Naturall philosophie reformed by divine light, or, A synopsis of physicks by J.A. Comenius ... ; with a briefe appendix touching the diseases of the body, mind, and soul, with their generall remedies, by the same author.

CHAP. VIII.

Of concrete substances: namely, Stars, Meteors, and Minerals.

I A Concrete thing is a vapour coagulated, endued with some form.

For example, soot, clouds, snow, &c. Note that this name of concrete, and con∣creture is new, yet fit to expresse this degree of creatures, which confers nothing but coagulation and figure.

II The primary cause of concretion of va∣pours is cold, which wheresoever it findeth a vapour, condenseth and coagulateth it.

That appears in Alembicks, where the vapour raised by heat, and carried into the highest region of it where it is cold, re∣solves it selfe again into water: and to that end Distillours now and then wash the uppermost cap of the Alembick with cold water, and make the pipes, through which the concrete liquour distils, to passe through a vessell of water. Yet heat helps the con∣cretion of things, consuming the thinner part of the concrete, and compelling the rest to harden, which we see done in the ge∣neration of metals.

III Some concretes are Aethereall, others aereall, others watery, others earthly.

Namely, because some are made in the skie, as stars: others in the air, as clouds, &c. others in water, as a bubble, &c. o∣thers in the earth, as stones, &c. every one of which come to be considered apart.

IV Aethereal concretes, are stars and comets.

V Stars are fiery globes, full of light and heat, with which the skie glitters on every side.

Both the ornament of the world required this, that hanging lamps should not be wan∣ting in so lofty a palace: as also the necessi∣ty of the inferiour world, concerning which is the following Aphorisme. Now we reckon stars in the rank of concretes, because it is cer∣tain that they are made of matter and light.

Stars were produced in so great number up∣on very great necessity.

Namely, 1 To heat the earth with a va∣rious temperature. 2 To make the various harmony of times. 3 To inspire a various form into the creatures. For so great variety could not be induced into the lower world, without such variety in coelestiall things.

VII God placed the greatest number of stars in the highest heaven round about, that they might irradiate the earth on every side, and carry about their sphear with a rapid motion of heat.

On which starry sphear take these follow∣ing Aphorismes.

1 That the motion of this sphear is fini∣shed in the space of twenty four hours.

2 And because that motion is circular, it

is said to be made upon two hinges, or im∣moveable points (in Greek poles) of vvhich the one is called the Northern or Artick pole; the other the Southern or Antartick. Betwixt these two poles the heaven is tur∣ned: vvith its exact globosity, describing a circle (in the midst betwixt the two poles) vvhich they call the Aequator. Now that tract, vvhere the stars arise above the earth, is called the East, or the Sun-rising: the op∣posite to it vvhere they set, is called the West or Sun-setting; and these four angles of the World, are called the four quarters of the World, and the four Cardinal Points.

3 That the stars of the highest sphear, (commonly called the fixed stars) are globes of vvondrous greatnesse in themselves: the greatest of them exceeding the globe of the earth an hundred and seven times: and the least of them exceeding the same globe eigh∣teen times.

4 That the numerable stars are found by us one thousand, tvventy tvvo: but God knovves the number of the innumerable. For the Galaxias or milky way (it is the whi∣test tract of heaven) is found by accurate perspectives to be a company of very sma••

stars; and there are some other like tracts observed in heaven, though lesse, and of these the vvords of God, Gen. 15. v. 5. are to be understood.

5 That the visible stars reduced into cer∣tain figures, vvhich they call coelestiall signs in number 69, 12 vvhereof about the Aequa∣tor, are by a peculiar name called the Zo∣diaque. But this Zodiaque declines with one half of it toward the North, with the other part towards the south. the signes are com∣prehended in this distick.

1 2 3 4 5 Sunt Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, 6 Virgo: 7 8 9 10 11 Libraque, Scorpius, Arcitenens, Caper, Hydria, 12 Pisces. 1 2 3 The Ram, the Bull and Twins to th' Spring be∣long; 4 6 5 To Summer Crab and Maid and Lion strong. 7 8 9 Autumne hath Scales and Scorpion & the Bow: 10 11 12 Goat, Water-tanckard, Fishes Winter show

6 That the distance of this starry sphear from the earth is found above two hundred thousand semidiameters of the earth, and a semidiameter of the earth contains 3600 of our miles.

