CENTURY VIII. 405 



do vapour so much after some time of boiling as at 

 the first. And it is true that the water of Nilus is 

 sweeter than other waters in taste ; and it is excellent 

 good for the stone, and hypochondriacal melancholy, 

 which sheweth it is lenifying ; and it runneth through 

 a country of a hot climate, and flat, without shade, 

 either of woods or hills, whereby the sun must needs 

 have great power to concoct it. As for the air, 

 from whence I conceive this want of showers cometh 

 chiefly, the cause must be, for that the air is of itself 

 thin and thirsty ; and as soon as ever it getteth any 

 moisture from the water, it imbibeth and dissipateth 

 it in the whole body of the air, and suffereth it not 

 to remain in vapour, whereby it might breed rain. 



Experiment solitary touching clarification. 



768. It hath been touched in the title of percola 

 tions, namely, such as are inwards, that the whites 

 of eggs and milk do clarify ; and it is certain, that in 

 Egypt they prepare and clarify the water of Nile, by 

 putting it into great jars of stone, and stirring it 

 about with a few stamped almonds, wherewith they 

 also besmear the mouth of the vessel ; and so draw it 

 off, after it hath rested some time. It were good to 

 try this clarifying with almonds in new beer, or 

 muste, to hasten and perfect the clarifying. 



Experiment solitary touching plants without leaves. 



769. There be scarce to be found any vegetables, 

 that have branches and no leaves, except you allow 

 coral for one. But there is also in the desarts of 



