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. VI. Of the signs and discovery of Mines and Ores, both in general and in particular.

NOw we shall relate the signs of Mines and Ores, as we could promiscuously gather them from the best Authors we have, or could meet withal; and add some few of our own experience and observation. And first take these from Caesius,* 1.1 who tells us thus: That they are either found forth by chance, or by Art and search.

• 1. Sometimes Mines are found forth, without the industry of men; as when torrents and great floods do make them bare, as hapned at the Silver Mines at Friberg.
• 2. By eradicating the Trees that grew over the veins of the Ore, by the force of winds.
• 3. By the falling out of stones forth of the Moun∣tains, by the force of large Showers, Earthquakes, Thunderbolt and Lightning, the rowling down of Snow, or the force of winds.
• 4. By plowing, or accidental digging; as Gold was found in Galecia, as Iustin reporteth.
• 5. By the burning of Woods, as hapned in Spain, in shewing Silver Mines, as Diodorus Siculus writeth.
• 6. Lastly, Any other force may discover Ores, as the hoof of a Horse (as it is said) at Gose∣laria.

Again, they may be discovered by Art, and proba∣ble signs before digging, or searching.

1. The heads of Springs and Fountains are to be carefully observed, and their Waters to be tried, be∣cause they cannot be far from the Vein, as having their rise or passage near them.

2. The pieces or fragments of Veins are to be mar∣ked, that the force of torrents hath laid open; for if they be smooth, it is a sign that the Vein is far off, but if fixed in the Earth, or rough, it is a sign that the Vein is near at hand.

3. The site and position of the place is to be noted, for that may be the cause that the Veins are more or less hidden in the Earth, and the pieces thrust far∣ther off.

4. The Frosts sticking to the Grass are to be mar∣ked, which commonly are white and hoary, except they which grow over the Veins of Minerals, because they breath forth hot and drie steams, which hinder the concretion of the Frost; therefore where the Grass is moist, and not congealed with the Frost, as o∣ther Grass near the same place is, there the Vein is pro∣bably under it, and the Grass short, and of a languid and pale colour.

5. The signs of hidden Veins, are the leaves of Trees, which in the Spring time are livid and some∣thing blewish, the boughs (especially the highest) in∣fected with blackness, or some less unnatural colour, and the stock or trunck chinked, all caused by me∣talline vapours.

6. The tops of Mountains which tend towards the South, and their bottoms towards the North, do af∣ford an Argument of Metals, and especially of silver,

and those most abounding which tend directly from the East towards the North.

7. The colour of the Mountains, Stones, and Earth, is to be regarded, for these do not onely discover Me∣tals, but also shew of what sort they are, as a green colour Copper, a black Silver or Gold, a Purple a Fire-stone, or Marchasite, livid and wan Lead and Iron, lurid or very pale Vitriol, Copperas, or such like Juices, ashie and obscure Sulphur.

8. The smell or odour also may be reckoned a∣mongst the signs of Mines or Ores; as when two stones of the same Mountain are rubbed hard together, if there be Metal, they will greatly smell of Brim∣stone.

9. Barren Mountains are also a sign of Metals, be∣cause the humour is wasted within, and the evil va∣pours destroy the young Plants and Grass.

10. The stones or earth being heavier then ordina∣ry; are a certain sign of Metals.

11. If the stones shine more then ordinary, or be very solid shining but little,* 1.2 it is a sign of Metals. And if thou flux or melt the stones, thou shalt not onely discover the Metal, but the kind, and quantity of it.

12. The Waters afford signs, for if they have any strange smell, or colour, they shew some Metal. The mud and sand in the bottom of Rivers and Brooks, are diligently to be examined; for something in the length of time must needs be washed from the Veins in their passage. And where there are unusual and strange Plants, where they do not thrive, but their truncks are little, leaves and branches withered, &c. are sometimes signs of Metals.

* 1.3To these we may add what Paracelsus saith,

That coruscation, or scintillation, is a certain sign of Me∣tals that are unripe, and yet in primo ente; and ac∣cording as sparkling or fire is carried, so the Veins lie. And that this coruscation, or sparkling of fire, is to be seen in the night, as if Gun-powder were sprinkled in a long line, and then fired; so it goeth along, and shineth, and doth glissen, and glimmer even as Gold or Silver upon the Test or Cupel, when the Lead is separated from it. And if this glimmering shew whitish, it is a sign of white Metals, as Tin, Lead, Silver, &c. if red, a sign of red Metals, as Copper, and Iron; if yellow, yellow Metals, as Gold, &c. That this coruscation being thin and subtile, is the best sign; and sheweth subtile, and excellent Metals; and the contrary denoteth the con∣trary. And as long as these glimmerings appear, whether of this or that colour, little or great, so long the Metal is immature, and as yet in primo ente, as the sperm of a man in the matrix of the woman. But Basilius saith,* 1.4 Seeing this stuff which this coruscation seizeth on, is found often in a place where no Metals are, therefore it is very deceitful; however com∣monly, and for the most part of a metalline breath.

