PHYSICAL AND LITERARY. 397 



Borax likeways differs iQ tafte from 

 this fait, and vitrifies in a moderate heat 

 ^n a few minutes ; which this fait did not, 

 after being calcined in a ftrong heat for a 

 confiderable time. This fait has not the 

 bitter penetrating tafte of the purging 

 Scarborough fait, neither ;ts purging 

 quality-f 



I don't, however, pretend that all thofe 

 marks amount to a demonftrative proof 

 that there is alum in this water, but only 

 to a great probability : For, to be fure of 

 it, we muft fee the alum chryftallifed, 

 which is not eafily done *, and requires, 

 for that procefs, ^ greater quantity of faltr 

 than I had. 



It may be objedled, that, when equal 

 quantities of this water and new milk were 

 boiled together, the milk did not curdle 

 (6.) ; therefore there can be no alum in 

 it. This objecflion is fpecious ; its vali- 

 dity, however, like that of many other 

 things which have very plaufible appear- 

 ances, 



^ Vid. Shaw's Inquiry into Scarborough water, part i. 



^ 4. Art. 43. 