VIII A very great portion of most ardent light is conglobated in the sun, so that it may seem the onely fountain of light and heat.

For were it not for the sun we should have perpetuall night, for all the rest of the stars: forasmuch as at high noon, we are in darkenesse presently, if the sun be but co∣vered.

Now touching the sun these following Ax∣iomes are to be noted.

1 That it was made so great as might suf∣fice, both to illustrate the whole world, and to heat and vaporate the whole earth: that is 160 times greater than the earth.

2 That it is such a distance elevated from the earth, as might serve, so as neither to burn it, nor leave it destitute. Psal. 19. v. 7 for it is placed almost in the middle space betwixt the starry sphear and the earth.

3 That it is carried with a flower motion then the stars in their highest sphear. For whereas it seems to be turned about equally, as the starrie sphear is, yet it is every day

left behind almost a degree, (of which the whole circuit of the sphear hath 360) whence it comes to passe, that in 365 dayes, it compasseth the whole spear as it were go∣ing back, and after so many dayes returns to the same star again. And this we call the time of an year, or a solar year.

4 And that it may serve all sides of the earth with its light and heat, (to wit by turns) that retardation is not made simply though the middest of the world under the Aequator: But under the Zodiack, bending to the North on this side: to the South on that side Whence comes the division of the year into four parts; (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter) and the inequality of dayes to those that inhabite without the equinoctiall. For when it declines to those on the North it makes summer with them, and the longest days, and so on the contra∣ry. And by how much it is the more verti∣call to any part of the earth, it heats it so much the more, by reason of the direct in∣cidence and repercussion of the rayes.

IX And because it was not convenient that the sunne and stars should always operate after one and the same manner (for variety is both pleasing and profitable to all nature) there

were six other wandring starres added over and besides, which running under the same Zodiaque and by certain turns entring into conjunction one with another, and with the sunne might variously temper his operation upon inferiour things.

These wandring starres are called Planets, of which there are seven, reckoning the sun for one.

X The Planets therefore are the suns coadju∣tors in governing the world: which differ in site, course, magnitude and light.

XI Three of the Planets Saturn (♄) Jupi∣ter (♃) Mars (♂) are above the sun: Venus (♀) Mercury (☿) and the Moon (☽) below: so in a most decent manner, as it were compassing about the sides of their King.

It is probable, that the stars are carried higher or lower in heavē, for the same reason as clouds in the air, or wood in water, that is, according to their different degrees of density or rarity. For as thick wood swims under the water either with all or with half of its body covered, but light wood swims on the top: and watry clouds ascend not far from the earth, but dry and barren clouds very high: so the globes of the stars

are carried some higher than others accor∣ding to the thicknesse of their matter and light.

XII The upper Plane••s are bigger then the earth, but the lower are lesser.

For it is found that	〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉	doth e∣quall	91	Globes of the earth.
♄	95
♃	2
♂	160
☉	doth cōtein the	28	part of the earth.
♀	105
☿	39

XIII By how much the higher any Planet is, and neerer to the highest sphear, so much the swifter it moveth; by how much the lower and neerer to the earth, so much the flower.

For Saturn, because he is next to the eighth sphear, is rolled about almost equally with it, yet he also fals back by little and little: so that he runs through the Zodiaque mo∣ving backward in the space of almost thirty years: Jupiter in twelve years: Mars in al∣most two: the Sun (as was said) in a year: Venus encompasseth the Sun in five hun∣dred eighty three dayes: Mercury in one hundred and fifteen dayes: the Moon be∣cause she is slowest of all, remaining behind

every day 13 deg. measures the Zodiaque in 27⅓ dayes.

XIV The higher Planets do so observe the sun, that approaching nigh unto him, they be∣take themselves into the highest place; going from the sunne, they sinke lower towards the earth.

And for this cause both their magnitude and their motion vary in our eyes. for when they are neerer to the earth, they seem grea∣ter; but more remote lesser. Again, the higher they are, the slower they move, and then they are called direct; the lower they descend the swifter, so that they seem either stationary, (keeping pace for some weeks with the same fixed stars) or else retrograde, sometimes outstripping them in their course.

