Chap. 31.] RILVER. Ill 



CUAP. SO. THE MARVELLOUS OPERATIONS OF XATURK IN SOLDEU1NO 



METALLIC SUBSTANCES, AND BKINOI3G T111LM TO A bTAlK OF 

 PERFECTION. 



AVhile speaking on this subject, it will bo as well to annex 

 the remaining particulars, that our admiration may here bo 

 drawn to all the marvels presented by Nature in connection 

 therewith. The proper solder for gold is that above described : 

 for iron, potter's clay ; for copper, when in masses, cadraia,* 5 

 and in sheets, alum ; tor lead and marble, resin. Lead is also 

 united by the aid of white lead ;'* white lead with white lead, 

 by the agency of oil ; stannum, with copper file-dust ; and 

 silver, with stannum. ^ 



For smelting copper and iron, pine-wood is the best, Egypt- 

 ian papyrus being also very good for the purpose. Gold is 

 inched most easily with a lire made of cliaii'.* 4 Limestone 

 and Thraeian stone** are ignited by the agency of water, this 

 last being extinguished by the application of oil. Fire, how- 

 ever, is extinguished most readily by the application of vinegar, 

 viscus, 1 and unboiled egg Earth will under no circumstance 

 ignite. When charcoal has been once quenched, and then again 

 ignited, it gives out a greater heat than before. 



CHAP. 31. (G.) SILVER. 



After stating these facts, we come to speak of silver ore, 

 the next" folly of mankind. Silver is never found but in 

 shafts sunk deep in the ground, there being no indications to 

 raise hopes of its existence, no shining sparkles, as in the case 

 of gold. The earth iu which it is found is sometimes red, some- 

 times of an n.shy hue. It is impossible, too. to melt 3 it. except 



?5 As to the "cadmia " ofTliry, src T5. xxxiv. c. 22. 



** * 4 1'ltiinlnim album." Tin, most probably, fcco ]>. xxxiv. cc. 47, -IS, 

 40. Also Heekmann's Hist. Inv., Vol. II. p.*219. Hohna Edition. 



*? Of doubtful identity. See 1J. xxxiv. c. 48. 



w See Chapter 10 of this Hook. 



v) "Tlirarius lapis." This stone, which is mentioned also by Nicandcr, 

 Gulc-n, Siinplic-iiis, aixl Dioscoridcs, luis not hi-cn idc'iitilk-d. Holland lins 

 the following Note on this jm^sa^o: ** Which gome take for pit-cole, or sea- 

 cole rather, fciirh as coinnit'th from Newcastle by sea; or rather, a kind of 

 j wit (jet)." In either case, he is probably wide of the mark, neither coal 

 nor jit iirnitin^ on the application of watl-r. 



1 Or niis!leto'.\ - In duo succession to gold. 



3 See 15. xxxiv. cc. -17, CO. 



