Metallographia, or, A history of metals wherein is declared the signs of ores and minerals both before and after digging ... : as also, the handling and shewing of their vegetability ... : gathered forth of the most approved authors that have written in Greek, Latine, or High-Dutch ... / by John Webster ...

CHAP. XXVII. Of Antimony or Stibium. Of Wismuth, Bis∣muth, or Plumbum Cinereum, or Tinglass. Of Zinetum, Zinck or Spelter. Of Cobaltum. And of their Qualities, Ores and Medicaments, prepared forth of some of them, and of native Electrum.

HAving now ended our Collections and Discourse of the seven Metals, vulgarly accounted so; we now come to some others, that many do also re∣pute for Metals; and if they be not so, at least they are semi-Metals, and some of them accounted new Metals or Minerals, of that sort that were not known to the Ancients; of which we shall speak in order.

* 1.1Of some of these Wormius saith, We call those of their own kind sui generis, and improperly Metals, which have great affinity with those that are true Me∣tal, if thou mark the rise, manner and place of Ge∣neration: But they differ in certain proprieties that are agreeable to true Metals, for they are not ductile or malleable, but brittle or frangible.

[ 1] Antimony or Stibium, which the Germans call Spiessglass,* 1.2 seems to be a Metal of its own kind, although Paracelsus put it in the number of Marcha∣sites, lib. 6. Archidox. where he calleth it the Mar∣chasite of Lead, doth consist of a combustible mineral substance, and of a suliginous Mercury, coagulated of a certain earthly matter. Its Ore is found in the

mountains as other Metals, and from thence is drawn by various operations. It is found in Italy, and the best in Hungary, in Germany at Hoenstein, and in Bo∣hemia. In times past it was sold as it was digged forth of the earth: that which was most approved of by Dioscorides, was that which most shined with rays; and when it was broken, would be divided into shells or crusts, being friable, or to be crumbled, void of earth and filth, which Pliny called the female. Now it is sold by Merchants in loaves, or measures, as if melted: outwardly it is crusty, and of a leaden co∣lour, for the most part infecting the fingers; within, full of capillary veins, glistering and shining as po∣lished Iron; in bursting and breaking, easie: but when it is made into powder, it loseth its splendor, and assumeth the colour of burnt Lead. And a little after he saith, The Hungarian Ore of Antimony is most beautiful, wholly consisting of Cylinders, or small Columns, of the thickness of a small Needle, but wonderfully knit together, for they are to be seen right, parallel, oblique, transverse, &c. because this matter is porous, and appeareth with a splendid blue colour, like polished Iron. From hence a sulphureous and yellow matter doth sweat forth, rendring the mass divers coloured, the gift of Doctor Custerus.

The like to those in a manner doth Agricola write of Antimony,* 1.3 and saith, That it is something like in colour to the Lapis Plumbarius, or Lead Ore, but that it shineth more, and is more white. Rulandus tells us, that the Ore of it was found in their mines of Germany, and doth reckon up these sorts.

• 1. That it was digged up at Rome in the Flaminian Circuit,* 1.4 and was soft, and black, and crusty, or shelly, like Cat-silver.
• ...

• 2. Digged up that was friable, or would crumble, like to polished Iron, from the Island Ilna in the Tyr∣rhene Sea.
• 3. Digged up in Bohemia, in a white Flint-stone.
• 4. At Isfeld in Hercynia, which is as it were con∣glutinated together with little, long, and round-angled little crusts, in a white Flint.
• 5. At Stolberg, in which there are white six-angled fluores, that are pellucid.
• 6. In Pannonia, in which there is Gold, and Black Lead.
• 7. A Vein of Stibium like to barren Galena.
• 8. In an hard Stone, like a Fire-stone or Marchasite, of the colour of Silver.
• 9. A Vein of Iron, in which is found Stibium.
• 10. Growing near the Stone Schiston besides Pri∣burg in Misnia.* 1.5 Cambden tells us, neither only Lead, but Stibium also, called in the Apothecaries shops An∣timony, is here found by it self in Veins. And Doctor Merrett saith,* 1.6 that Antimony is found in the Lead Mines of Darbyshire; and I am informed by divers that have long wrought in Darbyshire, that there is good store of it, especially in some places, but I have not been able as yet to procure any of it. That Ore of Antimony that I had forth of Germany, is of a bright blewish colour, and lieth in a yellowish, grayish stone, and is most like to that sort of Lead-Ore which they call Steel-Ore. I could earnestly de∣sire all our English Miners to be vigilant and careful to discover where any of the Ore may be gotten, for it is a good vendible Commodity, and much gain and profit might be made of it. Basilius of it saith thus: Antimony comes from perfect Mercury,

