144 History of Luminescence 



Lemery regarded light as " fire, which, coming tempestuously from 

 the sun in great rays, divide themselves into an infinite number of 

 small rays, which cover the Universe, and turn weaker and weaker 

 in proportion as they go from their Center. . . ." As he represents 

 the chemist's point of view, considerable space will be devoted to 

 his knowledge of and ideas on various luminescences. His asso- 

 ciation with Wilhelm Homberg (1652-1715), the German chemist, 

 who worked in Rome and London as well as Paris, and prepared a 

 phosphorus of his own, may have aroused his special interest in cold 

 light. As we shall see, Lemery had an explanation for everything. 



Phosphorus is called ®^ by Lemery (p. 684) , " A luminous matter 

 distilled from Urine that has been fermented." The history of its 

 discovery and detailed directions for making it are given, together 

 with the following observation: 



It is observed, That those who commonly drink Wine, their Urine doth 

 scarce afford any Phosphorus, probably laecause the Wine being spiritu- 

 ous, its luminous matter doth very easily evaporate; for a viscous sub- 

 stance is necessary to retain it, like that of Ale or Beer: Hence it is. 

 That they succeed in this Operation in England, Flanders and Germany 

 much better than in France. 



Various properties are described, such as solubility in turpentine, 

 or better in oil of cloves, which " corrects its offensive smell," its 

 ability to set fire to paper or to bedclothes, and its luminosity. The 

 phosphorus itself can be used for writing when " the letters do seem 

 to be a perfect fire " or " you may also mix carefully a little Phos- 

 phorus with a good quantity of Pomatum, and anoint such parts of 

 the body with it, as you would have to appear luminous, without 

 any danger; for the burning particles of the Phosphorus are tem- 

 pered by the Pomatum " (p. 691) . 



Detailed descriptions (p. 701) are given by Lemery for making 

 the " New Phosphorus of Monsieur Homberg " from fusion of 

 " exactly one part Sal Armoniack powdered, and two parts of Quick- 

 lime quenched by the Air. ... If you strike this matter [a fused gray 

 glass] with a Hammer or Pestle, you shall presently see it on fire." 



The history of discovery of the Bolonian Stone and preparation of 

 the Bolonian phosphor are told in detail, together with various 

 observations and conjectures regarding it (see Chapter VIII) . The 

 article ends with a short account (p. 729) of " The Hermetick 

 Phosphorus of Balduinus " which results from fusion of " a mixture 

 of Chalk, and the acid Spirits of Aqua fortis, which makes it lucid. 

 . . . This Phosphorus is in its effects very like to the Bolonian Stone, 



•' AH quotations are from the Keill translation (1698) . 



