CHAP. I.

WE shall not here ravel into the opinion of others concerning this great doctrine of Fermenta­tion, which whether we look upon in a more large sence, as the very Basis of Natures work­ings in the formations and transformations of Bodies, or in a more strict, limiting it (as some Authors do) to the bare confinements of some animal and vegitable juices: If the former, it might come in competition with all other sorts of Principles, laid down in the various kinds of Hypotheses by divers Physiologists, whether Peripateticks, Epicureans, Cartesians, (which is but the latter polisht) Paracelsians, Helmon­tions, Willesians, Tachenians, &c. and so might require a larger discourse then here we in­tend: If the latter, we stint and straiten Na­ture in her more ample work of generations, [Page 2]making her square to our strait-lac'd and byas­sed notions: We shall in neither sence, I say, take an occasion to examine the Opinions and Judgments of others, referring that task to an­other place. But shall without any unnecessa­ry Prologue fall to our intended work.

Only we would premise, that whereas the Corpuscularians (who are now the most recent Physiologists) suppose matter under the consi­deration of motion and figure, to be the com­petent Elements and Principles of Bodies, we shall anon shew, that by the power of Fermen­tation, one part of matter mechanically indi­visible, may for ought we know be splitt and sub-divided by a subtile comminution into 1000. perhaps 10000 parts: now whatsoever figure these (not almost but altogether) un­imaginable minute parts have or may be sup­posed to have, yet can signifie nothing in the fabrick of Bodies, till they jump together again or coincide into a stricter compage: So that such parcels of matter as come nearest to a mechanical division, or at least come nearest to be perceptable to the acutest Organs of our Sense, fortified by artificial contrivances, are such as we ought chiefly to look after, and to consider as principles in order to the genesis and analysis of Bodies.

Nor are we to look at the Elements of Bo­dies as confin'd to such narrow limits, that thence of necessity they should be pent and [Page 3]thrust up into indivisible figur'd points: So that matter under the notion of figure, as of round, square, cubes, &c. in Physically in­divisible points, cannot truly and in a genuine Physiological sence, be reputed the Elements of bodies: For the reason, suppose, of extension of matter in the concretion of Bodies, con­sists, (we conjecture) chiefly, if not solely, in a coagulating texture of plyable parts of mat­ter, wrought up before while in Succo Soluto, by Fermentation: and not only extension but divisibility of matter previous to extension in the production of concretes, we ascribe to the same cause: so that whatever the Corpuscu­larians, attribute to motion, divisibility, and figure or size of particles of matter in order to make up the Elements of Bodies, we see no other cause but to ascribe to matter, viz. (water or watery particles) set into a Fermentative motion, which without any more ado, per­forms the whole business, as we shall in the se­quel of this discourse illustrate, this being pre­mis'd.

The Method we intend to insist upon and to trace in order to the right understanding, and towards prosecuting the due improvements of the doctrine of Fermentation, according to our Hypothesis, will be first to explain what we mean by Fermentation, giving as concise a de­finition as the nature thereof will admit; next, to signifie of what large extent it is in the [Page 4]whole round of Natures workings, which will be elucidated by an induction of particulars, viz. how the Phoenomena of hot Baths, the pro­duction of Minerals, the origin of some Acidulae, or Spaw waters, the grand apparances of Heat, Fire, and Light, throughout all Concretes, whe­ther in the familie of Minerals, Animals, or Ve­gitables; also how many other sorts of Phoeno­mena, obvious in the large field of Nature, may without straining be solv'd from the true prin­ciples thereof, consonant to Nature in all her workings.

In the handling of the first, we may take leave to say, That Fermentation in the true genuine sence thereof, is nothing else, but an intestine Collision or mutual wrestling betwixt Acidum and Sulphur, put together by Nature, (or by Art in imitation of Nature) and set in a combating motion, in order to the producti­on of some Concrete, or to some other equiva­lent end, whereby, if not interrupted, in liquid juices, heterogenities are separated: whose first on-sets are sometimes, especially in the Embrio-state of some things, slow and inde­cernable motions, whilst in other Stades they pass through, they arrive at more brisk fret­tings, and yet heightened, may sometimes arise to actual flagration, as we shall shew af­terward: And that nature (as we shall anon shew) useth these two as the grand mechani­cal principles in the productions of all concretes, [Page 5]whether mineral, animal, or vegitable, and that too not onely in their concretions, but reducti­ons, in their genesis, but analysis evolutions and revolutions, weavings and unweavings, windings on and off in all Bodies.

Only, First with this difference in the three­fold Kingdom of Nature, that tho the acids of vegitables be different from those of animals, and both from those of minerals, retaining a specifical difference amongst themselves, whereby they constantly keep up the bad e of their distinction in their several Classes, yet all are in a true (and not metaphorical) sence, acids, the like may be said of their Sulphurs, which are truly (and not analogically) Sul­phurs.

And Secondly, with this difference amongst the same Acids and Sulphurs, as they are con­sidered under the notion of the genesis and production of Bodies, from what the same are in the right understanding of the analysis, re­ductions and unwearings of Concretes. So that nature hereby is every where uniform to her self, and that [...]o from the consonancy and harmony of her principles: We say therefore and shall prove in the series of our following discourse, that there are no concretions of Bo­dies, as they assume their birth from the legi­timate broodings of nature in all seeds and se­minal offsprings, without the concurring effi­cients and principles of Fermentation, which [Page 6]as they are hid and close shut up in the very primordial seedlings of things, and are known to us only a posteriori (inasmuch as they are indiscernable a priori, but by an intuitive knowledge) yet ex ungue leonem, we may easily take their measures from those Scantlings we can trace in their footings.

Now for the better rendring our Doctrine of Fermentation intelligible, viz. how nature by the foresaid principles set to work in the very primordials of things, goes on (if not interrupted) in a linear process towards the productions thereof, we shall begin with the mineral Kingdom: where we shall illustrate the veracity of our principles of Fermentation, by thence solving the Phenomena of hot Baths, the productions of minerals, and other subter­raneal apparances, as they will in course fall in our way.

In order to the right understanding of hot Baths, and to demonstrate they have their original from Fermentation of mineral juices, our method will be to lay down two positions, the first whereof is, that [...]re is no hot Bath without Sulphur. The Second, That an Acid is necessarily requisite in all mineral Fermenta­tions; and that all Acids so concern'd, are ei­ther native or super-induc'd, also to shew what we mean by Sulphur, and how hot Baths differ chiefly according to the difference of their Sulphurs: And which amongst them are not [Page 7] safely to be taken inwardly and which are: Then to shew how from the foresaid principles put together into an intestine collision and Fer­mentation, the waters that pass through them, must necessarily become hot, and this is then to be confirm'd by an induction of mechanical Experiments, also to shew how Sulphur by Fermentation, becomes comminuted volatiz'd, and capable of Solution in Water, as happens in all hot Baths, and to signifie a paralel betwixt mineral and vegitable Fermentations, &c.

CHAP. II.

AS to the truth of the first position, viz. that there is no hot Bath without Sulphur, appears, because as there is no heat without Fermentation of mineral juices (I mean as to subterraneals) as we shall make evident after­wards, so no Fermentation without Sulphur; For although indeed from mixtures of Acids and Alcalies, (whether fixt or volatile) Fer­mentation and Heat doth necessarily result: yet because they are artificially produced; and next, because it will be difficult to find out the sources of these heats, and the true genu­ine causes of such Fermentations, from the va­riety of those efficients, I mean alcalies: for notwithstanding there be plenty of alcalizate [Page 8]alcalies, (as I may call them to distinguish from lixivial) wrapt up in the texture of Petrifick concretions, yet there must be store of very Corrosive acids, that can be sufficient to cause so great a Fermentation, which we may never expect to find: Therefore Tachenius his Hypo­thesis of acids and alcalies, will not do our work, as being too narrow in the foundation to raise so large a structure of philosophy upon, as genuinely to solve the various Phoenomena of nature, and particularly in this apparance of hot Baths, as anon will be more evident.

By Sulphur I do not confine my self in my Hypothesis to that particular mineral Concrete call'd Sulphur or Brimstone, which although that be a Subject in whose concretion more plenty of that matter I call Sulphur is interwo­ven, or rather coagulated, then in any other: yet by that term, I do not only mean what is flammable in that body; but also the like ano­logous flagrable matter in other minerals or me­tals, as to minerals whether in Antimony, na­tive Cinnaber, Arsncck, Auripigmentum, Mar­casites, Pyrites, Succinum, Ga [...]ates Lythanthrax, &c. As to metals in Lead, Tin, Iron, Copper, and Quick-silver, or in both, viz. Vitriols, which are metals, especially Mars and Venus reduced into that form by the help of mineral acids; I say I do not only mean what is flagra­ble in the foresaid Bodies, or may be separated in a combustable matter: But also I include all [Page 9] bitumen and unctuous matter; whether reposed in Earth, Stones, or the like: As to which Sul­phurs, even in all combustible Concretes, we know not that ever they appear sincere, but always more or less complicated with their connate acids, and upon every sort of Fermentation, (as we shall shew more afterwards) whether in the slow or quick, low or high degrees thereof in vegitation, animation, mineraliza­tion, ignition and flagration, they continually wind off, and do tenues evanescere in auras.

