6% StJofae Stone. [Book VL 



ttingftenic acid, though it is certainly no other than the 

 metallic fait of that name. This combination forms 

 the TUNG STEIN of the Swedes. This ftone is remark- 

 ably heavy, and refembles fluor fpar in the form of its 

 fragments. It becomes yellow in acids, and is found 

 united with petroleum (or mineral pitch) in the 

 proportion of ninety-five of the former to four of 

 the latter. In this ftate it forms the fwine-ftone, 

 which is of a dark colour, and becomes fetid by 

 fricYion. 



10. Calcareous earth is alfo found united with three 

 of the metals, iron, copper, and lead; of each of which 

 there are feveral varieties. When united with cop- 

 per, it is called mountain blue 3 when united with 



as if nature had defigned to mock the curlofities of art. Our 

 voices, upon fpeaking or finging, were redoubled to an aftonifhing 

 loudncfs ; and upon the firing of a gun, the noife and reverbera- 

 tions were almoft deafening. In the midft of this grand amphi- 

 theatre rofe a concretion of about fifteen feet high, that, in fome 

 meafure, refembled an altar; from which, taking the hint, we 

 caufed mafs to be celebrated there. The beautiful columns that 

 fhot up round the altar, appeared like candleilicks? and many 

 other natural objects reprefented the cuftomary ornaments of this 

 facrament. 



' Below this fpacious grotto, there feemed another cavern; 

 down which I ventured with my former mariner, and defcended 

 about fifty paces by means of a rope. I at laft arrived at a fmall 

 fpot of level ground, where the bottom appeared different from 

 that of the amphitheatre, being compofed of foft clay, yielding to 

 the preffure, and in which I thruft a Hick to about fix feet deep. la 

 this, however, as above, numbers of the moft heautiful cryftals were 

 formed ; one of which, particularly? refembled a table. Upon our 

 egrefs from this amazing cavern, we perceived a Greek infcription 

 upon a rock at the mouth, but fo obliterated by time, that we could 

 not read it. It feemed to import that one Antipater, in the time 

 of Alexanders had come thither; but whether he penetrated into 

 the depths of the caverns, he does not think fit to inform us.' 

 Kircber 4e Mytd. Sub. 1 1 2. 



cal* 



