A discourse of natural bathes, and mineral waters wherein, the original of fountains in general is declared, the nature and difference of minerals with examples of particular bathes, the generation of minerals in the earth, from whence both the actual heat of bathes, and their virtues proceed, by what means mineral waters are to be discover'd, and lastly, of the nature and uses of bathes, but especially of our bathes at Bathe, in Someerset-shire / by Edw. Jorden, Doctor in Physick.

CHAP. XII. (Book 12)

The generation of Minerals examined, the Authors opinion herein.

A Ristotle makes the humidity of water, and the dryness of earth, to be the matter of all minerals: the dryness of earth to participate with fire, and the humidity of water with air, as Zabareila interprets it; so that to make a perfect mixt body, the four Elements do concur; and to make the mixture more perfect, these must be re∣solved into vapour or exhalation by the heat of fire, or influence from the Sun and other Planets, as the efficient cause of their generation: but the cause of their congelation to be cold in such bodies as heat will resolve. * 1.1 This vapour consi∣sting partly of moysture, and partly of dryness,

if all the moysture be spent, turns to earth or salt, or concrete juyces, which dissolve in moysture: if some moysture remain before congelation, then it turns to stone: if this dry exhalation be unctuous and fat, and combustible, then Bitumen and Sulphur, and Orpiment, are bred of it: if it be dry and incombustible, then concrete juyces, &c. * 1.2 But if moysture do abound in this vapour then metals are generated which are fusible and malleable. And for the perfecting of these gene∣rations, this exhalation is not sufficient, but to give them their due consistence, there must be the help of cold from Rocks in the earth to con∣geal this exhalation. So that here must be two ef∣ficients, heat and cold. And for the better ef∣fecting of this, these exhalations do insinuate themselves into stones, in the form of dew o•• frost, that is, in little grains; but differing from dew and frost in this, that these are generated af∣ter that the vapour is converted to water; where∣as Minerals are generated before this conversi•••• into water. * 1.3 But there is doubt to be made of frost, because that is bred before the conversio•• of the exhalation into water, as may appear, M••∣teor. 1. * 1.4 According to this assertion there must be two places for the generation of minerals; the one a matrix, where they receive their effence by heat in form of an exhalation, and from thence they are sent to a second place to receive the•• congelation by the coldness of Rocks: and fro•• this matrix come our mineral waters, and no•• from the place of congelation.

This is the generation of minerals, according to Aristotle; but it is not so clear, but that

leaves many scruples, both concerning the mat∣ter, and the efficients. For the matter, it seems not probable, that water and earth should make any thing but mud and dirt; for you can expect no more from any thing than is in it, the one is cold and dry, the other cold and moyst; and therefore as fit to be the matter of any other thing, as of particular minerals. And water, whereof principally metals are made to consist, is very unfit to make a malleable and extensible sub∣stance, especially being congealed by cold, as we may see in ice. But some do add a mineral qua∣lity to these materials, and that simple water is not the chief matter of metals, but such as hath imbibed some mineral quality, and so is altered from the nature of pure water. This assertion doth presuppose minerals in the earth before they were bred; otherwise what should breed them at the first, when there was no mineral quality to be imparted to water? Again, this mineral qua∣lity either gives the water or the vapour of it the effence of the mineral, and then it is not the ef∣fect of water, but of the mineral quality, or the potential fac••••lty to breed it. If the effence, then this metall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 water, or vapour, must have the form of the metal, and so be fusible and malleable. If it have only the power and potential faculty, then the generation is not perfected, but must expect further concoction. This concoction is said to be partly by heat, and partly by cold; if by heat, it must be in the passages of the exhalation as it is carried in the bow∣els of the earth: for afterwards, when the ex∣halation is setled in the stones, the heat is gone.

Now if the concoction be perfected before the exhalation be insinuated into the Stones, as it must be, if it be like dew, then it is perfect me∣tal, and neither is able to penetrate the Stones, nor hath any need of the cold of them to perfect the generation. If by cold, it is strange that cold should be made the principal agent in the ge∣neration of metals, which generates nothing; neither can heat be the efficient of these gene∣rations. Simple qualities can have but simple effects, as heat can but make hot, cold can but cool, &c. But they say cold doth congeal metals, because heat doth dissolve them; I answer, that the rule is true, if it be rightly applyed: as we see ice which is congealed by cold, is readily dis∣solved by heat. * 1.5 But the fusion of metals cannot properly be called a dissolution by heat, because it is neither reduced to water or vapour, as it was before the congelation by cold, nor is it per∣manent in that kind of dissolution, although af∣ter fusion it should be kept in a greater heat than the cold could be which congealed it. For the cold in the bowels of the earth cannot be so great, as it is upon the superficies of the earth, seeing it was never observed that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was any ice bred there. Also this dissolution which is by fusion, tends not to the destruction of the me∣tal (but doth rather make it more perfect) as it should do according to the former rule rightly applyed. And therefore this dissolution by fu∣sion, doth not argue a congelation by cold; which being in the passive elements, doth rather attend the matter than the efficient of generations: for it is apt to dull and hebetate all faculties and

motions in nature, and so to hinder generations, rather than to further any. It is heat and moy∣sture that further generations, as Ovid faith;

Quippe ubi temperie•••• sumpsere humorque ca∣lorque, Concipiunt:

When heat with moysture's temper'd well, Then 'tis their bellies 'gin to swell.