And also in the fore said Bodies wherein Sulphur predominates, or is separable, an aci­dum is plainly discoverable to be the inmate or companion thereof, as is obvious by the bur­ning of Brimstone, the Sulphur of Antimony, &c. which by condencing the fumes, give an acid Spirit (which whether all combustible matters amongst animals, vegitables, and mi­nerals, will yeild peculiar sorts of acids, I may elsewhere treat) yet because the Sulphurous principle hath the preheminence in such concre­tions or unctuous Liquors, we shall therefore discourse of them under the notion of Sulphur.

Now to prove that Sulphur, either crude or volatile, is found in most, if not all known hot Baths, let us consult what Authors say here­in: who have seen and made observations upon them.

Thus in the aqua Aponensi that fam'd hot Bath near Padua, so much discours'd by Fallo­pius, [Page 10]certo collegi (saith he) &c. vaporem Sulphureum in illa aqua Aponensi contineri, and saith further, est aqua ferventissima, & dum calida est sapit Sulphur & Bitumen, &c. The learned Dr. Ed. Browne fellow of the Royal Society in his Travels tells us his observations: ‘Sulphur (saith he) which is in great quan­tities in many hot Springs, flyeth away con­tinually, and is not to be found in them, if you boyle or evaparate the Bath-water: and therefore to discover it, I thought it more rational to look out of the water, then into it; for upon many places which were over the Baths, and received the Steams of the hot wate, I have seen Sulphur stick: And to satisfie my curiosity further herein, I caused once a Pipe to be opened at Baden in Austria, through which the hot water continually ran, and took with my hand from the upper part of the Pipe, divers Boxes full of a substance scarce to be distinguished from Flower of Brimstone.’

Thus we see how Sulphur dissolv'd in these Baths doth sometimes precipitate along the sides of the Channells through which it runs as also being volatiz'd doth pass away (I mean the purer part) in vapors or steams insensibly till arrested by some particular bodies, it settles and sticks thereto: Thus the foresaid Author observed, ‘That walking about one day in the lower Bath at Baden, and leaning over the [Page 11]Ballisters, perceived that his Buttons, and what else he wore that was Silver, were all turned yellow of a fair Gold colour, although he was at some distance from the Water: whereupon he tryed this Experiment, viz. of hanging money over the Bath at a foot di­stance, or at a greater, and found it coloured in a minutes time, and that which was nearer, in half a minute.’

Next we are to consider how these Thermae or hot Baths differ amongst themselves (which as we conceive) chiefly proceeds from the difference and great variety of Sulphurs or Mi­neral Bodies, wherein are wrapt up a diversity of Sulphurs, through which they pass, and with which they are impregnated, together with some other mineral parts which they take in, either at the place of Fermentation, or af­terwards in their passage. For Sulphurs (which we suppose to be chiefly concerned in all mine­ral Fermentations differ much amongst them­selves, common Brimstone being different from that of Antimony, and that from the Sulphur of Vitriol, Pyrites, and other mineral Marca­sites, all which are yet different from Arseni­cal Sulphurs, and from bituminous matters, one sort or other of which are most what the pre­dominant ingredient and mineral principle of these hot Baths.

Hence it is that some of these Sulphurous waters, may with good success in order to the [Page 12]cure of some diseases, be taken inwardly, others not, Those that may not, are generally such whose Sulphurs are Antimonial, Arseni­cal or Bituminous, or at least border upon such minerals as are allyed thereto; of which are the generality of hot Baths, and in particular those of our own Nation, of which the Som­merset-shire being the hottest, are found alto­gether unfit for inward uses, are not safely to be drunk, inasmuch as they are impregnated (as I conceive) with antimonial, or perhaps bituminous Sulphur, or the Sulphur of some Pyrites or other Marcasite, a kin to Antimony or Bitumen, which lodgeth in the bowels of those great Mountains, at the Foot or Center of which those hot Baths break forth: for the acid which concurs necessarily (as we shall shew afterwards) to those Fermentations, as an indispensible principle, opens the body of those Sulphurs, or detains them whilst in fieri in their crude nature, and thereby renders them wholly noxious for inward use, as we could further illustrate, but that we hast.

Nor is Buxton Bath in Darby-shire (from the same cause, although in a remiss degree) fit for taking inwardly: inasmuch as that ac­cording to all probability, partakes of a bitu­minous Sulphur, and that I gather from the plenty of a bituminous or oylie substance, got out of the very Clefts of the Stones in the Peake, yea this bituminous or oylie matter is [Page 13]found in the very Pores, Clefts and Cavites of the Stones themselves, as was communicated to me from the judicious, and my worthy Friend Mr. Jossop, whose Father (as he ac­quainted me) got two Spoonfuls out of one crevice in a Stone, which bituminous matter is lodg'd not only in those stones, but also in a sort of light lithanthrax: which rub'd (be­ing a smooth polite body) is Electrical (as I have found by trial) which distilled, yields an oyle and acid Spirit, almost like that of Amber, as the ingenious Mr. Fisher inform'd me he found by trial, yea the same bitumen is imbib'd into a fungus matter, which Dr. Lister supposeth (and that very likely) to be rotten wood long buried in the earth, into which this oylie matter or bitumen hath sunk, which keeps (as I have found) continually moist, tho kept in a dry place. I say, its very pro­bable that the Sulphurous principle of Buxton Bath, hath its determination from this sort of bitumen; And as to those Sulphurous waters which may safely be taken inwardly, are chief­ly the Sulphur-well at Knarsbrough, of which we shall further discourse in a Chapter by it self afterwards.

And as to the different degrees of heat in Baths, may proceed either from the more re­miss or intense Fermentation of mineral juices, or from the different place of Fermentation, as it may be deep within the bowels of the Earth, [Page 14]or near the place of its Exit, thus if the Fer­mentation happen to be far within the Earth, and so remote from the place of Erruption, that the Sulphur therice become much what precipitated, or left in the colander or filter of Sand, through which it passeth, and the aci­dum thereby so dinted as to become very lan­guid (if at all perceptable) in the Water, and yet by reason of its closeness from the air, may retain somewhat of its first conceived warmth, of which sort are those Sulphur Baths near Villock in Carinthia, which are gently warm, (as the learned Dr. Browne notes in his book of Travels) as also as I suppose, Buxton Bath in Darby-shire, whilst in other parts of the earth, the foresaid Fermentation may be strong both from the plenty of the two combating principles, as also from their nearness to the place of breaking forth, of which sort are those at Glass-Hitten, Eisenbacke, both not far from Schemnitz in Hungary (where are silver mines) also those of Stubn near Newsol in the same Countrey, those at Baden in Austria, and especially ours at the Bath in Sommerset-shire.