For the signs of Metals, in or after digging, to seek them, take these:

1. If the Miners happen into a fat clayish earth, which discovereth a Vein of pure and fresh Metal, it is a very good sign, certainly shewing, that the Me∣tal of which it is a Vein, is not far off.

2. If the earth digged up have no Metal in it, but be very fat, and be of a white, black, yellow, red,

green, or a bright blue or Azure colour, it is also a good sign of some noble Metal there. For the Mine-men have especially a regard unto noble, neat, and prime colours, as green Earth, or Chrysocolla, viride aeris, Lazure, Cinnabar, Sandaraca, red Arsnick, Au∣ripigment, Litharge of Gold or Silver, &c. For eve∣ry one of these doth for the most part shew its pecu∣liar Metal and Mineral. So viride aeris, Chrysocolla, Green Earth, do for the most part shew Copper, or a cupreous Metal. So Lazure, or white Arsnick, or Litharge of silver, do for the most part shew the Metal of Copper. So Cinnabar and Sandaraca, or red Arsnick, do sometimes denote Gold, or Silver, or both mixt together. So Auripigment, red Sulphur, or Litharge of Gold, for the most part do po••tend Gold. So where Chrysocrlla with Lazure, or La∣zure with Chrysocolla and Auripigment, are found mixed and confounded together, for the most part they shew a most excellent and rich Mineral. Where stones or earth are found of an Iron-like colour they certainly shew an Iron mineral.

3. It is to be noted, that sometimes the Archaus of the Earth doth thrust out, or vomit forth, by some hidden passages, from the lower Earth, some Metal; and that is a good sign that the Miners should pro∣ceed, because there is certain hope of a noble metal hid there.

4.

Moreover,* 1.5 If thin leaves of metals like to Talck do stick to the pebles, or stones, it is a good and cer∣tain sign. Thus far Paracelsus.

Now we shall shew the signs from that laborious and experienced person,* 1.6 Georgius Agricola, which are these; very well worth nothing.

1. There is often fou••d pure Gold, Silver, Copper, and Argent vive; seldom ••ron, or Plumbum Cine∣reum, or Bismuth, seldom ever Tin, or Lead. But the little black Stones, and the rest, do not much dif∣fer from pure Tin, which is melted by blast forth of them; and the best lapis plumbarius, or Lead Ore, from which the Lead is melted, differs little from the Metal it self.

2, Then after pure gold, that is, statim suum, that which is called rude, or unwrought; whether it be greenish yellow, or yellow, or purple, or black, or red without, and inwardly of a golden colour, it is to be reckoned as a rich Vein, because the gold doth exceed the stone, or earth in weight. Also every Vein of Gold, whereof an 100 pound weight doth contain more then three ounces of Gold, is rich. All the rest of the Veins of gold are to be esteemed as poor ones.

3. Earth, whether drie or moist, sometimes con∣tains gold; but in that which is drie, for the most part there is more, if in the Furnace it give any good sign, or do not want little spangles like cat-silver. These Juices for the most part contain Gold, caeru∣leum, or a kind of blue Sand, Azure, Chrysocolla, native Borax, or green Earth, Auripigment native, yellow Arsnick, Orpiment, or Orpine, Sandaraca native, red Arsnick. Also pure or unwrought gold doth sometimes stick or cleave, sometimes less, some∣times more in the sand, gravel, or grittle of flints, little pebles, slates, or cleaving stones and marble. In Fire-stones sometimes it is found, but very rarely.

4. But the richness of a silver Vein is thus discer∣ned;

If in 100 l. weight of the Ore, there be a∣bove 3 l. weight, it is rich, 'otherwise it is poor, as is that which consists of unwrought silver. Whe∣ther the colour be leaden, red, white, black, ash-co∣loured, purple, yellow, liver-coloured, or of any o∣ther sort; such also sometimes is the Vein of flint, slate, and marble, if much do adhere unto them. Some∣times in Fire-stones, Cadmia, Ore of Brass, Lead Ore, and Ore of Antimony.