And thus much for Aristotles generation of minerals, where his vapours or exhalations do rather serve for the collection or congregation of matter in the Mines, than for the generation of them; as Libavius doth rightly judge. * 1.6 Agricola makes the matter of minerals to be Succus Lapi∣descens Metallificus &c. and with more reason, because they are found liquid in the earth: Gil∣gill would have it Ashes; Democritus Lime: but these two being artificial matters, are no where found in the earth. The Alchymists make Sul∣phur and Mercurie the matter of metals: Liba∣vius, Sulphur and Vitriol. * 1.7 But I will not stand upon discoursing of these materials, because it makes little to my purpose.. It is enough for my purpose to shew the manner of these generations, which I take to be this.

There is a Seminarie Spirit of all minerals in the bowels of the earth, * 1.8 which meeting with con∣venient matter, and adjuvant causes, is not idle, but doth proceed to produce minerals, according to the nature of it, and the matter which it meets withal; which matter it works upon like a fer∣ment, and by his motion procures an actual heat,

as an instrument to further his work; which a∣ctual heat is increased by the fermentation of the matter. The like we see in making of Malt, where the grains of Barley being moistned with water, the generative Spirit in them is dilated, and put in action; and the superfluity of water being removed, which might choak it, and the Barley laid up in heaps; the seeds gather heat, which is increased by the contiguity of many grains lying one upon another. In this work natures intent is to produce more indivi∣duals, according to the nature of the Seed, and therefore it shoots forth in spires: but the Ar∣tist abuses the intention of Nature, and con∣verts it to his end, that is, to increase the spi∣rits of his Malt. The like we find in mineral substances, where this spirit or ferment is resi∣dent, as in Allum and Copperas Mines, which being broken, exposed and moistened, will ga∣ther an actual heat, and produce much more of those minerals, then else the mine would yield; as Agricola and Thurneiser do affirm, and is pro∣ved by common experience. The like is gene∣rally observed in Mines, as Agricola, Erastus, Libavius, &c. do avouch out of the daily expe∣rience of mineral men, who affirm, that in ma∣ny places, they find their Mines so hot, as they can hardly touch them; although it is likely that where they work for perfect Minerals, the heat which was in fermentation, whilst they were yet breeding, is now much abated: the Mine∣rals being now grown to their perfection. And for this heat we need not call for the help of the Sun, which a little could will take away from us, much more the body of the

earth, and rocks; not for subterranean fire: this inbred heat is sufficient, as may appear also by the Mines of Tinglass, which being digged, and laid in the moist air, will become very hot. So Antimony and Sublimat being mixed together, will grow so hot as they are not able to be touch∣ed: If this be so in little quantities, it is likely to be much more in great quantities and huge rocks. Heat of it self differs not in kind, but only in degree, and therefore is inclined no more to one Species, then to another, but as it doth attend and serve a more worthy and su∣periour power, such as this generative spirit is. And this spirit doth convert any apt matter it meets withall to his own species by the help of heat; and the earth is full of such matter which attends upon the species of things: and oftentimes for want of fit opportu∣nity and adiuvant causes, lies idle, without pro∣ducing any species: but is apt to be transmuted by any mechanical and generative spirit into them. And this matter is not the Elements themselves, but subterranean seeds placed in the Elements, which not being able to live to themselves, do live to others. * 1.9 Sic Roma crescit Albae ruinis; the Death of one is the life of ano∣ther. From this confluence of seeds arise all the varieties and differences, and alterations which are observed in the generation or nutri∣tion of natural things: as in their colours, tastes, numbers, proportions, distempers, &c. Also from hence proceed the Transplantations which we find in animals, vegetables, and minerals. In animils these Transplantations are not very

frequent; yet all our monsters may be referred hereunto, as also the issue which comes from Dogs and Wolves, Horses and Asses, Partri∣ges and Hens, &c. Some do think that the de∣struction of Sexes is a Transplantation, and that all seeds in themselves are hermophroditical, and neither masculine nor feminine, but as they meet with strong and weak impressions from superve∣nient causes; From hence come our Androgyni, * 1.10 or masculine women, such as Horace speaks of,

Sabellis docta ligonibus versare glebas.

That dig the ground themselves (stout Jades!) Managing well Sabean Spades.