We say also, that Fermentation of mineral juices is most necessarily requisite to the pro­ducing of all hot Baths, and consequently all hot Baths depend thereon, because hereby is made a comminution of Sulphurous, or other bituminous juices, which thence become com­municable to, and dissolvable in ordinary [Page 15] spring-water, for hereby the Sulphur is sever'd into volatile parts, easily permeating the body of water. The paralel of what is produced by Fermentation in vegitables to what is per­formed by the same amongst mineral juices in order to the making hot Baths, is not inconsi­derable, whether we look at the agents, or at Fermentation its self, or lastly at the effects, as to the agents, which here are requisite to per­form mineral Fermentations, we shall demon­strate afterwards to be no other, then mineral acids and mineral Sulphurs intoris mineralibus: That also Acids and Sulphurs (to wit of their own kind) are the true agents in the perfor­ming all vegitable Fermentations, we may else­where ex instituto discourse: as to Fermentati­on it self, which whether in minerals or vegita­bles, is nothing else but an intestine motion of the essential constituent principles of Acidum and Sulphur, which is in a more remiss or intense degree, and the heat consequently more or less, according to the slower or more brisk on-sets and inward struglings of those combitant prin­ciples; Lastly, the paralel will hold good in the effects of Fermentation. Thus as the ef­fects of the sensible Fermentation in all vegita­ble Fermentative Liquors is the comminution and volatization of their Sulphurs, as that what before such sensible Fermentation was se­parable in the form of an Oyle by bare infusions and distillations in ordinary water, is now by [Page 16]the comminution of previous Fermentation, so divided, sub-divided, and volatiz'd, as that these vegitable Sulphurs will not only arise by the gentlest heat, but will also easily dissolve in any water or common vehicle; As we plain­ly see that any vinous Spirit made from vegi­tables by Fermentation, will easily mix with ordinary water: which the oyles of those vegi­tables separated before Fermentation would not do; So likewise the effects of those sensi­ble (at least by their heat) Fermentations in mineral Fermentative juices, is no other then the comminution and volatization of their otherwise crude Sulphurs, For what is it (would I ask) that can render Sulphur and bituminous juices capable of incorporating with Spring-water? Seeing that neither fire (which what that is in a true Physiological sense according to our Hypothesis, we may elsewhere declare) in the vulgar notion thereof, nor Salts (I mean fixed or volatile) can alone perform that work, For by fire if in open Vessels, Brimstone being burnt, it ariseth with a fume condensi­ble into an acid Sulphurous Liquor, witness the oyle of Sulphur per Campanam, made by flag ration, and in close Vessels, it makes no alteration, arising only in Flowers, which are nothing else but the entire body of Brimston, unaltered or opened: and as to fixt vegitable Salts, those indeed open the body of Com­mon Sulphur, or Sulphur of any of the mine­rals, [Page 17]so as to make them more capable of dissolving in those congenial menstrua's of Oyle, or vinous Spirits, but do not at all procure their solution in common water, for water be­ing poured to any of the foresaid solutions of Sulphur, made either with Oyles or vinous Spi­rits by fixt Salts, do forthwith lactescere, cau­sing a precipitation of the very body of Sul­phur in a milkie form call'd lac Sulphuris; So that it remains that nothing else short of acid juices, can perform this great work of dis­solving mineral Sulphurs, so as to make them mingable with water; which is performed one of these three ways, viz. either by bare solution, distillation, or Fermentation; in all which the acidum must have the preheminence before such sort of alteration upon Sulphur can be made; thus as it is ex intuitu Sulphuris, that all metals are dissolvable in the Sti [...]ian or other proper menstrua, which being taken in pieces by acids (together with their congenial Sul­phurs) the mercurial and other parts compli­cated in the texture of that body, doth colli­quescere: So likewise it is ex intuitu acidorum that all mineral Sulphurs., or Sulphurous Con­cretes, do either dissolve in water, or are ca­pable of distillation into Liquors; or lastly, do undergo Fermentation and the products thereof.

First, As to solution in water thus vitriol or vitriolin marcasites, which contain plenty [Page 18]of Sulphur do either per se, or expos'd to the air, become capable of dissolving most what in water, and that from the prevalency of their acids above their Sulphurous principle, where­by the Sulphur lurks under the mask of the acid.

Secondly, As to their distillation, I mean of Sulphurs in the form of Liquors, that hap­pens also from the powerfulness of their acids assisted by the acidum of fire, us'd in such di­stillations, whereby the Acidum and Sulphur do colliquescere into a corrosive Liquor, as ap­pears in Oyle of Vitriol.

And Lastly, This Acido-Sulphurous-Liquor, (and others of the like nature prepared as aforesaid, by distillation) if diluted by the addition of a little water, or of any oylie Li­quor, or vinous Spirit be mixed therewith, the Sulphur is presently set upon by the acid, from whose mutual assaults ariseth a strong Fermen­tation, making the Glass intensely hot, and thereby sometimes comes near to an actual flagration: So that it is the acidum variously treating the Sulphur, whence all these varieties of operations proceed; And by this last work of Fermentation, the Sulphur is more comminu­ted, volatiz'd, and altered, then by either of the two former. Its true indeed, that fixt al­calies, or Calx vive (being analogous to the former) doth so work upon the body of common Sulphur, or Sulphur of some minerals, [Page 19]and thereby opens it, so as meeting with an acid juice, may make a resemblance of some Sulphur waters, as we have elsewhere largely discourst in our Hydrologia Chymica, concer­ning the Sulphur-well at Knarsbrough, which is without doubt, I mean the precipitation by the supervening acid, the cause of the strong smell of this and some other the like waters.

Amongst the causes assigned by divers Au­thors of the heat in natural Baths, those of subterraneal fires are not the least, which be­cause we have by sufficient arguments at large exploded in our Hydrologia Chymica, shall now therefore wave: But the great and most authentick opinion is that of Dr. Jordens in his book of natural Baths, which by many learned persons, hath (and that not unwor­thily) the kind acceptance, and the most ge­neral applause which is grounded upon a Fer­mentation from a seminary Spirit of minerals, in the bowels of the earth, meeting with con­venient matter, from which Spirit acting upon the matter in generation of minerals, is caused that heat which perpetuates hot Baths.

It would be too tedious a task, for this in­tended short tract, now to wade into a deep examination of the Hypothesis of this learned man, I shall only say (leaving the rest of that doctrine in its own worth) that had that ju­dicious person been better acquainted with the understanding of the true and genuine [Page 20]sense of Fermentation, would no doubt have polish'd his notions much better then we find them, and would have told us wherever Fer­mentation was found (in whichsoever of the triplicity of natures Kingdoms) that there ne­cessarily must concur the principles of Fermen­tation; and that Sulphur or Bituminous matter (being a kin to Sulphur) must be one of those principles, as to the mineral Kingdom, and consequently be an indispensible ingredient in all hot Baths: For Fermentation can no more exist without its own principles, then fire can without combustible matter (or the principles of firing) nor then animal bodies can be su­stained without their peculiar Ferments, which what analogy these, viz. vegitable and ani­mal juices in their Fermentations, as to their constituent principles bear to those of mine­rals, we may elsewhere give an account.

Onely here we shall take occasion to an­swer that grand objection the foresaid ingenu­ous Author makes against Sulphur, being the cause of heat in Baths: For though we do not assert, that Sulphur singly considered, is the cause of Fermentation or Heat, but that it is one of the principles of Fermentation: yet we judge that objection toucheth upon the Verge of our Hypothesis, and therefore worthy our solution: The Objection is, That if Sulphur can give actual heat to our Baths, it must burn; the like he saith of bitumen, that unless it [Page 21]be kindled, it can yeild no heat to our Baths.

I answer, That hereby it is obvious, that the foresaid Author did not throughly under­stand the true efficients of Fermentation in mi­neral juices; for if he had, the question had been beyond dispute; for though Sulphur or common Brimstone in its concrete substance, is not the Sulphurous principle nature useth in the producing of Fermentation in the primary disseminate juices, where such things are in Embrio, or in solutis principijs; yet even that very concrete body, whether in the form of Brimstone, or complicated within the texture of other minerals, Pyrites, &c. is by the super­vening of a powerful acidum, capable of Fer­mentation, and thence of imparting its more subtile apporrhea or steame (by the commi­nution of the foresaid Fermentation) and susceptable of the virtues thereof: So that it appears, that Sulphur may be one of the effici­ents of heat in Baths; and yet its flagration not requisite at all: the same we may safely say of Bitumen.

Now as we have endeavoured to prove Sul­phur whether in succo soluto in the very primor­dial shapings or generations of minerals, or the same reduced from mineral concretions by the superinduction of congenial acids, to be one of the two ingredients or mechanical Organs nature useth in mineral Fermentations: This therefore leads me to our second position, viz.

CHAP. III.

THat there is no Fermentation amongst mineral juices, wherein an acid is not concern'd: Or thus, That an acid is necessa­rily requisite in all mineral Fermentations: By acidum here I mean one of these two sorts, (viz.) are such as are imbred in the same mi­neral concretion, whilst in succo soluto, &c. in the beginings of its generation: Or Second­ly, a superinduc'd acidum, which is power­ful in the reductions of minerals already con­crete; so that if we have our eye upon Fer­mentation from mineral concrete bodies, which have already past their Embrio-state, and are come to the solidity of compleat bodies; then by acidum we do not mean such a one as is in­trinsick, connatural to, and implanted in all Brimstones and mineral Sulphurs, more or less, for no Sulphur nor Sulphurous body as such, can alone be the cause of Fermentation or heat in the Earth: but an extrinsick supervening acid, which must by reduction set those mine­rals by a kinship or consanguinity of parts into Fermentation de novo.

Now therefore it remains to prove, that there are acid juices in the bowells of the Earth, and that these are either embryonative to the [Page 23]same mineral where the Sulphur is, or else pe­culiar to some other bodies by which the tran­sient waters become acuated, which if the for­mer, then the Acidum and Sulphur being na­tives of the same mineral, do more easily by their mutual contact and intestine struglings, cause a Fermentation, even whilst the minerals are in solutis principijs, which being constant, those waters which pass through them must as certainly and constantly be heated. So that from the unerring rules of nature from perpe­tuating the cause, the effect must be no less: The acid which causeth the latter sort of Fer­mentation we shall shortly touch upon.

