410 NATURAL HISTORY. 



but there may be such candles as they say are made 

 of salamander s wool ; being a kind of mineral, which 

 whiteneth also in the burning, and consumeth not. 

 The question is this ; flame must be made of some 

 what, and commonly it is made of some tangible 

 body which hath weight : but it is not impossible 

 perhaps that it should be made of spirit, or vapour, in 

 a body, which spirit or vapour hath no weight, such 

 as is the matter of ignis fatuus. But then you will 

 say, that that vapour also can last but a short time : 

 to that it may be answered, that by the help of oil, 

 and wax, and other candle-stuff, the flame may con 

 tinue, and the wick not burn. 



Experiment solitary (economical touching cheap fuel. 



775. Sea-coal lasts longer than charcoal; and 

 charcoal of roots, being coaled into great pieces, lasts 

 longer than ordinary charcoal. Turf and peat, and 

 cow-sheards, are cheap fuels, and last long. Small- 

 coal, or brier-coal, poured upon charcoal, make them 

 last longer. Sedge is a cheap fuel to brew or bake 

 with : the rather because it is good for nothing else. 

 Trial would be made of some mixture of sea-coal 

 with earth or chalk ; for if that mixture be, as the 

 sea-coal men use it, privily, to make the bulk of the 

 coal greater, it is deceit ; but if it be used purposely, 

 and be made known, it is saving. 



Experiment solitary touching the gathering of wind 

 for freshness. 



776. It is at this day in use in Gaza, to couch 



