor Strong-water joyned with Fire, if there be any ſuch
Fixation poſſible: The next is, when Fire ſimply will not work with-
out Strong-waters: The next is, when it will endure Fire not blown,
or ſuch a ſtrength oſ Fire: The next is, when it will not endure Fire,
but yet is malleable: The next is, when it is not malleable, but yet it
is not fluent, but ſtupified. So of Volatility, the utmoſt degree is,
when it will flee away without returning: The next is, when it will
flee up, but with eaſie return: The next, when it will flee upwards,
over the Helm, by a kinde of Exufflation, without Vaporing: