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SECT. VI. 



Fojjil Subftances, including Earths, Stones, 



O write particularly upon thefe objects of 



J[ natural hiftory, is not the prefent defign : 

 a few general inftructions may be fufficient to 

 direct a traveller in the choice of fuch fofiil 

 bodies as he may meet with, Wallerius, 

 Woodward, Cronftadt, Linnaeus, Da Cofta, and 

 Berkenhout, may fupply an inquifitive enquirer 

 with more extenfive information, 



Many are difcouraged from purfuing this 

 part of natural hiftory, owing to the great va- 

 riety of objects it comprehends, and the numer- 

 ous properties by which they are diftinguifhed. 

 But thefe when attended to, appear much lefs 

 complicated, and capable of being reduced to a 

 few fimple heads ; fimple in their nature, and 

 uniform in their compofition ; all new combina- 

 tions producing chiefly a change only in form, 

 color, and confidence. 



% EARTHS and STONES in general, 



Infipid, not inflammable, preferring their 

 conftitution in a ftrong heat, and fuch as are 

 capable of fufion become glafs ; the latter not 

 foluble in pure water or oil. 

 A. Earths are bodies of no regular ftruc1:ure a 



Salts, Inflammables, and Metals, 



