( 434 ) 
not alone fufficient to preferve the lives of its Natural 
Animals. Hence it follows, that in Ponds, when the 
Water comes to be frozen over with a pretty thick Ice, 
the Fifhes in the faid Ponds are very likely, if not cer- 
tain to perifh, upon the continuance of fuch a Conge- 
lation for fome time on their Surfaces 5 unlefs (as in the 
latter part of the Experiments) the Impedimenr, which 
hinder’d the immediate Contatt of the Air to the Surface 
of the Water, be remov’d ; that is, by breaking Holes 
in the Ice, whereby it is reftored, and undoubtedly will 
perform the fame thing as my Removal of the Brafs 
Plate. This is to be underftood only in Ponds, where 
the Water is ftagnant 5 for where there are Springs, or 
2 current of Water conftantly fucceeding under the Ice, 
the effect moft likely will not be the fame. 
VI. Part of a Letter from Mr. Patrick Blair to Vr. 
. Hans Sloane, <!{. <S. Seer. GiYing an Account of 
the Asbeftos, or Lapis Amiantus, found in the 
the High-lands of Scotland. 
I Take leave to communicate the Relation of a Gen- 
tleman in the High-lands , not many Miles hence, 
? who has lately built an Houfe of a lingular kind of 
Stone, digg’d out of a Quarry not far from him. This 
Stone, after the Rubbilh, which is not very deep, is done 
away, lyes Horizontally in a Bed endu’d with parallel 
Fibres, with few Interfaces, foft at the beginning, and 
eafy to be fmooth’d and polilh’d without any Tool, 
but rather with Sand, or an other hard Stone of a 
blewifh Colour, which afterwards hardens fo, that it 
refifleth the injuries of Air or prejudice of Fire. When 
v- ~ fit ft 