• wrought of little Salt,* 1.7 and a waterish fluid Sulphur, though it shineth black naturally, and its outside is of an Antimonial form, yet it graduateth the noble nature of Gold, and doth much good unto man. But those that would be more fully satisfied of the excel∣lent properties of Antimony, may seriously weigh the Currus Antimonii triumphalis of Basilius, and the Writings of Paracelsus, who not only have written largely of its virtues, but also understood the intrinse∣cal nature of it, better than any other two that can be named. And for the Medicines that may be, or are prepared forth of it by common Chymistry, which are very numerous, the Reader may find them in Sa∣la, Hammerus, Poppius, Schroderus, and almost in eve∣ry Dispensatory: so that we need not inlarge here to recite them, for there is scarcely any one Mineral that is more largely treated of than Antimony; only we shall speak a little of those great Arcana's that Pa∣racelsus and Helmont prepared forth of it by the Al∣kahest.

1. The first Medicine that Helmont nameth, prepa∣red forth of Antimony, is the Mercurius vitae, of which he saith thus; Sequitur dein Mercurius vitae, stibii pro••es integri, quae omnem morbi nervum penitùs ab∣sorbet. Which though he call Mercurius vitae, as ha∣ving Mercury joined with it in its Preparation, yet is the off-spring of the whole Stibium, and none of the Mercury joined with it. And doubtless is not the Mercurius vitae prepared by common Chymistry, that doth both violently purge and vomit, but is of a far more noble nature and virtue, as being prepared by the Alkahest, and therefore doth not only cure dis∣eases, but in some measure, renew Nature also. The

m••nner of its Preparation he no where (that I can observe) doth mention,* 1.8 but Paracelsus according to his dark fashion doth set it down in his Archidoxis, as also in his Book De Vita Longa, and in both places tacitly concealeth the Alkahest.

2. The second is the Sulphur or fire of Antimony, of which Helmont made so great account, and que∣stionless is the Tinctura Lili Antimonialis,* 1.9 for Helmont saith, Tertio loco est Tinctura Lili, etiam Antimoni∣alis, almost of the same virtue with the former, al∣though of less efficacy. And the reason why we so boldly affirm these to be prepared by the Alkahest is the authority of the said Helmont,* 1.10 who saith, Probabo primò, quod liquor Alkahest, ens primum salium, Lili, primus metallus, Mercurius Diaphoreticus, sive aurum Horizontale, unum inquam, qualecun{que} ex illis (nam cuncta unius dissolventis consanguinitate, conspirant in unisonum) sat sit ad quorumlibet morborum sana∣tionem, utut momis crepent ilia. Imprimis norunt Adepti mecum, quantum hinc distent dispensatoria Seplsiae, in ò & quam remoti absint scriptores, qui Basilica,* 1.11 & Tyrocinia Chymica ingenti gloriolae pruri∣tu, adhuc ipsimet Tyrones ediderunt. But the Prepa∣ration of the Tinctura Lili, that is Antimonial, you may find in the Writings of Paracelsus.