First then, the acids of the former classis will be apparent to us, if we consider that there are no minerals produced in their peculi­ar beds, in the intrails of the Earth, without a previous Fermentation from their congenial principles of Acidum and Sulphur. For our Hypothesis concerning the generation of mine­rals is grounded upon Acid and Sulphur; from which foundation we say, that these two be­ing actually put into motion by the mineral seed in Embrio, distinguished according to the lubet of the divine fiat, in the great wheel-work of generation, do by their mutual innate wrestlings, cause a Fermentation, and this to be one (yea the chief) cause of heat in natural Baths.

These in-dwelling acids, I say, are manifest, [Page 24]and easily discoverable to us a posteriori, from their not difficult separations out of the bo­dies of most known minerals, thus we see plenty of an acidum separable from common Brimstone by bare flagration, and the sleight artifice of condensing those fumes: witness the Oyle of Sulphur per Campanam, which is acid: Thus also we have separated an aci­dum from Saturn Ore; and know how to do the same from Antimony, both which are per­form'd two manner of ways, viz. First, By separating their Sulphurs, (which I have done both from the Ore of Saturn, as also from the minera of Antimony) which by flagration like common Brimstone, yield an acid. Se­condly, By distilling the foresaid minerals (I mean Lead Ore, and Antimony) per se in close Vessels by a peculiar way, may be drawn an acid.

Thus likewise out of both Vitriol and Alom, as also from common fossil (which is all one, marine) Salt and Nitre by bare distillation in close Vessels are frequently acids drawn, which are singly or joyntly thence preparable, witness Spirit or Oyle of Vitriol, Aqua fortis, Spirit of Salt, Spirit of Nitre, &c. all of them sufficiently acid. Thus out of all the Pyrites may an acid be separated; yea further, out of bitumens, amber, jet, (which is kennel coal) and other sorts of Lythanthrax, may by di­stillation an acid Spirit or Liquor be easily se­parated. [Page 25]Thus my ingenious Friend Mr. Fisher hath separated an acidum out of a con­crete bitumen got out of Lead-mines in the Peake in Derby-shire (not far from Buxton hot Bath) which is an Electrical Concrete, as also hath done the like from the rest of the last re­cited mineral bodies: And the like acidum hath been drawn from a bituminous fungus found in those parts.

Now come we to treat of our second sort of acidum, which is one of the chief ingre­dients or principles of our latter sort of Fer­mentation to be numbred amongst the causes of some hot Baths, and that is a superinduc'd acidum, viz. the current of a living Spring (as such are called) in its subterraneal passages, meeting with some Salts in Embrio or Bed of Earth, impregnated with acid juices, of which sort are all or most of the mineral Salts, whilst in fieri before they by a further maturity reach the state of concretion, I say passing through these Beds, becomes (by reason of its facile imbibition of such juices) acuated therewith, and then falling into a bed of Brimstone, or other minerals or pyrites, &c. impregnated with Sulphur, begins a solution thereof, so raiseth a Fermentation betwixt the Sulphur and the supervening acid: which gives heat to the water; and becomes more or less hot, ac­cording to the more or less powerfulness of the Acid and Sulphur as it passeth: As also [Page 26]according to the nearness or remoteness of the waters exit from the source of Fermenta­tion: which acid dividing, subtilizing, and volatizing the Sulphur, doth brake it into such small parts, as that it becomes (I mean as to the purest part thereof) dissolvable in water (according as we have more largely explain'd above) and thence it is (I mean from the Fermentation made from Acid and Sulphur, whether perform'd the former or latter way) that all hot Baths have somewhat of Sulphur in them more or less.

This last sort of Fermentation, which I may call (if we have respect to the already con­crete body of Sulphur, or Sulphurous minerals, and that not improperly) Fermentation at the Second hand, I say, is no less to be performed by minerals then vegitables: For as amongst vegitables, Corn, when ripe and reap'd, its fermenting principles of vegitation (as we may elsewhere shew how all vegitation is nothing else but a natural slow-pac'd Fermentation from each plants peculiar principles of Acid and Sul­phur) are shut up, and would constantly re­main dormant, till it either be committed to the ground, in order to fresh vegitation and multiplication of its species, or be malted, whereby its vegitative Fermentation is perver­ted, and the same principles driven on to ano­ther design of fermenting in water after mal­ting, in order to the making of our drink: [Page 27]wherein both (viz. Vegitation and Malting) the same fermentative principles are kept afoot though to different ends.

So likewise it happens (by a parity of prin­ciples amongst minerals, where when the Fer­mentation necessarily in their production some­times terminate in concretion, in which the Sulphurous principle (being prevalent) most what coagulates the acidum, and both with some other heterogenious parts, combine to the making up this or the other mineral Sulphurous concrete; I say there in that concrete the prin­ciples of Fermentation cease to act, and so would (if unexcited) remain always dor­mant, untill by a congenial powerful superve­ning acid, the intrinsick principles be put into a fresh intestine strugling or regular motion, which we call Fermentation, which heating the transient waters, becomes the efficient cause of some natural hot Baths.

CHAP. IV.

HAving already shewed that Acidum and Sulphur are the chief ingredients of hot Baths, as the essential principles thereof: Now come we to demonstrate how and in what manner the waters in hot Baths become hot: which to do, we must endeavour to shew, that [Page 28]some sorts of acids have so powerful an opera­tion upon Sulphurs, or Sulphurous concretes, as that being actually set a work, or put into mo­tion, are sufficient causes of Fermentation in mineral juices; and next, that heat (which will necessarily follow) is the immediate re­sult of such Fermentation.

The First we shall elucidate with an inducti­on of many paralel instances, whereby we shall perform two things at once, viz. both illustrate our doctrine of Fermentation, groun­ded upon the genuine principles of Acidum and Sulphur, as also solve the Phoenomena of the occurring instances: The first mechanical in­stance shall be, the solution of any metall (ex­cept Gold) in an Aqua fortis, and of Gold it self in an Aqua Regis, which are no sooner put together (both being duely qualified) but the action of Fermentation is plain to any eye, in the dissolving or breaking to pieces that metal: what it is that causeth Solution and Fermentation, which immediately happens upon the working of the solvent on the sol­vend: It is not (as I conceive) from the complications of the fluid Salt in the menstru­um, with the fixt Salt in the metal, whereby the metallick compage is broke, and the parti­cles thence hid in the pores of the menstruum, according to the judgement of the learned Dr. Willis. Nor need we with him imagine a vitriolick Salt in Silver, or an armoniack in [Page 29] Gold, but is it not rather the Sulphur in the metal, and the acidum of the menstruum; for the sake of which Sulphur the mercurial part is also broken to pieces, and the whole by that Fermentative motion dissolv'd: cujus Sulphuris intuitu totum liquescit metallum, in which cor­rosion or solution of the imperfect metals in Aqua fortis, or the like corrosive menstrum, there is no such great danger of breaking the Glass if stopped, as happens inevitably in the solution of the Sulphur of the more crude mi­nerals, the reason of which is from the more fixity those Sulphurs arrive to by metallization, from what they are in unripe marcasites or mine­rals. Hence we may certainly conclude, that in the Fermentation requisite for hot Baths no me­tals are concern'd; and that both because of the more fixity of their Sulphurs, as also from the deficiency of such corrosive menstrua in the earth: for nothing short of an Aqua fortis or Aqua Regis can make a Fermentation with a metal. Hence also nothing but minerals (or liquid bituminous juices) wherein the connate Sulphur is of a more loose compage, also more volatile, and consequently easily fermentable by more lanquid acids, are the proper and essential ingredients of hot Baths; where we may observe both by the preceding, and by this following instance, That the Sulphur in the metals acting upon the acids, or vice versa, are the true causes of corrosive Fermentations, [Page 30]and thence of heat. Thus the caput mort' of viridaris (from which I had according to Zuelfer, drawn off the concentred acetum) be­ing a subtile calx of Venus, I mixed with an equal quantity of Sal armon: (in order to the preparing a sort of that (vulgarly called) ens veneris) which mixture (being well im­propriated by a sufficient triture) within less then one quarter of an hour caused so strong a heat as I could scarce get it into the retort without burning my hand.

The next instance therefore shall come near­er to the matter in hand, and that shall be concerning Sulphurs more Crude, as they stand related to the minerals. Thus in the affusion of Aqua Regis upon Antimony, or Spirit of Nitre upon butirum Antimonij, where the aci­dum of the menstruum acting upon, and strug­ling with the crude Sulphur, either of crude solatary Antimony, or of the same carryed up by Salts in the form of a butirum, doth cause a very strong Fermentation, where the Sulphur by the assaults of those corrosive acid Spirits grows so high in its Fermentation, as that it almost takes flame, passing off with a strong stifling and incoarcible arsenical vapour, by the former of which prepared with common Salt, my ingenious Friend Mr. Wilkinson and my self have after Fermentation separated a Sulphur out of Antimony, not unlike the common greener sort of Brimstone.