Among those Animals which we call Insecta, these Transplantations are more frequent, be∣cause their seeds are more equivocal, and easily transmuted from one species to another: as we may see in Worms and Flies, and most evident∣ly in Silk-worms called Cavallieri.

In Vegetables these Transplantations are very frequent when one species is grafted upon ano∣ther, as Virgil faith,

Et steriles platani malos gessere valentes Castaneae fagos: ornusque incanuit albo Flore pyri, glandemque sues fregere sub ulmis. * 1.11

The barren Planes did Apples bear; The Beeches Chesnuts; th' Ash a Pear; And Hogs did under Elm-trees Acorns tear.

Thus by commixtion of several species, the first seeds do oftentimes being forth other fruits then their own.

Miranturque novas frondes & non sua poma.

And stand admiring, double mute, To see new leaves, and stranger fruit.

But all, as Hypocrates saith, by divine neces∣sity, both that which they would, and that which they would not. * 1.12 So likewise Wheat is changed into Lolium, Basil into Thyme, Masterwort into Angelica, &c.

In Minerals we find the like transplantations: as Salt into Nitre, Copperass into Allum, Lead into Tin, Iron into Copper, Copper into Iron, &c. And this is the transplantation whereupon the Alchymists ground their Philosophers stone.

This Seminary Spirit is acknowledged by Aristotle: Continent (inquit) semen in se cujus{que} faecundit atis suae causam: and by most of his In∣terpreters: and Morisinus calls it Elphesteria, not knowing how to attribute these generations to the Elements. * 1.13 And this is the cause why some places yield some one vegetable or mineral species above another,

Quippe solo natura subest. Non owsnis fert omnia tellus.

It is the nature of the ground. Not in all Soils are all things found.

This seminary spirit of minerals hath its pro∣per wombs where it resides, and is like a Prince or Emperour, whose prescripts both the Ele∣ments and matter must obey; and it is never idle, but alwayes in action, producing and main∣taining natural substances, untill they have ful∣filled their destiny, donec fatum expleverint, as Hypocrates saith. * 1.14 So as there is a necessity in this, depending upon the first benediction (crescite & multiplicamini:) and this neces∣sity or fatum is inherent in the seeds, and not adventitious from the Planets, or any other na∣tural cause. And this is the cause of uniformity in every species, that they have all their proper figures, dimensions, numbers of parts, colours, tastes, &c. most convenient and agreeable to each nature; as Moses saith, that God saw that every thing was very good: and Galen saith, Deus in omnibus optimum eligit. * 1.15 And this I take to be the meaning of his Lex Adrastia, which he alledgeth against Asclepiades. * 1.16 For it he should mean it as commonly it is understood, of punishment which alwayes follows sin, nem•• crimen in pectore gestaet, qui non idem Nemesi•• in tergo; No man, though privately, commits a fault, but is degg'd by revenge: in this sense he could not apply it to the confuting of Asciepia∣des. There are also other laws in nature which cannot be altered, both Mathematical, in Arith∣metick and Geometry; and Logical, in the con∣secuting of arguments, &c. But these serve not for Galens purpose in this place. He must mean it of a natural necessity or fatum, or prede∣stination, that frames every member & part of the

body to the best use for the creature. And there∣fore where Asclepiades propounds an inconve∣nient frame of parts, he confutes him by this in∣bred law of nature, which he saith, no man can alter or avoid, nor any subtility elude, as also Aristotle saith. * 1.17 Thus much for the generation of Minerals and other natural substances.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Erastus, Care∣rius, Casal••i∣nus, Marti••u••, Mo••ista••, Fox∣ias, Magyrus, Liba••ius.
• * 1.2

  3 Met••or. c.ult. Caesalp.l.3.0.1.
• * 1.3

  Libav. de nat. metall.c. 14. carerius 178. Septal. in Hipp.
• * 1.4

  de aëre, aqu. &c.
• * 1.5

  Valcsius sacra Philosoph••••. 49.
• * 1.6

  Singularium lib. 1. part. 1.
• * 1.7

  De nat. metall. Cap. 10.
• * 1.8

  The Authors opinion con∣cerning the manner of the Generation of Minerals.
• * 1.9

  Mussetus in dia∣logo apologetics.
• * 1.10

  Carm. lib. 3. od. 6.
• * 1.11

  Georg. 2.
• * 1.12

  De Dieta 1.
• * 1.13

  De gen. animal. lib. 2. Foxius, M••rti∣nus, Moris••aus, Magyrus, Liba∣vius, Vel••uri••, Valesius, Ca∣rerists, Erastus, &c.
• * 1.14

  De Dieta lib. 1.
• * 1.15

  6 De usu parti∣um ••. 12. & 13.
• * 1.16

  Erasmus in Adagi••s.
• * 1.17

  De mund••. c. ult.