The works of the Honourable Robert Boyle, Esq., epitomiz'd by Richard Boulton ... ; illustrated with copper plates.

CHAP. X. Containing Titles for the Natural History of Mineral Waters when drawn out of their Receptacles.

* 1.11. WHether the Mineral Water propos'd be actually Hot or Cold? From whence we may judge from what Depth those Waters rose? and whether they were impreg∣nated with a Salt-Peter or Sal-Armoniack in their Ascent? And the several Degrees of Heat or Cold may be either try'd by immerging a Ther∣moscope, or by trying whether they will Coagu∣late Oyl of Aniseeds or melt Butter?

2. Of the specifick Gravity; which, being compared with that of common Water, will shew what Quantity of Mineral Substance the Water hath dissolv'd in it; and whether Me∣talline or more Volatile, as it is heavier or ligh∣ter; where we are to observe, that Mineral Waters are sometimes lighter than common Wa∣ter; partly, because they are impregnated with

Volatile Parts; and partly, because they are void of Saline Parts, which makes common Water something heavier. But to discover the different Weight of several Mineral Waters, I caus'd a Glass-Viol with a flat Bottom and a long Neck, three Inches long, to be blown, which was so light, as to weigh but ʒvi + 42 Grains; tho' it was capable of containing ℥iij ss and 43 Grains of Water; which made it more proper for a Nice Ballance, by which I found the following Mineral Waters to differ thus in Weight.

Waters	Ounces	Drachms	Grains
Common	3	4	43
Common distill'd	3	4	41
Acton	3	4	48 ½
Epsom	3	4	51
Dulwich	3	4	54
Staton	3	4	55
Barnet	3	4	52
North-Hall	3	4	50
German-Spaw	3	4	40
Tunbridge	3	4	38
Islington, from the Musick-House.	3	4	36
Islington, from the Vault with Steps.	3	4	39
Islington, from the Cellar.	3	4	39

3. Of their different Degrees of Transpa∣rency or Opacity.

4. Whether without being exposed to the Air, it will afford a Pracipitate. By which Ob∣servation

the different Soils through which they pass, will not only be discover'd, but hence we may learn to distinguish such from the true Ca∣put Mortuum of the Water. German Spaw Wa∣ter yielded a good Quantity of yellowish Oker. N. B. the Water so try'd must not be expos'd to the Air, for if it be the Air will precipitate a considerable Quantity of Matter in most Waters.

5. What Microscopes can discover in Mineral Waters?

N. B. those moving Corpuscles discernible in a Solution of Pepper, &c. in Water, are Animalcula, and not Portions of Inanimate Mat∣ter, which swim up and down such Liquors; which is apparent if those little Animals be touch'd with Spirit of Salt, for being kill'd by it, they move much more slowly.

6. Whether there be any variety of Colours in several Mineral Waters?

7. Of their different Odours. These are to be perceiv'd at the Spring-Heads, where not only a Bituminous and Sulphurious Smell may easily be perceiv'd; but I am inform'd, that there is a Mineral Spring in France which hath a mani∣fest vinous Odour.

8. Concerning the different Tastes of Mineral Waters.

9. Whether taking it up, or keeping it stop'd or unstop'd? or whether freezing or thawing it will alter the Colour, Smell or Transparency of it?

For tho' some Waters retain their Purgative Virtue a good while; yet, I have observ'd an Exhalation of some fugitive Parts from those which are lighter than Water, and abound with

Spirituous Parts; so that, tho' they were car∣ry'd but a little way from the Fountain, they pre∣sently lost their Power of turning a Tincture of Galls into a Purple, and instead of that, turn'd it red; and even the Strongest Waters, if kept un∣stopp'd, or not kept close, presently lose that Property.

10. Concerning the different Consistency of such Waters.

11. Whether they be more apt to Expansion and Condensation, or Heat and Coldness, than Common Water?

12. Whether they are apt to Putrify, and how soon, and what Phaenomena they afford?

13. What Alteration in Colours ensues the Mixture of Astringent Juices with them, as also their Mixture with several Juices of the Body.