5. But in the other sort of Metals, though their Veins may be rich, yet unless they be plentiful also, they are seldom worth labour. But if it happen that any kind of gems or precious stones be discovered, they are diligently to be sought after; as Cements, Marbles, Lapis Haematites, Load-stone, which is u∣sually found in the Iron mines; Smiris, or as com∣monly called by Mechanicks Emery, in Silver mines; the Lapis Iudaicus, Trochites, and the like, in Quar∣ries, or elsewhere. Neither ought they to neglect the several sorts of Earth, whether found in the gold, Silver, Copper Mines, or others: nor should they neglect the several concrete, or hardned Juices, found in the metallick passages, or in their proper Mines.

6. If a yellow Earth offer it self, in which the ra∣ments or shavings of any Metal, pure or unwrought, do appear, it is a good sign: For the Metallick mat∣ter from whence the shavings are separated, must needs be at hand. But if it offer it self void of all Metallick matter, but be fat, and of a white, green, blewish, or such like colour, the Workmen ought not to give over, so they have the signs spoken of before.

7. But if any drie Earth offer it self to the Miner, which containeth pure and unwrought in it self, it is a good sign, If yellow, red, or black, or any other notable colour, which hath no Metal in it, then it is no bad sign, and Chrysocolla, Caeruleum, Aerugo, Au∣ripigmentum, Sandaraca being found, are good signs.

8. Also where a subterranean Spring casteth forth some piece of a Metal, we ought to pursue it; for it sheweth that that piece was separated from some greater part of the Metal. Likewise when very thin spangles of some Metal do cleave to the Rock or Stone, they are to be numbred among the good signs. Furthermore, Veins which forthwith do consist partly of flints, partly of clayish and dry earth; if being mixed together with fibres, and descend low into the earth, it is good hope that there is metal.* 1.7 But if the fibres afterwards appear not, and little or no metallick matter offer it self, they ought not to give over digging.

9. But if a brown, black, horn-like, liver-colour∣ed flint appear, for the most part it is a good sign; but white is sometimes good, sometimes not; but the sand or grittle of marble, appearing in the depth of the Vein, is not good. And those sorts of stones that do easily melt in the fire, although they be trans∣parent, are to be numbred amongst the middle signs, if other good signs appear, they are good; if not, they are no good signs. And they are of some hope which above and below (or at the covering or bot∣tom) have a flint or marble, and in the midst clayish earth, &c. In like manner, where the top (or as our Miners call it, Cooping) and the bottom have

an Iron-like earth, and in the midst fat and clammy earth. So where the top and the bottom have that which the Miners call Armaturam (the harness or arming) and in the midst black earth, or like to burnt earth, these yield some hope.

10. But the proper sign of Gold, is Auripigment, natural yellow Orpiment, or Orpin. Of Silver, Plum∣bum Cinereum, Bismuth, and Antimony: of Copper, natural Verdegrease, pared off from brass stones, out of which it groweth; Melanteria, or black Earth; Sory, a poisonous black pory Earth; Chalcitis, the Copper stone, or red Vitriol; Misy, a kind of Vi∣triol now not known; Altramentum sutorium, green Vitriol, Shoo-makers black. Of Tin, the pure black stones, out of which the Metal is melted, and things digged up like the spume or froth of silver. Of Iron, Ferrugo, Iron stone. The common sign of Gold and Copper, is Chrysocolla, green Earth, or native Borax, Caeruleum, Azure, or blue sand. Of Silver and Lead, Plumbago Fossilis, Lead Ore, in which is always silver, less or more; and is also called Ga∣lena, Molybdena, and Lapis plumbarius. But although the Miners do rightly call Plumbum cinereum Bis∣muth, Wismuth, or Counterfein, the cover (or coo∣ping) of Silver; and that the Copper fire-stone, or pyrites aerosus be the common parent of Atramen∣tum su••orium, Melanteria, and the like: Yet notwith∣standing sometimes these have their proper metals; as also Auripigment and Stibium. And amongst good signs are slate stones of a pale-blue, or black colour; and also Lime-stones of any colour. But a good sign of Silver, are little black pebles, forth of which Tin is drawn, especially when the intervein is made of

such like. And thus far this noble Authour.

The signs to discover where Metals are that the ex∣pert Miners have informed me of, and that I have observed in these Northern parts, where the Ores that they either get or look for, are commonly Lead, and but rarely any Silver Ore, are these.

