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. Scaliger, 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 extremity 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 opinion 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 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 belonging 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 prefixed 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 Rainbow, a Prismatick or Triangular Glass, the redness of Wine spilt upon a Napkin. These we divide again into Penetrative Colours, such as Obryz, or pure Gold, and Sealing Wax: and into such as are Superficial, of which sort are Apples appearing outwardly red, and yet are inwardly white.

Moreover Colours considered in the abstract 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, whether 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 Colour 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 compounded 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 Colours 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.

1. As Spirit of Turpentine, though of it self it be clear, if it be poured upon Saecharum Saturni, (or Sugar of Lead) which is also of it self exceeding White, if it be digested upon it, will in a small time become 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 Spirit, ascending to the superficies is diminished, 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 Vitriol, 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, 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 clearness, but urinous ones with obscureness.

8. A Solution of Lead made with distilled Vinegar, appeareth clear like common Water: 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.

9. If Antimony which is calcin'd with Nitre be boyl'd in Fountain Water, the straining will be clear, and almost without 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 presently 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 moistned 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 perfectly 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 Linne-Cloath, in Aqua Regis, in which Gold is dissolved, and having cast it into a Crucible, make a Circular Fire about it, at a distance; and so by degrees reduce it into a Powder: But towards the end increase 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 Silver, 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 pleasant redness to it, like that of red Wine: If you pour upon this a little distill'd Vinegar, the Liquor will appear clear like white Wine, but a few drops of Oyl of Tartar reduces the Colour to a deep Purple, 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 deliquium (or in the Aire) the mixture will be whitish like Milk. Dr. Willis (lib. de Ferment. cap. 11.) proposeth this Experiment, every Branch of which will answer the Trial but the fourth, for we by adding Spirit of Vitriol could not produce 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 together, 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 Colour: 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 Metamorphosis, 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 Clyssus of Antimony, and the mixture being shook, it will become clear: but if you 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 Armoniack 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 Bloodstone, after some bubling, the Powder which lay in the bottom will be dissolved again, and the whole will be changed into 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 Convolvulus or Bird-weed (that sort with the Blew Flower and Ivy-shaped Leaves, with sharp points,) which Lobelius calls Asureum, 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 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 Liquor 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, being 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 appearances 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 dilated, and contracted at the will of the Commander; nay being disordered by the Enemy, may again be rallied, and reduced into order. After the same manner, from the small Particles of Liquors dilated ariseth perspicuity and whiteness: but from their contraction obscurity and blackness. Again, according as the dilatation 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.

THe various ways of Distilling dependeth partly from the variety of Furnaces, of which some are to distil by Ascention, others by Descention: to say nothing of Probatory, Cementatory, Reverberatory, or Wind-Furnaces, partly also from the difference of Vessels, of which sort are Vesica'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 the Fire worketh upon the Matter committed 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 certain 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 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 Cucurbit, 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 Alimbeck only as the chief Instrument, not excluding a Retort, or any other distilling Instrument. That there are some such Species in Nature which will do this, Labour 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.

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 substance: yet being tryed with Menstruums, or dissolving Liquors, they are much varied; there doth also arise much more difficulty in distilling them than in Vegetables. The case is the same also in Minerals, although the difficulty in distilling them be somewhat less: but let the difficulty 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.

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, Butterflyes 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 passeth over by it, as much as is hitherto discovered, 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-Medicines are prepared, amongst which the chief are the Horns, whose Spirit being drawn by a Retort, shines with a Yellow, or rather 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 towards the end of a Gold Colour, and so distils constantly, and is of many uses in Art.

3. Of the Blew Water of Gnats, this following Experiment is produced by Adamus 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 Rachel. Bo du es aber in einem helm brennest, 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. Although I do not deny that this way of distilling Gnats is partly obscure, and partly defective.

