Fleta minor the laws of art and nature, in knowing, judging, assaying, fining, refining and inlarging the bodies of confin'd metals : in two parts : the first contains assays of Lazarus Erckern, chief prover, or assay-master general of the empire of Germany, in V. books, orinally written by him in the Teutonick language and now translated into English ; the second contains essays on metallick words, as a dictionary to many pleasing discourses, by Sir John Pettus ... ; illustrated with 44 sculptures.

GA G GA

GAMAHEZ, is an Arabick Word, signifying the Figures of things (as of Birds, Beasts, Snakes, Trees, &c.) naturally represented in or upon Stones, which usually attend Mines, as other transparent precious STONES do, as I have shewn under the words COLOURS and YELLOW; for I intend not here to speak of Talismanical Figures from Constellations, for which I refer you to Gafferel, G. Agricola, &c. But first of the outward Figures of Gamahezies, of which sort I have seen many taken up about Aderly and Pom∣fret in York-shire, and in other parts of England, which do perfectly represent Snakes, as they usually lay roll'd up in the Earth, when alive, so as these seem to be Snakes petrefied, only their Heads are wanting in all, and they are seldom above two or three Inches Diameter, and of a blackish colour, yet I have heard of, but not seen, some inclining to a Goldish Colour: But it was my chance in the Year 1668. to find (on the side of a Stone-Cawsy, between Burport and Axminster in Dor∣setshire) one of the largest Snake-stones that ever I heard or read of, being above six Inches Diameter, and of a Free-stone colour, and one might judge that there had been an Head on it but broken off, and as a Rarity I bestowed it on Dr. Warner one of his Majesties Physicians, which was very acceptable to him.

Now as to the inward Gamahez, I had some years since a whitish Flint, inclining to a light Blew, which being casually broke in two, upon the inside of the two broken parts, there

were the perfect Figures of a Tree, with black Lines and dili∣cate shadows, such as I have seen in Paintings, representing Trees in the midst of Snow, and so seem'd the black Figures on the white Stone: I then thought my self well skill'd in that Art, so I could not but give my Verdict on Natures side, beyond any Arboreal Figure that ever I saw done by Art.

GALLON, T. Kandel, L. Brocus, and from T. Kandel, the word Can or Vessel (to drink with) is derived; the pro∣portion of which differs in England, as it doth in Ger∣many, being in some parts four, in others two quarts, which is a Gallon.

GARDIAN, T. Gaerdigein, L. Gardianus. See Warden.

GUILDERS, a German Coyn (see Money) also such as use to lay Leaf Gold upon Metal, or otherwise, to make it ap∣pear like Gold, are called Guilders, T. Guilder, L. Aurare: see Mony.

GLASS, T. Gleizen, L. Vitrum, is by fire produced from all Metals, but that which is of most use for helping to dissolve Metals, is produced from the Dross of Lead or Tin, and so called Speize Glass, and Tin Glass (l. 1. c. 8. and l. 2. c. 23. See Lead.)

There is also that which is called Glass-Gall, Glass-Cup or Hematithe, a Stone of which Glass is made, and used also for Metals (l. 2. c. 3. and l. 3. c. 5.)

GLASS-CUP, T. Glass-Kup and Blutstein, L. Homa∣thites, A. Blood-stone (l. 1. c. 34. 59.)

GLASS-GALL (l. 3. c. 5. 52. See Glass.

GOE, or to goe, the word is commonly used as a motion to the dissolving of Oar or Metal, and signifies much of the same with driving and flowing, being only degrees and terms of Art towards dissolution.

GLIMMER, or Glumering, T. Glantz, L. Splendere, A shining Oar, which the Latines call Rutilatio not properly so appliable to bright Oar, but Resplendescentia may do well enough. (lib. 1. cap. 2. 5. 11. & lib. 2. & lib. 3. 7. 4.) See Oars:

and sometimes, it is taken for Tallow, lib. 2. cap. 28.

GOLD, lib. 2. &c. It was writ so by the old Saxons, and Britains, and still so by the Danes, but the T. now Goldst and Belgick Gout, and if we observe what little difference there is between Gott, Gut and Gud, used in these two Lan∣guages for God; and Gout and Goldst for Gold: We may well think those Ancients did make this Metal their GOD; and that we may not altogether blame them, we may well bring-in the Spanish and Italians, who call this Metal, ORO, signifying to pray, as if it were a Metal, to which their Fore-Fathers did pay their Devotions and Prayers: and all of us seem at this day to be guilty of this Metallick Idolatry: but to prevent that Imputation, the Latines call it Aurum, and We Gold, being of a different Dialect, from almost all the present European Languages, except the old Saxons, as I said, and Danes.