XV Venus and Mercury depart not from the sun, unlesse it be to the sides both ways: Ve∣nus 47 degrees, Mercury 23 degrees. So that sometimes they go before the sun, sometimes they follow him, sometimes they lie hid under his rayes.

Note, Venus when she is the morning star and goes before the Sun is called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Lucifer: when she is the evening star she is called Hesperus.

XVI As for their light, Mars is very

fiery and calefactive: ♄ is pale and very frigi∣factive: ♃ and ♀ are of a benigne light: ☿ changeably sparckling: ☽ shines with a bor∣rowed light onely: of which more by and by.

Note. That the stars and planets do not sparkle by reason of their greater distance, (for then ♄ should sparkle more then Mer∣cury: vvhereas we find the contrary) but by reason of their flaming. For fire or light cannot rest, therefore the polar stars, be∣cause they are least stirred with the com∣mon motion, twinckle most.

XVII Because the Moon is near to the earth, and placed in a grosse air, she moves most slowly; and also her body is grosse and obscure, like a globous cloud.

For it is not distant from the earth above 60 semidiameters of the earth.

The Moon by reason of her opacity doth not shine of her selfe, or else very weakly: but on that side that she is illuminated by the Sun, on that side she shines like a loo∣king glasse, the other halfe being obscure.

Note. Because the Moon was to rule the night, a weak light, and that but borrowed was given her, and because she was appoin∣ted to shew lesser times (Months) a motion

different from the Sun was given her, that by her departure from the Sun, and by her returning, she might designe the progresse of the moneths: and that it might be done more evidently, she was placed below the sun, that she might appear to us with her face enlightned after divers manners. For vvhen she runs with the Sun in the same signe of the Zodiack, she doth not appear to us; be∣cause her enlightned face is turned toward the Sun, but her obscure face to us. But when she is opposite to the Sun, we behol∣ding her on the same side which looketh toward the Sun, see all her luminous face. Lastly, in the intermediate places we see her encreasing or decreasing in light; ac∣cording as she turns her enlightned face to us, or turns it from us, by reason of the diver∣sity of her position in respect of the Sun, and us.

XIX When the Moon, at the change, comes directly under the Sun, she obscures him as to us; when at the full, she is directly opposite to the Sun, she enters into the shadow of the earth, and is her selfe obscured: and this they call the Eclipses of the Luminaries.

Hence it appears that the Sun is not ob∣scured after the same manner that the Moon

is. For the Moon is really obscured, that is deprived of light, as being fallen into the shadow; but the Sun is not deprived of light, but is only covered from us, that it cannot as then enlighten the earth with his rayes; therefore the earth is then more truly eclipsed then the Sun.

Now God ordained Eclipses 1 That we might understand, that all our light is from the Sun. 2 That the magnitude of the Lu∣minaries, and of the earth might be found out. 3 To finde the true longitude of coun∣tries; but that belongs to Astronomers, this last to Geographers.

Of Comets.

XX Comets are accessory stars, which som∣times shine, and go out again: for the most part with tayles, or busbes of hair.

We reckon them to the heaven and stars, not to the air and meteors: because they are not generated in sublunary places, (as Ari∣stotle thought) but in the highest Heaven, even above the Sun: which 1 Their moti∣on, swifter always then the Moon it selfe. 2 Their parallax, lesse then the Moons, som∣times none at all, do shew.

XXI Comets are not vapours kindled; but a reflexion of the Suns light, in vapours so far elevated.

The first is easily proved. For if a Co∣met were a vapour kindled, it could not last halfe an hour. (For nothing can be kin∣dled but a sulphury matter, but that is con∣sumed in a moment, as it appears in Gun-powder, Lightning, a Chasme, a falling star, &c.) but histories relate that comets have lasted three years. The second is shewed, because comets 1 Cast a taile from the Sun, as the Moon doth a shadow; (for those dry vapours are not an opacous body, like to the Moon, but semidiaphanous.) 2 They are eclipsed (as Campanella testifies) by the shadow of the earth, as well as the Moon: which vvould not be, if they bur∣ned with their own fire.

