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without any very prolix argumentation. 

 Literary diiputes and differences of opinion 

 frequently arife from want of previoufly 

 fixing the ftate of the controverfy ; that is, 

 from not defining in precife and clear terms 

 the thing in queftion. Before we enquire 

 what is the origin of bafaltes, that is to fay, 

 whether they are the refult of the adtion 

 of fire or water, it will be proper to de- 

 cide what we mean by the term ; or ra- 

 ther what the ancients underftood by this 

 "word, which is the name they gave to a 

 certain kind of flones. It is now generally 

 known, becaufe it has been repeated by a 

 hundred writers, though perhaps by the 

 greater part without due confi deration, that 

 the word bafaltes is ufed by Pliny and Stra- 

 bo to denominate an opake and folid ftone, 

 of the hardnefs, and nearly of the colour, 

 of iron, commonly configurated in prifms, 

 and originally brought from Ethiopia ; of 

 which flone the Egyptians made fi:atues, far- 

 coph-^gi, mortars, and various utenfils. This 

 premifed, it remains to enquire whether 

 this ftone was of volcanic origin or net, 



by 