Now, as Quicksilver is called Mater, so this is called Pa∣ter Metallorum, and therefore there may be some Dispensati∣on for a filial Love to the nobler Part of our Mother Earth, especially if it be without idolatrous and covetous Applicati∣ons. We have little natural Gold in England from any of our Mines, yet we are not altogether without it, for I am assu∣red from a Cornish Gentleman, that hath a considerable Inte∣rest in the Stanneries of Cornwall, That in digging for Tin, they often find little Grains of Gold, not in the Tin-metal, but in the outward sandy circumjacent parts of their mines: and that the biggest he ever saw, was not above the bigness of a small Pea, nor need we much to search for it, or labour artifi∣cially to make it: for what we have from other parts in Africa, Asia, and America do sufficiently supply us, espe∣cially our late Trade with Guinea in Africa, from whence 'tis brought to us in little Grits or Seeds; yet I was told by an eminent Goldsmith, That he had often bought pieces of above an ounce in Weight, and that was so good, that though it had not an high Colour, yet the Colour was recompenced by

the little loss in melting: Whereas the Seeds of other Gold are much adulterated with the filings of Iron, which they draw off by the Loadstone: but when they bring their Artificial Gold, made into Duccates, they are first to use their skill in se∣parating a considerable quantity of Silver from the Gold, which is commonly made by Art, to contract the Gold, whereby it will indure the touch like Gold: but their Scissers soon decide the Controversy, and cheat: so as Art discovers the Artifici∣al Gold from other mixt Metals. Our Author saith, lib, 2. c. 1. That the seed of Gold came out of India by Nilus, wherein he is mistaken (as other former Antients were) in taking Ge∣hon, in India, to be in Asia; of which Mistake, Sir Walter Raw∣ligh hath convincingly shew'd their Error (H. M. l. 1. c. 6.) Yet very probably Nilus may afford Variety of Gold, in respect it hath its Heads, from the two great Lakes of Zambre and Zailar (and not Zambre alone, as Dr. Heylen would have it) in the low∣er Aethiopia, and passeth the upper Aethiopia, or Habasines Em∣pire) which is full of Gold, and then running above 2000 miles, and so may well bring it into Aegypt, and from thence cast it into the Mediterranean Sea, and by that Sea tost into Asia and Europe: But, as I said, We have a shorter and better way for it to Guinea, in Africa, from the river Nigro, and the Coasts of it, and that we may the better credit a greater Efflux of seeded Gold from thence, than from any other in Africa, 'tis found by late Geographers, that this River doth rake the very Bowels of the Earth for it, for it seems (as they tell us) that it hath its rise from a great Lake, called the Black Lake, within two Degrees or 120 Miles of the Equinoctial (and within four degrees Eastward of the River Nile) and so it runs North∣ward about 600 Miles) whereof under ground about 60 miles) and then riseth again and falls into the Lake Borneo, from whence it bends it course directly Westward (differing from the course of Nile, which runs directly North) and so after it hath run above and under ground more than 3000 miles (through many Kingdoms and Countries, rich in Gold) it

unlades its Treasure into Guinea, by many lesser streams, where the Natives are always dealing for Gold, and it self at last in the Atlantick Sea, over against the Islands called He∣sperides; so as we never cross the Equinoctial to go thither; which is less trouble than unto the farthest part of the Medi∣terranean Sea, where Nile vents it self: or to the Mouth of the two Eminent Rivers of Ganges or Indies in the East-part of Asia (and therefore called the East Indies:) Now where the land of Havilah which Pison encompasseth (mistaken for Ganges) wherein there was Gold, and the Gold was called good; as also where Paradise was, or is, whether beyond our known World, or the Middle Region of the Air, or eleva∣ted near the Moon, or as far South as the Line, or as far North as that Line; or whether near Havilah in Africa, or Havilah in Asia; or whether a place called Eden or Para∣dise was peculiarly created for the Reception of Adam after his Creation; and Christ Jesus after his Resurrection; I shall leave to Sir Walter Rawleigh, and others to determine, but we are assured from the sacred Story, that there was Gold near that Place, and that then (in the Innocency of times) the Gold was good; which must be known by Assaying, and doubtless that Knowledg was communicated to Adam, yet we hear no more of Gold in that Holy Writ till 2800, after Adam (though it was accounted the Golden Age) and then, (Gen. 24. 22.) Rebeccah was presented with Gold-Earings, and shekles of Gold, so it seems they had the Art of Melting and casting Gold into Assayings and Forms, as may be collected from the several Distinctions in the Sacred History, concerning Beaten Gold, pure fined and refined Gold, and crown Gold; And we are assured that in Moses's time, they had the knowledg of all Metals, as may be read in Numb. 31. 21. where Moses taught the Soldiers how the Spoils of their Heathen Enemies were to be purified, commanding (as from GOD) That all their Gold, Silver, Brass, Copper, Tin and Lead, and every thing that endureth the fire, (in the furnace, according to the

Syriack) should be purified by fire, and then to be accounted clean: yet, it is also said in that Text, That it shall be puri∣fied by the Water of Separation, by which water certainly is meant Quick silver, because this doth purify, cleanse and devour Metals; and so Dr. Salmon calls it a Volatile Juyce or Liquor; for nothing but Fire or that Quick silver or Aqua fortis can se∣perate those Metals.