[ 2] Plumbum Cinereum was known to the Ancients, but little said of its use, or vertues, and by this name Agricola calls it,* 1.12 the Miners call it Bismutum, Caesal∣pinus a Silver Marchasite, the Germans Bismut, Mythin, and Conterfeit. It is rather, I think (saith Wormius) a Metal of its own kind, than to be refer∣red unto Leàd. For it differeth from both Tin and common Lead in colour, and hardness. It sometimes

shineth with a silver colour, and sometimes with a dilute purple, like to Stibium or Antimony, according to its figure, but more excellent in colour, being like the Regulus Stellatus of Antimony. The Ore from whence it is drawn is like to Galena, but it infecteth or coloureth the hands, which the Galena doth not. And it is found solid, which admitteth cutting, and doth not break, or leap asunder as the Galena. It is also more black, and of a leaden colour, which some∣times containeth Silver in it, from whence in the places where it is digged up, they gather that Silver is underneath, and the Miners call it the Cooping, or Covering of Silver. Its masses do use to cleave to a Stone that is most hard, except it contain ••fluores; or have Nitre in it, which maketh the Stones fria∣ble. It is found in England, and Misnia in the Silver Mines. They use to mix it with Tin, that it may confer splendor and hardness to it, and that being melted it may run more easily. They also make of it Vessels of divers sorts, which are like Silver in co∣lour.

As for the Ore of this Metal, or Semi-metal, which they call Bismuth, or Wismuth, and our Artificers in England Tin-glass, I could never hear of any that was gotten in his Majesties Dominions; and therefore should desire all ingenious Gentlemen that are inqui∣sitive after Minerals, and all other persons that seek or dig for Ores, to inquire if any may be heared of or discovered in this Nation, for it would be a commo∣dity of great worth, for the Metal is very dear. Nei∣ther have I ever been so happy, as to be able to pro∣cure any of this Ore, and therefore cannot of mine own knowledge give the Reader any satisfaction a∣bout

the properties of it. Neither do I know that much use is made of it, in this Nation, except by the Pewterers, from whom we commonly buy it at dear rates; but that there is some use made of it in solder∣ing the many Vessels, and Utensils that are made of those thin Plates that are made of Iron, and tinned over, we commonly call it Crooked-lane Tin: Nei∣ther have I seen any Vessels made of this Metal only, and if they be, they must be made by molding or casting, for of it self it will not abide the ham∣mer.

* 1.13Agricola numbreth this amongst Metals, and reck∣oneth up many places where the Ore is gotten, both in its own Mine, and also where it is found among other Metals,* 1.14 much-what after the order before re∣hearsed, and therefore we shall not need to say more of it here. And Rulandus speaketh but to the same purpose.

Of this Metal Basilius writeth thus: Wismuth is wrought in its own Mine-stone,* 1.15 not quite freed from a protruding Silver, or Tin-stone, of an imperfect, pure Quicksilver with Tin-salt, and fluid silver Sul∣phur, of a brittle immiscible earth, partly of a crude fluid Sulphur, partly of a mixed exiccated Sulphur, ac∣cording as it hath got a matrix, after it was conceived: Then it turneth a bastard of a brittle nature, easily u∣niteth with Mercury, and is wrought naturally in a twofold form, the one is fluid and metalline, is mel∣ted with dry Wood, being mixed with Clay, yield∣eth much of white Arsenick. The other is small streaked and spissie, remaineth an unripe substance, yields a fixt Sulphur instead of Arsenick; both these are silver Wismuth.

Of these two fore-going,* 1.16 Paracelsus saith thus; There is found a twofold Antimony, one vulgar and black, by which Gold is purified, being molten in it. This hath the nearest affinity with Lead. The other is white, which also is called Magnesia, and Bi∣semutum. This hath the greatest affinity with Tin. As for any Medicines drawn forth of this Mineral ei∣ther by the way of common Chymistry, or otherwise, I do not know of any.

The next we come unto, is that which Paraecelsus [ 3] called Zinetum, the Germans Zinck, and our Artificers Spelter, a Metal that hath not been known unto the Ancients, but may well be ranked among the new Metals. I do not find that Basilius maketh any men∣tion of it, except he name it once, which is all that he doth in all his Works that I have perused, to the best of my remembrance, unless we should ima∣gine (as some do) that it should be that Mineral of which he saith thus, when he speaketh of Minerals and Metals:* 1.17 Among these I happened to get one Mineral, composed of many colours, which had ma∣ny and rare vertues in Medicine, I drew (he saith) its spiritual Essence from it, whereby in few days I cured my diseased Collegiate. Though some (and that with more likelihood) do take it to be the Cevillus or Ludus Paracelsi.

