An entire body of philosophy according to the principles of the famous Renate Des Cartes in three books, (I) the institution ... (II) the history of nature ... (III) a dissertation of the want of sense and knowledge in brute animals ... / written originally in Latin by the learned Anthony Le Grand ; now carefully translated from the last corrections, alterations, and large additions of the author, never yet published ... by Richard Blome.

CHAP. I. Of Metals in General.

I. Whence the variety of the Metals that are in the Earth doth arise. THE great use that Metals afford to the Life and Convenience of Mankind, may seem in some de∣gree to excuse their Covetousness, who break up the Bowels of the Earth to come at them. For doth not Gold and Silver furnish us with Mony, Rings, Jewels, and a thousand Ornaments and Utensils, for our Cloaths, Houses and Tables? And who is ignorant of the absolute necessity of Iron, or of the great usefulness of Tin, Lead and Copper? Provident Nature having so order'd it, that there should be a variety of Metals, suitable to our several Necessities.

The Reason of this multifarious production, must be fetch'd from the different Juices that lodge in the Bowels of the Earth, and are con∣densed there; for seeing that to the generation of Metals are required sharp Spirits, Oily Exhala∣tions, and the Fumes of Quicksilver; these con∣tinually ascending from the Bowels of the Earth, to the more Exteriour parts, do there leave the Metalline particles they bring along with them, and according to their difference, are generated a great variety of Minerals, Metals, and other things dug out of the Ground. For as we find, that in the Fruits of Trees, the grosser Matter doth con∣stitute such parts of them, and the more pure and subtil, others: So sometimes in the same Vein many Metals are generated, whereof some require a more crude and less elaborate Matter, as Iron, Lead, &c. and others a better prepared and more refined Matter, as Gold. Which is the Reason why a greater quantity of ignoble Metals are found in the Mines, than of the pure and noble; forasmuch as Nature needs much more time for the bringing these to Perfection, than the other.

II. Why Me∣tals are malleable. All Metals, except Quicksilver, are Malleable.

This Property of Metals, is the consequent of their Nature and frame; for seeing that Metals are nothing else but hard Bodies, composed of many Integral parts, which, as to their figure are long and branchy, it cannot seem strange to any Considerative person, that they are malleable and ductil when they are forged on the Anvil, or drawn into Wire: For it may be easily con∣ceived, that their parts being thus figured, may be so disposed, as that they may glide a good while one over another, or side-ways to each other, without wholly separating from one another. After this manner Lead, Iron, Silver and Gold, more than any of them, may be drawn into Wire, or beat into Leaves, of an incredible thin∣ness.

III. Why Me∣tals are found at the Bot∣toms of Mountains, lying East and South. Mines of Metals are chiefly found under Moun∣tains, and especially in those parts that face the East or South-Sun.

The Reason is, because at the bottom of Moun∣tains there be many Cavities and Clefts, in which the sublimed particles of Metal may unite, and mount up together to the outward surface of the Earth, especially in those places which are most expos'd to the Sun, and admit its strongest and greatest heat. For tho' the Sun-beams do termi∣nate on the surface of the Earth, and do not penetrate to the inmost parts of it; yet is it not to be question'd, but that the Heat produc'd by them, doth reach to the most abstruse and inward parts of it, and most strongly affect those parts which they most directly strike against. For the Earth, by the heat of the Sun, being Cleft into Gaps and Slits, way is made for the more easy mounting of the Juices, that are hid in its Bowels, and which deposit their Burthens, to wit, the Metalline particles they are charg'd with in the Upper parts of the Earth. And for the same Reason it is, that Springs do frequently rise at the Foot of Mountains, because the water finds a more easie passage through, and more ready ascent to them. Wherefore, whensoever any

Mineral or Metal is found mingled with the Upper-part of the Earth, we may conclude, that the same was carried up thither, together with the ascending Vapours and Exhalations.

IV. What places do most a∣bound with Metals. And this is the Reason why Metals are most frequent in those places, which are most expos'd to the Solar Rays, and which receive most of their heat; because Heat, by wasting of the moisture, makes such places full of Clefts and Slits, through which the Juices and Metalline Exhalations, may more easily ascend.