N. W. That which is reported of a ful∣phureous matter, or stone, which fell from a burning comet, if it be true, it is to be thought, that it was made of some fiery meteors, not of a comet.

XXII The ends of comets are, that it may appear; 1 That the whole heaven moves, not the stars only. 2 That it is liquid and trans∣meable, not hard like Chrystall. 3 That va∣pours ascend so high, and that there are muta∣tions every where in this visible world.

Vapours, I say, whether exhaling from

this our inferiour world, or from the super∣celestiall waters. For there is nothing to the contrary, why we should not hold, that they also exhale, and are spread abroad in∣to the thinner region of the stars.

Of aëriall Concrets, that is, Meteors.

XXIII By reason of the perpetuall con∣fluxe of exhalations in the air from all the E∣lements, many things are daily there concreted, but of small continuance.

For the air is full of exhalations, even when it seemeth clear. For it cannot be so pure here near the earth, but it will have something watery, oily or salt alwayes ad∣mixt with it. Things concrete of these were anciently called Meteors, because they are made on high: for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies high.

XXIV Of humid exhalations are made watery meteors: fiery of dry.

XXV Watery meteors are, mists, clouds, rain, hail, snow, dew, frost.

We must see them every one apart, how they are made.

XXVI A mist is a watery exhalation half concrete, which being that by reason of its den∣sity it cannot elevate it selfe, creeps on the ground.

XXVII A cloud is a gathering together of

thin vapours, and elevated upward, in the highest of the air.

They are gathered together most of all over the sea, and standing waters, because there most exhalations are made, and from thence they are driven through divers parts of the world by the windes, and increased with exhalations arising elsewhere. Hence in every region, rain comes, most often from that part, which lies nearest to the sea; as with us from the West.

XXVIII Rain is the resolution of a cloud into water, and the falling of it by drops.

N. 1 That resolution is alwayes made by the condensation of the vapour, but there is not alwayes the same efficient cause of its condensation. For sometimes cold conden∣seth a vapour, as in the head and pipe of an Alembick (which must needs be cooled) we see: sometimes the very compression it selfe, or conspissation, as it is plain in the roof of baths, and the cover of a boiling pot. But neither of these causes is wanting to beget rain: being that the middle regi∣on of the air is cold, and the cloud being pressed together by the vapours alwayes ascending, must of necessity be dissolved. And this is the cause, why the burning heat

of the air is a fore-teller of rain: because then it is certain that the air is thickned.

N. 2. That rain is better for fields and gardens then river water, because it hath a kind of a fatnesse mixt with it, from the evaporations of the earth, minerals, plants, and Animals, wherewith it gives the earth a most profitable tincture.

N. 3 Sometimes wormes, small fishes, frogs, &c. fall with the rain, which, as it is very likely, are suddenly generated within the cloud, of vapours gathered together of the same nature, by virtue of a living spirit admixt therewith; as in the begin∣ning, at the Command of God, the wa∣ters brought forth creeping things and fi∣shes in a moment.

XXIX Hail is rain congealed.

For when the Sun beams in the greatest heat of Summer, have driven away all cold from the earth into the middle region of the air, it comes to passe that that vehe∣ment cold doth violently harden the drops of rain passing through them, and forces them to turn to ice: and therefore haile cannot be procreated in Winter, the cold abiding then near the earth, not on high.

XXX Snow, is a resolution of a cloud into

most small drops, and withall a thickning of them with a gentle cold.

N. 1 It falls only in Winter: because the vapours are not elevated by the weak rayes of the Sun, so far as the middle (that is the cold) region; here then near the earth, the resolution is made in a milder cold, and withall the congelation is very mild. 2 The whitenesse of the snow is from the conjun∣ction of the parts of the water: the same comes to passe in broken ice, and in the froth of water.

XXXI Dew is a thin vapour (or else the air it selfe) attracted by the leaves of plants, and with their coldnesse condensed into water.

For it is no where, but upon plants; and that in the heat of summer, when the plants are colder then the air it selfe. Now this turnes to the great benefit of the plants; for by that means they are moistned, at the very driest time of the year. And there∣fore they are produced also in those coun∣tries which know no rain.

XXXII Frost is congealed dew.

