THE Curious Distillatory: OR The Art of Distilling Coloured Liquors, Spirits, Oyls, &c. from Vegitables, Animals, Minerals, and Metals.

A Thing hitherto known by few.

Containing many Experiments easy to per∣form, yet Curious, surprizing, and useful: relating to the production of Colours, Con∣sistence, and Heat, in divers Bodies which are Colourless, Fluid, and Cold.

Together with several Experiments upon the Blood (and its Serum) of Diseased Persons, with divers other Collateral Experiments.

Written Originally in Latin by Io. Sigis. Elsholt. - Johann Sigismund Elsholtz

Put into English By T. S. M. D. Physician in Ordinary to his Majesty.

London, Printed by I. D. for Robert Boulter, at the Turks-head, over against the Royal-Exchange in Cornhil, 1677.

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TO THE Right Honourable PHILIP, Earl of Chesterfield, Lord Stanhope of Shel∣ford, &c.

My Lord,

IN the Eastern parts of the World, no Man approaches a Great, an Illustri∣ous Person, without a Present: And in these Western parts it hath been for many

Ages a Custome, (and still re∣mains so) to dedicate Books of Curious and Polite Learning, to Eminent, and Worthy Men. And this for several Reasons: for by prefixing be∣fore the Books they publish the Names of those Excellent Men to whom they are obliged for former benefits, They do thereby in some measure ex∣press their Gratitude: As also by that means their works are better Adorned; and thus recei∣ving Splendor from their Pa∣trons Glory, they thereby gain the better acceptation in the World. Some propose the writing of Panegyricks in Ho∣nour of their Patrons. But

that looking so like Flattery, I willingly avoid. Besides, it were madness to suppose, your Lordships Masculine Virtues both of Mind, and Body; As your Courage, Generosity, Sin∣gular Prudence, Equity, Candor, Affability, Compassion to the Af∣flicted, &c. can possibly be described, or comprized, with∣in the Limits of an Epistle: Nor need I attempt the doing this, since your Lordships tru∣ly Noble Qualities, are so E∣minently known to the whole Nation.

I Address this Book to your Lordship, not for any of the aforegoing Arguments, but chiefly for the following Cause.

The Art by which the Experi∣ments produced in these Papers are made, (viz. Chymistry) hath in all Ages been imbraced, and cultivated by both the Learned Magi and Kings, and is at this day much prized, and Practised by many of the Princes of Germany: And highly esteemed and pro∣moted by the Example of our own Sovereign's delighting in it, and favouring of it. And it must be granted that the An∣tients could not bestow so much Honour upon it, as it hath gained (in this our time) by obtaining your Lordships Favour. For you have added new Rayes to Illustrate

it, by your Studying and Practising of it.

My Lord, Having mentio∣ned this, I have shewed the cause why I presume to make you this Present: The Treatise it self being of that Art, where∣of your Lordship is so great a Master; And therefore I hope the Argument will not be un∣grateful. The Original Au∣thor is sufficiently known (a∣broad) to be both a Learned, and Practically knowing Man, and he thought this piece worth the presenting to a whole Soci∣ety of Men, that are likewise such themselves; I mean the German Academy of the CURIOSI. It hath also the Applause of

many of our ingenious Vertu∣osi of the Royal Society: These Reasons have incouraged me to put it into English: And to de∣posite it at your Feet. Desire∣ing your Lordships acceptation of it, as a Testimony of Vene∣ration, And the Eternal de∣voting of my Self,

From my Study London, this 4th of April, 1677.

Your Lordships Most Humble, Affectionate and Faithful Servant, Tho. Sherley.

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Contents

title page
TO THE Right Honourable PHILIP, Earl of Chesterfield, Lord Stanhope of Shel∣ford, &c.
To the Reader.
THE CONTENTS OF THE CHAPTERS.
Mend the Errata's, Thus.
The curious Distillatory; OR The manner of drawing co∣lour'd Liquors by an Alim∣beck, which thing if it hath not been altogether un∣known, yet hath been hi∣therto observed, and noted by very few.
CHAP. I.
CHAP. II.
CHAP. III.
CHAP. IV.
Experiment the first, upon Gold.
Experiment the second, upon Silver.
Experiment the third, concerning Iron.
Experiment the fourth, about Copper.
Experiment the fifth, concerning the rest of the Metals.
Experiment the sixth.
Experiment the seventh.
Experiment the eighth.
Experiment the ninth.
Experiment the tenth.
CHAP. V.
CHAP. VI.
CHAP. VII.
Experiment the first.
Experiment the second.
CHAP. VIII.
Experiment 1.
Experiment 2.
Experiment 3.
Experiment 4.
Experiment 5.
Experiment 6.
Experiment 7.
Experiment 8.
Experiment 9.
Experiment 10.
CHAP. IX.
Experiment 1.
Experiment 2.
Experiment 3.
Experiment 4.
Experiment 5.
Experiment 6.
CHAP. X.
CHAP. XI.
CHAP. XII.
Experiment 1.
Experiment 2.
CHAP. XIII.
Experiment 1.
Experiment 2.
Experiment 3.
Experiment 4.
Experiment 5.
CHAP. XIV.
CHAP. XV.
Expirement 1.
Experiment 2.
Experiment 3.
Experiment 4.
Experiment 5.
CHAP. XVI.
Observations relating to effervescency, and incalescency, or production of heat.
Observations of Attenuation, and of Coagulation.
Observations upon Blood, and its Serum.
Observation 1.
Observation 2.
Observation 3.
Observation 4.
Of the Grun-Walden∣sin-Stone.
Noble and most Experient Sir, my Collegiate, and most Honoured Friend.
AN Addition to the fourth Chapter concerning a Diuretical Tin∣cture, commonly cal∣led the Solar Tincture.
Most Noble and Experienced Sir, My Friend and Favourer, much to be Honoured.

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To the Reader.

READER,

GOod Wine needs no Bush; Nor Good Books Commendatory Epi∣stles: And yet as the Vintner will hang out his Garland to draw in Cu∣stomors to his House, So also the Book∣seller thinks himself obliged both in interest to himself, and Civility to Thee, to put out this Sign to acquaint Thee with the quality of the Ware he here exposeth to Sale.

Know then, this Treatise consists of many Curious Experiments, which both upon the account of their variety, use∣fulness, singularity, and ease in per∣forming them, must needs prove de∣lightful, and consequently acceptable to him that desireth to improve his Dominion over the Creatures: which is only to be acquired by gaining a true knowledg of their Natures and qua∣lities,

which can no way be attained so well, and with that certainty, as by making Experiments upon them: of which here are such plenty, and of such different kinds, and those such as will afford such fruitful hints to a conside∣rate Reader, for Analogous Experi∣ments, That I cannot but give this Testimony, That I have not met with a Tract which contains so much, in so little roome, and without Confusion. Add to this, That the Experiments here alledged, are so easily practicable, That a great part of them may be per∣formed in a Chamber, (by such common and cheap means, as are constant∣ly to be had, either at the Druggists, or common Chymists) and do not require a Specious Laboratory, (which is ex∣pensive,) nor long attendance (as ma∣ny Chymical Processes do) which is tedious: And yet these are not of the Nature of Contingent Experiments (which sometimes happen, and some∣times

fail, being much varied by flight and unheeded Circumstances:) But they are certain in their event, and seldom subject to Miscariage. If therefore Reader thou art virtuously inclined, and hadst rather spend Thy time innocently, and usefully, than viciously, (not to say Modishly:) Thou maist here be furnished with occasions to do so. And to be serviceable to Thee in this end, was indeed one of the chief Motives which caused me to ren∣der this Book into English; the Origi∣nal being so valued beyond Sea, that it was gratefully accepted there; and those few Copies, which were transmit∣ted hither, were quickly bought up, so that the Book becoming scarce, I thought it a charitable act to Translate it; and thereby preserve it for thy use, and sa∣tisfaction, to which intent I commend the perusal of the Tract it self to Thee, And Remain Thy Friend,

Tho. Sherley.

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THE CONTENTS OF THE CHAPTERS.

CHAP. I. THe Occasion of writing. Page 1
2. Of Colour, and of the Appear∣ances of Colours. 4
3. Of the Different ways of Distilling, and particularly of bringing the Tin∣ctures of Simples over the Helm, or Alimbeck. 15
4. Experiments in Metals, and Minerals. 19
5. Experiments upon Animals. 26
6. Experiments appearing in Vegitables. 28
7. Of Veronica, or Fluellin. 31
8. Of Camomile. 35
9. Of Lignum Nephriticum, or the Wood against the Stone. 41.
...
10. Of the Dregs of Wine, of wild Carnations, or Pinks, and of Parsley. 47
11. Of Wild Flower de Luce. 49
12. Of Ros Solis, or Sun dew. 52
13. Of Blew Pimpernel, and of Cur∣cuma, or Turmerick. 55
14. Of Cinnamon. 61
15. Of Corrals, and the Tincture of them. 66
16. The Conclusion, containing three sorts of Observations. 73
First, Observations relating to Effervescen∣cy, Incalescency, or the production of heat in Bodies. 74
Secondly, Observations of Attenuation, and of Coagulation, or of making solid Bodies Fluid, and Fluid Bodies Solid, or Consistent. 77
Thirdly, Several Experiments, and Ob∣servations upon the Blood, and Serum, of Scorbutick, Consumptive, and other Diseased Persons. These are digested into four Classes. 84
Lastly, Two Epistles written to the Au∣thor: the first contains many curious Experiments made upon the Grun∣walden-Stone. 91
The Second Contains an Experiment, by which the Colour may be wholly taken out of a Brick. 105

Mend the Errata's, Thus.

PAg. 2. line 24. read, they if. P. 7. l. 6. r. intencely. P. 13. l. 26. r. Particles. P. 27. l. 13, &c. and P. 50. l. 8. &c. Tbe Paragraffs in High-Dutch are both misprinted; but the sense be∣ing truly rendred in English, the Reader is desired to excuse it. P. 30. l. 5. r. Alimbecks. P. 34. l. 15. r. swiftness when they are distilled. P. 41. l. 16. r. Tree. l. 24. r. enode. P. 42. l. 6. r. assula∣tim. P. 44. l. 23. r. Experiments which follow were &c. P. 46. l. 20. dele by, & r. Salt is broken, and the Particles are. lb. l. 22. dele. which were kept under. P. 49. l. 16. dele are. P. 56. l. 5. for which, r. this. P. 60. l. 8. for to, r. doth. P. 62. l. 15. for but, r. more then. P. 66. l. 20. r. or of an Orient. P. 75. l. 26. r. well. P. 83. l. 1. dele now. P. 84. l. 2. r. ounce. l. 7. r. l•te it. P. 97. l. 14. r. Illustration. P. 98. l. 1. r. Experienced Sir. P. 104. l. ult. r. Menzelius. P. 107. l. 18. r. con∣tained in it. P. 108. l. 5. r. and under the form of.

The curious Distillatory; OR The manner of drawing co∣lour'd Liquors by an Alim∣beck, which thing if it hath not been altogether un∣known, yet hath been hi∣therto observed, and noted by very few.

CHAP. I.
The occasion of writing.

THe English Philosophical Transactions have now a long time been pub∣lished, and are grown into Vo∣lums; also the French Diary, doth consist of and hath compleated five Tomes: And likewise the German Academy is now imployed in putting forth their fourth Vo∣lume:
Page 2
so great every where at this day hath been their studious labour, and so great is the Aemulation, and strugling of the most flourishing Nations betwixt themselves: that every one of them do seem to hope in a small time to vanquish and triumph over Nature. Truly it is a most Noble Im∣ployment, and such an one as former Ages hath been unacquainted with: to which if there shall be added, the greater Munifi∣cence of Kings, and Princes, there is no doubt left, but that at last from thence, there will redound great Advantage to the Publick.

All of these are imployed about new In∣ventions, and observations, in the Ma∣thematicks, in Natural Knowledg, or Philo∣sophy, in Anatomy, in Chirurgery, in Me∣dicine in General, also in the Books of Politicks, Histories, and other Books late∣ly Printed to adjudge, and revive them. Also they have mixed many things which particularly belong to the Chymical Art: but they if compared with the rest are but few: although from thence a more plen∣tiful crop might certainly be expected, than from any of the other Sciences.

Upon this very occasion, I evolving those kind of writings, it came into my
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mind that perhaps it were convenient, that those most excellent Academical men, were by some publick admonition excited to bestow more pains for the future upon that Art, in whose deep Well lies hid an infinite plenty of Arcana's, or secrets. To this intent therefore we have written this Book, and Intituled it Destillatoria Curiosa; I say Curiosa, for neither is it such, that it should be extold by us with high Encomi∣ums, nor can it promise of it self very great advantages, or utility, but this praise is sufficient for it, if by occasion of it, a Spur shall be added to men of sublime in∣genuity, and expert Artists, that thereby they may not only find out the like expe∣riments, but having found them out, com∣municate them without envy.
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CHAP. II.
Of Colour, and of the Appearances of various Colours.

