112 LETTER IV. 



to me, but which I have unluckily loft fome 

 yccars ago. It was heavy in proportion to its bulk, 

 extreamly hard, very flat, and of a lightifh Cho- 

 colate colour. The Fibres or Threads (agreeable 

 to Mifon) were eafily enough drawn or pulled out 

 from the narrow fides of the Stone, were almoft 

 as foft as Silk, of a whitifh or rather grey colour 

 when drawn out, and might beyond queflion be 

 fpun and wove into Handkercheifs, or Cloth, ef- 

 pecially if there was a fmall matter of Silk or very 

 fine Flax mixed with it, which Silk or Flax, 

 might be eafily got out again, by putting it into 

 a Fire for a minute fpace. My Amianthos Stone 

 flood the Ordeal or Fiery Trial more than once, 

 without the leaft hurt or diminution, that I could 

 perceive. Baily fays it waftes a fixteenth part. I 

 had almoft forgot to acquaint you, that the New 

 England AJbeJlos is the entire Stone itfelf, whereas 

 the Ajhejlos you fliewed me in Dr. Woodwards 

 Colleftion, is a matter (Bailey ftiles it a Mineral) 

 that grows, as a Vein, in an extreamly hard Stone. 

 It is now above thirty years ago fince I looked 

 into Pancirollus de Rebus MemorabilibuSy &c. fo 

 that I do not remember whether he mentions this 

 Article, which however does moft certainly merit 

 a learned attention. The Wick of Lamps, that are 

 falfely faid to burn for Ages in Antique Roman 

 Vaults, is fuppofed to be made oi AJbeJlos y and the 

 Oyl that fupplies them is affirmed to be a prepara- 

 tion 