Therfore there is none, but in winter, when cold reigns by reason of the suns absence.

Of fiery Meteors.

Fiery meteors are those, which arise from fat fumes, kindled in the air: the principal kinds of which are seven; a falling star: a flying dragon: lightning: flying sparks: ignis fatuus: a torch: and ignis lambens.

XXXIII A falling star is a fat and viscous fume, kindled (by an antiperistasis, that is an obsistency of the cold round a∣bout) at the upper end of it, the flame where∣of following its fuell is carried downward, till it fail also and be extinguished.

For they are to be seen every clear night, in winter more then in summer: and you may see the like spectacle, if you kindle the fat fume of a candle put out with another candle put to it above. This fal∣ling star is made of a grosse vapour; and by reason of its grossenesse hanging together like a cord. Therefore it burns so violently, that falling upon a man it burns through his garment. Look which way it tends with its motion, it foretels wind from that part.

XXXIV A flying dragon, is a long, thick, fat fume, elevated in all its parts: for which cause being kindled, it doth not dart it selfe downward, bnt side-wayes like a dragon, or sparkling beam.

This meteors is not so often seen: and therefore they that are ignorant of the na∣turall causes, think that the Divell flies.

XXXV Lightning is fire kindled with∣in a cloud, which flying from the contrary cold, breaks out with an horrible noise, and for the most part casts the flame as far as the earth.

The World is the Alembick of nature, the air the cap of this Alembick: the sun is the fire: the earth, the water, minerals, plants, &c. are the things which being soft∣ned with this fire, exhale vapours upward perpetually. So there ascend, salt, sulphury, nitrous, &c. vapours, which being wrapped up in clouds, put forth various effects, for example, When sulphury exhalations are mixt with nitrous, (the first of a most hot nature, the second most cold) they endure one another so long, as till the sulphur takes fire. But as soon as that is done, pre∣sently their followes the same effect as in gun-powder, (whose composition is the same of Sulphur and Nitre) a fight, a rapture, a noise, a violent casting forth of the mat∣ter. For thence it is that a viscous flaming matter is cast forth, which presently in∣flames whatsoever it touches that is apt to flame, and smiting into the earth, it turnes

to a stone, and being taken out after a time, is called a thunder-bolt.

XXXVI Flying sparks are a sulphury fume scattered into many small parts and kindled.

It is seldome seen as likewise those that follow.

XXXVII Ignis fatuus, is a fat and viscous fume, which by reason of its grosse∣nesse, doth not elevate it selfe far from the earth, and being kindled, straggles here and there, leading travellers sometimes out of their way, and into danger.

XXXVIII A torch is a fume like it, but thin, and therefore elevated upwards: which being kindled. burnes a while like a can∣dle or lamp.

XXXIX Ignis lambens, is a fat exhala∣tion coming from a living body, heated with motion, and kindled at its head, or near about.

It sometimes befalls men and horses, ve∣hemently breathing after running, that the ardent vapours sent forth, are turned into flames.

Of appearing Meteors.

Appearing Meteors, are the images of things in clouds, variously expressed by the incident light: of which sort there are ob∣served

seven: Chasma, Halo, Parelius, Para∣selene, Rods, Colours, the Rainbow.

XL Chasma (a pit) is the hollowness of a cloud, making shew of a great hole.

It it by reason of a shadow in the midst of a cloud, the extremities whereof are enlightned. You may see the like almost in the night by a candle, on a wall, which hath any hollownesse in it, though it be whitish.

XLI Halo (a floor) is a luminous cir∣cle, when the vapours underneath the sun, or moon, are illustrated with the rayes of the lumi∣nary.

You may see the same by night in a bath, or any other vaporous place, about a bur∣ning candle. It is oftest seen under the moon, because the sun with his stronger rayes either penetrates or dissipates the cloud.

XLII Parelius (a false sun) is the re∣presentation of the sun upon a bright cloud pla∣ced by its side.

After the same manner, if you stand up∣on the opposite bank of a river, you shall see two suns; the one, the true one in hea∣ven, the other reflected in the water. There are sometimes three suns seen, if two of

those clouds are at once opposed to the sun; and our sight.

