294 



' 



idea of the transmutative power, with which he favoured the Phry- 

 gian king. The following lines seem to corroborate the opinion ; 



Vixque sibi credens, non alta fronde virentem 

 Ilice detraxit virgam : virga aurea facta est. 

 Tollit humo saxum ; saxum quoque palluit auro. 

 Contigit et glebam ; contactu gleba potenti 

 Massa fuit. Arentes Cereris decerpsit aristas ; 

 Aurea messis erat. Demtum tenet arbore pomum ; 

 Hesperidas donasse putes. 



METAMORPH. lib. xi. 1. 108. 



There are, undoubtedly numerous appearances, which would lead 

 to the thought of such a transmutative power. Besides stones and 

 earth, we have just seen a realization of the metallic twig ; and shall 

 have occasion afterwards to point out some specimens, which dis- 

 play such appearances as have occasioned very learned men to 

 adduce them, as instances of the conversion of corn and fruits into 

 a metallic substance. 



You will, I suspect, deem this letter too long ; in apology, I must 

 remind you, that the task which I have endeavoured to perform is 

 of importance, and, in attempting to establish the aqueous origin 

 of pyrites, I have had to oppose those opinions, which the learning, 

 and the zealous exertions, of their promulgators, have stamped with 

 the highest authority. The strong ground, on which the opinion 

 here opposed, is supposed to be established, may be gathered from 

 the words of Mr. Play fair, who, speaking of pyrites, asserts it to be 

 " a substance that is, perhaps, more than ony other, the decided 

 progeny of fire*. 1 ' 



Yours, &c. 



* Page 33. 