• 1. The Hills and Mountains from whence they are digged, are for the most part barren and squalid, ha∣ving but little Grass, and that short, dried, and (as it were) withered; few Trees, Plants, or Shrubs, grow∣ing upon them; and those they have, little, dwarfish, livid, and ill-coloured, very rocky and stony at the tops, with earths of sundry colours, but most com∣monly something reddish.
• 2. The stones that by the Land-flouds and Torrents are brought down into the Vallies, are very ponderous, flinty, grayish, or horn-coloured, and oftentimes pie∣ces and fragments of Cauk, and pure white, and other coloured Sparr; and good store of small grey, black and white Silices, or pebles, which are found to be good, and for the most part certain signs that there is metalline Ore in those Hills or Mountains.
• 3. There are commonly found upon the tops of the Hills where they find Lead Ore, many sorts of fire-stones, or pyritae; which rubbed hard or smitten toge∣ther forcibly, do not onely give sparks of fire, but smell most strongly of Brimstone, whether they yield fire or not. And sometimes store of little yellowish and reddish stones, and these prove very good signs of Metals.
• 4. Sometimes there is found fragments of very bright and shining marchasites of a golden colour, or like Copper in shew, wrought forth of the Hills by

• Rains, and Flouds, that together with some other signs named before, give great incouragement to Mi∣ners, and seldom deceive them.
• 5. Some expert Workmen (which I my self have divers times seriously marked, and sought for) have found in the chinks and holes of the stones washed from the tops or sides of Mountains; a blue kind of Sand or Earth, being (as I conjecture) the native Cae∣ruleum or Azure; as also a pure green Earth or Sand, which might be the natural aerugo or verdegrease that Agricola mentions: and where these were found they always proved good signs.
• 6. But the most certain sign that all our Miners relie upon, is to find some fragments of Ore washed down from the sides of the Hills; or by careful walk∣ing over the tops of the Mountains (whose barren∣ness, and some other such like signs, have moved them to search) and prying into the clifts, irruptions, or cre∣vises of the Rocks. And this they find never to fail them.
• 7. After they have digged, the most of the signs that doth encourage them, is grey or blewish stones, flints, or slates, red or yellow clay or earth, or that which appears of many colours; but especially to find some pieces of such Ore as they call loose and shaken Ore; or some small twigs of a Vein of Ore, for then they think that there cannot but be greater store, if they can find the right way to it.
• 8. I have specially noted that near where Metals are (especially near Brunghill Moor, where Silver Ore was formerly gotten, and at a place called the Syks) there the Stones being for the most part of a greyish, or blewish colour, are very thick interspersed with

• the small Atoms, or grains of Metal, as little as small Pin heads, or almost Needle points, and will excee∣dingly shine and glister upon a Sun-shine day, and also are very ponderous.

Now to conclude this Chapter, I shall onely mind the Reader of a remarkable passage of Paracelsus; which though twice repeated in his Works, and (as I judge) of great weight, and full of honest and plain instruction to a Mineralist, yet hath been little re∣garded by any one that ever I yet conversed withal; which is this:

* 1.8Whosoever therefore doth search after Minerals, it is fit that he be endowed with such reason and dis∣cretion, that he have not a regard alone to vulgar and known Metals, which are found only in the depths of Mountains. For very often such a Mineral is found in the very superficies of the earth, that no such, or none so good is found in the hidden deeps.* 1.9 There∣fore every stone that comes into our view, whether it be great or little, whether it be a small peble, or a whole stone, is most diligently to be looked into, and to weigh the nature and property of it, with an exact examination. For many times a vile flint or peble, contemn'd and thrown away, is better then any Cow. For here the dominion of Heaven pre∣vails. And all over earth, dust, or sand is offered, which hath with it much of Gold, or Silver, which thou shalt mark and take notice of.

It may be perhaps here expected that I should say somthing of the Virgula divinatoria, as by many judged to be a sure way to discover where the Ores of Metals lie; of which I find that some of our credulous Mi∣ners have a great opinion but none of them that

ever I could meet withal, had made any certain or ex∣act trial of, so as to verifie the truth of the experiment. Neither indeed is it much used by any in these Northern parts. But yet notwithstanding I shall give you the opinion of some of the best Authors, both a∣gainst the certainty of it, and for the verity of the Ex∣periment.