EXactly to teach the Nature of Colour, is as hard as to explain the true reason of Light, of it self most clear: Iul. C. Sca∣liger, Exert. 325. Sect. 1. Rightly says, The Causes, and Essence of Colours are as full of controversy, and obscurity to the Intellect as they are manifest to the sight. Aristotle Lib. de sens. & sensit. cap. 3. Defines Colour, that it is perfiicui terminante extremitas: The ex∣tremity of a terminated body that may be seen, or seen through. Neither more clear is the description of others, That it is a quality of a coloured Body. Also that it is modifyed Light. Many of the Chymists do attribute all Colours to their principle of Sulphur, others of them to Mercury: of which opi∣nion what is to be thought, it is very well worth the reading of Dan. Sennertus, lib. de consensu, Cap. 11. Excellent also is what hath been delivered upon this Argument by Antonius Scarmilionius Fulginas, and
Page 5
Mr. Boyle in his Book of Colours. See also upon this subject, Petrus Maria Capenarius lib. de Atrimentis, and Iohan. Christoph. Kolhansius Tract. Optic. and others.

But these controversies not properly be∣longing to our design, leaving them, we will rather note the differences of Colours; yet not all of them, since they are many; (and already amongst others) they have been sufficiently and subtilly explained by Scaliger. Exercit. 325. Sect. 6. and in the following: we will only touch upon and handle slightly such of them now, as will lead us the shortest way to our pre∣fixed end.

For the material subject of Colours we distinguish them into those which are real, or true, and into such as are Emphatick, and Apparent, or seeming. A Specimen, or example of these is afforded by the Rain∣bow, a Prismatick or Triangular Glass, the redness of Wine spilt upon a Napkin. These we divide again into Penetrative Co∣lours, such as Obryz, or pure Gold, and Sealing Wax: and into such as are Super∣ficial, of which sort are Apples appearing outwardly red, and yet are inwardly white.

Moreover Colours considered in the ab∣stract
Page 6
are either Primitive, or Simple; to wit, White, Yellow, Green, Blew, Red, Black; I say considered in Abstracto, or as they are to be distributed into certain, and distinct Clauses: for otherways Green seems rather to be composed of Yellow and Blew, whe∣ther it be made of Vegetables, or Minerals. So Auripigmentum, or Orpiment if mixed with Indigo; or Gum of Peru cemented with Cobalt, or Bergblau, as the Germans call it, supposed to be the Native Cadmia, or Copper-Stone: or mix Vltra Marine with Saffron and you shall see a Green Co∣lour will proceed from these mixtures.

Or else they are divided into compound Colours made from the mixture of simple ones: or else they are decompositi, or doubly compounded, which are made again in infinite variety by the mixture of com∣pounded ones among themselves, as may be seen upon the Palates of Painters: but if you go to the Laboratories of Chymists, there you will be supplyed with a reason very different from these, by which Co∣lours may be so changed, (and that with a most delightful variety to behold) that adding what is necessary to be added, there will suddenly result, and appear new Colours.
Page 7
1. As Spirit of Turpentine, though of it self it be clear, if it be poured upon Sae∣charum Saturni, (or Sugar of Lead) which is also of it self exceeding White, if it be digested upon it, will in a small time be∣come a Tincture intercely or extremely Red.

2. Also Spirit of Turpentine, if it be mixed with Water, and strongly shook together, will look like Milk; although this milkiness is not lasting, but this oyly Spi∣rit, ascending to the superficies is dimi∣nished, or plainly vanisheth again. The like of which happens if Oyl of Olives be mixed with the Lixivium, or Lees of Vine Ashes.

3. Distilled Oyl of Aniseeds, (which is wont to coagulate, and grow thick with the cold Air,) if a Leaf of white Paper be anointed with it, and a few drops of Oyl of Vitriol be poured upon it, it will presently grow Red; I say the Oyl of Vi∣triol, not the Spirit.

4. Syrup of Violets, which is of its self of an obscure Purple Colour, is changed into a vivid and brisk red, if you mix by drops with it Spirit of Vitriol: (which knack is now known to all the Apothecaries Shops) if you shall add Oyl of Tartar to this,
Page 8
a Green Colour will emerge from thence: which will perish and be lost again, If you add Spirit of Vitriol to it again.

5. Syrup of Piony Flowers, if you mix Salt of Vitriol with it, will become wholly Black: the same happens to Syrup of Clove Iuly-Flowers, if in the time of boyling it be stirred with an Iron Spatula.

6. Tincture of Coral, prepared with distilled Vinegar, mixed with the Tincture of Dasey Flowers, there will result from thence a Liquor of an obscure Blew.

7. If you mix Silvius's Sal volatile, or the like Vrinous Spirit in small quantity, with the same Tincture of Dasyes, or Roses, there will arise an obsure Blew Colour; but if you drop in a little more, it will be made an obscure Red: Neither can you make that Red Colour clear, although you should add more (Spirit or Volatile Salt) to it. It therefore follows that acid, or sour Spirits, do strike a red Colour with clear∣ness, but urinous ones with obscureness.

8. A Solution of Lead made with distilled Vinegar, appeareth clear like common Wa∣ter: If you shall add to this Oyl of Tartar, (per deliquium) which is also clear as Water, the mixture will presently grow White as Milk.
Page 9
9. If Antimony which is calcin'd with Nitre be boyl'd in Fountain Water, the straining will be clear, and almost with∣out smell, which nevertheless by pouring any Acid upon it, will acquire a Saffron Colour, with a stinking scent.

10. Common Water in which Mercury Sublimate hath been infused, doth pre∣sently grow Yellow by dropping into it Oyl of Tartar.

The solution of calcin'd Tin, mixed with dissolved Salt of Tartar becomes Blew. Dr. Willis lib. de Ferment. cap. 11.

11. Quicksilver and Sal Armoniack ground together, and sublimed in a bolt Head with a heat of Sand, will become a white Powder, which suffer'd to dissolve (by it self in the Air) will produce a clear Liquor like Spring Water, which for all its clearness, if Copper or Brass be moist∣ned with it, they will appear silver'd; and if Copper Vessels be slightly rub'd with it, it will render them as if they were per∣fectly silver'd: although this be rather an incrustation, (or coating of them over.)

12. But a Powder to gild with, is made thus. Dip fine Lint, made of Lin∣ne-Cloath, in Aqua Regis, in which Gold is dissolved, and having cast it into
Page 10
a Crucible, make a Circular Fire about it, at a distance; and so by degrees reduce it into a Powder: But towards the end in∣crease the heat by bringing the Fire nearer to the Crucible, and at last if you please, take out the Powder and free it from durt by pouring Water upon it, it will be without splendor, or shining, and is of a Violet colour; but if you rub it upon Sil∣ver, the genuine splendor of Gold will appear, which afterwards will be made more splendid, and shining by polishing.

13. Lignum Acanthinum, or the Wood which is brought from Brazil, infused in common water, will communicate a plea∣sant redness to it, like that of red Wine: If you pour upon this a little distill'd Vine∣gar, the Liquor will appear clear like white Wine, but a few drops of Oyl of Tartar reduces the Colour to a deep Pur∣ple, after which, if you drop in Spirit of Vitriol, it will be yellow like Sack: if you cast on it Salt of Lead dissolved per deli∣quium (or in the Aire) the mixture will be whitish like Milk. Dr. Willis (lib. de Ferment. cap. 11.) proposeth this Expe∣riment, every Branch of which will an∣swer the Trial but the fourth, for we by adding Spirit of Vitriol could not produce
Page 11
a pale Yellow, but made a certain obscure Blew Colour.

14. Have in a readiness a solution of Vitriol, and likewise by it self an infusion of Galls. If you pour both of them toge∣ther, you will make Writing Ink. Add Spirit of Vitriol to this, and the Blackness will clear up; then cast in Oyl of Tartar, and after a little working, and heat, there will appear a light Red, or bright Bay Co∣lour: which by mixing Spirit of Vitriol again will be taken away, all clearing up again: And you may reiterate this Circle as often as you do by turns put in Oyl of Tartar, or Spirit of Vitriol: So that as often as you please you may render the Liquor of a light Red or Bay Colour, or else clear again.

15. It is also a pleasant Metamorpho∣sis, which is proposed by the excellent Mr. Daniel Major, the Famous Professor of the Vniversity of Denmark. Lib. de Chirurg. Infusar. Dub. 9. to this purpose. Pour into a good transparent Glass the Saphire colour'd Water, made by the help of Spirit of Sal Armoniack being put into a Brass Bason: Afterwards add the common Clys∣sus of Antimony, and the mixture being shook, it will become clear: but if you
Page 12
add to it Oyl of Tartar it will be restor'd to its former Blewness.

16. Take one Ounce of the solution of Crabs eyes, made with distilled Vinegar: drop into it of the Salt Spirit of Sal Ar∣moniack 120 drops, and you shall perceive the matter to grow Milky, and a white Powder will fall to the bottom, if by turns you pour upon this Liquor as many drops of Ioac. Polemanus his Tincture of the Blood∣stone, after some bubling, the Powder which lay in the bottom will be dissolved again, and the whole will be changed in∣to an exceeding Red transparent Liquor, indowed with a grateful Saline taste.

17. The change of light doth also cause a new Colour to appear. So we have observed, the Flowers of Convolvu∣lus or Bird-weed (that sort with the Blew Flower and Ivy-shaped Leaves, with sharp points,) which Lobelius calls Asu∣reum, in the day time is of a delicate Blew, but at night by Candlelight it appears of of a Violet Colour. Wooden Tables, and such like Utensils, if they be painted Blew, by day shew their own Colour, but by night they appear Greenish.

18. Let there be taken two parts of Oyl of Tartar, and one of Cows Milk: this
Page 13
mixture in a heat of Sand will grow Red, a part of the Cheesy, or Curddy part of the Milk swimming at the top, if you strain this through a Cloath, the Red Li∣quor will be more transparent. Being led by the Analogy, or resemblance of this Experiment, I have thought (that I may add this by the by) whether or no the whitishness of Chyle in an Humane Body, be∣ing mingled every day with the red Blood, doth not perhaps grow red upon the like account also. Although the common People wrongfully suppose, this redness is induced upon the Chyle by the Circular motion of the Blood: but motion of it self doth hardly appear sufficient for to change the Colour, unless there be hid also in the Blood it self a Saline Principle, which may continue this Tincture so many years, even to old Age, which is perfected by the assistance of the Heart, its Vessels and Heat.

These and the like Phaenomina, or appea∣rances and their causes, perhaps might be conveniently demonstrated, by the smallest Particulars of which these Liquors consists. A Battel composed of some thousands of thousands which may be di∣lated, and contracted at the will of the
Page 14
Commander; nay being disordered by the Enemy, may again be rallied, and re∣duced into order. After the same man∣ner, from the small Particles of Liquors dilated ariseth perspicuity and whiteness: but from their contraction obscurity and blackness. Again, according as the dila∣tation and contraction is more or less, there will arise intermediate Colours; Yellow, Red, Green, Blew. Whether those that study the Opticks can render a more exact account let them try.
Page 15

CHAP. III.
Of the different ways of Distilling, and particularly of bringing the Tincture of Simples over the Helm, or Alimbeck.

THe various ways of Distilling depen∣deth partly from the variety of Fur∣naces, of which some are to distil by Ascen∣tion, others by Descention: to say nothing of Probatory, Cementatory, Reverberatory, or Wind-Furnaces, partly also from the difference of Vessels, of which sort are Ve∣sica's, Cucurbits, or Bodies, Retorts, Phials, Alimbecks, Receivers, and others of that kind. All which Apparatus or Furniture may not only be seen in our Laboratory, but are also described both by Writing, and Figures by Andr. Libavius. Iohan. Rhenanus, and the rest of those kind of Artists.

There is also other ways of Distilling, respect being had not to the Furnaces, or Vessels, but to the Matter which comes forth during the Operation. For whilst
Page 16
the Fire worketh upon the Matter com∣mitted to Distillation, Vapours ascend, which being collected again fall into the Receiver under the Form of a Liquor.

To say nothing of Sublimation [to wit, of Antimony, with Sal Armoniack] by means of which there will also arise fair, and great variety of Colours in the head of the Alimbeck.

Therefore, first, as to what concerns the Vapours, or Fumes, they also differ in their colour. For Nitre though it be a white Body, yet in Distillation (at a cer∣tain time of the operation) gives red Fumes. Vitriol of it self Green, or Blew, affords white Fumes. Soot though it be never so Black, yet the Fumes which fill the Receiver are so White, that it seems to be washed within with Milk.

But secondly, as to the Liquors which are come over into the Receiver, although all of them compared together are not altogether of the same Colour; yet it is certain, if you consider almost infinite plenty of Simples, there will be very little difference or variety in them.

Those which draw Aromatical Oyls, may easily observe, that they come over not White, but Coloured: As to instance Oyl
Page 17
of Cinnamon is Yellowish, Oyl of Mace is of a Yellowish White, Oyl of Cloves is of a Yellowish Black, Oyl of Rhodium Wood is of a Yellow Colour tending to Red. And as to distilled Waters, I think it worth our remark, that every one of them (not excluding all manner of Spirits) which are commonly found in the Apothecaries Shops, every one of them I say are limpid▪ and without Colour: Notwithstanding the so great variety of Colour in the Herbs, Roots, Leaves and Flowers from whence they were distilled. All that Blackness, Greeness, Blewness, Redness, Yellowness, &c. is left behind in the bottom of the Cucur∣bit, or in the Copper distilling Vessel, or Vesica, or rather perisheth: there arising (which is worth noting) nothing but limpid, and almost colourless liquor.

