120 
Ens Veneris* . 
and therefore might be called Ens Martis 
with better Reafbn. It muft however be 
acknowledged, that blue Vitriol was em¬ 
ployed formerly inftead of Salt of Steel ; 
and Vhat, being impregnated with Copper, 
rendered the Name lefs improper: but the 
Ens Veneris our Shops afford at prefent, has 
nothing of Copper in it. 
It diifolves eaiily in Water, and gives to 
the Solution fated with it a Colour refem- 
bling that of Mountain Wine : which Co¬ 
lour its Cryftals like wife retaining, appear 
(as they form before the Microfcope) like 
the rnoft beautiful Cbryfolites or Eopazes^ 
feemingly cut with the greatefc Elegance, 
in Shape as the Plate fhews; and reflecting 
an extraordinary Luftre from their polifhed 
Surfaces, if .the Candle be fo'fhifted as to 
favour its being feen. 
After the Solution has flood an Hour or 
two to fettle, (for if ufed immediately its 
Foulnefs will prove inconvenient) a Drop 
thereof placed on a Slip of Glafs, and warm¬ 
ed a little over the Candle, begins fhooting 
from the Edges with folid tranfparent An¬ 
gles, as (in the Drawing) a a* Plate IV. 
Thefe, if only a gentle Heat has been given, 
will fometimes form, then diffolve, and 
afterwards form again. 
The Cryftais b b within the Drop, and 
underneath the fame i, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, are 
Jikewife heft formed by a gentle Heat, and 
may 