1. And first Agricola,* 1.10 a very sober person, far from superstition, and doubtless that had seen the fallaci∣ousness of it, and that it hapned to shew where Me∣tals lay but rarely; and after a long discourse about the verity or falshood of it (to whom I refer my Rea∣der) doth conclude against charms and incantations used about it, but that the natural use of it may be allowed, in these words:

Virgula igitur, in invenien∣dis venis, viro bono, gravique usui esse potest. There∣fore the rod for discovering of Veins of Metals, may be used by a good and grave man. But not in chu∣sing the figure, nor using charms: non enim valet virgulae figura, sed incantamenta carminum. For the figure, of the rod prevails not, but the charms.

2. The second I shall name,* 1.11 is Paracelsus, one whom his enemies would brand with most gross su∣perstition, and favouring or practising of unlawful and cheating Magick: as commonly all that preten∣ded Magick that is practised, and counted Diabolical, is but the cheats of crafty and cunning Knaves; or as Cardan said, Carnales Daemones, ipsis daemonibus cal∣lidiores. Incarnate Devils, more cunning then the Devil himself. He (I say) doth so clearly, plainly and honestly disclaim all superstition, charms, and in∣chantments, as none can do more; and also confesseth the deceitfulness of the use of this Divinatory rod, in

these words; which for brevity I give in English.

Therefore care is sedulously to be taken, that ye suf∣fer not your selves to be seduced by the Divinations of uncertain Arts. For they are vain and frivolous, especially the Divinatory rods, which have deceived many Miners. For if they once shew any thing rightly, they on the contrary deceive ten times. In like manner, we are not at all to trust to other frau∣dulent signs of the Devil, which are done and appear against Nature upon the night, and at inconvenient time, as Apparitions, Visions, and the like.

And in ano∣ther place he saith;* 1.12 For the Divinatory rod is fallaci∣ous; as also the other Visions in Glasses, and Crystals.

3. The great Kircherus doth reject it, and that upon his own trial,* 1.13 in these words:

Cente ego saepius hujus rei supra metallica corpora auri & argenti, ex∣perimentum sumens, semper spe mea frustratus sum. Certainly I very oft making an experiment of this thing upon the metallick bodies of Gold and Silver, was always frustrated of my hope. And concludeth, Atque luculenter adverti manifestam esse non daemenis, sed virgam tractantis illusionem. But I have clearly observed, that the manifest illusion is not of the De∣vil, but of him that handleth the rod.

From whence observe,

1. That there have been, and are many things that are performed by true natural means, though hid, and secret; as also by sleight, nimbleness, and cunning, that wiser heads, and cunninger wits, have used charms, spells, strange words, or incantations to, thereby to keep them veiled from the Vulgar, and to deceive others. Which hath occasioned many incon∣veniences, and therefore not to be used by an honest

and conscientious Christian;* 1.14 but we are carefully to mark what is natural Magick, which is both lawful and laudable, what may be done by Art, which is of∣ten strange and wonderful, and what is done by Dia∣bolical means, if it be a truth that there is any such matter; of which the most learned do not cause∣lesly doubt.

2. That in trying such nice experiments as this, there had need be extraordinary care, and caution, both in time, and in every minute circumstance there∣of; and though one should often miss about it, it is not safe to conclude generally, and negatively: for an experiment (especially when it depends upon Na∣ture more then Art) may fail at some times and pla∣ces, for peculiar reasons; and yet when all circum∣stances necessary and suitable are added, may prove effectual: and therefore notwithstanding the autho∣rity of Paracelsus and Agricola, it may be doubted, whether their trials were accompanied with all the exact circumstances that were requisite for such a matter, for we know they were men, and might err; and it is too manifest, that in many things they did err, and it is the common frailty, that no man, as meer man, hath been priviledged from.

3. For Kirchers trials often made with the rod up∣on the metallick bodies of gold and silver, which I sup∣pose were the Ores of those Metals, he doth not men∣tion of what kind of wood his rod was; or whether he had tried with rods of all those several woods that he nameth; which if not, he left it short, and con∣cludes not safely. Again, the great question is, whe∣ther if the rod will move when it is over the veins of Metals, that it will do so at any distance, which is not

probable to be supposed, for the Loadstone will no work beyond the sphere of its activity, and therefore there may be great store of Metals in the Mountain where it is used; and yet they not lying near enough the superficies of the earth, may frustrate its effects, though if they had been within the compass of its vir∣tue, it may be that it would have shewed them. Fur∣ther the great Quaery may be, that it will discover Mines at some times and degrees of their concoction, when they send forth strong steams, but not when they send forth little or none. And much may be in the manner and skill of using the rod.