Truly, heretofore this Subject tyred my thoughts, and I have many times weighed this Problem; Whether or no amongst so great variety of Simples, there were not at least some Species, or sorts of them which would bring over the Helm or Alimbeck with themselves their own Native Colours; I mention an Alim∣beck only as the chief Instrument, not excluding a Retort, or any other distilling
Page 18
Instrument. That there are some such Species in Nature which will do this, La∣bour hath taught me, nor do I repent the pains; part of these I have my self observed, part I have collected from the observation of others: The Observations, and Experiments are comprised in the following Chapters. Let the Industry of others add more to them.
Page 19

CHAP. IV.
Experiments in Metals and Minerals.

THat we may begin this Business, first with Metals, although if they be left to themselves, they constantly retain their Native Colours, better than Vegetables do, by reason of their solidity of sub∣stance: yet being tryed with Menstruums, or dissolving Liquors, they are much vari∣ed; there doth also arise much more dif∣ficulty in distilling them than in Vegeta∣bles. The case is the same also in Mi∣nerals, although the difficulty in distilling them be somewhat less: but let the dif∣ficulty be what it will, having made trials in both sorts, we will produce a few; which Experiments (if not all of them in general) yet most of them are made by the help of an Alimbeck.

Experiment the first, upon Gold.

Take the Calx of Gold prepared with
Aqua Regis, and by reverberating reduced to extreme fineness, and an exceeding red Colour; Pour upon it a Menstruum (or dissolving Liquor) composed of equal parts of the best Spirit of Wine, and of the Volatile Salt of Vrine; digest it for fifteen days in a Vessel (Hermeti∣cally sealed,) with the heat of a gentle Bath, and repeat this as often as there is occasion: Afterwards joyn all the several solutions of the Gold, which will be red like Blood, and digest them for a Week or two. If you then distil this Liquor by a low Body, or Retort in Sand, at length the Gold together with the Tincture will pass over by the Alimbeck, with an intense red∣ness, leaving in the Body an acid, black and spongy Earth. Mr. Boyl in his History of Fluid, and Firm, Sect. 5. says thus: We prepare a Menstruum, by the help of which, without much difficulty we can bring over the Helm, at the first, or second distil∣lation, so much Gold as is sufficient to com∣municate to the distilled Liquor a lasting Gold colour. 'Tis an Artifice worth remem∣bring, which Ioel Langelot, in Epist. de Pretermiss. relates in these words: The Powder of Gold ground in the Philosophical Mill, and put into a little Retort, not too
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high an one, but a plain one, such as the English ones use to be; press it by a sand fire by degrees, and at last, with a very strong fire; and so it will distil a few 'tis true, but those exceding red drops; which digested by it self, or with the Tartarous Spirit of Wine, will become an Aurum Potabile, which is (true, and) not sophisticate with any other peregrine or strange quality.

Experiment the second, upon Silver.

Calcine Silver with Mercury sublimate, af∣ter which pour upon it the very same Men∣struum of which mention is made in the foregoing Experiment: and so there will appear a most elegant or lovely blew Tin∣cture; upon which if you pour Spirit of Salt, it will become a green.

Experiment the third, concerning Iron.

The Tincture of it is reddish, and is made, by taking the filings of Steel in suf∣ficient quantity: Pour upon them distilled Vinegar, and extract the redness; after∣wards pour on more distilled Vinegar, and reiterate this for a Month, or longer, till you perceive it will extract no more red∣ness.
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Then joyn all the tincted Vinegar together, and distil it in Balneo, and put Spirit of Wine upon that which remains; and digest it so long till it hath drawn a Tincture. Abstract the Spirit of Wine from it by distillation, pour it on again; after you have done this six times, the Tincture of Steel is perfect. It is compleat indeed, but the Tincture is much promoted by the Salt of Vinegar, extracted by the Phlegm of the Spirit of Wine: but yet so never∣theless, that it is very probable that there is some small portion of the Iron in it.

Experiment the fourth, about Copper.

Concerning this the Noble Mr. Boyl, in his Book of Colours, pag. 305. observes, That it is a Metal upon which divers and distinct sort of Liquors do act so easily, that there is scarce any Mineral that will concur to the production of so many dif∣ferent Colours as Copper, it being dissol∣vable in most sorts of Menstruums: To wit, in Spirit of Vinegar, Aqua Fortis, Aqua Regis, Spirit of Nitre, of Vrine, of Soot, Oyls of divers sorts, and in most other Liquors, the Colours of which are not a little different, and various from
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each other, although they are comprehend∣ed within the limits of Green, or Blew, or of a blewish Green. But it seemeth the before praised Mr. Boyl had not took notice that if the duplicate Spirit of Ioac. Polemanus made of the Blood-stone, and Sal Armoniack, were pour'd upon Copper, that the Liquor would distill over Green, and that green Chrystals would shoot in it.

Experiment the fifth, concerning the rest of the Metals.

Tin, Lead and Quicksilver dissolved in Corrosive Waters, do not tinge their Men∣struums after the manner that we have related above, as Gold, Silver, Copper and Iron do, &c. for these Metals are of a baser nature, and whitish; wherefore their so∣lutions also are white: nor is it likely they should easily pass over the Alimbeck of another colour.

Experiment the sixth.

When we make Spirit of Vitriol, if there be added a little Vinegar, the Spirit will come over the Alimbeck of a green
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Colour: Also the Phlegm of Spirit of Venus, or verd. Aeris, is greenish.

Experiment the seventh.

If you mix Sulphur, Sal Armoniack and Quick-Lime, and distil them by a Retort, although they are Bodies which of them∣selves are not Red, yet by distillation they yield a red Liquor: which red Liquor be∣ing rub'd upon the Fingers doth colour them black. Mr. Boyl, de Coloribus, Ex∣perim. 34.

Experiment the eighth.

Spirit of Quick-Lime, prepared after the way that Basilius Valentinus prescribes in Test. Part. 5. and from him is repeated by Thomas Keslerus Process. Chym. Num. 287. This before it be rectified doth please the eye with an elegant blewness.

Experiment the ninth.

Take of Vitriol calcin'd to a yellowness, one part; Flint-stones beaten to a Powder two parts; and of Spirit of Wine as much as is sufficient to make them all into a
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Past. After which if you distill it by a Retort, there will come forth a Red Oyl. To this purpose confer with Christoph. Glucrad. in Not. ad Tyrocin. Ioa. Beguini lib. 11. cap. 6. Also Andreas Tenzelius in Exegest. Chymiatrica, and Ioan. Schroderus. lib. 3. Pharmacop. cap. 26. Where more Oyls of Vitriol are discovered which pass over the Retort Red.

Experiment the tenth.

This is to be observed concerning Si∣nobar, as well that which is Natural as that which is Artificial; if you put Spirit of Turpentine upon it, and then distill it by a Glass Body in Sand, the Liquor which comes forth will be of a very fine Red Co∣lour.

CHAP. V.
Experiments upon Animals.

WE may admire in the Animal Kingdom the diversity of Colours with which the chief Master Picture-Drawer hath most curiously spotted many Fishes, and also Shells; and amongst Insects, Butter∣flyes of all sorts; and among four-footed Beasts, the Leopard, Linxes, Tygers, &c. but when we come to Birds, who is there that is not amazed at the Feathers of Peacocks, and Parrots? But whatever variety there is in this kind in general, the Alimbeck makes no discovery of them, for whatsoever pas∣seth over by it, as much as is hitherto dis∣covered, is Whitish, only excepting from this rule those which by way of Gleaning we have annexed lest, this place should be empty.

1. From the several parts of a Stag, or Hart, various and efficacious Shop-Medi∣cines are prepared, amongst which the chief are the Horns, whose Spirit being drawn by a Retort, shines with a Yellow, or rather
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Golden Colour; although I deny not when the Oyl is exactly separated it grows white.

2. Amongst Insects, Bees make Honey; from which the Water which flows at the Beginning of its distillation is White, but the following Spirit is first Yellow, and to∣wards the end of a Gold Colour, and so di∣stils constantly, and is of many uses in Art.

3. Of the Blew Water of Gnats, this following Experiment is produced by A∣damus Lonicerus Herb. German. part. ult. pag. 349.

Basser von geme•nen Mussen gebraunt wird blaufarb. Dasselbe bereite also: Spreite ein Sacflein, so Laufft das Basser durch das Sacflein oder zuch in die Ra∣chel. Bo du es aber in einem helm bren∣nest, so Wird der helm stiufend. Water (saith he) distilled from common Gnats is Blewish, I make it thus: Spred a Cloth over a Caldron, but put the Gnats into a Sack, or Bag: and so let them fall out of the Sack, or Cloath into the Cauldron of Water, which if you distil by an Alimbeck, the Alimbeck will contract a stink. Thus far Leonicerus. Al∣though I do not deny that this way of di∣stilling Gnats is partly obscure, and partly defective.
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CHAP. VI.
Experiments appearing in Vegetables.

THere goes about a Story of a great Per∣son that was very curious, who ha∣ving called together to him certain Al∣chymists, shewed them divers Simples, which having mixed together, he caused them to be committed to distillation in their pre∣sence: but it happened that the Liquor as it distilled did breath forth a grateful scent of Musk. When this Illustrious Person required of these Artists a reason of this Odor, for they saw not the least Grain of Musk mixed with the Simples; They af∣flicted themselves all day long, and yet could produce no reason for the thing, unless this Fragrant scent did arise from the mixture of the Simples in a certain propor∣tion; at length, about the Evening, the Nobleman discovered to them the fallacy, to wit, that unknown to them, he had put Musk into the Nose of the Alimbeck.

As therefore we may counterfeit a Scent, by putting into the Alimbeck, Musk, Civet,
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or Odoriferous Flowers; In like manner 'tis possible to fain Colours since the Water in its passing carries along with it self the Tincture of those things which are imposed in the Alimbeck: provided you light on such Spectators upon whom this Leger∣demain or trick may pass.

1. The most facile way of all is, by put∣ting Flowers into the Beak or Spout of the Alimbeck, (for example) put in Blew-Bottle Flowers: so the Water by passing through them will gain a Blew Colour.

2. If you think it necessary to do the thing with more care, put betwixt the Beak of the Alimbeck and the Receiver, a Fistula or Pipe, wider in the middle then at each end, or Bellyed like a Bottle, in which let those Flowers be contained (the Figure is thus.)

[illustration]
—Moreover this Pipe ought to be somewhat wider in its uppermost end, and narrower in its lowermost: as is to be seen in the Figure.
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3. This is a Spectacle for Mountebanks to shew upon a Stage, Thus: if there be four Cucurbits or Bodies full of Water all in one Furnace, put an Alimbeck upon each of them, let it be done so that the Alimbeck may only be seen, and the Pipes, or Beaks hid. Let there be put into every Beak se∣veral Flowers (for example) Blew-Bottles, Violets, Marygolds, Red-Roses, Saffron, Sanders, &c. suddenly by the help of the Fire the Liquors which are forced into the Receivers will obtain different Colours, not without the admiration of the common People which stand by. The same thing may be performed with those Bellyed Pipes put betwixt and covered.

4. This also is for ostentation, and shew: If you take one, or more Wallnuts made Hollow and Empty, and fill them with the Spirit of the roots of Saphire, coloured Pim∣pernel, describ'd below in the 15th Chapter, and stop them up lightly with wax. Then before the Spectators take these Nuts thus filled, and cast them into a vessel half full of Spirit of Wine, and putting on an Alim∣beck, distill it in Sand; from the heat within the Wax will be melted, and the matter flowing out, the clear Spirit will be so tinged that to admiration it will appear all Blew.
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CHAP. VII.
Of Veronica or Fluellin.

BUt some body will answer; Ah! but these are fallacies. Tis true. But you must know, that these ridiculous things are also necessary, lest you be deceived your self, and that you may be able to detect the fraud of others. Aristotles Sentence concerning a wise man is this: Qui ipse non mentitur, & alium mentientem facile deprehendit. Who is not false himself, and can easily discover the falshood of others. But now passing over crafty cheats, let us proceed to Operations, which are Genuine, and agreable to truth.

Veronica, or Fluellin, is a Plant known to all the Apothecaries, and its Vertues both as to the Breast, and Spleen; also its curing of Vlcers, and Wounds, are much cryed up to the Sick. Whether it were known to the Antient Writers both Greek and Latin, is uncertain: Although Caesalpinus refers it to Diascorides, Myosotida or Mous∣eare. lib. 11. cap. 214. others make it another Plant. The kinds of it are com∣monly
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(by Herbalists) recorded to be eight: amongst which the most usual is that which by Caspar Bauhinus is called Veronica Mas, supina & vulgatissima. The Male Fluellin the Superior, and most common. There is prepared from it a Syrup, Conserve, Salt, Wine, and also distilled Water: of the former nothing, but concerning the Wine, and the Water, take a couple of Observations.

Experiment the first.

Take fresh Veronica, when it begins to be in the Flower, cut it, and sprinkling it with a little Water, cast it into a Glass Body, and applying the like Alimbeck to it distil it by Balneo Mariae, or Water. So the Water which distills, will not be white and limpid like to other Waters, but Greenish. This Greeness though it be not constant, yet it will last at least three months, and afterwards it will begin to vanish by degrees.

Experiment the second.

If in the place of Fountain Water you put on Wine, and draw it the same way by
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Balneo, you will then also have a Green Liquor, but in which the Greenness is much deeper, and will also continue for a year, and longer.

Truly this neat Tincture which Veronica brings over the Alimbeck with it, seems to be a Note, or Character of the efficacy, which is indulged to that Plant before a thousand others.

