[ 3I& ] 
4i cleave: Filings of this Stone thrown into the Fire 
“ emit a fragrant Smell 5 and they cut kindly with 
u a Knife, tho’ not fo eafily as other Wood (^). 
That this petrific Quality is in fome peculiar Parts 
of the Lake, I have endeavour’d to prove ; that it is 
or may be in fome peculiar Places of the adjacent 
Ground, I grant 5 tho*, as yet, I could not procure 
any of thofe Stones found in the Ground, with 
Wood continuous. Such as I have, or have feen, are 
of the white Whetftone-kind, and feem to be Holly 
or Afh, petrified by fome ftrong nitrous and ftony 
Particles; for, in a Solution of it in Aqua fortis and 
Oil of Vitriol, it leaves no Tinfture, but the Liquor 
growing muddy, like Pipe-Water after great Rains* 
therefore fhews, that they are not fo ftrongly im- 
pregnated with metalline Particles, as thofe Stones 
found in or on the Shores of the Lake. 
I need not add any more, to fhewhow mineral Springs 
may petrify Wood, or any other Vegetables under- 
ground 5 but as to whole Trees found petrified and 
buried within afmall Diftance from the Lake, Ilhould 
think that the Lough might have been formerly 
broader than it is at prefent, or perhaps hath loft on 
one Side what it has gain'd on the other j by which 
means, what is now dry Ground was formerly under 
Water, and the other Side vice verfa : If fo, fuch 
Trees as are found under-ground might have been 
petrified in that Part which was overflow’d, and is 
now dry Land. 
Mineral 
( a ) An Anfwer to this, fee in the Defcription of the City of 
Down, p. 162. The Argument is confuted by thedefired Proof 