The most that we find of this strange Metal, is that which Paracelsus hath recorded of it, whose knowledg and experience in Minerals exceeded all other Authors that ever we have seen or read.

1. And first of this, and Bismuth he saith thus; When therefore the Metals are generated after this manner,* 1.18 to wit, when the true metallick flux, and

ductibility, is taken away, and is distributed into the seven Metals, a certain residence doth remain in the Ares, like the births or off-springs of the three first things. Of this Zinck doth grow, which is a Me∣tal, and not a Metal. And so Bismuth, and others like to this, which are partly fluid, partly ductile. But although they a little adhere unto Metals in their flux, notwithstanding they are nothing but the spu∣rious off-spring of the Metals, that is to say, they are like unto Metals, but are not Metals. Zinck for the greatest part is the spurious off-spring of Copper, and Bismuth of Tin. Of these two there are of all o∣thers the greatest dregs and remnants made in the Ares.

* 1.192. He saith further also, there is a certain Metal not commonly known as Zinetum, or Zinck. It is of a peculiar nature, and seed: notwithstanding many Metals are adulterated in it. This Metal by it self is fluxible, because it is generated of the three fluxible Principles. But it doth not admit malleati∣on, but only fusion. Its colours are diverse from other colours, so that it is not like to the rest of the Metals as they grow. This is such a Metal (that he saith) that its ultimate or last matter is not yet known unto me. For in its propriety it cometh most neer of all unto Argent vive.* 1.20 It doth not permit permixtion: nor doth it permit the fabrications of other Metals, but is by it self, or alone.

3. He hath a notable passage of this Metal, which though the Latine Translations have not mentioned what particular Ore it is, but have omitted it, (for what reasons I know not, except to hide it) yet in the High Dutch it is plainly thus, where he speaketh

of the Metals and Minerals that are found in Carin∣thia. There are found also certain Mines of the Ore of Zinck, the like whereof Europe it self know∣eth not. This is a singular Metal, and truly admi∣rable by its rarity. But for its vertues in Medicine or Bismuth either;* 1.21 neither this Author Helmont, nor few of the common Chymists have said any thing; only we shall give the Reader an account what that honourable person Mr. Boyl doth write of them both. Some modern Chymists (as particular∣ly Glauberus) have of late prepared remedies not un∣useful out of Zinck, or Spelter. Of the other he saith thus;* 1.22 And though Bismutum have not, that I know, till very lately been used, unless outwardly, and espe∣cially for a Cosmetick, yet the industrious Chymist Samuel Closseus, by Calcination and addition of Spirit of Vinegar, and Cremor Tartari, makes two Medi∣cines of it, which he highly extols in the Dropsie; And (to reserve for another place, what I have tried upon, Tin-glass) a very expert Chymist of my ac∣quaintance, doth by preparing it with common Sub∣limate (carried up, by which I remember, it hath af∣forded a very prettily figured body) make it into a Powder (like Mercurius vitae) which he assures me he finds in the Dose of a few grains, to purge very gent∣ly, without being at all (as Mercurius vitae is wont to prove violently enough) emetick. I know not what use is made of this Spelter, but only that the Brasiers do mix it with Copper, and thereof make their Cement or Soulder, for from them we have it, and that at very dear rates. The Ore of it I have not seen, nor as yet could procure, and I should be very glad to hear that any of it could be obtained, or any of it found in England.