N. B. in trying of Mineral Waters, it is usual to make use of a Tincture of Galls, without con∣sidering the Alterations which may be made in the Tryal, by an Uncertain Proportion of Galls: Wherefore I usually make use of a settled Propor∣tion, as 5 Grains to an Ounce; tho' Mineral Wa∣ters may be try'd with much more Expedition, and Certainty, by making use of the Powder it self, suspending about three Grains of Powder in an Ounce of the Waters; and I have found by Experience, that so small a Quantity as a Grain, hath given German Spaw-Water a deep Purple Co∣lour. But it is not always necessary to make use of Galls in such Tryals, since Rose Leaves, or the Flowers and Bark of Pomgranates, will have much the same Effect, affording a Cloudy and Blackish Tincture.

And it is further to be noted, That I made it one Part of this Quaere, what Colours would be pro∣duc'd by a Mixture of Mineral Waters with Ani∣mal Juices; because I have observ'd the Root of the Tongue sometimes Blackish upon the taking of Large Doses.

But to return to what I have observ'd concern∣ing the trying of Mineral Waters, by an Infusion of Galls; I not only doubt whether all Martial Wa∣ters will turn a Tincture of Galls black, but whe∣ther all liquors which will, are to be esteem'd Mar∣tial; for I have found that a Mineral of a Diffe∣rent Nature from Steel, would give it a Black Colour; and that a Liquor, which was a Prepa∣ration of Steel, would not; which induc'd me to think, that such a Tincture was rather the Ef∣fect of some Acid Fumes, which had work'd on the Mars, with which those Mineral Waters are Impregnated.

To which it may be added, That I have found, that if a Vitriolate Water be impregnated with Copper, instead of Iron, instead of turning a Tin∣cture of Galls Blackish, it only would render it Muddy and Thick. And I had a sort of white Earth, which I found by Tryals to be Lead, that would turn a Tincture of Galls Blackish, tho' it was altoger void of Martial Parts, and probably would have very bad Effects, if taken inwardly. To which I might further add, That a Tincture of Gold in Aqua fortis, likewise turn'd an Infusion of Galls Black.

And those Observations I have been the willinger to lay down, because, tho' I would not be thought by them to slight the Use of Galls, in such Tryals, yet I would thence

urge them to make such Tryals to be more wari∣ly made.

* 1.2And because it may be of some Use to observe the different Colours exhibited by such Tryals, I shall add, the following Considerations, as Re∣quisite to be thought on by him, who designs to make such Experiments.

1. That he ought to observe the Changes of Colours, made by such Tinctures, in a good Light; which may help a Curious Observer to distinguish what Minerals such Tinctures are impregnated with. 2. It way be of Use to vary the Shades of Colours, produc'd by Mineral Wa∣ters, either by dropping such Waters upon Pa∣per, whose Pores are saturated with Vitriol pow∣der'd, or ting'd with a Decoction of Log-wood: Several Variations in Colours may be also made, by dropping other Medicinal Liquors, either into the Mineral Waters; or the Infusion of Galls, before Mixture, or after. 3. I would recom∣mend, for such Tryals, not only the Parts of Astringent Plants, but also Animal, and espe∣cially Mineral Substances: For, besides the A∣stringents, I have contriv'd a certain Substance, which would not only turn a Vitriol Water im∣pregnated with Iron black; but also One satura∣ted with Copper; a Succedaneum, to which may be made, by adding to Sulphur as it melts over the Fire, and equal Proportion of Salt of Tar∣tar finely powder'd, stirring them till they in∣corporate, and become red: Which Mixture, being put into a Glass Retort, with half it's weight of Sal-Armoniack, dissolv'd in Water; let it be distill'd in Sand, shifting the Receivers as the Liquor drawn off, is ting'd more or

less; so that the strongest may be preserv'd by it self.

