l § Of Balts in general . 
that lean and hungry Earth which is de- 
ftitute of fuch Salt, 
Taftes, Smells, and moil other EfFeCcs 
of Bodies on one another, feem occafioned 
by the Addon of Salts, which by ftriking 
on our Organs produce Senfations corre- 
fpondent to their ‘Figures, and by the fame 
means affeCJ all other Bodies. 
Being tranfparent, and having a fcrong 
attractive Power, they probably fupply both 
Matter, Confidence and Form to Spars, Cry- 
flals. Diamonds, and all other Gems and pel¬ 
lucid angularly figured Foffils. When com¬ 
bined and at Reft they are perhaps the Bafts 
of Cohefton and Solidity in moft Bodies* 
the Pegs or Nails that hold the Parts of 
Other Matter together; but when put in¬ 
to Motion by the Separation of their com¬ 
ponent Particles, and their repujfive Force 
(which is no lefs vigorous than their attrac¬ 
tive Power) becomes exerted, they are the 
moft aCfcive Principles in Nature, like Knives 
oj Lancets cut their Way through every 
thing, and produce the moft furpnzing 
Changes. Whence the Chemifts fay, that 
in the Sun and in Salt are all Nature’s Pro¬ 
ductions ; and, that he who knows not Salts* 
■ will never perform any thing in Art. 
* The Diftindion of Salts into acid and 
alkaline, into volatile, fixt, and effe.ntial* 1 
fiiall leave the Reader to confult chemical 
Writers about. 
CHAP. 