That the Fermentation caus'd in the last of which experiments (I mean betwixt Spirit of Nitre, and Butter of Antimony) is not (as some might urge) from the Salts in the Sub­limate, mixing with the acidum in the men­struum, appeareth, because the same menstruum poured upon the same Salts, while incorpora­ted with Mercury in the form of Sublimate, causeth no such Fermentation; yea, on the contrary, I have seen Sublimate (wherein the foresaid Salts are lodg'd, which are in butirum Antimonij) dissolve in an acid menstruum, with­out the least tumultuous Ebullition, even almost like (and perhaps neer as soon) as Ice in warm water.

Another mechanical instance shall be from the pouring an Aqua Regis upon well dry'd Danzick vitriol, upon which well blanch'd, I poured the foresaid menstruum, from whose mixture (being made per vices) such a strong impetuous Fermentation, with thick red fumes was caused, as that it seemed to come little short of actual fire, causing an intense heat: Now that it was the Sulphur in the vitriol, which meeting with the acids in the menstru­um, produced that violent Fermentation and Heat, is evident, because out of a pound and a half of well dry'd vitriol after the Fermenta­tion was over, and that the fumes had passed off in a thick cloud, there remained after the solution in a distillation in a coated Glass retort [Page 32](being at length urg'd with a very strong fire) searce five Ounces of a Spongy red co­loured cap' mort' totally insipid. The like may be performed by acids upon any of the Py­rites, or other imperfect minerals, whose native Sulphur being crude, hangs but loosely in the compage of such concretes.

That this foresaid Fermentation proceeds not (as some may object) from the Salts in the Vitriol, is evident, because if the Salt of Vitriol prepared by Fire (by whose stress the Sulphur is either banished or fixt) be mixed with such sort of acid menstruum, it causeth no Fermentation: besides which, this Fer­mentation happens betwixt the acidum of the menstruum, and the Sulphur of the body dis­solv'd, where there is no suspition of im­planted Salts, (other then what is acid) which the foresaid instance of Fermentation from aqua regia upon crude Antimony, sufficient­ly evinceth.

Lastly, As acids working upon the Sulphur of metals, cause a Fermentation, and thereby their solution, and setting upon minerals (which comes nearer to our purpose) doth cause a most strong Fermentation, unhinging their Sul­phurs, which being unripe, are the more apt to ferment; So likewise meeting with bitumi­nous juices, they do in like manner, become the efficients of Fermentation, which sort of bituminous Oyles, I account to be of a middle [Page 33]nature betwixt mineral and vegitable Sulphurs, and therefore we shall illustrate the manner of their Fermentation with acids by vegitable Sulphurs.

And so mineral acids mixed with vegitable Sulphurs, cause Fermentation this threefold way, viz. First, as meeting with them in a more solid substance, as with turpentine, rosin, resinous gumms; or Secondly, in a more liquid form, as of Oyles; or Lastly, in a comminuti­on of those Oyles into highly rectified vinous Spirits, where the vegitable Sulphurs are com­minuted and subtiliz'd by Fermentation into smaller parts.

Thus as to the first, aqua fortis, with turpentine, rosins, or resinous gumms, makes a Fermentation, which happens from their implanted Sulphurs, (mask in that solid form) and the acidum in the menstruum. Hence it is, that some resinous gumms, for instance Camphire, will dissolve in Spirit of wine, or aqua fortis singly; but not joyntly, the reason whereof seems to be this, that in the former it dissolves from the analogy of Sulphurs (comminuted and volatiz'd Sul­phurs the more easily permeating from the nim­bleness of their parts, the like Sulphurs lurking in more solid forms) which indeed is the rea­son why vinous Spirits are the proper menstrua for dissolving many resinous woods, roots, gumms and inspissated juices, as of Turbith, [Page 34]Jallap, Mecoacan, Scamony, Myrrh, Aloes, &c. by extracting their resinous or sulphurous parts. In the latter, (I mean aqua fortis) Camphire dissolves from the acidum of the menstruum, and from the same cause, (viz. of acids work­ing upon Sulphurs) it is, that other resinous gumms do also dissolve in acids, as we find Ammoniacum, Galbanum, Tachamahaca, &c. do in Vinegar. But these two menstrua's be­ing mixed, after Fermentation degenerate in­to a quid neutrum, will not then dissolve Cam­phire, as the ingenuous Dr. Lister hath tryed.

As to the second sort, Oyle of Vitriol being mixed with Oyle of Turpentine, causeth a strong Fermentation and Heat; and by distillation gives plenty of a Brimstone: which Fermenta­tion and Seperation of Sulphur being rightly understood, is (as we judge) from no other cause, then from the acidity in the Vitriol, working upon the vegitable Sulphur in the Oyle, and thence the Fermentation, (according to our Hypothesis) whereupon having deserted its own mineral Sulphur, contained in it self, gives cause of the facile seperation of its for­merly implanted Brimstone.

Lastly, Thus Spirit of Nitre, or Oyle of Vi­triol, being mixed with a highly rectified vi­nous Spirit, (which is prepared from the Fer­menting juice of Grapes, or with any other vegitable fermentative Spirit, doth presently [Page 35]cause a violent Fermentation, which heats the Glass (its done in) so intensely, as that it can no more be touched then fire; whose cause (as I apprehend) is no other then from the strong acidity in the menstrua, which meeting with the highly graduated Sulphur of Vegita­bles, in those admirable depurated and volatiz'd Liquors, the one frets upon the other, causing that intestine collision, which we call Fermen­tation, whence immediately results the heat: which Fermentation betwixt the Acidum and the Sulphur in that violent hurricane of rapid motion, wheels off along with it a great part of the Sulphur contain'd in the corrosive acid men­struum.

Another argument why the Fermentation in mineral juices, is the cause of heats in Baths, may be taken from the perpetuation of their cause; for seeing no other incessant cause can satisfactorily be assigned, which may in all things so well square with the nature of hot Baths, as the aforesaid, therefore till a more rational cause can be found out, (if any such there be in nature) it may not be unacceptable to the ingenious.

Now that their cause is certain and con­stant (according to our deposited Hypothesis of Fermentation of minerals in their producti­on) is evident from their continual generati­on; for where once begun, they cease not to [Page 36] perpetuate their Offspring: which is evident from the observation of Mine-works. Thus Salt-peeter men find, that when they have ex­tracted Salt-peeter out of a floor of Earth one year, within three or four years after, they find more Salt-peeter generated there; and work it over again, the like is observed (as Dr. Jorden notes) in Alom or Copperass or Vi­triol. And this is not only usual to all mine­rals, but also the same may be said of metals: For the Tinners in Cornewall have experience (as the foresaid Author well observes) of Pitts, which have been filled up with Earth after they have wrought out all the Tin they could find in them, and within thirty years they have opened them again, and found more Tin generated: The like hath been observed in Iron, as Gaudentius Merula reports of Ilva, an Island in the Adriatick Sea, under the Ve­netians, where Iron breeds continually as fast as they can work it, which is confirm'd by Agricola and Baccius, and by Virgil, who saith of it, ‘Insula inexhaustis Chalybum generosa metallis.’

The like is found at Saga in Lygis, where they dig over their Iron mines every tenth year: Mathesius also gives examples in almost all sorts of minerals and metals, which he hath obser­ved [Page 37]to grow and regenerate. Erastus (as Dr. Jorden notes) affirms, that he saw in S. Joachims Dale, silver grown upon a beam of wood, which was placed in the Pit to support the works: The like of reproductions of me­tals, is also observed in the Lead-mines at Men­dip and the Peake, which do not onely stretch further in extent of ground, then hath been observed heretofore, but also are renewed in the same ground, which hath been formerly wrought, which we have touch'd upon in our Hydrological Essays.

Wherefore seeing minerals are continually generated, their constitutive principles in their fermental operation, must as constantly be at work, especially where concretion is interrup­ted by a continual flux of water, as happens in the source of most of these hot Baths.