* 1.23I cannot pass by one thing, which a learned per∣son, and a great Chymist, now dead, affirms to the World,* 1.24 in these words, speaking of Paracelsus his Metallus masculus, doth say, that it is Spelter, and is the Sulphur Gluarae Augurelli. And in another place saith thus; That a Sulphur may be extracted out of Venus, the Metallus masculus (which in a Parenthe∣sis, I tell thee is Zinck) and so out of Lead and Tin. But though we might assert that the Metallus mascu∣lus, and the Glaura Augurelli are both one, yet we must modestly affirms, that Zinck is not the Metallus masculus; for Zinck is not radix nec pater metallorum, as the Metallus primus is.

[ 4] The next is that which Paracelsus calleth Cobaltum, and in my judgment doth not understand it,* 1.25 to be the same, that Eucelius, and many others, make to be the Cadmia nativa, the Lapis aerosus, or Stone forth of which Copper is drawn, but of another sort, which yieldeth a new, and unknown kind of Metal, other∣wise he could not have described it, as he doth. For of the Copper-stone, or Cadmia nativa, Schroderus saith thus;* 1.26 The Cobalt, native Cadmia is metallick, and digged forth of the Earth, and is an earthly Mi∣neral, almost black in colour, partaking of Copper and Silver: And is plentifully digged up, not far from Gos••ar. And that it is of so Caustical a quality, that it exulcerateth the hands and the feet of the diggers, and is reckoned among Poysons. But that Cadmia nativa, or Copper-stone, that we have gotten here in Cumberland, is not black, but pretty shining, like to a golden Marchasite, but far more heavy. Of this Wormius speaketh to the same purpose,* 1.27 calling it Cad∣mia Metallica, to distinguish it from the Lapis Cala∣minaris,

which he calleth Cadmia Fossilis, of which we shall say more hereafter. Now Paracelsus description is after this order:* 1.28 Further, there is another Metal made of Cobalt, that is melted, and floweth like Zinck, having a peculiar black colour above Lead or Iron, appearing with no splendor or metallick shi∣ning, it is beaten out, and hammered, but not so far that it may be fitted for use. Neither truly is the last matter of this yet found out, nor its preparation; and it is not to be doubted but that the Female and Male are here both joined together as Iron and Steel; and these are not beaten forth, but remain as they are of themselves, until that Art do find forth the separation of them. From whence it is manifest, that this Me∣tal, drawn from this that he calleth Cobalt, is neither in colour nor other properties like the Metal of Cop∣per that is drawn from the metallick Cadmia, or Copper-stone, though they may call it Cobalt also. And Rulandus description of Cobalt seemeth to agree to this,* 1.29 from whence (perhaps) he had it, which is thus: Kobolt, or Kobalt, or Collet, is a metallick matter more black than Lead or Iron, sometimes Ash-coloured, wanting a metallick colour, yet it is melted and brought into places; therefore it is not sixt, but carrieth away the better Metals with it by smoak.

Concerning native Electrum, that it hath been pro∣duced [ 5] by Nature,* 1.30 but is now accounted by Pancirollus as a thing lost, and therefore he ranks it in the number of his rerum deperditarum; and Salmuth saith, that it was naturally found in the mines, and was of great esteem with the Ancients, both for its clear shining, and for its discovery of poison. And seeing it hath been found in former times, there is no doubt but that sometimes

it might be found still, because (however many may be of opinion that Nature decays both in general and in particular) Nature is the same that ever it was, and worketh as it did in former days: onely it is want of care and diligence in seeking and observing, and the covetousness of men that gape after nothing but Silver and Gold, or those things that they may make present gain of; so that thereby many particular Minerals are neglected, and cast by, because they know not how to make present use or profit of them; or because their Ores being but rarely found, they are not known, and therefore thrown by, as hath hapned by some others as well as this. Also because Art hath found out a way to commix Gold and Silver in such a proportion as to the splendor and eye-sight may satisfie, though it want the intrinsical virtue; and so that which is na∣tive is not so much sought after, as hath hapned in the native Orichalcum, seeing that by Art it is now coun∣terfeited.* 1.31 But that it may possibly be found at some time and places, this instance from another Author both of credit and veracity, may beyond exception sufficient∣ly evince, who saith thus: I saw also a great piece of pure Electrum, of the which Bells, and Apothecaries Morters, and many other such vessels and instruments may be made, as were in old time of the Copper of Corinth. This piece of Electrum was of such weight, that I was not only with both my hands unable to lift it from the ground, but also not of strength to re∣move it either one way or other: they affirmed that it weighed more than three hundred pound weight, after eight ounces to the pound; it was found in the house of a certain Prince, and left him by his Pre∣decessors. And albeit that in the days of the inhabi∣tants

