[ 5 8 7 ] 
The Spaniards do not dig it in the Form of Ore, 
but find it in Duff, or finall Grains, as herewith pre- 
fented to the Royal Society. Whether they gather 
it in a pretty pure Stare, as brought to us, or wafh 
it, like Gold-duft, from among Sand, and Other 
lighter Subftances, is to me unknown : However, it 
is feldom collected perfc&ly pure ; fince, among fe- 
veral Parcels of jit that I have feen, I conftantly ob- 
ferv'd a large Mixture of a fhining black Sand, fuch 
as is found on the Shores of Virginia and 'Jamaica , 
which is a rich iron Ore, and anfwers to the Mag- 
net. It hath alfo ufually mix’d with it fome few 
fhining Particles of a golden Colour, which feem to 
be a Subftance of a different Nature. 
It is very probable that there is great Plenty of 
this Semi-metal in the Spanijh fVefi Indies ; fince 
Trinkets made of it are there very common. A 
Gentleman of Jamaica bought five Pounds of it at 
Carthagena for lefs than its Weight of Silver ; and 
it was formerly fold for a much lower Price. 
When expofed by itfelf to the Fire, either in Grains, 
or in larger Pieces, it is of extreme difficult Fufion ; and 
hath been kept for two Hours in an Air Furnace, in 
a Heat that would run down caft Iron in fifteen 
Minutes: Which great Heat it endur’d without be- 
ing melted or wafted 5 neither could it be brought 
to fufe in this Heat, by adding to it Borax, and other 
faline Fluxes. But the Spaniards have a Way of 
melting it down, either alone, or by means of fome 
Flux j and caft it into Sword-hilts, Buckles, Snuff- 
boxes, and other Utenfils. 
When expofed to a proper Degree of Fire, with 
Lead, Silver, Gold, Copper, or Tin, it readily melts 
Ffff. and 
