produflions , and therefore deferves our efpecial Confidera- 
tion. I do not pretend to render a Mechanicai account of its 
generation, nor a hiftory of all that may be performed by its 
mediation in Medicine or Chymi/try ; my defign is only to 
furnifli Inquifitive perfons with fome Obfervations and Expe- 
riments, which will probably enable them more eafily toin- 
veftigate the Nature of this P rot ea/^ {\]h{l^ncG ^ as alfo afford 
fome further light unto them in their Inquiry after the Prin- 
ciples and Properties of other Minerals, f^itrtol is of feveral 
kinds, being, for colour, White, Yellow, GreeUj or Blew ; u- 
fually, of the two aft mentioned : Andismade either of Mi- 
neral Waters, boy led up to a convenient confidence ; then fet 
to Chryftallize: Or extracted by Commott Water out of 
Earths impregnated therewirh.'Tis alfo afforded by many forts 
of Stones, commonly called Fy r it e s ^nd Ma^capes ^ which 
expofed f me Months unto Aerial influences, are refoived into 
powder, and the Saline part diffolved in Rain or other Watery 
then boy led and fet to flioor, yields ftore of Vit: iol,efpecally 
with rhe addition of Copper or Iron, k is often affociated 
with Earth and Stones, wherein Meitalsare contained; and 
with many natural recrements of Meitals , fuch as ^Ufy^ 
Sory^Chakitis ; from which 'tis ufual.y feparab e by rhe com- 
mon method with Wacer ; fometimes not to be ex^rica'ed un- 
til the Mineral befirfl: calcined or burnt. It isalf. frequent- 
ly found pure and perfeft in ' he Caverns of the Earth , being 
an Efflorefcence of feveral Minerals ; and this accounted 
by ail Naturalifts thebeft, both f r Medicinal and Spagyrical 
ufes. Lafily^ It is copioufly contained m O3mmon Mme:at 
Sulphur, as I flial^ anon fullv evince. Vitriol ufually accom- 
panying mofl: Mettalsand Mine als, many dr> apprehend, it is 
alwaies oneof their component prin;ciples,at leaft,a neceflary 
Caufe of, or Agent m, their Produfl ion; which if meant of 
the Acidity or Saline part of Virriol, feem^ high y probable ; 
as I fliall manifeftatlargein theenfuingd'fcjurre. But firft I 
think it expedient to exam ne , what are the o nftituent pa ts 
of Viiriol, whereby wtfhdAi be better enabled to judge of its^ 
mture and properties. 
Vitriol o^nfins of Infipid phlegmc , Ea''th or Okcr , fome 
Mtttal, Mineral Suiphur, an acid ^ak or Spirit , toge her 
with 