Now where the seeds of minerals are once begun, that their active principles are set a work, in order to the heaving forth a body answerable to the type implanted in the pri­mordials thereof. If this happens, I say, where water in his subterraneous passages hath its con­stant current, it can never arrive at the com­pleating of the body according to the inten­tion of nature; for although it be always aim­ing at the perfecting of a solid concretion; yet the constant afflux of waters, impedes that attempt, and onely serves to keep the [Page 38] fermentative principles in a constant motion; so that water doth but set the inbred principles of Acidum and Sulphur more into an inward strugling, and makes the Fermentation the stronger, and consequently the greater heat, a very pertinent instance, which may lead us to a better and more familiar understanding, how this Fermentation is promoted by water, we may (not unaptly represent by Oyle of Vitriol and Water; for a little water being put thereto, it presently sets the fermental principles of Aci­dum and Sulphur (connatural to that Oyle) into a strong Ebullition or Fermentation, whence results so great a heat as the Glass (its done in) is scarce tollerable to the hand; especi­ally if the Oyle be well rectified: whereas, before the addition of water, the Glass (where­in was the Oyle) was cold to touch, the prin­ciples lying dormant from the thickness of the Liquor, and its tendency towards the concre­tion of a more solid body; but upon the ad­dition of a little water, it thins that Liquor, at least in some measure, and so puts the foresaid principles into Fermentation: And that in the production or generation of minerals; Fer­mentation of their implanted principles is chiefly concern'd, is further evident in what Agricola and Erastus saith from the observation of Mine-works, who affirm, That in many places they find their Mines so hot, as they can hard­ly [Page 39]touch them; from the same reason of Fer­mentation it is, that the minera of Allom or Vitriol, being broke and expos'd to the air, contract a strong heat, which sometimes may arise to that height, as to cause an actual igni­tion, by which, not long since, a Barne at Yee­land near Hallifax was burnt; and from the same cause the minera of Tin-Glass being ex­pos'd to the moist air will become very hot; for upon the access of moisture in the air, the intrinsick acids of the foresaid minerals are dissolv'd, which as they dissolve work upon their implanted Sulphurs, from whose mutual Collision and Colliquation is caus'd the foresaid Fermentation and Heat.

CHAP. V.

HAving thus delivered our Hypohesis of the causes of hot Baths, from the Fer­mentation of mineral juices, whose mechanical and efficient principles consist in an Acidum and Sulphur, it will not be difficult from hence to solve various other subterraneal phoenomena, such as are damps, (and from thence the reasons of poysonous Springs, Baths, Pools, Lakes) also Earth-quakes, Erruptions, &c.

First, As to Damps, to me they seem to be nothing else but certain gusts or steams arising from mineral Fermentations, which are more or less noxious or mortal, by how much they proceed from minerals, whose Sulphurs are more or less venemous: for if either a Fer­mentation happen in the very generation of some poysonous mineral, as suppose Arsenick, Risogalla, Auripigmentum, Sandaracha, Rusma, Cadmia, &c. from the intestine struglings of their innate Acidum or Sulphur; or if it happens from the supervening of an acidum upon the minera of any of the aforesaid poysonous juices, I say from either way an effluvium doth forth­with arise, which (being the product of Fer­mentation) is very subtile, and thereby can easily permeate the Cranies of the Earth, and reach at a great distance from the first source of Fermentation, which is able by its Sulphu­rous Arsenical odour, not only to extinguish a Candle or Lamp, but also exsufflate or puff out the very vital taper of men or other animals, that it meeteth with in subterraneal passages, whence many men have suddenly perished by the breath thereof in Mines: yea so strong is it sometimes, or in some places, that it infects some waters that lie over it, or come within the orb of its action; whence posonous Springs, Baths, Pools, Lakes, &c. take their begining, which will kill suddenly, as at Circum in Thra­cia, [Page 41]Fons Neptunius in Terracina, at Perant by Mompelier: the Lake Avernus, the Cave of Charon by Naples, &c. yea, from hence those waters take their original, which by their mortal odours kill Fowl that fly over them, of which sort are the foresaid Lake Avernus, as also the vapours arising from Charons den, be­tween Naples and Puteolum, &c.

Next to which, the Phoenomena of Earth­quakes are (from the aforesaid principles) not difficult to solve, if we in rendring an account thereof, shall say, that they are likely to hap­pen, when some Sulphur or Sulphurous body, either in Liquid or Concrete, meets with a fer­menting acidum in the bowels of the Earth, in some narrow passages, where, when that ela­sticity and explosiveness of Sulphur by a super­vening acid is excited, and being pent up in the straights of the Earth, cannot easily get forth, forceth and presseth on all hands upon the ad­jacent bulkes, heaves and lifts like a mole in its subterraneous workings, and thence causeth that terrae tremor, which may not improperly (amongst the rest) be illustrated by these fol­lowing instances: First, I took floores of Brim­stone (which is all one with Crude Brimstone) two drams, upon which I poured about half an Ounce of that sort of aqua regia, which is called (by Mr. Boyle) menstruum peracutum, [Page 42]which though at first, for a while, it kept quiet, causing no sensible ebullition, but afterwards the menstruum began to work thereon, and to bring the Sulphur to a gellied matter: this Glass I set loosely upon the very surface of my Sand digesting Furnace, whose heat was very soft and slow (possibly the same might happen though it had no external warmth at all) yet although the Glass had a long neck (being a bolt head) and but sleightly crack'd, it broke all in pieces; and with the force thereof broke another Glass by it.

Thus Secondly, by putting one Ounce of Sal armoniack to four of Aqua fortis, if the Glass Viol be close stopt, it will presently with a great noise break the Glass into a Thousand shivers; for the acidum in Common Salt, which is in Sal armoniack, meeting with the Sulphur in the Aqua fortis, sets upon it, whereby a strong Fermentation is presently raised: which want­ing room, breaks all in pieces before it.

Thus Thirdly, by pouring Aqua regia upon Antimony, or the Spirit of Nitre upon butirum Antimonij, put into Glasses, or the strongest of Vessells, and close stopt up, would break them (though never so strong) into many pieces; and that from the foresaid Fermentation, which happens from the acidum in the menstruum, and the Sulphur, either in crude Antimony, or the Butter thereof; many more of which sort [Page 43]of experiments we further illustrate in our Halologia Chymica.

Thus also from the aforesaid experiments, may (without any more ado) an account be given of many subterraneous Eruptions: for I have by them at once given a sufficient demon­stration (as I think) both of the reasons and causes of Earth-quakes, and also of Eruptions, inasmuch as that Fermentation from mineral juices made in straight meanders of the Earth, when it cannot find vent, if moderately strong, they only cause terra tremor; but if very vio­lent, even nigh an actual flagration, then the greater the weight of Earth, Rocks, or other matter is, which lieth upon it, the stronger and more hideous are the Eruptions: breaking in pieces all before it. So that I suppose all Erup­tions and subterraneal belchings, to proceed from one of these two causes, viz. either from subterraneal fires of Sulphurous minerals actually, but accidentally kindled, witness those Vulcano's of Aetna, Visuvius, Strongilo, &c. of which we have discoursed in our Hydrological Essayes, or else from subterraneal Fermentations, amongst which, some may possibly rise so high and strong from the great plenty of Sulphur and Acids, set into an actual Ebullition, as that they may (by the air which may probably reach them through some small crevices) actu­ally take fire and burn. Thus besides the fore­said [Page 44]instances, if Spirit of Wine be mixed with Spirit of Nitre, or be added to a mixture of Oyle of Vitriol, and Spirit of Nitre, maketh an exceeding strong Fermentation, even almost into an actual flame; and the Glass will be intensely fiery hot, as that ones hand may as long endure a hot cole as it, which if pent up, would for want of room to expand it self in its Elastick power, would I say, by its explosive force, break all before it.

In the next place, we shall endeavour to de­monstrate, how, from the premised Doctrine of mineral Fermentations, may also, not onely Brimstone or other mineral concrete Sulphurs be generated de novo, in some parts of the Earth, but likewise how many of the fontes acidi may thence take their original. As to the generation of concrete Sulphurs, we suppose it thus, viz. when or where a strong Fermen­tation happens from mineral juices, whilst in Embrio; and that there is no immediate current of water to carry off the looser part of the principles, as they ferment (as happens in all hot Baths, as we have before sufficiently decla­red) which not being pent up, as happens in the most usual Earth-quakes and Eruptions, as aforesaid, but finding room enough in the most potent places of the Earth, percolates some more loose bed of Earth, and thereby leaves that Sulphur (which was carryed up along [Page 45]with the fermenting steam) as it were in the filter; For that the acidum being prevalent in the foresaid Fermentation, may in those steams it ariseth with the Sulphur, in some peculiar colanders of the Earth, desert its former com­panion, may somewhat appear to us, by pour­ing Oyle of Vitriol upon Antimony, or the mi­nera thereof, and distilling it thence. The Sulphur in the Oyle after Fermentation, becomes separated, and as it were percolated, by the body of the Antimony, while the acidum ari­seth more simple, leaving the Sulphur behind, which afterward by a stronger fire is carryed up in the form of Brimstone, taking along with it (through the congenialness of parts) some of the Sulphur of Antimony.

