MINERALS. 
337 
taining perfectly its original shape, was more or less 
burst and shattered ; some few were only split into 
large pieces, but the greater part were broken into 
small fragments, and some absolutely reduced to im- 
palpable powder. 
Sir Henry observes, that about two hundred 
yards below this pit, and near to Carisbrook vil- 
lage, the road is in part cut through the chalk, 
and the beds of flint exposed by that means, ex- 
hibit the same appearances as those in the pit 
above. 
Sails exist in the earth in different states and in 
different forms ; they are naturally without colour, 
and are more disposed to crystallize than other 
minerals. Under this head we find the vegetable, 
mineral, and volatile alkalis, with their combina- 
tions, forming saltpetre, sal -gem, &c. 
The inflammable substances include ail the bitu- 
minous minerals, such as the different kinds of coal, 
naphtha, petroleum, amber, &c. 
But of all the mineral bodies, the metals which 
compose the last class are of the most importance 
to mankind. These are found in the bowels of 
the earth, often at a very considerable depth, 
from whence they are raised at great expense, 
and sometimes at the hazard of the workmen’s 
lives. They are either disposed in great masses, 
or formed in veins, or layers, sometimes parallel 
to the beds of earthy materials in the moun- 
tains which enclose them ; at other limes cutting 
VOL. in. 
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