WRITINGS OF JAMES SMITHSON. 53 



either for the pabulum of the inflammation, or to account 

 for the products of it. 



In the primitive strata, we behold the result of the com- 

 bustion. In them we see the oxyd collected on the surface 

 of the calcining mass, first melted by the heat, then by its 

 increase arresting farther combination, and extinguishing 

 the fires which had generated it, and in fine become solid 

 and crystallized over the metallic ball. 



Every thing tells that a large body of combustible matter 

 still remains enclosed within this stony envelope, and of 

 which volcanic eruptions are partial and small accensions. 



Under this point of view, an high interest attaches itself 

 to volcanoes, and their ejections. They cease to be local 

 phenomena ; they become principal elements in the history 

 of our globe ; they connect its present with its former con- 

 dition ; and we have good grounds for supposing, that in 

 their flames are to be read its future destinies. 



In support of the igneous origin, here attributed to the 

 primitive strata, I will observe, that not only no crystal im- 

 bedded in them, such as quartz, garnet, tourmaline, &c. has 

 ever been seen enclosing drops of water ; but that none of 

 the materials of these strata contain water in any state. 



a. The present saline substance was sent to me from 

 Naples to Florence, where I was, in May 1794, with a re- 

 quest to ascertain its nature. The general examination 

 which I then made of it, shewed it to be principally what 

 was at that time called vitriolated tartar, and it was in con- 

 sequence mentioned as such in an Italian publication soon 

 after. But as this denomination, surprising at that period, 

 was not supported by the relation of any experiments, or 

 the citation of any authority, no attention was paid to it ; 

 .and the existence of this species of salt, native in the earth, 

 has not been admitted by mineralogists, no mention being 

 made of it, I believe, in any mineralogical work published 

 since. 



b. I was informed by letter, that it had " flowed out liquid 