Next to which, how many of the fontes acidi, may from the foresaid Fermentation of mineral juices, take their original, we shall thus explain, viz. by supposing that in some mineral Fermentations, whilst in Embrio (and where no current of waters nor strait passages happen, for causes aforesaid) the Ebullition from their Acidum and Sulphur, may be so intense, as that thereby a fresh acidum may be ingendred, or the former multiplyed (vires acquirit eundo) with deserting Sulphur its com­panion in the colander of some Earths, may be sublim'd and carryed in steams (as a thinner and more subtile acidum, at a great di­stance [Page 46]from the Source) where afterwards, touching upon and irroreating some Earth, or some Stammina of the mineral beds of Iron, or Alom-stone, impregnates them to further uses: So that where a current of water toucheth ei­ther upon that Earth, and afterwards upon ei­ther of the foresaid minera's, or doth touch upon those minera's impregnated with the aforesaid acidity, I say, either way are made vitriolin or aluminous waters or spaws.

Now that an acid may (after the foresaid manner) thus ascend from fermenting juices, barely from the Ebullition of the principles, even without any extrinsick heat, will appear from this following mechanical experiment, viz.

I poured six Ounces of rectified Spirit of Wine upon half a pound of Spirit of Nitre, which I put into a double bolt head, with a pretty long neck, after a while, as soon as the vinous Sulphur in the Spirit of Wine, had set the Acidum and Sulphur of the Spirit of Nitre a work, they caused such a furious Fermentati­on, that it drive up the stopple, and forc'd it self forth up to the top of the Room, whereby a great part was lost, whereas, if the Glass had been very close stopt, it would without doubt have broke the Glass into shivers: to what was sav'd, I added of the same ingredients of each four Ounces, it began, after a while, to fall into a strong fermenting Ebullition, so boyl'd, [Page 47]and bubled forth very fiercely, and sent forth a strong fume, which heated the Glass so intense­ly, as I could not hold the very top of it in my hand, then I set a small Glass-head over the Glass, to condence some of the fumes; which I found gave a very smart acid Spirit, not but that there are other causes of some of the foresaid acidulate Spaw-waters, concerning which, we have at large discoursed in our two books of Hydrologia Chymica, and its Vindication.

And now that I have laid down my Hypo­thesis of the causes of hot Baths (branch'd in­to many sorts) subterraneal Damps, Earth­quakes, Eruptions, Regeneration of some Sul­phurous concretes, and of the original of some of the fontes acidi, all from the Fermentation of mineral juices, as aforesaid; which how well grounded, and how further improveable, I shall leave to the unbyassed reader to examin and judge; as also to consider, whether from the same Hypothesis or supposition of causes, may (and that not impertinently) be solved the Phoenomena of the diversity of Winds, the vicissitudes of heat and cold, the reasons of Snow, Hail, Meteors, and other apparances, common to, and peculiarly obvious in the Atmosphere. So here, I would take an occasion from the nature of the fore­said Fermentation, to insist a little upon the [Page 48]two grand Phoenomena's of heat and light, found in concrete bodies from the same principles.

CHAP. VI.

I Shall not here (by climing so high) insist upon the causes of heat and light, in that great and inexhaustible Fountain thereof, the Sun; whether its perpetual Spring, and inces­sant emanation, may not consist in a peculiar Fermentation of its own, set a work by the di­vine Fiat, and kept a foot by a continual circu­lation of aethereal matter, concerning which, we may elsewhere modestly propound our thoughts, nor shall I descend so low, as to treat any further of the causes of heat in those known subterraneal Vulcano's.

But shall at present make it my task in short to shew, First, That Fermentation is made from the mutual struglings and intestine combatings of Acid and Sulphur, in all juices and concrete bodies where it is evident: And how heat is produced from Fermentation in all such bodies where it is found. Secondly, To shew how from the same principles, and after what man­ner, light is made.

That Fermentation and Ebullition in mineral [Page 49]juices, whether naturally or artificially prepa­red, proceed not from the contrariety of Salts (as many worthy persons urge) is evident, because there is no such Ebullition amongst Salts, but what are from the contrariety and struglings of Acids and Alcalies, whereas no man ever yet could make it appear that those minerals either in succo, or in actual concretion, contain'd any sort of Alcalies, either fixed or volatile. But on the contrary its most certain, from irresragrable experiments, that Sulphurs and Acids are separable from them all.

And as before we have shewed, the Fer­mentation of minerals to consist in the collision and intestine wrestlings of their Acid and Sul­phur, as the causes of hot Baths, &c. So the Fermentation in animals is no less observable to proceed from the like inward struglings of their imbred Acid and Sulphur, continually (till they dye) kept on foot in the body of animals, and that will appear, if we consider their implanted acid juices (the very founda­tion of all Ferments) and the daily occurrence of such sort of Food, in whose texture both Acid and Sulphur, chiefly Sulphur, doth reside, in order to the keeping those Ferments at work, for the nourishing and upholding the fabrick of those bodies.

The first wheel (as I may say) of these Ferments, or the primordial Stamina of acids [Page 50]in animal bodies (after their formation) are placed in the Stomack, where the Fermentati­on begins from the native acidum, acting upon the acquired Sulphur of nutritive food, and is carryed on into the second digestion into the intestines, where a fresh gentle acidum from the pancreatick juice, and a Sulphur from the Gaule, sent thither by the ductus biliaris, pro­mote and assist a further Fermentation, and thence carryed into the blood, where the same principles of Fermentation, together with a volatile Salt, complicated with the Sulphur and Acidum, are still at work, and undergo new separations and depurations, as also ac­quire new helps of volatization from the con­tinually inspired Air into the Lungs, (through which the blood passeth) which still promotes the begun Fermentation, in order to the circu­lation thereof, and nourishment of the whole.

So that the native acid juice of the Stomack, is not in a strict sense a Ferment, till such times as it finds some Sulphurous food, upon which, as its proper subject, it begins to work; and then upon its action, collision, and mutual strugling with the Sulphur in the assum'd aliment, begins the Fermentation, which being vital, we sup­pose to be the very first spring of heat in the animal body, after it hath passed its Embrio­state.

Yea, all the rest of the Fermentations in the [Page 51] body, are but the continuations of this Fermen­tation begun in the Stomack; for the blood is made up of that Chyle, which by Fermentation is wrought in the Stomack, retaining so much of its first principles of Acid and Sulphur, mix­ed in a just temperature (assisted with the pan­creatick and bilous juices) as may be suffici­ent to keep that Liquor still in a Fermentative motion, such as may help to supply with a new off-spring of animal Spirits (the very pro­duct of that Fermentation) as also to fill up the interstices of that matter, or those parts, which are continually upon the wheel, winding off through the perspirable Portals of the body, as we may elsewhere, God willing, take an occasion further to discourse.

How powerful a menstruum this Stomachial acid (the first efficient of heat) is, doth ap­pear both by the great force of working upon, and dissolving all alimentary things, which are all of them such, as wherein Sulphur, whether vegitable or animal, is more or less complicated, and cujus intuitu, viz. for the sake of which, all the rest wrapt up in the same concrete, are also dissolved, as likewise doth appear from those strong vellications of the Nerves and Tu­nicles of the Stomack upon hunger, being a nothing else but that aforesaid acid menstruum, preying upon the next adjacent parts, through the want of some Sulphurous subject to work upon.

That Sulphurous concretes, whether animal or vegital, are the proper Subjects for the na­tive acidum of the Stomack to work upon, in order to Fermentation, is clear; because nei­ther Stone, Clay, Earth, Marle, Wood, nor such like, wherein are no Sulphurous parts, or at least, such as are not congenial to the fore­said acidum, can become capable of being food, inasmuch as no genuine Fermentation (essen­tially necessary to the upholding the fabrick of an animal body) can thence be made.

Not now further to shew, how Fermentati­on begun in the Stomack, and carryed on in the blood, and other humours, is not onely the efficient cause, and effectual source of heat, but also of all animal Spirits, carryed thence by the conduit-pipes of the Nerves, into the habit of the body, in order to the performing those peculiar functions of sense and motion, both (viz. heat and animal Spirits) being the im­mediate products of animal Fermentations.

We say, that in the circle of natures opera­tions, throughout her triplicity of bodies, there is no such thing as Spirits separable, but what are the immediate results of Fermentation: For, however, among some Physiologists, they are reputed inter principia corporum: yet ac­cording to our Hypothesis, they are no princi­ples, but the posterior products of Fermentation, and appear in bodies according to the slow or [Page 53] quick, low or high degrees of Fermentation, from whence proceed their threefold order in the productions of concretes: For either these Fermentations are to be considered in their primordials, or first workings in bodies, in order to the fabrick thereof, and so the Spirits which thence result are in a low depressed state, deeply immers'd in corporeal bulk, as appears in vegitables, &c. in their state of Infancy and Crudity.

