The^Katmal Hijlory 
CHAP. V. 
Of Formed Stones. 
AFcer Stones made to ferve the necefftties of Man, and not 
brought into form but by the tool of the Mtiji^ come we 
next to confidcr thofe th^tzrenatur all)/ formed, and feem 
rather to be made for his admiration than ufe. Whereof the 
World is beautified with fo great variety, that as on the one hand 
I cannot but wonder at the great Providence of God^ and his 
moft perfeft Workmanffiip, that has thus created the Vniverfe for 
Mans delight zs well as ufe ; foon the other, I cannot but repre- 
hend the petulant defpifers of this innocent fort of Learning, 
who in derifion have called it, picking of fiones ; as if what the 
Omnipotent and moft wife God hath thought fit to create^ were 
not worth the conlideration of weak Man, But let fuch malici- 
ous Scoffers know, that 'tis their pride and ignorance that has 
engaged them in this Cenfure : for as God has created them, fo 
fome things muft be written off meerly for information, as well 
as others that tend to our advantage. Befide, who knows but 
thcfe things may have a ufe, that hereafter may be difcover'd, 
though not known at prefent. Since then their Exceptions are 
fo ill grounded, that they vanidi in a manner as foon as named, 
'tis but juft that I pay them in their own coyn, and flight their 
judgment more than they dare do my fubjeSI, 
2. In the handling whereof, though in a particular C^<2^/er, I 
fliall obferve the method of the whole Effaji : And fir ft treat of 
iuch formed ^ones 2ls either mmme^ or thing, or both, relate to 
the Heavenly Bodies or ^ir ; and next, fuch as belong to the Wa- 
tery Kingdom : After them, fuch as refemble Plants and Animals^ 
whether in the whole, or parts. And laftly fuch Jiones^ wherein 
contrary to all rule. Dame Nature feems to imitate Art ; for fo far 
from idlenefs (fays a very good Author ') is Nature in the bowels 
and dark caverns of the earth, that flje continually plays the Qo- 
metrician there, and prefents us with Bodies, almoft of all kinds, 
in Jlone, 
5. Amongft 
