A greene forest, or A naturall historie vvherein may bee seene first the most sufferaigne vertues in all the whole kinde of stones & mettals: next of plants, as of herbes, trees, [and] shrubs, lastly of brute beastes, foules, fishes, creeping wormes [and] serpents, and that alphabetically: so that a table shall not neede. Compiled by Iohn Maplet, M. of Arte, and student in Cambridge: entending hereby yt God might especially be glorified: and the people furdered. Anno 1567.

Of Siluer.

SYluer in Gréeke is called Argurion, not far from the Latine name and appellation. It is compound of the best and purest Quicksil∣uer, and of the most white Brimstone, and that which in their mixture and composition, by no meanes is burnt to red or black, as Aristotle rehearseth. Quicksiluer therefore hath this proper and peculiar to it selfe, that it doth not gather togither in maner of curd, or waxeth thick vnlesse it be intermedled with his fellow like acquaintaunce, Brimstone. Therevpon Aristotle proueth that Quicksiluer & Brim∣stone are the Elements, that is to say, the Ma∣tere and cause of beginning in all thinges li∣quable or those which melt, which are cōmonly called Mettals. Quicksiluer doth much breath forth and euaporate, whose breath or fume doth greatly hurt those, whome it apprehendeth. For it bringeth to a man the Palsie, and vn∣doeth and looseneth within him his Sinewes and Ioyntes. Without this notwithstanding, there could be no mixture, neyther in Golde, in Siluer, nor yet in any other Mettall. Siluer therefore hath these qualities peculiarly. It is cleare, it is shrill of sound, easily ductile, a mar∣ueilous preseruer of swéete balmes, the Iaspers friend, and with whome the Iasper better a∣greeth than with Gold. It is also medicinable,

for his offall or dust remedieth wounds. Fur∣ther, it taking earth, rustieth: but being newe rubbed ouer with Sande and Salte, commeth to his olde colour againe. Isidore saith, that there is thrée kinds of Siluer, Golde & Brasse: and of other Mettals. That which is grauen or by any wyse seased vppon: that which is wrought, and that which is not wrought: that which is sealed or coyned, as is Money, or goth for Money: that which is wrought and made otherwise, as is Uessell or Plate: that which is vnwrought is called a lumpe or bar of raw Mettall, of some a wedge of Mettall.