Now of that Text, the Commentators gives but little account, passing it in general, only as a Water of Purification; where∣as there were two sorts of Water of Purification: viz. that which is mentioned for purifying Metals, and this other for pu∣rifying Men and Women, which in Numb. 29. unto verse 11. is plainly set down, how, in what manner, and with what Ingredients it was composed: viz. that a young Red Heifer, without spot and without blemish, and which was never put into a Yoak, was to be brought to the Priest, and one was to slay her before his Face, and the Priest was to take some of her Blood with his finger, and sprinkle it seven times before the Ta∣bernacle of the Congregation; and then the Heifer with her Skin, Flesh, Blood and her dung, was to be burnt in his sight, and whilst it was burning, he was to cast into the midst of its fire, Cedar-Wood, Hysop and Scarlet, and after that, both the Priest and he that burnt the Heifer, washt their Cloaths with Water, and bathed their flesh also in Water, and yet they remained unclean until the Even: (by which time, it may be supposed, that all was dry'd) in the mean time, one that was clean was to gather up the Ashes of the Heifer, and lay them up clean without the Camp, and he also, for this act, was to be accounted unclean until the Even; and these Ashes were kept (as Lees) to put into Water, which was call'd the Water of separation for the Congregation of the Children of Israel, as also for Strangers so journing with them to be sprinkled with, and thereupon also called the Water of Pu∣rification for Sin, ver. 9. so as we see clearly this Water of Pu∣rification of Men, was a distinct Water from the water of Pu∣rification and Separation of Metals; and the Ingredients of

one is communicated to us, but the Holy Spirit thought fit to conceal the other from us; However, this Science of Puri∣fying Metals, did dayly improve, which Historians and Phy∣losophers shews us, before David and Solomons time, which two Kings are plentiful in their expressions of fining and refi∣ning Gold and Silver; and these Arts David most Divine∣ly applys to our Souls, which by often refining (like Metals) are brought to Perfection: and this Science did so encrease in Nehemiah's time (Chap. 3.) that it grew to a Trade, and the Professors thereof called Gold-smiths, and so GOLD and the Trade for it continues still in the World.

But I perceive since Christ said to the Thief, That he should be with him that day in Paradise, there hath been more search after the place of Paradise, than before; not for the Pleasures in that place, but for its Neighbourhood to Havilah, wherein 'tis said, There was Gold which was good: And therefore in this Discourse, having traced the four great Rivers of three parts of the World for it, I may venture the fourth, viz. America, and ask whether Pison be not the Ocean, or one of the four streams or Sea's which encompass Havilah, or a Countrey abounding with good Gold, for seeing it is not agreed where Paradise is, and what were the four Streams: I hope, I may not give Offence in rendring this great Iland or Continent of America, surrounded with a Pisonick Ocean, to be the same, or some such like place as Havilah; and well may we trade thither for gold, where Religion shews us the way; for Divine Herbert, in his Church Militant, tells us, That

Religion stands on Tip-toes (and from our Land) Ready to pass to the American Strand.

Now if Religion goes thither, we may safely follow it, so as it be in pursuit of Paradice or Havilah; and seeing it is not agreed that they are in Asia, Africa or Europe, though Lombardy in Europe is called The Garden of the WORLD, we may try whether there be any Havilah, or something equiva∣lent

to it in America, and leave Paradice to the prognosticated Religion to find it out.

Now if we may Credit the Writers upon that great Con∣tinent or Island (Nicols) it extends from the Artick to the Antartick Circle, and hath its breadth in some parts propor∣tionable; and in this great spot of Earth, there is a greater plenty of Gold and other Metals, than we can find from the other Havilahs; but I shall conclude here, because I shall speak more on this Subject in the manner and way of getting and washing the Seeds of Gold, and other Discourses of Gold. See the VVords Metals Mines, VVashings.

GRADUATION, T. Gradierung, L. Graduatio, from Gradus, A. Degrees; but in its Metallick sense, it is apply∣ed to the melioration of Metals, by certain degrees, either to that colour or virtue which is most proper and natural to them: (l. 2. c. 9. & c. 45. &c.) and the Word is also applyed to Graduates in the Ʋniversities, who by degrees are sensibly Re∣fined by the Liberal Arts and Sciences.

GRAINES, T. Koernleine, L. Granum, and both in the notion of Weights, have reference to a grain of Corn, from which Weights have their original. See VVeights.

GRANULATION, T. Kuernen, from whence I sup∣pose we have our word Cornel or grain of Wheat, Barly, &c. and it comes from the former Latine Word granum: in the Metallick sence, it is considered as a certain proportion of mel∣ted Metals, made by Art, into the smallness of such grains, so as they may be the better weighed, and is a peculiar Art in per∣forming them (l. 1. c. 19. &c.) See VVeights.

GREY, T. Graw, L. Glaucus, Cinereus, &c. See Colours.

GREEN, T. Greisen, L. Viridis, but it hath its particu∣lar names, according to its Resemblances, viz. grass Green, Her∣beus, Leek-green, Prosinus, and so of the rest. See Colours.

GROUND; this Word hath many senses in our English, viz. Ground or Earth, Foundation or Principle, or Reason; but

here it doth signify such Metals as one doth grind small. T. Malen and Gerienen, L. Molare, that is, being ground, it is a Foundation to other proceedings.