in the Pvpjtes. 14^ 



mutual origin of each other; though fulphur* 

 when actually prefent, and chiefly in its ore, muft 

 be allowed to have fume efficacy. The mineraf 

 damps, that l©dge any where for mineralifation, 

 may happen to be of different mixtions and natures, 

 yet, doubtlefs, in their particles, are frill in an un- 

 determined, and, as it were, chaotical ftate; in 

 which, though caught and examined frefh, neither 

 the fulpbur-eartb apart, nor the metal- earth •, nei- 

 ther the dry, nor the moift, are feparately diftinguifh- 

 able : either they are found in a kind of feminal 

 ftate, wherein, the parts of the body to be formed 

 are not yet diftinclly exhibited or elaborated, tho' 

 they lodge potentially therein. And though the 

 receptivity and re-actiori of the bed or matrix, 

 length of time, the acceffion of different matters, and 

 other accidental circumftances, have undoubtedly 

 much influence on the formation of different ores ; 

 yet I affirm, that in the production of the py- 

 rites, we oughc to imagine an influx of actual pyrity^ 

 formally fulphureous, and corporally metallic damps ; 

 but to the formation of fulphur, pyrites, and metal y 

 damps proximately and reciprocally adapted, are 

 necelfary. 



For, in the firft place, from the oppofite opi- 

 nion, it mud be prefumed poffible, from fulphur and 

 iron earths, to make, or compound the pyrites ; but 

 of this there neither is, nor ever can beany inftance: 

 and farther, fuppofing that art could exhibit any 

 fuch experiment ; where (hall the metal-earth, 

 in the laboratory of nature, be found to be added 

 thereto ? On the drufe, as being quite pure and 

 clofe, it is not to be met with -, and yet there the 

 pyrites is often found in great plenty and large 

 nuffes i to iuppofe it fprinklcd along with the 



Lt fulphur. 



