214 Mifcellaneous 0 hfirv at ions on Salts , &c 0 
ing of the Fluid, of uniting with the metallic. 
Particles, and bringing them together in cer-^ 
tain Figures peculiar to fuch an Admixture, 
and more or lefs perfect according to the re- 
ipedtive Proportions of metallic, faline, and 
other Particles. Thofe curious Ramifications 
in the arborefcent filver Ore brought from Pa¬ 
nama, which run through the Bed of Stone 
wherein it lies, may perhaps be owing to the 
Panicles of that Metal having been diffolved 
by a vitriolic Menftruum, and carried along 
with it into the little .Figures of the Stoned 
where as the Water evaporated, the Silver 
Particles were fhot out and difpofed by the 
vitriolic Salt, into Ramifications fo nearly 
refembling the Configurations of Vitriol. 
The Branchings of Copper and Iron (by fome 
imputed to a vegetative Principle) are pro¬ 
bably produced in a like Manner ; and the 
Reafon why Gold is feldom or never found 
th us branched, but always in little Lumps 
or Granules, may perhaps be, that the Saits 
which diffolve other Metals are unable to 
feparate the Particles of Gold. 
■ ^Rack Salt , (which differs little or nothing 
from the Salt of Springs and of the Sea,) 
Vitriol and Alum, (of which, and alfo of 
Sulphur , the faline Acid, Chemifts tell us, 
is m all the fame) Nitre and Borax , are I 
think the only fofiil or mineral Salts fpoken 
of by Writers ; for Salt Ammoniac can hard¬ 
ly be accounted fuch. But it. is impofiible 
to 