* 1.151. Now first for those that affirm the experiment of the rod to be true, I shall give what Mr. Gabriel Platte delivereth us upon his own trial, who saith:

The operation with the Virgula Divina, is thus to be per∣formed: some observe a set day and hour, with cer∣tain words and ceremonies at the cutting up of the same, which I have found to be little to the pur∣pose. Thus I wrought about Midsummer in a calm morning, I cut up a rod of Hasel, all of the same Springs growth, almost a yard long; then I tied it to my staff, in the middle with a strong thred, so that it did hang even, like the beam of a ballance: thus I carried it up and down the Mountains where Lead grew, and before Noon it guided me to the orifice of a Lead Mine, which I tried, having one with me with an hack of Iron and a Spade, and with∣in two hours we found a vein of Lead Ore; within less then a foot of the Grass. The signs that it shew∣eth, is to bow down the root end towards the Earth, as though it would grow there, near unto the orifice of a Mine. When you see it do so, you must carry it

round about the place, to see that it turneth in the string still to the place, on which side soever you stand.

The like Story to this I have seen in an unnamed Au∣thor, but shall here omit it, because I know not of what credit he was.

2. The second I shall give you is,* 1.16 from the Author of the Nova disquisitio de Helia artista; who affirms it of his own knowledge thus, which I give you in English.

Let a two-forked rod be cut of one years growth, of Hasel or of Oak, whose Forks or two twigs must be equal, and without fault. Some think it ought to be cut down before the Sun rise, especial∣ly the Moon increasing, and that above all about the day of the Annunciation of Mary. But we observed none of these. This being done, let the two ends be taken into the opposite hands, the fingers compressed upwards towards Heaven; to wit, that on both sides the ends of the twigs of the divided branch, or fork, may hang forth out of the hands at both the thumbs pressed to the hands. But the root of the forked branch must bend outwardly between the two hands. Which if any having silver buttons fixt to his doublet, that cut end of the root, although with all thine endeavour thou compress the rod in both hands, will make a circle by moving by it self, and will turn it self inwardly towards thy doublet, even to the buttons. But if, having no Metal at all about thee, thou lay silver or gold upon the earth; then holding it fast, and being unwilling, the cut part of the root will bend outwardly, until with a strong motion it smite the Metal.

That there are many exceptions may be made against these two experi∣ments, is plain; but I shall omit them, because those

that are curious may easily be satisfied with trials of this nature.

* 1.173. Basilius Valentinus hath a large discourse about several kinds of rods, but I confess to me so dark, that I dare not adventure to meddle with them, nor to say that I understand any thing of them, onely I shall give you these two passages. First he saith;

Though the stirring of the rod is fallen into abuse among ma∣ny people; however it is a fundamental way to know, and to bring forth the Metals, if duely and naturally used. Again, he saith: Therefore if you take such a rod, especially of a Hasel, or of a Kray Tree whose sap is full, and beareth a pleasant and sweet fruit; it draweth the same downwards, that the rod must sink and stick; it will suck out the juice when the rod stands right on its passage, this holdeth from a∣bove unto this station, where the rod stands still, that place they call the Ores station, standing as streight as a line.

I shall say nothing, but refer all to expe∣riment; for some have believed too much, and some too little.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Minerol. l. 1. c. 7 p 123. &c.
• * 1.2

  Vid. Agric. l. 1. de re Metal. p 25, 26.

  Card. de Subt. l. 5. p. 158.
• * 1.3

  Rer. Natur. l. 9. p. 112.
• * 1.4

  Last Will and Test. c. 17. p. 38.
• * 1.5

  Rer. Natur. l. 9. p. 111, 112.
• * 1.6

  De re metal. l. 5. p. 76.
• * 1.7

  Vid. Achan. Kirch, Mund. subter. tom. 2. l. 10. p. 180.
• * 1.8

  Coel Philos. p. 126.
• * 1.9

  Id. de contract. Tract. 2 p. 119.
• * 1.10

  De re metal. l. 2. p. 26, 27, 28
• * 1.11

  De signat. rer. l. 9. p. 112.
• * 1.12

  Philos. Occult. p 490.
• * 1.13

  Mund. Subter. Tom. 2. l. 10. Sect. 2. p. 180.
• * 1.14

  Vid. Rog. Bac. de mi••. pot. art. & natur.
• * 1.15

  A discovery of subterranean treasure, p. 11.12.
• * 1.16

  Theatr. Chym. Vol. 4. p. ••71.
• * 1.17

  Last Will and Test. c. 23.