XLIII Paraselene (a false moon) is the image of the moon expressed after the same manner, upon a collaterall cloud.

XLIV Rods, are beams of the sun covered with a cloud, yet shining through the thin cloud, stretched towards the earth like rods.

XLV Colours are they that appear divers in a cloud, according as it is after severall man∣ners turned toward the sun and us; so that the cloud seems somtimes yellow, somtimes red & fiery.

XLVI Lastly, the Rainbow is an Halo op∣site to the sun or moon, in a dewy cloud, repre∣presenting a bow of divers colours.

For there are Lunar rainbows also. Now that the Rainbow is an appearing Meteor, is plain, if it be but from hence, that it comes and goes backwards and forwards with the eye of the beholder; and so it appears to be in severall places, to those that behold it from severall places, even as the image or brightness of the sun, to those that walk up and down on the shore. I say that it is a Meteor like to an Halo, because it is alike circular. And as in the Halo, the center of the luminary, the center of the lightsome circle, and the cen∣ter

of our eye are in one right line, so in a Rainbow: onely that in the first the lu∣minary and the eye are the extreams, the Halo in the middest: here the luminary and the bow are the extreams, and the eye in the middest. Now there doth not appear a whole circle in the rainbow, because the center of it to us fals upon the earth, and so the upper halfe of the circle only ap∣pears. If any one could elevate himselfe into the cloud, or above the cloud, with∣out doubt he would see the whole circle of the Rainbow. Hence also the reason is evident, why at the suns rising or setting there appears a whole semicircle eleva∣ted right up towards heaven; but when the sun is high, it appeares low. Lastly, why there can be none at all when the sun is verticall. The Lunar Rainbowes are onely pale, as an Halo: the Solar shewes forth most fair clouds, from a stronger light diversly re∣flected from a thousand thousand drops, (of the melting cloud:) the colours being coordinate, as is to be seen in a Chrystalline Prisme: and certainly the Rainbow was gi∣ven even for this, that we might learn to con∣template the nature of colours. There is also a contrairis, namely when the rainbow re∣flects

again upon another cloud under∣neath; and therefore it is lesse and of a weaker colour, and the order of the co∣lours inverted; so that the highest is low∣est, as in a glasse the right side answers to the left side, &c. but of Meteors enough.

Of watery (oncretes.

XLVII Watery concretes are: a bubble, foame, ice, and severall appearances in the wa∣ter: also the saltnesse of the sea, spring wa∣ters, and medicinall waters.

XLVIII A bubble is a thin watery skin, filled with air.

It is made when a small portion of air thrust down below the water is carried up∣wards: which the water, being somwhat fat∣ter in its superficies, suffers not presently to flie out, but covers it with a thin skin, like a little bladder. By how much the more oily the water is, by so much the longer the bubbles hold: as it is to be seen in those ludicrous round bubbles, which boyes are wont to blow out of water and sope, (which flie a great while through the air unbro∣ken.) From the bubble we learn, to what a subtilty water may be brought. For the skin of a bubble is a thousand times thinner then the thinnest paper.

XLIX Foame is a company of very small bubbles, raised by the sudden falling of water into water.

The beating of the water into small parts causes whitenesse in the foam; even as ice, waxe, pitch, and other things are whitish when they are beaten. The durability also of the foam is more in an oily liquour, as in beer, &c.

L Ice is water hardened together with cold.

LI Watery impressions are images of clouds, of birds flying over, of men, of trees, and of any things objected.

It is known, that water is the first mir∣rour, receiving the images of all things: which is by reason of the evennesse of its superficies. For light coloured with things falling upon the water, cannot (as it comes to passe in another body of a rough superfi∣cies) be dispersed, but by reason of its ex∣ceeding evennesse is intirely reflected, and presents it selfe whole with that image to the eye of the beholder. This is the ground of all mirrours. But let us come to reall concretions in the water.

LII The saltnesse of the sea, is from the subterrane fire, which heating a bituminous matter, spreadeth salt exhalations through the sea.