Let no Body here accuse Copper for gi∣ving this Tincture: for if the distillation be made in Glass Vessels, the Water of Veroni∣ca will be equally Green. The latter way by Glasses is best to perform it, and by that means it will clearly evidence that this Greenness doth not proceed from Copper, but springs only from the peculiar Nature of the Plant.

But concerning Vegetable Waters di∣stilled by Copper Vessels not exactly Tyn'd, we have observed this; if they contain any thing of Copper, by putting in a drop, or two of the Salt Spirit of Sal Armoniack, they will become Milky or White; but if they have no Copper, they will remain clear. However the observation of Otto Tacheni∣us (an excellent Physitian of Venice) may seem to look otherways, concerning Rose-Water distilled by a Copper-Vessel; which
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he proposeth, chap. 19. Hippocr. Chymic. to this sence: It doth eat off certain Atoms from the Copper, which are invisibly mixed with the Water. Would you see the Copper? drop into the Water some drops of an Vrinous Alca∣ly, and by it the whole Water will grow green∣ish: because the acidity of the Rose Water, doth with more greediness snatch to it self the light, and more like it self Alcaly than the Metal, which therefore by degrees falls Green to the Bottom.

Whilst I am writing this a certain not in∣expert Man in the Art of distillation doth affirm, that the Water of Sage, and also of Rosemary, will be Green, as well as that of Veronica, if they be managed with a cer∣tain dexterity, and moderate swiftness. The truth of which Experience will deter∣mine.
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CHAP. VIII.
Of Camomil.

BOtanists, or Herbarists, are wont to reckon ten sorts of this Plant, amongst which the most eminent are the common Camomil with the Noble Flower Single, and with the full, or double Flower Camomil without scent, and stinking Camomil or May∣weed; but I shall chiefly have to do in this place with the first sort or common Ca∣momil.

The distilled Water of this is to be had in Apothecaries Shops after the manner of other waters limpid and colourless. There is also to be sold its Oyl, made by infusion from the Yellow Flowers. But that which is made by distillation from the same Flow∣ers is very different from this, for it is deep∣ly saturated and fill'd with a Saphire Colour, very pleasing to the sight.

Experiment 1.

Take the fresh Flowers of common Ca∣momil,
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sprinkle them with fair Water, and bruise them together; after they have stood some dayes cast them into a Copper distilling Vessel, well covered with Tin, and apply∣ing a Head to it, distill it. The Water being drawn forth, you shall perceive the Oyl to swim at the top of it, which though it be but little in quantity, will be of a true Sky Colour.

Experiment 2.

We have with the same success tryed the same, with the dryed Flowers; but the infusion of them stood for fourteen days to procure the greater extraction.

Experiment 3.

If you mix with them a handful or two of common Salt, or the like quantity of Tartar, the Blew Oyl will come over in greater plenty.

Experiment 4.

We substituted in the place of these the Flowers of Roman Camomil, but we had then a Yellowish Oyl, not a Saphire coloured
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one: what there is to be found in the rest of the sorts of Camomil we have not yet tryed.

Experiment 5.

This innate Blewishness of the Camomil is of that contagious, or communicative Nature, that it is able to infect other things, and render them like it self. For Example: Take the tender tops of a Pine, or Firr-tree, and being cut into pieces, cast them in∣to a Copper Body, adding a good quantity of Camomil Flowers, distill them by them∣selves, and there will come over a com∣pound Oyl, which may be named Oleum Pini Caeruleum, or the Sky-coloured Oyl of Pines.

Experiment 6.

After the same way you may prepare the Saphirine Oyl of Iuniper, by mixing with a fit proportion of the Camomil Flowers, some Iuniper Berries; and this not with∣out a communication and exaltation of the Medicinal Vertues, with which the Iuni∣per it self doth abound.

Experiment 7.

The same way the shavings of Lignum vitae, being mixed with the Flowers of Ca∣momil, you may make a blewish Oyl; which though it be well scented of it self, yet adding Oyl of Rhodium to it, it will be ren∣dred more odoriferous.

Experiment 8.

Nay these Flowers seem to be of such a disposition, that whatsoever Rosiny matter they are mixed with, they yeild a Saphirine Oyl. An Argument worthy a further spe∣culation, whether or no by this Method many more Oyls may not be prepared a∣gainst particular Diseases, by the mixture of peculiar and specifick rosinous Simples.

Experiment 9.

There is a decompound Oyl, which is de∣scribed by Boetius. lib. 11. de Gemm. & La∣pid. cap. 43. Impostures (saith he) joyn the Flowers of Camomil, and the white Oyl or Spirit of Turpentine, and a very large propor∣tion of Artificial Sal Armoniack, They put
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this mixture into a Copper Body, and to this they add common Water, from whence they distil Water and Oyl after the com∣mon way. The distilled Water contains on the Superficies or top of it Oyl of a Co∣lour like a Saphire; this is Oyl of Turpentine joyned with the Oyl of Camomil: for this Herb, or the Flowers of this Herb, do yield some of the Oyl: But the Colour is pro∣duced by the Sal Armoniack, which it ex∣tracts from the Copper, and communicates it to the Oyl. If the Oyl be kept long it will be spoyled with age, and then you will manifestly discover the Scent of Tur∣pentine. This is an usual cheat with com∣mon Chymists or Preparers of Chymical Medicines for the Shops here in London, because many are deceived by this means, and many Chymists are so simple to think the Colour proceedeth from the Camomil. I thought fit hereto discover the Imposture, Cheat and Error of Chymists.

Thus far Boetius, who in vain suspects a fraud in this matter: For, as we have shewed before in the first and second Ex∣periment, that also without any manner of Salt, either common, or Armoniack a Sk•-coloured Oyl may be drawn fron the Flow∣ers of common Camomil; wherefore the Co∣lour
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doth not result from the Copper Body: for otherways the same thing would hap∣pen in distilling other Plants in a Copper Body, which nevertheless is very far from being true. It remains therefore in these operations, that the blewishness is produced altogether from the Flowers. But what is affirmed by Boetius concerning the blew Co∣lour being drawn out of the Copper by the Sal Armoniack, signifies nothing in this case, That being an Artifice, commonly known to Barbers.

Experiment 10.

As to what concerns the duration, or lastingness of the Oyl, we have an Oyl which was extracted from Camomil Flowers above three years since, without the addition of Salt or Tartar, whose Saphire Colour ap∣pears so constant, that if it continue not for ever, yet it seems to promise to last many years. Nevertheless I do not deny what Boetius alledgeth, of his false Saphire Oyl, that the Blew Colour doth perish with Age, and that the whitishness of the ad∣ded Oyl of Turpentine will emerge or be ap∣parent.
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CHAP. IX.
Of Lignum Nephriticum, or the wood against the Stone.

CAsper Bauhinus in pinnace Botanic. calls this Wood, Lignum peregrinum, sive Mexicanum, Aquam caeruleam reddens, i. e. The strange, or Mexican wood, colouring Water Blew. And places it among the Species or Kinds of Ash trees. Franciscus Hernandes in his Book Intituled Thesaurus Rerum Medicarum Novae Hispaniae, which afterwards was published by Nardus An∣tonius Recchus in the 4th Book, chap. 25. says thus: 'Tis called Coatlis, by others Tlapalezpatl, or the Medicine of the Scarlet or Crimson coloured Blood. It is a great Trees-Shrub, with a body thick and without knobs, like the Pear-tree wood, the Leaves like Sheep Pease, or Rue, with a Yellow Flower growing among Prickles. It is also excellently described by Nicol. Monades in his History of Simples, chap. 27. in these words; Mittit Nova Hispania Ligni quoddam genus crassum & erode, Materiae piri,
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cujus usus jamdiu receptus fuit in his Regioni∣bus, ad Renum vitia, urinaeque difficultates & incommoda. Postea experimento comproba∣tum est, ejus Aquam in Iecoris & Leinis ob∣structionibus utilem esse. Illa autem hac rati∣one paratur, Lignum assutatim, & minutim, concisum in optima & lympidissima aqua fonta∣na maceratur, atque in ea relinquitur donec a∣qua à bibentibus absumpta sit. Dimidia Hora post injectum lignum aqua caeruleum dilutio∣rem colorem contrahit, qui sensun intenditur pro temporis diuturnitate, tametsi lignum can∣didum (potius ruffum) sit, caeruleum ideo dico quoniam adulteratur alio ligno simili, quod aquam croceo colore inficit, ne quis falla∣tur.

That is, there is sent from New-Spain a certain kind of thick Wood, without Knotts, like the substance of a Pear-Tree, it hath been long made use of in these parts, against the distempers of the Kidnies, and the difficulties, and inconveniences of making Urine. After∣wards it was found by experience that its Water was beneficial in the Obstructions of the Liver, and Spleen. It is prepared after this manner; The Wood being shaved and smal cut, let it be steeped in the best and clearest Fountain Water, and left in it till it be consumed by those that
drink it: Half an hour after the Wood is put into the Water, the Water will con∣tract a pale Blew, which is heightned by degrees according to the time it remains in it, and yet the Wood is White (or rather Brown.) I therefore mention this Blew∣ness, because it is counterfeited with another Wood like it, (which gives the Water a Saffron Colour) lest any body should be deceived.

This 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or knack, is now a daies commonly known, and certainly except it were so well known, it w•uld be more esteemed. Of which Fire is an Example: which although there be no∣thing more admirable then the nature of it, yet we despise it as a common thing; which were it brought from the remotest parts of the Indies, and sudden∣ly and unthought-of shewed to us, I doubt not with how much amazement we should contemplate it.

Experiment 1.

Being about therefore to search, if that Golden Blewish Colour, would remain with the same constancy in passing over the Alimbeck, I cast into a Glass Body,
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the infusion, together with the rasped shavings of Lignum Nephriticum, and drew it off. The Distilling Water, al∣though it lost both the Colours, and was become clear: yet for all that I observed that it breathed forth a grateful rosinous Odour. But the Scent of the Shavings themselves might be observed to be much more pleasing, although the crude Wood of it self was almost 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, without Scent.

Experiment 2.

We substituted in the place of Foun∣tain Water Spirit of Wine, which being poured upon the shavings, in like manner became of a double Colour: But being drawn over by the Alimbeck; it became White like common Water. And be∣cause I easily foresaw, that I could do nothing further with this Wood, by distillation with an Alimbeck, I desisted: yet nevertheless I tryed other ways, and the Experiment which follows was pro∣duced thereby.
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Experiment 3.

We distilled some drops of Oyl of Tartar per deliquium into the Golden Blewish Co∣loured Infusion, made with common Water, and we perceived both the Colours re∣mained constant.

Experiment 4.

We poured into the same Infusion Spirit of Vitriol drop by drop, and the aforesaid blewish Colour vanished, the Yel∣low one only remaining.

Experiment 5.

We tryed the same with Spirit of Salt, Sulphur, Nitre, &c. and the Golden Co∣lour continued, the Blew one disappearing, as it did happen in Experiment the 4th. A clear sign that the acid Salt by its pene∣trative power did infringe, and other∣ways dispose those Particles, which the Vrinous, and as it were blunt Salt of Tartar could not infringe or otherwise dispose.
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Experiment 6.

Many considerable Remarks are pro∣duced concerning this Nephritick Wood, by that careful and industrious searcher after Nature, Mr. Boyle in his Book of Colours, Experiment the 10. and in those which fol∣low, which worthily deserve to be read. But I may repeat one of them here, which concerns the redintegration of the once lost Blew Colour. But because the Au∣thors Relation is a little too long, I will repeat it with more brevity. Drop into the double coloured Infusion of the Wood, a few drops of the Spirit of Wine Vinegar, so the Blew Colour will vanish, the Saffron one remaining. Upon this pour a little Oyl of Tartar per deliquium, and immedi∣ately the Blew Colour will return, and the Infusion will appear as before of two Colours, perhaps by the acidity of the Salt the Particles are broke, and returned to their former position, which were kept under by the heavy Oyl of Tartar.
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CHAP. X.
Of the Dregs of Wine, of wild Carna∣tions, or Pinks, and Parsley.

OLd Wine deposits two sorts of Ex∣crements; to wit Dregs, and Tartar. The Dregs are the grosser, and earthly parts of the Wine which after fermentati∣on it lets fall (like Slime and Mudd) to the Bottom of the Vessel, it not being void of a useful saltness, from whence the Wine gains strength: So that taken from this root as it were, and put into another Vessel, it will not endure any long time, but will easily degenerate.

Concerning the usefulness of these Fae∣ces, or Dregs, we have a testimony in Brandy, or Spirit of Wine, which the Vint∣ners, and Distillers make from them: That we may omit other uses now, which are not unknown to the common people.

But this we suppose is hardly taken no∣tice of by every body, that an Oyl is to be prepared from these Faeces or Dregs which ascends the Alimbeck of a Green Colour. In
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this Operation 'tis to be observed, that that Oyl is most green which distilleth last, but this Greenness doth vanish with length of time: Nay presently, if you rectify the Oyl, it being changed into a Yellowishness. Let the distilling vessels be well covered with Tin, lest you suppose the Tincture doth arise from the erotion of the Copper in its passage. Many affirm that from the pressings, or husks of Grapes, an Oyl may be likewise made, after the same manner, which will ascend Green. Wild Pinks, or Carnations whilest they are in Flower, and running up to Seed, if the whole Plant be fresh gathered, cut small, and distilled af∣ter the usual manner, there commonly swims on the top of the Water drawn by the Alimbeck, a Greenish Oyl.