V. Metals first de∣tected by the Burn∣ing down of Woods. Tho' Metals consist of several Juices, and are now generally found in the Mines; yet it seems very probable, that their first Invention or De∣tection was owing to the conflagration of Woods. Thus ARISTOTLE tells us, that in Spain, when some Shepherds had set a Wood on fire▪ which kindled the Earth ••••so, molten Silver was per∣ceived to run down in the same place. Neither will this seem strange to any who shall consider, that in many places the Veins of Metals are found, reaching to the Roots of Great Trees, about which they are wrapped▪ wherefore when such Trees are burnt down, no wonder if the said Metals, that are entangled amongst the Roots, do melt down with the heat of the fire: In like manner as in the dreadful Fire of London 1666, the Bells in some Steeples were melted.

VI. The Ground that is most rich in Metals, appears outwardly most bar∣ren. The Ground which is rich in Mines, is generally Barren: And besides exhales noxious steams and vapours, which are very prejudicial to the health of the Inhabitants, and are the cause of many Diseases.

The Reason of this Barrenness is, because the Alimentary Juice, appointed by Nature for the Nourishment of Herbs and Plants, is otherways diverted, viz. to furnish Matter for Metals. And it is for want of this Sap or Juice, that in such places the Trees do languish, Herbs wi∣ther, and the Earth it self is bereft of its Vigour, Beauty and Ornament. These parts of the Earth also are more subject to noxious Exhalations▪ be∣cause of the great quantity of steams and vapours that abound within the Bowels of them. For we must not suppose, that all their Matter is spent in the making of Metals, but that the more subtil part of them being agitated by the Matter of the first Element passeth through Clefts to the surface of the Earth, and there mingling with the Air, doth infect the same, and becomes injurious to those that breath in it. This may be seen in most of the Lakes and Pools of Zealand, from whence they dig their Turf, which abound with Bitumen, and in burning give forth a nasty stink: Yea, the steams and fumes that proceed from them, do, as it were, gild over all the Furniture and Utensils of Iron, Copper, Tin and Silver, that are in the Houses where it is commonly burnt, and discolour all things but Gold.

VII. Why Me∣tals are found in some Ri∣vers. Metals are sometimes found in Rivers, accord∣ing to what Historians tell us of the Rivers Tagus, Ganges and Pactolus, as abounding with particles of Gold and Silver, which are gathered by the Inhabitants, and melted down into In∣gots.

We must not imagin that Metals are gene∣rated in these Rivers, as they are in the Bowels of the Earth; but because the waters of those Rivers runing through the Grounds which abound with Metalick Veins, carry great store of their particles along with them. For Water of it self is not a fit Element for the generation of Metals, forasmuch as nothing can be expected from its onion with Earth, save only a little Mud or Clay.

VIII. Why Me∣tals are more ca∣pable of Rarefa∣ction, than Condensa∣tion. Metals are considerably rarefied by Heat; but are not subject to be condensed by Cold.

The Reason of this is, because Metals are already in the state of the highest compression, and have the whole weight o•• the Atm••••ph••••e lying ••••on them. Being there••ore already t••us com∣prest, they are not capable of any further conden∣sation; but well of Rarefaction. Thus we ob∣serve, that the Air is but little condensed by Cold, but very much rarefied by Heat; and that when∣ever it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 freed from the ••eight of the Air that ••••es upon it▪ it becomes much more extended; than it can be comprest or condensed by the most strong and effectual Engins.

IX. Why Cal∣cined Me∣tals flow like Sand, and being melted, run like water. When Metals are calcin'd, that is, are reduced into Powder, by the means of Corrosive Spirits, they flow in grains like Sand; but if they be melted, they run like water.

The Reason is, because in Calcination they are not resolved into the very least particles they are capable to be resolved into; but only into small grains, which are still capable of a further disso∣lution or division. But when the said Grains are dissolved by the violence of fire, they are divided into much smaller particles, and constitute a more continuous Body, like water.

X. Why Me∣tals are resolved into Va∣pours. And much for the same Reason it happens, that Metals, by reason of an Acid sulph••••s▪ which abounds in them, do fly away with it, and are dissipated into fumes. For when Silver is melted with Lead, as soon as a little Brimstone is cast into it, the Silver vanisheth, and is turned into fumes, except that its flight be stopt by wet Linnen. In like manner, Copper that is mixed with a piece of Gold, and cemented with common Salt, and the Powder of Bricks, it mounts up∣wards, and carries up some Gold along with it; except the Pot, in which the Operation is per∣formed, be covered. Because the Particles of the Metals are carried upwards by the force of the Fire, and do not quit their agitation, but by meet∣ing with some cold Body.