Saltnesse something bitter, with a kind of oleosity was given to the sea. 1 That the waters might not putrifie. 2 For the more convenient nutriment of fishes. 3 For strength to bear the burdens of ships. Now the sea is salt, not (as Aristotle thought) by reason of the sun beams, extracting the thinner parts of the waters, and scorching the rest. (For our fire would do the same, and the sun in lakes and pooles, neither of which is done: yea, by how much the more, salt water is heated with our fire, the salter it is; but fresh water is so much the fresher) but by reason of the heat in∣cluded within the bowels of the earth, and of the deep; which when it cannot exhale, it scorcheth sharply the humour that there is, so that it turnes to urine: The very same we see done in our own body (and all li∣ving creatures) For urine and sweat are alike salt.

LIII Spring waters are made of vapours condensed in the cavernes of the earth; after the same manner, as drops are gathered together upon the covers of pots.

It is certain that under the earth there lies a great deep, Gen. 7. 11. That is a migh∣ty masse of waters, diffused through the

hollows of the earth; which that it joynes with certain gulfes of the Ocean, this is an argument that the depth of the sea in some places is altogether insearchable. Therefore as vapours ascend out of the o∣pen sea into the air, which being resolved into drops distill rain: so the subterrane waters, being attenuated by the subterrane heat, send forth vapours, which being gathered together in the hollowes of the earth, and collected into drops, flow out which way [passage] is given them. And this is it which the Scripture saith, All ri∣vers enter into the sea, and the sea runneth not over: unto the place from whence the rivers come they returne, that they may flow again. Eccles. 1. v. 7. Whence it is understood why springs yield fresh water, though they come from those bitter, and salt waters of the sea? namely, because they come by distillati∣on to the spring head. For they say, that the sea water being distilled (that is resolved first into vapours, then into drops in an Alembick) looseth its saltnesse: by the same reason then the deep under ground, evapo∣rating salt waters sendeth them fresh out of fountains neverthelesse. And what need words? For clouds gathered of the vapours

of the sea: send down fresh showers. S•• how excellently the truth of things agree with it selfe still.

LIV Medicinall waters are made of the va∣rious tinctures of the metals and juices of the earth, (from which they receive the virtue 〈◊〉〈◊〉 healing and savour.)

For example, hot waters or baths, a•• made of bitumen burning within: There∣fore they exhale sulphur manifestly; b•••• sharpish waters relish of iron, coper, vitrio••allom, &c. of which earthly concretes it wil•• be now time to speak.

Of earthly concretes, which are called Minerals.

LV Minerals are earthly concretes begotten of subterrane vapours; as clods, concret juicesî metals, and stones.

These are called minerals from the He∣brew 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 as if you shonld say from the earth. They call them also Fossiles, because they are digged: that all these are begotten of subterrane vapours, and sub∣terrane fire, appears by the example of our body: wherein bloud, choler, flegme, melan∣lancholy, urine, spittle, fat, flesh, veins, nerves, membranes, gristles, bone, &c. yea, the stone and gravell, are made of the vapours of

food concocted and digested as: shal be seen hereafter. Now as these parts of ours are formed within the body by the heat in∣cluded; so minerals are generated in the bowels of the earth, not elsewhere. For the earth with its most deep passages and veins winding every way, where infinite vapours are generated, and perpetually di∣stilled in a thousand fashions, is that great work-house of God, wherein, for the space of so many ages, such things are wrought, as neither art can imitate, nor wit well find out.

LVI Clods are digged earths, infected on∣ly with fatnesse, or some colour, and apt to be soaked, as 1 Clay. 2 Marle. 3 Chalk. 4 Red earth. 5 Paintings, or painters co∣lours, (as lake, vermilion, oker, azure, or blew, verdigrease.) 6 Fullers earth in Greek, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 7 Medicinall earth, as sealed earth, Lemnian, Armenian, Samian, &c.

These colours seem to be nothing else, but the soot of the subterrane fumes, vari∣ously distilled; and those earths, nothing else but a various mixture of liquors distil∣led also variously, and brought to such or such a quality.

LVII Concrete juices, are fossiles indued

with a savour, or some sharp virtue, apt to be dissolved, or kindled; as sulphur, niter, salt, allome, vitriol, arsenick, (which painters call orpiment) antimonie or stibium, & such like.