You will find the same thing to be true, with the Garden Smallage, or Parsley di∣stilled after the same manner, if you have wrought aright: but this Greenness is but temporary, and of small duration. But the Oyls of Chervil, and Parsley which are to be seen in the Shops, are wont to be prepared by long fermentation, and are of a deep Gold Colour, which they constantly retain.
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CHAP. XI.
Of wild Flower-de-luce.

IT is called Iris, and receiveth its name from the similitude it hath to the Rainbow, it being variously painted with the colours of divers Flowers. From the Form of the Roots it may conveniently be divided into Classes, the first of which is contained under that of the Bulbous, or round rooted, and are in number twenty: the other sort is tuberous, or full of swel∣lings, and of this sort truly there is but one: The third sort is Geniculate, knot∣ted, or jointed on the stems, of which there is about sixty four; the jointed are are subdivided into broad leav'd, narrow leav'd, and dwarfs. First the broad leav'd, which is called by Casper Bauhinus, the com∣mon wild German Flower-de-luce, which is so well known, that it is called in the Shops our Orris, or flower-de-luce. They commonly reserve only its root, from whence they make juice, Oyl by infusion, and a Powder called Faecula: The blewish Flowers are beheld for their neatness, but
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never preserved or kept. Moreover, Ioachi∣mus Camerarius in his Notes upon Petr. An∣drea, Mathiolus German Herbal, which was printed 1590 at Frankfort, to wit, upon the first Book, cap. 1. fol. 2. layeth down an observation concerning these blew Flowers worthy our noting, in these words, Das Basser aus den Blumen der schonen jris destilliret, ist gut fur die Bassersucht: and ist solches viel •raffti∣ger, Wann also dasselbe destilliret wird, dak es der blvmen natvrlich Iarbe be∣halte, tvie den solches ohne allen fremb∣den Busa Bivictlich geschehen-san. Water (says he) distilled from Flower-de-luce Flowers is available in the Dropsy, and is the more efficacious if it be so distilled that it re∣tains the native colour of the Flowers: as also it may easily be perform'd without any strange additament. And truly except we will im∣pute the crime of falshood to Camerarius, there is a way to be found by which a blew Water may be distilled from that Plant, but the way of doing this Camera∣rius himself ought to have discovered to have freed himself from censure, lest there arise a suspition in the Readers, that the thing is done by the Artifice mention'd above, in Chap. 4. for whether or no the
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Water distilled by the common method will be Blew, we have not yet had lea∣sure to try.

Curcuma, or Turmerick roots are vulgar∣ly known, but the entire Plant few are acquainted with. The figure or picture shews it to be Indian Saffron (to which the name of Curcuma is added) also it is clearly described by Iacob Bontius in lib. 6. Histor. Oriental. cap. 30. put out by Gu∣lielmus Piso in his Works printed 1658. He attributes to it the Leaves of white Hellebore, and purple Flowers, with a fruit prickly, or like the outward hairy barks of Chessnuts, which includes a Seed of the form of a Pea. If there be poured well rectified Spirit of Wine upon the Powder of common Turmerick, the Liquor being di∣stilled somewhat swifter than ordinary, will be of a light yellow Colour, which yellowness will continue so long only as it shall be kept in a cold and shady place: but it is easily dissipated, and caus∣ed to vanish, by the rayes of the Sun, or any other heat. But if any do contend that this yellowness is caused by the com∣ing over of very small particles of the Turmerick with the Spirit, by reason of the swiftness of the distillation, I will not stiffly deny it.
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CHAP. XII.
Of Sun-dew.

SOme Plants comprehend many Species or kinds under them, as Tulips, Hawk-weed, Cranes-bill, Orchis, or Dog∣stones, Treacle Mustard, and Grass. Others contain no variety of kinds, in as much as we hitherto know of; as Annise, Cym∣balaria, or Bastard-Italian-Navelwort, Wall-Rue, Matthiolus his Orpine. Others hold a middle betwixt these, and contain but few Species or sorts: As, Goats-Rue, Li∣quoriss, Celandine. And the last of the three is the most ample, containing un∣der it, amongst other sorts, a Plant of a most excellent structure, which from a dewy Liquor which stands upon the leavs of it, even when the Sun is hottest in Summer, is commonly called Ros Solis, or Sun-dew. Nor do our Botanists know more then two species, or sorts of it: of which one sort is called Sun-dew with the round Leaf, and is the most usually known in the Shops. The other which
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is rarer with us, is wont to be called Sun-dew with the longest Leaf.

Experiment 1.

Take either of the sorts of this Plant fresh and new gather'd, and let it be the whole Plant, and in the middle of Sum∣mer gather'd in a hot clear Air; after you have made it all clean, cut it, and sprink∣ling it with a small quantity of Water, let it be bruised; then put it into a Glass Body, and without addition distil it by an Alimbeck. There will come over (not without the delight of the Beholders) a Golden Liquor, tending towards redness.

Experiment 2.

We would try the same also with the dryed Plant, pouring Spirit of Wine upon it; after standing some hours, by the help of a Bath, we distilled it with Glass Vessels, observing (which was a pleasant Spectacle) the Liquor distilled by the Alimbeck was of a Gold colour. Con∣cerning the causes of this effect, if I may guess, I believe the Sun-dew is so com∣posed, that it abounds with volatile Salt,
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which in the time of distillation doth joyn it self with the Rosiny Particles which are dispersed through the whole Plant: for if you behold its external face any manner of way, you will easily discern it to grow reddish from goldishness. Moreover this must happen from a peculiar propor∣tion of Salt: because there are not want∣ing many Herbs which are both reddish, and rosiny, whose distilled Waters never∣theless do not in the least look reddish, or yellowish.

After we had made these our Experi∣ments, we happened upon Conradus Kunraths, Medulla Distillatoria, who in the fifteenth Tract written upon Ros Solis, propounds (after his custom) a tedious method of making Medicines out of this Plant; and amongst other things asserts, that the distilled Water of it is yellow, and that there is to be prepared from it a Quintessence which is a Panacea in all manner of diseases. Which thing we will leave to its Author, or rather to Isaac Hollandus, out of whose Book, intituled, De Opere Vegetabili, all that Kunrath hath writ seems to be taken.
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CHAP. XIII.
Of Blew Pimpernel, and of Curcu∣ma, or Turmerick.

THe Family, or kind of Pimpernels may be conveniently divided into two Classes. The first contains those Pimpernels called Sanguisorbae, or Burnet, of which there are four sorts: to wit, the greater, the lesser which is hairy or rough, the lesser which is smooth, and that which is without scent. Of the latter sort are those Pimpinels commonly known by the name of Pimpinella Saxifraga, of which five kinds are reckoned up by Bouhinus in Pinac: that is the greater with the white boss or Top, the other greater, the greater with the red boss or Tuft, and the lesser with the thin Leaf. To which may be added those which were unknown to Bouhinus: Pimpinella Cadanensis Maxima of Iacobus Cornutus, and the Pimpinella Maxima Ca∣dan. with the long red spire or ear, and that with the red ear conglomorated, or heaped together, of Robert Morisons; also Pimpi∣nella
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Agnimonoides, of the Physick Garden of Padua.

But besides all the aforementioned, there is another sort which grows with us, in the Fields near the City, which for certain reasons we call the Blew Pim∣pinel; the same also may be found near Steinford, a place six Miles distance from hence, where it is propagated in the Phy∣sick-Garden of the Court; and also at Frankfort by the way side.

If you regard its Figure, it doth not seem to belong to those sort of Pimpinels called Sanguisorbes, but to that other sort called Saxifraga's, amongst them to these called Major Vmbella, Candida, or the great∣er with the white boss, or Tuft, to which it approacheth very near. But again it doth differ from it; First, In the Native Soil, or place of its growth: for Blew Pimpinels grow in a blackish Earth, but the other in a sandy. Secondly, The root of Blew Pimpinels is outwardly of a gray colour, and inwardly is white: the other root is white both without and within. Thirdly, These roots do abound within with a blewish juice, which is never seen in the common sort, for which cause it hath seem'd convenient to me to
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give it the name of Blew Saxifrage Pim∣pinel.

Experiment 1.

It is a wonder that so fine a Spectacle should be so long unknown, which this Plant distilled can expose to the sight; for if the roots, either fresh, or dryed, be cut into pieces, and Spirit of Wine poured upon them, it will be tinged with a yel∣low Colour, and if you distil it by an Alim∣beck, the Liquor will pass over of an ex∣ceeding Saphirine Colour. The Spectators which are ignorant of the thing, will be amaz'd, and be ready to swear there is some juggle or cheat in it.

Experiment 2.

But if you put the roots either cut, or bruised, into Oyl of Turpentine, with a triple proportion of Fountain Water, and afterwards shake the Glass, the Oyl that swims at the top when it stands still, will be Blew: and if afterwards you distil all of it with a strong fire in Sand, the blew colour will vanish, and the Oyl which swims upon the Water will be of a Gold colour.
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Experiment 3.

Wherefore if you have a mind to trans∣fer this operation to a Medicinal use, and particularly to prepare a Physagogal blew Water, then let there be added with the roots of this Pimpinel, the seed of Anise, Fennel, and the other Carminatives, or breakers of wind.

Experiment 4.

If you have a mind to make a blew Water against the Stone, then add to these roots, the seeds of Winter-Cherries, Parsley, and such like; but if you would have the blew Colour to prevail, there ought to be more of the Pimpinel roots then of the rest.

Experiment 5.

If you take equal parts of the blew Pim∣pinel roots, and of the Herb Sun-dew, and mix them together, and then put them into Spirit of Wine, there will flow from them, distilled by an Alimbeck, a Liquor of a most pleasant Sea-green colour, the blew∣ishness
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being refracted or broke by the na∣tive redness of the Ros Solis, or Sun-dew.

Caution 1. No waterish Liquor will extract the Saphirine colour of these Roots, but it ought to be a Spirituous Liquor; but the best way of all is, with Oleaginous Li∣quors, by reason of the resemblance be∣twixt them, and the Rosinous juice of the Roots. This is further to be added, if you pour Oyl of Citrons upon them, they will presently after a little stay let fall their blew Colour.

Secondly, The distillation in these Ope∣rations is not to be too gentle, for then the Liquor will be white, but a little brisk, and swift; so at first the Liquor will be of a blewish white, but the latter will ap∣pear of a perfect Saphirine colour.

Thirdly, This Blew colour (as you may observe in the two former Experiments) is not so very lasting, but that after three or four Months it will degenerate into yel∣lowness by degrees, but it will endure the longer if it be kept out of the rayes of the Sun, and in a cool place.

Fourthly, These Roots ought to be ga∣thered in the Spring, Summer, or Autumn, and to be kept all the Wint•r: for the dryed Roots, as well as the fresh, are fit to
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produce this Phaenomenon, or appearance: although by very long keeping the Blew juice is dissipated, and after the manner of other Roots they become useless.

Fifthly, Sometimes we steep the very fresh gathered Roots, only in Oyl of Tur∣pentine, and have observed that the day following a Sea green, not a Blew colour to arise: And although we afterwards added a triple proportion of Water, and by fits shook it strongly, yet the Oyl which swam at the top, remained of a Sea colour.
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CHAP. XIV.
Of Cinnamon.

BY reason of the difficulties, and length of Navigations, there hath been re∣lated both by the Ancient Greek, as well as Latine Authors, many uncertain, and also fabulous things concerning Cinnamon. And from hence, heretofore there hath sprang so many controversies amongst Botanists, about the differences and iden∣tities of Cinnamon, and Cannella; which quarrels will be easily determined by reading of the writings of latter Au∣thors.

The most noble sort of Cinnamon is the Cannella Zeilanica, or the Cinnamon of Zei∣lan: the next to this, is that of Malaver, or Iava: the next is, the Peruvian. Nor must we pass by the Clove Cinnamon, or Clove Bark, so called from its tast, which in this Age begins to be brought to us from the Southern Provinces of America, called Guiana.
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But the History of Cannella is above all others most exactly described by Guliel∣mus Piso, cap. 1. and 2. of his Mantissae Aromaticae, which he hath described and annexed to his splendid and neat work, De Indiae utriusque re naturali atque Medica. Printed Anno 1658 at Amsterdam. I confess I was not a little joyed when I turning over this Volumn, first beheld the Cut or Figure of the intire Cinnamon Tree: having been troubled at the negligence, shall I say, or ignorance of the rest of Herbarists, for almost every one of them in their Commentaries, have hardly afforded us but one Leaf, with a Berry, with a small Pipe, or Stem. Moreover, because this Author, as Iohan. Iohnstonus (who follows his steps in his Hist. Nat. de Ar∣boribus,) is not to be found in every bo∣dies hands, and that besides there is hardly any hope left, that this Tree will ever be procured to grow in our colder Cly∣mat: Therefore we esteem so much of this Cardinal, and most fragrant Spice, that being led by the example of Piso, I have caused its Effigies to be ingraved, and that it might be the better known to our Countrymen, have taken care to in∣sert it in this place.
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[illustration]

Cinamon of Zeilan.

Tho. Cross sculp.

