5622Natural Hiſtory;
the Ice aboutit.
And although it be a greater alteration to turn Air into
Water, than Waterinto Ice; yet there is this hope, that by continuing the
Air longer time, the effect will follow; for that artificial converſion of
Waterinto Ice, is the work of a few hours; and this of Air may be tried by
a moneths ſpace, or the like.
Water, than Waterinto Ice; yet there is this hope, that by continuing the
Air longer time, the effect will follow; for that artificial converſion of
Waterinto Ice, is the work of a few hours; and this of Air may be tried by
a moneths ſpace, or the like.
INduration or Lapidification of Subſtances more ſoft, is like wiſe another de-
11Experiments
in Conſort,
touching
Induration of
Bedies. gree of Condenſation, and is a great alteration in Nature. The effect-
ing and accelerating thereof, is very worthy to be enquired it is effected by
three means.
11Experiments
in Conſort,
touching
Induration of
Bedies. gree of Condenſation, and is a great alteration in Nature. The effect-
ing and accelerating thereof, is very worthy to be enquired it is effected by
three means.
The firſtis by Cold, whofe property is to condenſe, and conſtipate, as
hath been ſaid.
hath been ſaid.
The ſecond is by Heat, which is not proper but by conſequence;
for
the heat doth attenuate, and by attenuation doth ſend forth the Spirit, and
moiſter part of a Body; and upon that, the more groſs of the tangible parts
do contract and ſerve themſelves together; both to avoid Vacuum (as they
call it) and alſo to munite themſelves againſt the force of the Fire, which
they have ſuffered.
the heat doth attenuate, and by attenuation doth ſend forth the Spirit, and
moiſter part of a Body; and upon that, the more groſs of the tangible parts
do contract and ſerve themſelves together; both to avoid Vacuum (as they
call it) and alſo to munite themſelves againſt the force of the Fire, which
they have ſuffered.
And the third is by Aſſimilation, when a hard Body aſſimilateth a ſoft,
being contiguous to it.
being contiguous to it.
The examples of Induration taking them promiſcuouſly, are many:
As
the Generation of Stones within the Earth, which at the ſirſt are but Rude
Earth or Clay; and ſo of Minerals, which come (no doubt) at firſt of
Juyces Concrete, which after ward indurate: And ſo of Porcellane, which is
an Artificial Cement, buried in the Earth a long time; and ſo the making
of Brick and Tile; alſo the making of Glaß, of a certain Sand and Brake-Roots,
and ſome other matters; alſo the Exudations of Rock Diamonds and Cbryſtal,
which harden with time; alſo the Induration of Bead-Amber, which at ſirſtis a
ſoſt ſubſtance, as appeareth by the Flies and Spiders, which are found in it,
and many more. But we will ſpeak of them diſtinctly.
the Generation of Stones within the Earth, which at the ſirſt are but Rude
Earth or Clay; and ſo of Minerals, which come (no doubt) at firſt of
Juyces Concrete, which after ward indurate: And ſo of Porcellane, which is
an Artificial Cement, buried in the Earth a long time; and ſo the making
of Brick and Tile; alſo the making of Glaß, of a certain Sand and Brake-Roots,
and ſome other matters; alſo the Exudations of Rock Diamonds and Cbryſtal,
which harden with time; alſo the Induration of Bead-Amber, which at ſirſtis a
ſoſt ſubſtance, as appeareth by the Flies and Spiders, which are found in it,
and many more. But we will ſpeak of them diſtinctly.
For Indurations by Cold, there befew Trials of it;
for we have no ſtrong
2283. orintenſe cold here on the ſurface of the Earth, ſo near the Beams of the
Sun and the Heavens, the likelieſt tryal is by Snow and Ice; for as Snow
and Ice, eſpecially being holpen, and their cold activated by Nitre or
Salt, will turn Water into Ice, and that in a few hours: So it may be it
will turn Wood or ſtiff Clay into Stone in longertime. Put therefore into
a Conſerving Pit of Snow and Ice, (adding ſome quantity of Salt and
Nitre) a piece of Wood, or a piece of tough Clay, and let it lie a moneth
or more.
2283. orintenſe cold here on the ſurface of the Earth, ſo near the Beams of the
Sun and the Heavens, the likelieſt tryal is by Snow and Ice; for as Snow
and Ice, eſpecially being holpen, and their cold activated by Nitre or
Salt, will turn Water into Ice, and that in a few hours: So it may be it
will turn Wood or ſtiff Clay into Stone in longertime. Put therefore into
a Conſerving Pit of Snow and Ice, (adding ſome quantity of Salt and
Nitre) a piece of Wood, or a piece of tough Clay, and let it lie a moneth
or more.
Another tryal is by Metalline VVaters, which have virtual Cold in them.
3384. Put therefore Wood or Clay into Smiths water, or other Metalline water, and
try whether it will not harden in ſome reaſonable time. But I underſtand
it of Metalline waters, that come by waſhing or quenching, and not of Strong
Waters that come by diſſolution; for they are too Corroſive to conſo-
lidate.
3384. Put therefore Wood or Clay into Smiths water, or other Metalline water, and
try whether it will not harden in ſome reaſonable time. But I underſtand
it of Metalline waters, that come by waſhing or quenching, and not of Strong
Waters that come by diſſolution; for they are too Corroſive to conſo-
lidate.
It is already found, that there are ſome Natural Spring-waters that will
4485. inlapidate Wood; ſo as you ſhall ſee one piece of Wood, where of the part
above the Water ſhall continue Wood; and the part under the Water, ſhall
be turned into a kinde of Gravelly Stone. It is likely thoſe Waters are of
ſome Metalline Mixture; but there would be more particular inquiry made
of them. It is certain, that an Egg was found, having lain many years in
4485. inlapidate Wood; ſo as you ſhall ſee one piece of Wood, where of the part
above the Water ſhall continue Wood; and the part under the Water, ſhall
be turned into a kinde of Gravelly Stone. It is likely thoſe Waters are of
ſome Metalline Mixture; but there would be more particular inquiry made
of them. It is certain, that an Egg was found, having lain many years in