yet living, Electrum was no where digged, yet knew they where the Mine thereof was; but our men with much ado could hardly cause them to shew them the place, they bore them such privy hatred; yet at the length they brought them to the Mine, being rui∣nate, and stopped with stones as rubbish: it is much easier to dig than the Iron Mine, and might be restored again, if Miners and other workmen skilful therein were appointed thereto.

To these we may add another, little written or spo∣ken [ 6] of,* 1.32 but that Doctor Iorden saith thus of it: Ca∣laem may be reckoned among those, which is a kind of white metalline Cadmia, brought out of the East-Indies, which hath both metalline ingression, and me∣talline fusion, but not perfectly malleable. This (if my memory fail me not) is also mentioned by Linschot in his Voyages, but the place I remember not. I have much laboured to get some of it, but as yet could never compass any of it.

There is also something said of Bell-metal, that it should be found natural in the bowels of the earth, of [ 7] which the Author before-cited saith thus: Bell-metal is thought to be a mixture of Tin and Copper Ores, as Kentman judgeth, and is found in our Tin and Cop∣per Mines in Cornwal. As for Granates that hold Metal, we have spoken of them before.

Notes

• * 1.1

  M••s. Worm. l. 1. Sect. 3. c. 8. p. 125.
• * 1.2

  Ubi supra.
• * 1.3

  De na••. Fossil: l. 10. p. 657.
• * 1.4

  Lex. Alchym. p. 417.
• * 1.5

  Darbyshire, p. 556.
• * 1.6

  Pin. re. nat. p. 209.
• * 1.7

  Last Will and Test. c. 10. p. 102.
• * 1.8

  L p. 5. p. 20. Lib. de Vit. Long. c. 6. p. 64.
• * 1.9

  Arc. Parac. p. 790.
• * 1.10

  Resp. Anth. p. 524.
• * 1.11

  Chir. Mag. tr. 3. c. 5. p. 67.
• * 1.12

  Mus. Worm. l. 1. S••ct. 3. c. 8. p. 125
• * 1.13

  De Nar. Fossil. lib 1. p. 575.
• * 1.14

  De Vet. & no. Metal. l. 2. p 677.
• * 1.15

  Last Will and Test. c. 10. p. 101, 102.
• * 1.16

  Coel. Philos. Can. 5. p. 122.
• * 1.17

  Of the great Stone of the Ancient Philo∣sophers, Pre∣••ace.
• * 1.18

  De Elem. Aq. c. 9. p. 282.
• * 1.19

  De M••neral. Tract. 1. p. 349.
• * 1.20

  Chron. Can∣••ith. p. 247.
• * 1.21

  Of the useful∣ness of Expe∣rimental Philo∣sophy, part. 2. p. 130.
• * 1.22

  Ibid. p. 134.
• * 1.23

  C. Starkey, nar. Explic p. 306.
• * 1.24

  Pyrotech. asser∣ted, p. 148.
• * 1.25

  De re Metal. l. 1. c. 21. p. 33.
• * 1.26

  Pharmacop. l. 3 c. 18, p. 123.
• * 1.27

  M••s. Worm. l. 1. sect. 3. c. 10. p. 128.
• * 1.28

  De Mineral. l. Tract. 1. p. 349.
• * 1.29

  Lex. Chym. p. 271.
• * 1.30

  Rer. deperdit. ••it. 33. p. 120, 123.
• * 1.31

  Pet. Martyr. Decad. 1. li. 4. p. 27.
• * 1.32

  Of Nat. Bath. c. 9. p. 43, 44.