And such Tryals as these will be of more use, than those usually made with a bare Tincture of Galls; since there are several Mineral Sub∣stances and other Bodies, which Mineral Waters may be impregnated with, which discover not themselves in an Infusion of Galls: As Sul∣phur or Copper, may be so lock'd up in these Wa∣ters, as not to be perceiv'd, till the Body of the Liquor is open'd by some proper Additament. And even Arsenick it self, may be so disguised, as not to be perceiv'd, when mix'd with the Wa∣ters; yet if Spirit of Urine, or Oyl of Tartar; per Deliquium, be dropp'd into a Solution of it, it presently precipitates in the Form of a white Powder; and so likewise, if a Solution of Subli∣mate be added to it.* 1.3 But to discover, whether Mineral Waters be impregnated with Arsenick or not, I put Dantzick, or English Vitriol into a Solution of it, either of which caus'd a dark precipitate gradually to subside.

14. Whether Spirituous Acids, volatile Al∣kalys, or Lixivial Salts will precipitate such Wa∣ters?

15. The Manner of Extracting Salts from such Waters, and what Quantities may be ex∣tracted? Guesses may be made concerning the Saltness of these Waters, by trying whether they will Lather with Soap? and if not, what Quantity of Curdled Matter they will yield? I have ob∣serv'd that even the lightest Waters will yield a small Quantity of common Salt.

16. How to discover what Acidity is to be found without Evaporation. Having taken a

peculiar Method to try the Acidity of Mineral Waters, by mixing them with an Infusion of Lignum Nephriticum in simple Water, I found, that tho' German Spaw, yielded a small Quan∣tity, yet in that of Action, there was none di∣scernible.

17. What may be observ'd by Distillation in Balnco?

18. What, and whether the same Quantity of Caput Mortuum, be afforded by Evaporation, and Distillation?

19. Whether Mineral Waters will acquire the same Qualities and Texture, by a Reunion of their Caput Mortuum, when distill'd to such a Consistence, in Glass-Vessels exactly luted, which they had before?

20. What Changes, if any, Mineral Waters undergo by being boil'd in Water, in a Glass Hermetically seal'd? From whence might be learn'd whether a Change of Qualities would succeed an Alteration of Texture, without a manifest loss of Parts? And whether an Agita∣tion of Parts, without the Influence of the Air, would precipitate any thing, or deprive it of it's Power to turn a Tincture of Galls Purple?

21. How much the Mineral Waters exceed their Caput Mortuum in Proportien?

22. What Parts are contain'd in the Caput Mortuum, and whether dissoluble in Water?

23. How much the Saline and Terrestrial Parts differ in Proportion?

24. Whether in strong Fires, the Salts be Volatile or Fix'd, and to what Degree?

25. Whether the Salts will Crystallize per se,

or with other Salts, and what's the Figure of the Genuine, or Compounded Crystals?

26. Whether Acid or Alkaline Qualities are most predominant? The Acidity will either appear to the Taste or Smell; or may be disco∣ver'd by turning Syrup of Violets red; as also, by making use of an Infusion of Lignum Nephriticum, which upon a Mixture of Acids loses it's Blue Colour: Their Acidity may likewise be disco∣ver'd by trying, whether they will be precipi∣tated by Alkalys, or ferment with them. And if Alkaly be predominant, it, on the contrary discovers it self by a Lixivial Taste and Smell; and may be discover'd, by turning Syrup of Vio∣lets Green, or precipitating a Solution of Subli∣mate, or Fermenting with Aqua fortis; or lastly, by increasing the Colour of a Tincture of Brasil or Log-wood in Common-water? And tho' we have no such Springs here in England, as afford Alkaline Salts; yet without question, in Egypt such may be found, since their Latron, or the Egy∣ptian Nitre, abounds with a Salt of an Alkaline Nature: and I have obtain'd such an Alkaly, from that Famous Water of Bourbon in France, which would turn Syrup of Violets green, and fer∣ment with Volatile Acids. If such Waters abound with Vitriol, they'll turn an Infusion of Galls black, and Vomit those that drink them; and, if an Alkaly be added, will yield a yellow Pre∣cipitate, upon dropping of Spirit of Ʋrine, or Salt of Tartar into them.

