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CHAP. LXXVII. Of common stones which are vulgarly known, and to be found in most places.
THe stones commonly known and found in most places, are generated of a more impure matter (for the most part) then are the afore-mentioned stones. These stones which are so well known to all men, are distinguisht amongst themselves; either in respect of their magnitude, as some of them are greater, and some of them lesse; or in respect of their consistency; or in respect of their qualities; or in re∣spect of their use. As concerning the magnitude of these stones, some of them are very large, and hewn out of main rocks of the same nature with them∣selves; of this kind are free-stones, grind-stones, whet-stones: and others of them are very small, and are found in every field, in every high-way, and in every street, of this sort are the pebble-stones, flints, and pyrites. As concerning the consistencie of these stones, or the matter of which they are ge∣nerated, some of them have their originall of a gra∣velly matter; others of a slimie or muddie substance; which according to the various operations that nature hath upon it, produceth stones either of a smooth superficies, or full of scales, nodose and full of knots. As concerning their qualities, some of them are liquable or easily molten, as some kinds of the softer flints: others of them have a strong sa∣vour, as the Lapis Aldenburgicus: and some of them are easily burned, as the Lime-stone. As concerning