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But that we may draw nearer to what we design, there is made of this Bark a Water to be had in the Shops; which if you reckon to be the first of Aromatical, or spicy ones, you will not be mistaken; for it is so cordial and friendly to the Vi∣tal Spirits, and doth so powerfully expel Wind in the Stomack and Guts, and also is so grateful, and pleasing to the Palate, that it leaves other Spices much behind it. They are wont to distil it with Wine, or without with Borage Water: either way that which first distils over the Alim∣beck, is of a Milky colour. But this Milki¦ness is hardly native, or true, but doth proceed from the Oyl, with which this Spice doth abound: which being dispers∣ed through the Water in small Particles, causeth a Milky colour: And if these, as it were Atomes, shall by length of time be united, they will be carried to the top of the Liquor, and there will shew themselves small Oyly drops of a Golden colour, leaving the Water clear: although that Oyl, if it be somewhat more plen∣tiful, doth usually at last fall to the bottom.
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Nor ought this so to be interpreted, as if this milky Colour were only pro∣per to Cinamon water: for it appeareth also in the Water of Cloves, Nutmegs, and the rest of waters drawn from Spices. But I thought fit to name Cinamon above the rest, because, as we said a little before, it doth excel other Waters. And also, because it is more frequently used every where.
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CHAP. XV.
Of Corrals.

THere are three kinds of Corrals: Red, Black, and White. The White may also conveniently be distinguished into branched, starred, joynted, and that which is warty, or knobby. There is also a sort of Corral which is Red without, and Black within. But that which is prised above the rest in Medicine, is the Red called the Male Corral, of which Pedac. Dioscorides. lib. 5. cap. 139. Thus: Sea Corral is a Shrub, which drawn to the top of the Water growth hard presently, and swims, and as it is incompassed with aire it concretes, or har∣dens. Much of it is found in a Promontory by Syracuse. The name of which is Pachyno. The most commended is the Red sort, of the Co∣lour of a Daffidil stalk, or of the deep coloured Sardix or Orient bright Purple. Being of a long and round figure easy to break, and of a like hardness in every part of it: again, it is of the scent of Oreweed, or Sea-grass. It is very full of small branches, and is like in form to
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the Shrub Cinamon. The like description to this Pliny hath lib. 32. Histo. Natur. but that he erroneously alledgeth that these Berries or litle Balls, which are worn for ornament about womans Necks, do grow of their own accord on this small Sea tree: for it is sufficiently known at this day, that they are made by Turning; and that also might as well have been known heretofore. Of the same reddish Beads, is to be under∣stood the most antient of Poets, Orpheus, in his peculiar verses of Corral, in which he elegently prosecutes the vertues of it, and the Fables of it also.

Concerning this bright sparkling Cor∣ral, whether or no the true tincture of its genuine Colour, can be extracted, hath been already examined: The Solutions made with Iuice of Lemmons, or of Bar∣berries, although they delight us with a false shew, yet they will not answer the thing designed: Neither also will those Liquors which after abstraction remain of a Red Colour in the bottom of the Vessel. Of this sort may be seen many Processes or Methods in Anselm. Boetius. lib. 11. Histor. Gemm. & Lapid. cap. 154. But many more in Io. Lodov. Gansius Histor. Corral. caput 7. Also amongst other late Authors. The
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business consists in this point, that a rea∣son may be shewed, how without the ad∣dition of any suspected thing, there may be drawn either by Alimbeck, or Retort a Red Liquor from Corrals, that is, a Genuine and true Tincture.

Expirement 1.

The forecited Io. Lodov. Gansius, sect. 8. doth testifie that it was sometime observed by the famous Physitian of his time, Iac. Zuingerus, That a Tincture might be drawn by distillation in an Alimbeck, if the Corral being made into a very fine Calx or Pow∣der, and being well digested with Spirit of Wine, it be distilled nine times, first with a gentle distillation, afterwards for∣ced over with a vehement heat, so that the Water will come forth first Yellow, and at last Red, which is believed to be the Tincture.

Experiment 2.

The same Gansius in the same chap. sect. 16. hath this following. Let the Powder of Corral be calcined with Spirit of Salt: then wash the Calx with distilled
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water, that the saltishness may be taken away. After which extract it, by adding Spirit of Wine. Let the extractions pou∣red back again upon the Corrals be distil∣led so long till the Tincture ascends by the Alimbeck. From this separate the Spirit by a Balneo. Note in this place that what is extracted, is always to be circulated ten days space: and after each time to be co∣hobated, or poured back again, and di∣stilled.

This is to be done six times, always ad∣ding new Spirit. The Red Colour is said to come forth in the fifth distillation, and in the sixth a Powder altogether Red will remain at the bottom.

Experiment 3.

Agreeable to this way, is that of Con∣radus Kunrath in his Medulla Distillatoria, Tract. 10. written upon Corral, which therefore at this time we will not repeat, but leave untouched.

Experiment 4.

Daniel Sennertus lib. 5. institut. Medic. pag. 3. sect. 3. cap. 9. laies down the fol∣lowing
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way. Let Corral dissolved in Vi∣negar be impregnated with Spirit of distil∣led Vinegar till the Salt will receive no more of that Spirit; which is performed thus: To one pound of Corrals, add two ounces of the strongest Vinegar, and distil it gently, there will only distil from it an insipid phlegm. The second time add to the Corrals three ounces of Vinegar, and distil it again, and so proceed every time, adding of one Ounce of Vinegar more than formerly, and continuing this, so long, till the Vinegar distil as sharp, and strong, from the Salt of Corral as it is put upon it. Let the Salt so impregnated be digested for thirty days in Balneo Mariae, or a Bath of hot Water, and afterwards distill it in a close Reverberatory, by a Retort, but so that the Phlegm may be received first by it self, and then the White Spirits by themselves, till all the Spirits are come forth, together with an Oyl, Red as Blood. This Spirit is to be rectified by an Alimbeck, and the Red Oyl will remain at the bottom. But this Spirit poured upon fresh Corral doth extract a Red Tincture like to Gum Lacca, which if it be again freed from this Spirit by distillation, and the Corrals be joyned with Spirit of Wine, or some Cor∣dial
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Water, and by distilling, and cohobation, it will be made volatile, and will then be the Tincture of Corral.

Experiment 5.

Also this following is a compendious way. Take of Red Corrals three ounces, and of Sugar half a pound, being finely bruised and mixed, distil them in a Re∣tort, and you will see a Red Liquor to come forth.

But it is not to be doubted concerning these Operations, that this Redness is hardly due to the Corrals: but is more owing to the Spirit of Salt, Salt of Vinegar, Sugar, and the like additions: and much of it also to long digestions. Inso∣much that these sort of Tinctures, are rather to be taken for Analogous, then Genuine, until the Fates grant us the true one. And truly whilst I am writing this, there is come to my hand the Epistle of that most excellent man Dr. Ioel Langelot (chief Physitian of the Duke of Holsteen, my most Noble Friend.) De quibusdam in Chymia prae∣termissis, wherein he sets down an hi∣therto unknown solution of Corral,
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which (as I suspect is performed by Oyl of Citrons) doth first mollify the hard Fragments, and afterwards doth dissolve them into an exceeding Red Mucilage, or slimy Substance, and after∣wards (as may be seen) by pouring on of Spirit of Wine that is Tartarised, it will go also into an exceeding Red Tincture.
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CHAP. XVI.
The Conclusion: Containing three sorts of Observations.

SInce we have spoken concerning Co∣lours emerging, and resulting from mixture in the second Chapter: we shall not seem to wander from the matter, if by way of Colophony or conclusion, we produce also by way of Example, the various ef∣fervescencies, and incalescencies of things, to∣gether with their attenuation, and coagula∣tions. These also are Chymical, and afford much light towards the Knowledg of Na∣ture, and of the differences of Acid, and Vrinous Salts. As also it will easily appear from hence, which Saline Spirits will either suffer themselves to be joyned to each o∣ther, or refuse it. Which Doctrine, as it contains under it the foundation of some of the most noble Operations, and is not commonly known to all men: So upon its own account it seems worthy to be an∣nexed to our Distillatory, by way of Man∣tissa, or overplus.
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Observations relating to effervescency, and incalescency, or production of heat.

To begin with those things best known: It is well known to the common people, that if Water be sprinkled upon Quick∣Lime, it will excite from it both heat, and smoke: which Operation is by Brick-layers, and Plaisterers called slaking, or extinguish∣ing of Lime.

2. If you moisten with Aqua-fortis, the filings of Iron, Copper, or Tinn, the Glass in which it is done will grow so hot, that you can scarce hold it in your hand, there also ascending at the same time plenty of Fumes.

3. Almost the like effect doth follow, if you poure the Caustick Water upon Quicksilver, Lead, or Marcasite. But as to what relates to the more perfect Metals; Luna, or Silver, doth stronglier resist Aqua-Fortis, than the imperfect Metals are wont to do: but Gold doth plainly elude its force, except Sal Armoniack be added.

4. You may also observe an exagitati∣on, if you pour Aqua Fortis upon Salt of Tartar.

5. Pour Fountain Water upon calcined
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Vitriol, whilst it is yet warm, stirring it softly; and you shall perceive it to wax vehemently hot. The same will happen if you pour Water upon any Alcalizate, or fixed Salt whilst it is yet hot.

6. Distil drop by drop of the Spirit of Vitriol, into the Salt, or the Oyl of Tartar prepared per deliquium, and there will be caused a crackling noise: which being fini∣shed there will appear a coagulum which is commonly called Tartarus Vitriolatus.

7. Mix the same acid Spirit of Vitriol, or of Sulphur with the Gall of an Ox (which is fill'd with its own native Vrinous Salt,) and you will presently perceive them to fight. But the ebullition will be much stronger, if you mix Gall with Aqua-fortis: insomuch that a great disturbance will follow it, and a White froath will arise a great height upon it.

8. If the Genuine Red Oyl of Vitriol, and Spirit of Turpentine be mixed together; the Glass doth begin to wax so very hot, that it cannot be touched by naked hands.

9. Neither doth the Spirit of Salt Ni∣tre, or Peter will agree with the butter of Antimony, but these two Liquors being mixed together, are seen rather like Ene∣mies to fight between themselves.
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10. I had lately reserved for a use, Spi∣rit of common Salt, and after it was consu∣med, I put into the Glass (perhaps whilst it was yet moist) Spirit of Sal Armo∣niack, tincted with the Flowers of Brass, (which many now a days call the Saphirine Spirit) I observed when I poured it in, immediately the first drop stirred up a Cloud in the Glass, and a Smoakie Vapour did ma∣nifestly exhale from it. A not obscure Argument, that these two Spirits were almost insociable, upon the account of their contrary Salts.

11. To this place belongs the Observa∣tion of Regnerus de Graff. in his Book de Suc∣co Pancreatico, pag. 60. which he lays down to this sence: We took, says he, Oyl of Tartar per deliquium and we poured it into Cows Milk, after which we added a small quantity of Spi∣rit of Vitriol, and presently there arose an ef∣fervescence, and that of longer continuance, than if Milk had not been added. Which differency seems to depend upon the viscidity of the Milk: this effervescence will not proceed so well, if you put the Spirit of Vitriol into the Milk before you put in the Oyl of Tartar, (to wit,) because of its aptness to be coagulated by the Acid.
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Observations of Attenuation, and of Coagulation.

1. We call Attenuation, when a solid and Gross Body, is rendred thin and fluid: but the contrary to this is called to inspissat, thicken, or coagulate, when such things which of themselves are fluid, and thin, ac∣quire firmness and subsistence, and are thickned, either by the means of Coagulation, or Gla∣ciescency, (that is, freezed or made Ice) or else altogether Lapidificated, or turned into Stone; which Physical, or natural af∣fections above all others are most fre∣quently known not only in the Apotheca∣ries Shops, but also in other Mechanical Arts: wherefore the whole Spagirical Art is by many believed to receive its name from dissolving and congregating, or com∣pacting together, for which reason these two qualities (in our opinion) justly de∣serve a peculiar consideration.

2. When the Apothecary prepares De∣coctions, or Infusions, and the Cook makes fresh Broth, by pouring on of Liquids: gross and dense bodies are attenuated, and their nobler parts extracted. There is the like reason in Iuleps, or emulsions, and
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the rest of Medicines in a Liquid form.

3. Thus we see the bodies of all dry Salts, are melted and attenuated, by ef∣fusing watry Liquors upon them: From whence those Solutions called the simple ones, of which sort for Example is that of Vitriol dissolved into Fountain Water, which being mixed with the infusion of Galls produceth Ink, of which mention is made above in chap. 2.

4. Relating to this purpose are all the corrosive Solutions made by Caustick Waters, upon the solid compage of Metals. For Gold by its smallest parts doth swim in A∣qua Regia, so that, that which if left to it self stops the sharpest sight from looking into, it presently changeth its Species, and Texture, and appears diaphanous, or trans∣parent.

5. Nor is it less to be wondred at, that the same Gold, and the rest of the Metals will suffer themselves to be so attenuated by the Fire, (by as it were a certain cor∣rosion) that they will flow like Waves of Water: which fusion truly, unless the thing were so common as it is, would hardly be believed by such as were ignorant of it.
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6. Alablaster, and Gypsum, or Plaister of Paris, may be burned as they do Lime∣stone, as is commonly known; and it is par∣ticularly asserted by Anselmus Boetius, lib. 2. de Lapid & Gemm. cap. 269. But whe∣ther or no the following Experiment be much noted, I know not, (and therefore will set it down) Cast into a vessel of Brass, or Iron with a Flat botom, Ala∣blaster, or in stead of it Plaister of Paris, (very finely grown'd, and sifted) some pounds weight: Apply Fire to it by degrees, even to the utmost height. And you shall see this Stony Powder to put on the form of a Liquor, and to boyl like Waves, sending up White Vapours, resembling Smoak; moreover if you then stir it with a Stick, you will not find it to resist the motion of your hand, like Sand, but to yeild like Liquor: which thing truly doth produce no small delight, to the curious Spectator, as Mr. Boyl doth witness of himself, in his History of Fluidity, Sect. 18. where he ad∣deth more notes, and cautions upon this thing.