N. Those juices seem to be nothing else but the cream of subterrane liquors va∣riously distilled.

LVIII Metals are watery fossiles, apt to be melted, cast, and hammered: as gold, sil∣ver, brasse, (or copper) iron, tin, lead, quick-silver.

N. 1. That they are progenerated of fire, this is enough to testifie, that they are oft times taken hot out of the veines, so that the touch will not endure them. For in winter when all herbs are white with frost, those which grow over the veins, admit of no frost, because of the hot ex∣halation within hindering concretion, so also trees, by the blewnesse of their leaves, shew the veines of metals.

2 Now that metals are made of vapours, this is an argument that they are wont also to be procreated in the very clouds. For examples are not unknown, even in our age of bodies of brasse, or iron, of no small weight falling from heaven.

3 That metals are made of watery va∣pours

their liquabilitie shews; now they are coagulated by virtue of salt. Therefore the drosse of iron is salt and bitter.

4 Quicksilver alone is alwayes liquid, never consistent; as a perpetuall witnesse of the watery nature of metals. Other me∣tals swim upon it, because it hath the most compacted substance of all, gold only ex∣cepted: which therefore it receives only in∣to it selfe.

5 Whether metals differ in their species, or only in degree of purity and hardnesse, and in heat, we leave now in suspense.

LIX Stones are earthly fossiles, hardly compacted, apt only to be broken in pieces.

That stones are earth coagulated with water and fire, bricks and pots teach us; for here art imitates nature. Yet the severall formes of stones shew, that they are not earth simply concrete, but a masse concrete of divers most grosse earthly vapours, with a various temperature of humours.

LX Stones are either vulgar, or precious.

LXI A vulgar stone is earth most hard∣ly compacted: the principall kinds of which are seven. The gravell stone, the mil∣stone, the pumice-stone, the flint, (to which I refer the Smiris wherewith glasse is cut,

and iron polished the whetstone, and the touch stone, (or Lapis lydius) the marble and the loadstone.

N. Every kind have their differences a∣gain.

2 A great stone is called saxum or a rock, a little one, gravell and sand.

3 Most mountains are stony, (and yield metals;) because the subterrane fire (on the third day of the creation) swelling the earth here made it self many channels and passa∣ges, breathing through which, it doth va∣riously exhale, melt, mix and boile the mat∣ter: which is not done so copiously under plains.

LXII Pretious stones are are called gems, because they are the gums of stones sweating in the bowels of the earth.

Hence comes their clearnesse and bright∣nesse, that is to say, from their most thin•• and accurate straining, even more then in the gums of trees; for wood hath loose•• pores then stones.

LXIII All gems are transparent, and pellucid: but some onely transparant, as these three; the Diamond, the Chrystall, the Beryll•• Others coloured with all, and those•• (according to the diversity of their colours) of sve•••• sorts.

1 Bright and burning; the Carbuncle the Chalcedon, the Chrysolite.

2 Yellow; the Jacinth and Topaze.

3 Green; the Emerald, and the Tur∣quois.

4 Red or purple: the Rubie and the Gra∣nate: but the Carnelous and the Onyx are more pale.

5 Skie-coloured; the Saphir, and the Amethyst,

6 Black; the Morion

7 Changeable; as the Jasper, the Agat, the Chrysoprase.

N. 1. That Chrystall is never found un∣lesse it be Hexagonall, which is the mi∣racle of nature. And that it is growes in arched cels under ground, dry and clo∣sed, where the wind enters not for some years, hath been experienced at Kings Itra∣deck in Bohemia, Anno 1618. For elegant chrystals were found hanging from the stones of the arches, like Isicles of an exact Hexagonall forme, but in the silver mines of Catteberge, there are found far more. Of other gems we have nothing to say in particular.

N. 2. Stones that are wont to grow in some living creatures, are usually recko∣ned

amongst precious stones: as the pearl, in sea shell fishes: the Bezoar. the Cheli∣donius, the Alectorius, the Bufonites, &c. also Corall, and Amber. But these two, are to be referred rather to the following chapter.

LXIV The virtue which is in minerals, is called their naturall spirit: of which there are so many formes, as there are species of mi∣nerals.

For there is one spirit of salt, another, of vitrioll, loadstone, and iron, &c. which distillers know how to extract.