An essay towards a real character, and a philosophical language by John Wilkins ...

OF METALS.

METAL is a Mineral, for the most part, of a hard consistence, close, ductil, and fusil:* 1.1 It is distinguishable into

• ...Perfect▪
  • NATURAL. I.
  • FACTITIOUS. II.
• Imperfect, with reference to
  • METALLINE KINDS. III.
  • RECREMENTITIOUS PARTS. IV.

I. By NATURAL METALS are meant such as of themselves grow in the Earth, without any kind of mixture, or other help by the Art of men.* 1.2 These are either

• More rare and precious; of a
  • Yellowish colour, most heavy, not growing in any particular Mines, where 'tis imbased with any drossy mixture: but found pure, either in small sands, or rocky branches.
    1.
    • GOLD, Gilt, Or.
  • Whitish, and next in value to Gold, not subject to rust, and of a plea∣sant sound.
    2.
    • SILVER, Argent.
• Of a middle value; of a
  • Whitish colour, and more soft consistence.
    3.
    • TINN, Stannery.
  • Reddish colour, the first material of Mony.
    4.
    • COPPER.
• Most base and common:
  • Of a softer consistence, and a darkish colour, not sonorous.
    5.
    • LEAD, Plummer.
  • Of a harder consistence, being the common matter for Weapons and Tools.
    6.
    • IRON.

II. By FACTITIOUS METALS are meant such as are made by the Art of men.* 1.3 These may be distinguished into such as are made of

• Copper and Lapis calaminaris.
  1.
  • BRASS, Brasier.
• Tinn, Lead, and Tin-glass.
  2.
  • PEWTER-er.
• Iron depurated by frequent heating, and beating, and boiling with Salts.
  3.
  • STEEL.

III. IMPERFECT kinds of METAL, are either

• ...Fluid.
  1.
  • MERCURY, Quick-silver.
• Solid and consistent; used for
  • Purging, and chiefly for Vomiting.
    2.
    • ANTIMONY-al.
  • Making of Pewter, being of shining brittle substance.
    3.
    • BISMUTE, Tin glass.
  • Making of Soder, being like Tinn, but more hard and brittle.
    4.
    • SPELTER, Zink, Spalt.
  • Painting; ‖ considered according to its natural state, being the Oar of Quick-silver, and of a Dark red: or else as it is prepared by grinding, which renders it of a Bright red.
    5.
    • CINNABAR, Rudle.
    • VERMILION.
  • Writing; not known to the Ancients, and therefore without any Latin or Greek name.
    6.
    • BLACK-LEAD.

IV. RECREMENTITIOUS PARTS OF METAL, are such as are cast off; either in the

• Preparation of them, by
  • Melting; being of parts
    • More large and united; a kind of scum arising from the separation of impurer mixtures in the fusion of Metals, chiefly in the pur∣ging of Silver from Lead.
      1.
      • LITHARGE.
    • More minute and separate; being a concretion of the lesser parts of Copper, which fly out when that Metal is in fusion; ‖ either the heavier parts, which by their gravity descend to the floor: or the more light and volatile parts, which adhere to the roof or walls.
      2.
      • SPODIUM.
      • POMPHOLYX.
  • Beating or hammering.
    3.
    • SCORIA, Scales.
• Corruption of them; according to the
  • General name.
    4.
    • RUST, Canker.
  • Particular kinds; proceeding either of Copper and Brass, or of Lead.
    5.
    • VERDIGREECE, Aerugo.
    • CERUSE, White lead.

Notes

• * 1.1

  §. III.
• * 1.2

  I. NATU∣RAL ME∣TALS.
• * 1.3

  II. FACTI∣TIOUS METALS.