THere goes about a Story of a great Person that was very curious, who having called together to him certain Alchymists, shewed them divers Simples, which having mixed together, he caused them to be committed to distillation in their presence: 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 afflicted 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 proportion; 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, 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 Legerdemain or trick may pass.

1. The most facile way of all is, by putting 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.)

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 Mouseare. lib. 11. cap. 214. others make it another Plant. The kinds of it are commonly (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.

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 Mayweed; but I shall chiefly have to do in this place with the first sort or common Camomil.

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 Flowers is very different from this, for it is deeply saturated and fill'd with a Saphire Colour, very pleasing to the sight.

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 Antonius 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, cujus usus jamdiu receptus fuit in his Regionibus, ad Renum vitia, urinaeque difficultates & incommoda. Postea experimento comprobatum est, ejus Aquam in Iecoris & Leinis obstructionibus utilem esse. Illa autem hac ratione paratur, Lignum assutatim, & minutim, concisum in optima & lympidissima aqua fontana maceratur, atque in ea relinquitur donec aqua à bibentibus absumpta sit. Dimidia Hora post injectum lignum aqua caeruleum dilutiorem colorem contrahit, qui sensun intenditur pro temporis diuturnitate, tametsi lignum candidum (potius ruffum) sit, caeruleum ideo dico quoniam adulteratur alio ligno simili, quod aquam croceo colore inficit, ne quis fallatur. 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. Afterwards 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 contract 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 Blewness, 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 nothing 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 suddenly and unthought-of shewed to us, I doubt not with how much amazement we should contemplate it.

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 swellings, and of this sort truly there is but one: The third sort is Geniculate, knotted, 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 common 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 never preserved or kept. Moreover, Ioachimus Camerarius in his Notes upon Petr. Andrea, 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 • rafftiger, Wann also dasselbe destilliret wird, dak es der blvmen natvrlich Iarbe behalte, tvie den solches ohne allen frembden 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 retains the native colour of the Flowers: as also it may easily be perform'd without any strange additament. And truly except we will impute 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 Camerarius 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 Water distilled by the common method will be Blew, we have not yet had leasure to try.

Curcuma, or Turmerick roots are vulgarly 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 Gulielmus 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 distilled 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 caused to vanish, by the rayes of the Sun, or any other heat. But if any do contend that this yellowness is caused by the coming 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.

SOme Plants comprehend many Species or kinds under them, as Tulips, Hawk-weed, Cranes-bill, Orchis, or Dogstones, Treacle Mustard, and Grass. Others contain no variety of kinds, in as much as we hitherto know of; as Annise, Cymbalaria, 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, Liquoriss, Celandine. And the last of the three is the most ample, containing under 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 is rarer with us, is wont to be called Sun-dew with the longest Leaf.

BY reason of the difficulties, and length of Navigations, there hath been related 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 identities of Cinnamon, and Cannella; which quarrels will be easily determined by reading of the writings of latter Authors.

The most noble sort of Cinnamon is the Cannella Zeilanica, or the Cinnamon of Zeilan: 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.

But the History of Cannella is above all others most exactly described by Gulielmus 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 Arboribus,) is not to be found in every bodies hands, and that besides there is hardly any hope left, that this Tree will ever be procured to grow in our colder Clymat: 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 insert it in this place.

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 Vital 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 Alimbeck, is of a Milky colour. But this Milkiness is hardly native, or true, but doth proceed from the Oyl, with which this Spice doth abound: which being dispersed 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 plentiful, doth usually at last fall to the bottom.

Nor ought this so to be interpreted, as if this milky Colour were only proper 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.

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 hardens. 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 Colour 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 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 understood 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 Corral, 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 Barberries, 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 business consists in this point, that a reason may be shewed, how without the addition 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.

SInce we have spoken concerning Colours 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 effervescencies, and incalescencies of things, together with their attenuation, and coagulations. These also are Chymical, and afford much light towards the Knowledg of Nature, 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 other, 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 annexed to our Distillatory, by way of Mantissa, or overplus.