7. It is also a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of a species of attenuation, by which Salt of Tartar is dis∣solved into a Liquor per deliquium: And amongst Natures works, it is an Illustrious
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Attenuation, by which the thickest Ice of Rivers in the Spring time is dissolved by the heat of the Sun.

8. But that we may also come to the Phaenomena or appearances of Coagulation, amongst those which are best known is that of making Bread, whilst the Bakers by mixing Water with Flower or Meal coagulate it into a Mass, to make Bread out of. The like, but more compounded work, is that of the Confectioner, who mix∣eth together Butter, Sugar, Egs, and di∣vers other ingredients.

9. But there is hardly extant a more domestick, or familiar Example, than the coagulation of Milk, whether it be perfor∣med by Calves, or Lambs Runnit, or by juice of Limons, or by sowre Herbs, Spirit of Vitriol, or other acid Salt: by which means the fluid substance of the Milk sepa∣rates it self from the whey, and suddenly joyns together into a cheesy Mass.

10. In the Canary Islands they thicken, (by boyling) the fluid juice of Canes and Reeds into innumerably useful, and most sweet Sugar: And on the con∣trary, in the Island of Succotra, they make Aloes of the juice of a Plant, which is so exceeding bitter that it is become a nick∣name,
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for other bitter things: [You will have a large account of coagulations of this nature in the Philosophical Essay of Petrification, written by the Translator of this Treatise, and printed Anno 1672.] Nay without Art, or Labour, Water is converted into Stone in divers dens. And to omit other Countrys, the Cave called Baumanus's Cave, not far from the Mountain Bructer in the great Forest of Hircinia in Germany, in which not only Waters are turned into stony Icicles, but also there is found a wonderful company of the Bones of Animals, but from what Original, or how they came there, is yet uncertain.

Eleventhly. But as to what concerns Minerals. If you mix the best Vrinous Spirit of Sal Armoniack equal parts, with the most dephlegm'd Spirit of Wine, they will set, or fall to the bottom of the Glass in the manner of Icy flakes, or rather like Snow. For whilst the Acrimony of the Armoniack Spirit is blunted and mitigated▪ by the sweetness of the Spirit of Wine, the crisped, and sharp pointed Particles of the Salt falling to the bottom, and others falling still upon them, they represent the form of Snow.
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Twelfthly, If Spirit of common Salt be mixed with the Acid Spirit of Sal Armo∣niack, (not with the Salt Urinous one) then at first the mixture will grow hot, and presently it will be troubled, and thick, and at length it will begin to conjoyn to∣gether plainly in the form of Butter.

Thirteenthly, If there be mixed together equal parts of highly rectified Spirit of Wine, and exquisitely dephlegm'd Spirit of Vrine, they will coagulate (by agitating them) in a quarter of an hours time: first, into the form of Snow, and a little after, into a solid Mass. But unless both the Spirits be freed from all Phlegm, this business will want success: As Mr. Boyl doth prudently admonish in his History of Fluidity and Firmness, Part 2. Sect. 32.

Fourteenthly, Beat the white of an Egg, even to thinness, then mix with it half as much of the best Spirit of Salt: and you shall see this mixture will coagulate, even in a few Minutes of an hour by agitating it.

Fifteenthly, Many have attempted di∣•••s ways to coagulate the most Fluid Body of Quicksilver Io. 〈◊◊◊〉 Part 1. Pag. 35. proposeth his way. And that I may omit others, Thomas 〈◊〉
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now hath propounded his, Cent. 1. Num. 79. But the most exquifite, and no less certain way, is by the vapour of Lead; if you make a hole with a Stick in melted Lead, being removed from the Fire, and beginning to cool, then sprinkle some Ashes into the Hole, and nimbly pour in the Quicksilver: and so the Vapour ascen∣ding from the Lead will congeal it, al∣though there are not wanting those which doubt of this coagulation. But the Translator of this Treatise hath experimented it to be true.

Sixteenthly, 'Tis a more difficult opera∣tion which I make use of to procure a yel∣low coagulated Mercury: for I take of Quicksilver one ounce, of rust of Brass, and common Salt, of each an ounce and a half, Wine, Vinegar a pound or pint: boyl them in an Iron frying-Pan the space of an hour or two, continually stirring them with an Iron Spatula; till at length the Mercury co∣agulate into an Amalgame, which after∣wards wash several times from the Salt▪ and then form it into little Balls, the big∣ness of Pease. These little Balls being ex∣posed to a temperate Air, after a few hours, will harden of then own accord: But if you have a mind also to induce a colour upon this coagulated Mercury, then
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take of Turmerick roots fourteen Drams, and of prepar'd Tutia one ounce, and mixing them together, make with the Balls Stra∣tum super Stratum, that is, one row of the Powders, and another of the Balls, and so do till you have filled up a Cruci∣ble, which lute well, that nothing may expire. Let it stand at first in a gentle fire, that the matter may dry: afterwards for an hour or more, apply a strong fire to it; then take it off, and after it is cold, melt it as they use to do Metals, and pour it into an Ingot, and you will have a Mass very much resembling Rhenish Gold, of which may be made Rings, Bracelets and Medals. If there be any body that will not allow this Mass any longer to partici∣pate of the Quicksilver, I will not contest with him; because others which are ac∣quainted with that Planet, will not be induced easily to believe, that it can free∣ly endure a vehement fire for an hour to∣gether.

Observations upon Blood, and its Serum.

How much the Blood within is altered, by attenuating, or coagulating it, by means of Mineral Spirits injected into the Veins
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of Brutes, hath long since been declared by us, in Clysmatica Nova, cap. 5.

But, moreover, we have tryed many things upon Humane blood whilst it was yet warm, and newly drawn out of the Veins by Phlebotomy: observing that by instilling those Mineral Spirits, the Blood hath undergone various mutations: of which kind are Ebullitions, (or boyling, and bubling,) Attenuation, (or becomming thinner,) grumescence, curdling or coagula∣tion, and the exaltation or heightning of its colour, or the obscuration, darkning or hiding of it, and many the like varia∣tions. But before Humane blood, let out by opening a Vein, do lose its heat, and begin to thicken, there useth to swim upon it a Liquor, heretofore taken for Bile, or Choler, now esteemed its Serum, or Whey. Certainly it is not so bitter that it can deserve the name of Gall, or Choler: neither is it so thin that it alto∣gether deserves to be called Whey, or Se∣rum. If it be taken up gently in a Silver Spoon, and without the mixture of the bloody substance, if it be held a little while over warm Embers or Coals, it will be coagulated like to the white of an Egg boyl'd, both as to its substance and colour,
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and is also almost like it in taste. As to what concerns its colour, I have taken no∣tice of this difference; that in many it is perfectly white, in others it is palish, in others it tendeth towards yellowness: which variety may depend either from the temperament, or from the healthy, and infirm state of the Body, or from those things which are received into the Body, (for it appeareth that some portion of the Chyle is not changed altogether into Blood.)

If you put in of the aforesaid Mineral Spirits by drops upon this Chylous Serum put into several Vessels, there will also appear various Phaenomena, which will be useful for a careful Physician to take no∣tice of. In these kind of examinations, our very much honour'd Collegiate, that excellent man Dr. Godfredus Leisnerus, when he was living, did lately take much pains, who himself writ these following Observations, and a little before he yielded to Fate, communicated them to me to be divulged in this place.

Observation 1.

Mr. N. N. by birth of Clive, of thirty
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years of age, he was Scorbutick, had red Spots, and Pustils in his Face, a heaviness and weariness in his Ioints, and a numness, a flushing in his Face after drinking strong Wine, or strong Beer, or the Swalbasher Spaw Water, and was obnoxious to bleed∣ing Gums, and the like; after having ta∣ke Pills upon the 28 day of Iuly, 1671. He was let Blood in the left Arm, and had about seven Ounces taken from him, in three Porringers. The Blood was very hot in its flowing forth: the day before he had drank Wine largely, after which he was cold, his Blood had much Serum, and the grumous and curdled parts were very red, and would easily be divided by a Twig; in the bottom it was of a bright Bay colour, the Serum poured off, was of the colour of Lee, like Vrine of a Citron colour tending to red: It was divided into twelve Dishes, and the Liquors being mixed with it, things appeared thus.

First, With Spirit of Nitre dropt on it, it presently coagulated into a substance like cheese, from the top to the bottom of the Liquor, in that space the Spirit was dropt into: This Curd was white on the top, but towards the bottom yellow like Sul∣phur, the rest of the Serum swimming about
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it was clear, but dropping in Spirit of Nitre it also became of a Cheesy substance; some of the Liquor which remained, poured out clear like water, upon inclining of the Vessel.

Secondly, The sweet Spirit of Nitre be∣ing drop'd on, made no alteration; but after a short time, the upper half of the Liquor grew altogether clear, but the lower half was a little troubled, yet so, that there could scarce any difference be dis∣cerned but by curious Chymical eyes.

Thirdly, Spirit of Salt did presently pervade the Liquor, not only in that place where it was drop'd in, but through the whole circumference of the Liquor, and about the bottom precipitated a white co∣agulum, but not stiff.

Fourthly, The sweet Spirit of Salt did trouble the Liquor a little, but in a short time there was a separation made like the cream of Milk, which swam at the top.

Fifthly, Spirit of Vitriol, did precipitate a White Curd equally from all parts to the bottom, almost Analogous to the curd made with the sweet Spirit of Salt, but thinner.

Sixthly, Aqua-fortis did altogether a∣gree with the Spirit of Nitre, both in the whiteness of the Curd, its yellowish bottom,
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and the clearness of the Liquor which was left uncoagulated.

Seventhly, Spirit of Sulphur, converted the whole Liquor into a white coagulum, or Curd, except a few drops which were left.

Eightly, The Clyssus (or the Sulphureous acid Spirit of Antimony) being dropped in, precipitated to the bottom of the Li∣quor a Curd, which was on one side White, and Cheesy, and on the other side transpa∣rent, and like a Ielly.

Ninthly, Arcanum Nitri (that is the So∣lution of the Salt of the caput Mortuum of Aqua-fortis, or its red Earth left in the bot∣tom of the Retort) dropped in, at the be∣ginning it did presently fall to the bot∣tom of the Liquor in which it was put: nor would it be mixed with it, so that it might be very well discerned from it, but after an hour or two, the Liquor was of an bigher Colour, and there settled in the bot∣tom of the Vessel a troubled Sediment, which upon slightly shaking of the Glass united again with the Liquor.

Tenthly, The Salt Spirit of Sal Armo∣niack did introduce no alteration at all in the Liquor, neither in its Colour, nor in its consistence.
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Eleventhly, The fixed Liquor of Nitre, did thicken and trouble this Liquor, and precipitated to the bottom a certain Sal∣tish Curd, the Liquor which swam at the top was very clear.

Observation 2.

A Young man who was descended of consumptive Parents, and was himself con∣sumptive, (with much coughing casting out both Blood, and Matter;) a Vein being ope∣ned there was taken from him about eight Ounces of Blood. The grumous Blood was of a florid Colour, Thin, and had much Serum, which being poured out into little dishes, it brought off with it from the top of the Blood a little redness, this subsided and fell to the bottom in a days time.

1. Spirit of Nitre, And

2. Sweet Spirit of Nitre, both produced the same effects, as in the former Obser∣vation.

3. Spirit of Salt did the same, but with this difference, that the Coagulum was more Phlegmatick on the top of it, and as it were a Ielley.
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4. The Sweet Spirit of Salt, did the same as in the former Observation, but the Cream was thicker.

5. Spirit of Vitriol, And

6. Aqua-fortis, did the same as in the former Observation.

7. Spirit of Sulphur made a Coagulum like Spirit of Salt, but a little thinner, and more like Ielley.

8. The Clyssus made a white and thick Curd.

9. Arcanum Nitri. And

10. The Salt Spirit of Sal Armo∣niack. And

11. The Liquor of fixed Nitre, did the same as in the former Observation.

12. Spirit of Verdigrece, at the first drop∣ping into the Glass did make the clear Li∣quor to look Milky, and afterwards did make no further change.

Observation 3.

Mr. N. N. Splenetick, and Scorbutick, afflicted with a Vertigo, or Giddiness, and a straitness in his Breast, upon the 27th day of Iuly, Anno 1672, was let blood, the Blood was good, and had much tincted
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Serum, into which the following things were dropped.

1. Aqua-fortis, from which there was a cheesy and white concretion, the Serum which swam at the top was pale; this Co∣agulum was not dissolved, by dropping into it Spirit of Sal Armoniack.

2. By the Clyssus there was made a white Curd, which fell to the bottom, but was less tenacious, or tough.

3. Spirit of Nitre, made a Coagulum like Aqua-fortis in all things, and when more Spirit was put in, the Serum was al∣most all coagulated.

4. Sweet Spirit of Nitre, made no alte∣ration at all.

5. Spirit of Salt did equally precipitate a white Curd to the bottom, like a Ielly, and of a pale Yellow Colour at the top, leaving a Liquor that was somewhat paler above it.

6. Spirit of Vitriol, did absolutely the same thing, excepting that the Liquor which swam at the top, did remain some∣what more tincted.