I have not found any of the Waters about Lon∣don, to be impregnated with Vitriol; and I am told, that in France the Mineral Waters are so far from being impregnated with Vitriol, that there is 〈1 page missing〉〈1 page missing〉

a Vitriolate Spring in that Kingdom. As for the Nature of the Salt, which most Mineral Wa∣ters are impregnated with, I think that it is not to be referr'd to any Glass, but is either sui gene∣ris, and a peculiar one, or a Compound Salt, made up of such as the Water is impregnated with, in it's Passage through the Earth; and that Purgative Salts may, by a Change of Texture, be made of Salts not at all Purgative, I the rather be∣lieve, because I have been told by an Ingenious Emperick, That a Salt which I made of Salt of Tar∣tar, and Common Sulphur mix'd together, had a gentle Purging Virtue.

27. In what Menstruums the Caput Mor∣tuum may be dissolv'd? and in what it may not? Whether Volatile or Fixt, and what Qualities it hath in Respect of Colour or Smell?

* 1.4It is to be admir'd, what a great deal of Caput Mortuum some Mineral Waters yield in Compa∣rison of others; since those Waters: which are purely Diuretick have very little, if compared with the Caput Mortuum of Purging Waters: For tho' a pound of Barnet Waters, yielded a Drachm, yet the same weight of Tunbridge afforded but a Grain. And,

It is not a little strange, that so small a Quan∣tity of a Mineral should impregnate so much Water, as I have, by Tryal, found a Grain of Iron Stone did, enabling it to Tincture an Infusion of Galls, deeper than Tunbridge or German Spaw Wa∣ter would. And I have try'd, that half a Grain of Marchasite, dissolv'd in Spirit of Nitre, com∣municated a Tincture to 61440 Parts of Water; tho' Part of that Marchasite was Sulphur, and Part of it Caput Mortuum.

And here it may be seasonable to take notice, That if so small a Portion of a Metalline Sub∣stance would, when grosly dissolv'd, impregnate so large a Quantity of Water; how much more may it, when rais'd in the Form of a Subtile Mi∣neral Fume? and as in such a Form, it may im∣pregnate a larger Quantity of Water, so will it be more apt to fly away, when expos'd to the Air. And that Vitriol may probably rise in the Form of a Vapour, without losing it's Qualities, is evident in Sublimate, which consists of Mer∣cury, chang'd by an Addition of Salt and Vitriol; for some Vitriolick Parts being carry'd up in the Preparation, turn Opacous upon an Affusion of Spirit of Sulphur.

But further, to make it evident, that the Par∣ticles of Iron may be considerably expanded, I dropp'd four Drops of a Vitriolick Liquor, made use of in Copperas-works, into twelve Ounces and a half of Water, and found, that it so much im∣pregnated 1500 times it's Proportion of Com∣mon Waters, as to make it strong enough to turn a Tincture of Galls Purple, tho' by Evaporation we found that 3 Parts of 4 of that Liquor were Water.

28. What Alterations the Earthy Parts of Mineral Waters undergo by Ignition; and whe∣ther they may be Vitrify'd per se? as also what Colours they impart to Venice Glass, if mix'd with the Powder before Fluxion?

29. Of what use they are in Baking, Brewing, Tanning, or Dying of Colours, &c.

30. How many ways they may be made Artificially, and with what Proportion of In∣gredients?

Notes

• * 1.1

  A Continu∣ation of Qeaeries.
• * 1.2

  Observati∣ons requi∣site in Try∣ing Mine∣ral Waters.
• * 1.3

  Whether Mineral Waters have Arse∣nick dissol∣ved in them
• * 1.4

  What Pro∣portion of Salt Mine∣ral Waters afford.