INQUISITIONS 



TOUCHING 



THE COMPOUNDING OF METALS, 



BY 



SIJR FRANCIS BACON, BARON OF VERULAM.i 



To make proof of the incorporation of iron with flint, 

 or other stone. For if it can be incorporated without 

 over-great charge, or other incommodity, the cheapness 

 of the flint or stone doth make the compound stuff 

 profitable for divers uses. The doubts may be three 

 in number. 



First; Whether they will incorporate at all, other- 

 wise than to a body that will not hold well together, 

 but become brittle and uneven ? 



Secondly ; Although it should incorporate well, yet 

 whether the stuff will not be. so stubborn as it will not 

 work well with a hammer, whereby the charge in 

 working will overthrow the cheapness of the mate- 

 rial ? 



Thirdly ; Whether they will incorporate, except the 

 iron and stone be first calcined into powder ? And if 

 not, Whether the charge of the calcination will not eat 

 out the cheapness of the material ? 



The uses are most probable to be ; First for the im- 



1 Baconiana, p. 92. 

 VOL. vii. 25 