7. Spirit of Verdigrece made no change at all.

8. The Spirit of Sulphur made the same Coagulum with Spirit of Vitriol.

9. Polemanus's double Spirit, did the same
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with Spirit of Salt, excepting that the Co∣agulum was a little thicker, and less white.

10. Arcanum Nitri, made a troubled bottom, but the Glass with the Liquor be∣ing shook it was exactly mixed again, and no alteration appeared. Into this mix∣ture there being dropped one or two drops of Aqua-fortis, it produced a milkie curd after the usual manner.

11. The Liquor of fixed Nitre also made a troubled bottom, and shaking the glass it was exactly mixed again, but dropping in Aqua-fortis there was an ebul∣lition made, and much Spume, or Forth raised of a Sulphureous colour, but never∣theless nothing was precipitated.

12. Spirit of Sal Armoniack prepared with the Bloodstone, did not thicken the Liquor, but only a little heighten the Co∣lour, a drop or two of Aqua-fortis being added to this, presently made a milky curd: but a greater quantity of Spirit of Sal Armoniack being poured upon it, it was again dissolved with small bubbles, and instead of the Coagulum there remain∣ed as it were a little thin transparent Phlegm.
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Observation 4.

These were instituted not in the Serum, but in the clotted blood it self. To wit Mr. N. N. after he had spit blood for some years, fell into a spitting of Matter, with an inordinate or irregular Feaver, after exhibiting of Medicines, and chiefly of Adstringents, the thirtieth day of May he fell into a large Haemoptisis, or spitting of blood, he having been afflicted before it with a weightiness, and weariness of his Joynts: upon the first of August this Symp∣tom was urgent again, and he cast up much florid blood▪ which was easily coagulated. The 2d day of August after Midnight, his spitting of blood was very urgent, only he perceived his blood which he threw up to be hotter whilst it was in his mouth: it was neither putrid matter, nor Salt as heretofore. I commanded to take about four ounces of Blood, by opening a Vein in the Right Arm. The Blood which was let out was taken in two Silver Dishes, and appeared black even whilst it was flowing forth: it had little Serum, scarce two drams, and that of a Yellow Colour. The clotted blood had a florid red circle about it, the
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middle part was like the skin of a Jelly. To this blood, being well dryed with spongy Brown Paper, these following things were applyed.

1. One drop of Spirit of Nitre, did presently and sooner than in the twinkling of an Eye, impress a white spot upon it, and that not superficially, but sufficiently deep, and very white.

2. The Sweet Spirit of Nitre, made no change at all.

3. Spirit of Salt, did more slowly make a spot, and that less white, and less deep. The red Circle of the blood it self, and the circumference of the drop, were both black.

4. Sweet Spirit of Salt, at the first did nothing, but after it had stood sometime upon the Liquor it did a little dissolve the outward skin of the Blood, and made a hole in it, and rendred the blood under it, (in which it was contained) of a livid flesh Colour, spotted like Marble.

5. Spirit of Vitriol did slowly make a spot a little whitish.

6. Aqua-fortis did swiftly and imme∣diately (with some Fume) make a spot altogether agreeable with that of Spirit of Nitre.
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7. Spirit of Sulphur, made a Spot like that of Spirit of Vitriol.

8. The Clyssus produced a white spot.

9. Spirit of Verdigrece as to its effect a∣greed with the Sweet Spirit of Salt.

10. Arcanum Nitri stood upon the Blood in its own circumference, after∣wards it made a yellowish spot, and ren∣dred the skin of the Blood thinner, so that it might easily be divided by a twig.

11. Spirit of Sal Armoniack made no change, or spot.

12. The Liquor of Fixed Nitre ren∣dred the Blood much Redder and transpa∣rent.

FINIS.Page 97

---

Of the Grun-Walden∣sin-Stone.
An Addition to the second Chapter.

Concerniug this the most Noble, and Excellent Doctor, Christianus Menzelius, Councellor and chief Physitian to the most Serene the E∣lector of Brandenburg, hath not only made Egregious and Worthy Experiments: But hath also whilst this Book was under the Press, sent them to me in a Letter. And be∣cause they make much towards the illustrations of the second Chap∣ter of this our Curious Distilla∣tory, we thought fit to subjoyn them by way of Addition.
Page 98

Noble and most Experient Sir, my Collegiate, and most Honoured Friend.

YOu demanding that I would cast in some of my Chymical Obser∣vations, to be added to your curious Distillatory, (by reason of the great Friendship which hath been betwixt us from our Youth,) I could not deny it: although I always desired, and had ra∣ther have lain hid, than to have ven∣tured writing either upon my own ac∣cord, or with others. But omitting an infinite Number which seem to look towards your second chapter, I will therefore communicate only one Observation of my Chymical labours, about a certain Stone, which from the place of its growth, I call the Grun-Walden-Stone. It was found here hard by Berlin, by my self, and Rhe∣wend the Goldsmith (who is yet li∣ving)
Page 99
Anno. 1663. in the Month of May, near the Wood commonly called der Grunwald, by the help of a Shepherds Boy, who knew the place, and shewed it to us. This Stone contains of Metals, Iron, and Copper: and of Metalline Juices, Sulphur, and Vitriol, which are hid in a Golden Markasite, with which this Stone abounds. This Markasite therefore (which the Greeks calls Py∣rites) I separated from the rest of the Stone, and having reduced it into Powder, dissolved as much of it as I could in Aqua-fortis. I put the Solution in Sand to evaporate, and there remained in the bottom a matter that was fine, spongy, and of a yel∣lowish Sulphur Colour. Upon several parts of this matter I poured,

1. Some Spirit of Wine, that I might dissolve, and digest it: and be∣hold all became immediately exceeding Black.
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2. Upon another part of this Mat∣ter, I dropt Oyl, or Liquor of Tar∣tar in some quantity, and presently there was a crackling noise, and ebulli∣tion, and there was induced upon it a bay Colour, but thick, and obscure.

3. This Liquor being Philtred, I mixed the Acid Spirit of Sulphur with it, and there emerged a most lovely Scarlet blood Colour, splendid like a Ruby, and transparent, there re∣maining in the bottom a gross, and black Sediment.

4. To this Ruby-coloured Liquor I added some drops of a Solution of Sil∣ver made with Aqua-fortis, and sooner than you can speak it, the Solu∣tion of Silver was coagulated upon the Liquor, into a Curd as white as Snow, and was like Fat, or the white of an Egg boyl'd hard, which after a little time fell down white to the bot∣tom like Lime; the Liquor retaining its Scarlet blood Colour.
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5. After I had abstracted this lovely Ruby-coloured Liquor almost to dryness, there remained in the bot∣tom a snowy Salt, Lanceolated or Chrystallized like Nitre. I poured upon these Chrystals clear Spring Wa∣ter, and they were most easily dissolved in it, and the Liquor was clear, Lim∣pid, and Transparent even like fair Water. But when I added to it the Oyl or Liquor of common Tartar, immediately the former Scarlet blood-Colour returned again.

6. I have a Liquor of Tartar dige∣sted with an Hungarian Gold Mine∣ral; of this Oyl, or Liquor, when I put in a few drops, the whole Liquor be∣came a blewish green Colour.

7. I took again also of the aforesaid Scarlet Blood-Coloured Liquor one ounce or there abouts, and to it added onely one drop of the Solution of Gold,
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made with Aqua Regis: & in less then a moment the whole Liquor of this love¦ly Red Sanguine Colour, was changed into a Goldish Yellow Colour, such as the Solution of the Gold was like that Kingly Star the Sun, discus∣sing the Clouds, and filling all things with his commanding light.

Moreover, I here omit many more Chymical Phaenomena, wrought up∣on this Stone, which have slipped out of my mind: as also a Menstruum which turned that blood-coloured Li∣quor presently into clear, and Diapha∣nous Water; and another Menstru∣um, which turned the same Liquor into a Violet-Colour; and others which transform'd it into other Co∣lours. I yet keep by me a Sky-colou∣red Powder prepared of this Stone, which in its fairness is not exceeded by the Mountain Blew, or Sky colour, called Bergblau. For I confess
Page 103
there are no kind of true Colours which Painters do make use of; which do not in my opinion result from the Calxs of Metals or Minerals vari∣ously prepared. I send together with these a piece of this Grun-walden∣Stone, that so if you please you your self may experiment the before recited Phaenomena. I have also sent a por∣tion of the wonderful Violet colou∣red Powder, so called by Geber the Arabian in his Summa Perfectionis. Cap. 28. lib. 1. Which I obtained from Copper calcin'd with Sulphur, about three days since. By way of Conclusion I add, an Experiment which happened to me concerning that Bilious Liquor, contained in the bladder of Gall: In this (above twenty years since,) I dissolved some Aloes Rosatum, or depurated Aloes, and the Green Colour of the Bile, or Choler was changed into a true blood Colour. The consideration of which
Page 104
thing, cannot I suppose but be beneficial to all Men, Farewell.

Written in hast From my Study, this 8th of March, 1674.

Your Excellencies in all studious Observance. Christianus Menzelus.
Page 105

AN Addition to the fourth Chapter concerning a Diuretical Tin∣cture, commonly cal∣led the Solar Tincture.

As also a singular Experiment concerning Tyles; proposed in a Letter to me by the Noble and Excellent Doctor Casper Marchius.

Most Noble and Experienced Sir, My Friend and Favourer, much to be Honoured.

AFter that a little while since, (according to the singular civili∣ty with which you abound,) you permit∣ted
Page 106
me to read your Curious Distilla∣tory, (which now sweats under the Press;) I began to think, if I could not remember of my Chymical Labours, an Experiment or two, which might have some relation to the things you treat of: And behold there came Two into my 〈◊〉, perhaps as well known to your self, but not alledged in that Elegant Writing of yours, if I remem∣ber rightly: in both of them there comes a Golden Colour over the A∣limbeck, in one of them in the form of a Spirituous Liquor, in the other of them inhaering in the form of a Salt, sufficiently Volatile; You know, wor∣thy Sir, how from the Mineral of Hun∣garian Antimony, Nitre, Tartar, and the like, (chiefly such sorts of them as are thought to be Auriferous, or to containe Gold, adding according to the opinion of some men, Sal Armo∣niack also,) being well mixed toge∣ther,
Page 107
and cast into a certain instru∣ment, by the help of an open Fire, there is drawn that sufficiently cele∣brated Liquor against the Stone, by many highly commended also against di∣vers obstructions, and impurities of the Blood; which that it shines in its first distillation with a Golden Colour will hardly procure admiration to any one, since it is a true Solution of the Salt and Sulphur, expelled from these diffe∣rent Matters by the violence of the Fire; as also no man wonders that Spirit of common Salt is indued almost with the same Colour; but if it be recti∣fied by a Retort, with a moderate Fire, it will be discovered how much Corpo∣real Salt it contained; and this rectified Spirit of Salt, will be almost Dia∣phanous, and without Colour. But concerning our almost Goldish Colour, I have often taken notice that being re∣ctifi'd more than once yet it brings over
Page 108
with it self the goldish Tincture, al∣though it be not quite so deep as before: which is a sign that the Salt and Sulphur, are more intimate∣ly united, and under a Volatile Salt.

The Other Observation which I offer, is not so commonly known, nor have I happened to read of it in the writings of Chymists: every body knows that baked or burnt Tiles are of a reddish colour throughout, which Co∣lour should any man have told me here∣tofore, that it were separable from them, I should have given as much credit to it, as to those who contend that the Tincture, or red Colour may be separated from Corals; which as to the Colour, as it is a Naked qua∣lity, I hold to be impossible; but in re∣spect of some certain proportion of sub∣stantial matter (which I acknowledg to
Page 109
be the chief Subject of this Colour) which may be taken out of the Corals, by certain Menstruums, to account that thing impossible is neither well nor true. It happned (as I have known by experience) that the rusty, or rather red Colour with which the Tyles are tinged throughout, may be so separated from them, that nothing of it will be left, or remain in them. I was about to prepare the Volatile Urinous Spi∣rit of Sal Armoniack, and therefore took, as the custom is, a Lixiviate Alcaly in the preparation of it, by which means I obtained a pound or two of Salt, composed of both of them, to wit, the Alcaly, and the Sal Ar∣moniack; from which being desirous to draw a Spirit, I did, after the most usual Method▪ mix it with three times its weight of Powder of Tyles, and attempted to drive over the Spirit by a Retort, in a naked Fire, but I did not
Page 110
obtain what I would have had: for there distilled but very little Liquor, but at length there arose a Corporeal and Volatile Salt, in such proportion, that it almost filled up the Neck of the Retort, for which cause it would at last break it of necessity; The Retort therefore being taken out of the Fire, I observed all the Salt to be sublimed into the Neck and the upper part of the Retort, and it was Tincted with a Saffron Colour, and the Powder of the Tiles which was left, was depri∣ved of all its Colour, and was like Ashes. Which extracting of the Co∣lour by an Alimbeck from a body which had indured so great a stress of Fire before, As it is an Experi∣ment worthy consideration: So I be∣lieve, Noble Sir, it will not be ungrate∣ful, if it be added to your Experi∣ments. Farewell. And as you have hitherto excellently done, Study the
Page 111
publick Good, and advancement of Learning, and continue to Love me,

Yours Ready upon all Friendly occasions, CASPER MARCHIUS, Doctor, Counseller, and chief Physitian to the Elector.

Berlin 10th of March, Anno. 1674.

END.