An history of the wonderful things of nature set forth in ten severall classes wherein are contained I. The wonders of the heavens, II. Of the elements, III. Of meteors, IV. Of minerals, V. Of plants, VI. Of birds, VII. Of four-footed beasts, VIII. Of insects, and things wanting blood, IX. Of fishes, X. Of man / written by Johannes Jonstonus, and now rendred into English by a person of quality.

CHAP. II. Of Marle and Potters-Earth.

MArle is a thick fat Earth, and yet is somtimes so fluxible and white, that it seems like to marrow in the bones of living Creatures. Of times it is hard, and being drank it stops the Veins that bleed at the mouth, and hath the same force that Terra Samia hath; It is dug up in many places, especially amongst the Saxons, At Gossaria there are two sorts, one is Ash-coloured, and the other is whiter, of which are made forms, wherein your Image makers make their Pictures they cast. Sharp cold will divide them both into very thin plates, though the former, be∣fore the cold have seazed upon it, consists of thick crusts. Potters Earth is thick, soft, it is hard to come by: works are made of fat and thick

matter, that the force of fire will not quickly break. Of the same are made Vessels that will neither drink up, nor consume liquor: where∣in water that parts Gold from Silver is both made and kept. Potters Vessells have ennobled many Countries: as Asia, by those were made at Pergamus, those that were made at Tralleis. Terra Coa, and Samia are not unknown; and Aretina is wonderfull, Plin. l. 5. c. 13. Noriberga sends earthen Furnaces, wherein Gare are and Mettals are boiled. Of clay digged up at the Fort of Rottingberg, are made purging Vessels wherein Alchymy is made. These being cast out of the fire with the brasse do not break, but are drawn and wound like burning Glasse. Agricola de illis quae essodiuntur ex terra.