Or Secondly, These Fermentations are to be considered in the further progress, and closer interweavings of the principles, where­by they become to be more quick and high; the Sulphur gradually softening and sweetning their connate acids, and thence the bodies wherein those Fermentations happen, becomes more pregnant with Spirits, being now more plentifully ingendred, and more easily set at liberty by the power of Fermentati­on, then before: And this is evident in all things brought on to maturity, and becomes sensibly apparent chiefly in all odorous Plants and Fruits.

Or Lastly, They are to be considered in the more sensible brisk conflicts of the princi­ples, even after the bodies they work in are brought to maturity, one dulcifying the other, by the concurring causes of solar heat, &c. the principles, I say, being yet kept on in motion in [Page 54]all fermentable juices and grains, do produce the greatest plenty of Spirits, which being set at liberty, are all those we call vinous Spirits, in animals those we call animal Spirits, the genu­ine product of vital and animal Fermentations, and in minerals their Spirits in some places af­ter heating transient waters for hot Baths, ap­pear in volatiz'd Sulphurs, otherwhere in sub­tile acids, as the causes of some aciduloe; and elsewhere in apporrhea, steams, &c. (as else­where we have shewed) Thus in all fruits, brought on to maturity, and all grains ripened for the harvest, the principles in their mutual Collisions are so pregnant, as that by being put nearer together (which happens by their be­ing juiced or malted, they are thereby set a work into a sensible Fermentation, as appears in all fermentable juices and malted grains, the immediate result of both which, are vinous Spirits.

Thus in all natural animal Fermentations of their juices, requisite for circulation of the blood, nourishment of the body, and for the performing other functions peculiar thereto the animal principles are so pregnant, as in their continual wrestlings and inward collisions, incessantly to produce such a stock of Spirits, a being rightly disposed, and carryed in their proper Conduits, the Nerves are sufficient to th [...] absolving the functions of sense and motion [Page 55]And the like in their kind may be said of mi­nerals, concerning which, viz. the origin of animal Spirits from the foresaid Fermenta­tion, we may elsewhere largely discourse.

We shall only say at present, that as the na­tural Fermentations in animal bodies, are pro­duced from the intestine collisions and inward struglings betwixt the native acid of the Sto­mack (fortified perhaps by some connatural acidum in the aliment) and the acquired Sul­phur of nutritive concretes, separating Hetro­genities, and graduating themselves by succes­sive depurations, till they in their proper juices, perform those circulations requisite to the pe­culiar funcitons of the body. So likewise from the Catastrophe of the natural, and superin­duction of other not congenial acids, may be made such mortifications, precipitations and depravations of the genuine ferments, and such new complications betwixt the recent acid, and the Sulphur in the otherwise natural fermenting juices, as to lay a foundation of new spurious Fermentations, the causes of Feavers of all sorts.

Not to say here, how most, yea, (for ought I know) all sorts of Feavers, are nothing else but spurious Fermentations of the blood, and other juices of the body, distinguishable, or (if I may say) specificated by variety of acids, not congeneal, but wholly disagreeable, [Page 56]gradually heightening the natural, and other­wise slow pac'd genuine Fermentations: whose various degrees of Feavers are most what differenced or specificated from the low or high, slower or quicker degrees of spurious Fermentation: or to speak in a more plain dialect, how Feavers are various sorts, or dif­ferent degrees of inflamations of the blood and other juices. For an inflamation, accor­ding to our Hypothesis, is nothing else but a heightening of Fermentation from a more strong collision of the principles, whereby, from their mutual wrestlings, they arrive to the height of causticks (which as we shew else­where, differ from corrosives, onely from the difference of their acids) such I mean, as in a lower degree pleurising from an inflamatory transposition of the fiery particles of the blood upon the pleura, and in a higher degree, as are the plague and pestilential Feavers, which are Feavers in their highest inflamatory and siery degree, witness the Anthrases, Carbuncles, and other pestilential badges, which shew per­fect Eschars upon the skin as if perform'd by cauteries Lixivial, or fiery: which are with due caution to be cured by such ways and me­thods, as allay that furious fiery Ebullition by Phlebotomy, and gentle breathing Sweats: but here we must cut short, intending (as this finds acceptance) a fuller and more free discourse [Page 57]of the nature of Feavers, how essentially spe­cificated, and what methods accordingly they best yield too; concerning which, we may (Deo dante) treat in another place.

Onely this (by the by) we would observe, that amongst animal juices, those from vegita­bles made by animal Ferments, suppose Milk, by the various actions of the innate or adven­titious acids, upon their inbred Sulphurs, hap­pen different products: First therefore, as to the coagulations and alterations, to be made from the inbred acidum thereof.

Thus Milk, while in an equal temperature of its constituent ingredients, undergoes no se­paration of parts, remaining in an uniform Li­quor, but being expos'd to the Air, after a while the innate acidum of the Milk, being acuated by that of the Air, makes a sponta­neous separation of a cremor from the more thin part, which Cream having some acidum in it, (as we elsewhere prove, that all Cremors, Oyles, Fatts, Axungia's, &c. are but different disguises of animal Sulphurs, have their im­planted acids) by keeping, grows more sour, this by concussion of the parts (in that moti­on we call Churming) undergoes a Fermenta­tion of its kind; from whence happens ano­ther sort of separation, viz. into Butter, (which is Sulphur in another form then before) and a more serous part, call'd Butter-milk.

And as Milk after the separation of Cream, by longer standing, comes to a thick, and al­most gellyed consistence (by Countrey people call'd Loppard) and by a little heat splits into Curd and Whey: so Butter-milk, if kept long, will come to the like consistence; but if heated, the acidum presently coagulates the Curdy part: if that coagulation be made in heat after the mixture of New-Milk, the acidum in the But­ter-milk, coagulates both the Curdy parts of its own, as also Butirous and Curdy parts of the New-milk, into that sort of sour coagulum call'd hatted Milk, which is more or less sour, according to the prevalency of the acidum, or more or less affusion of New-Milk.

And Lastly, As the foresaid alterations are made from the various coagulations of Milk from its implanted acid. So likewise other sorts of coagulations thereof are produced from additional acids: Thus any Fermentative potable Liquor, as Wine, Ale, Beer, Syder, &c. mixed with Milk, the acidum in such Liquors coagulates the Sulphurous parts into a Curd, se­parable from the serus Liquor; the like will a few drops of any acid juice do, whether vegi­table or mineral, as of Vinegar, Vitriol, Sul­phur, Salt, &c. yea, the runnet which is made up of Milk coagulated by the Stomichal acid of an animal, which by keeping, sours yet more, and is made up with Salt to preserve [Page 59]it from decaying, by the addition I say of the foresaid acid ferment, or animal Runnet, to Milk especially in heat, is made that coagulation of the Sulphurous and Curdy parts, out of which our Cheese is usually made.

So that from the different actions of the acid (whether native or additional) upon the Sulphur, are produc'd those usual conere­tions, or rather coagulations of Butter and Curds, separable from the more liquid serum: which Butter has also its connate acid, which is the cause of its liquidity in heat, and coagulation in cold, as we could sufficiently demonstrate the liquidity and coagulation of such, the suc­culency and concretion, the softness and hard­ness of other sort of bodies, chiefly to de­pend upon the various modes of acids, either considered in Fermentation or Concretion, and as assisted by other concurring causes, chiefly of the Air, which we now with difficulty, and chiefly for brevity sake, refer to another place.

We might (if willing to inlarge) take an occasion here amongst animal Ferments, to in­sist upon the causes and reasons of those strange­ly surprizing effects resulting from the invigo­rated Ferments of some venemous animals, and shew, that all their poysonous properties consist chiefly and solely in the Ferments of their juices, which may be invigorated to [Page 60]that height, as to become poysonous Fires, which by a bite (or the like) getting ad­mission into the blood of a humane body, will, according to the degrees of their exasperation, make their transits in the bearing down, and mortifying our animal Spirits.

Hence those fiery Serpents we read of, were probably such whose Fermental principles was by exasperation wrought to that height, as to become a venemous Fire, by whose least en­trance into the blood by their sting, or the like, did presently mortifie the Spirits of those who were bitten, whereby they were suddenly killed.

And to shew, that as the strength of our bodies depends upon the energie of the animal Spirits, the product of vital Fermentation, according to whose remiss or intense degrees of depuration, sublimation, and eradiation in their proper Channels the Nerves, the weak­ness or vigour, yea the whole crasis of the bo­dy subsists, (Diseases generally prevailing up­on us from their various assaults which are made upon these in their original source of pro­duction, I mean in the fermentable juices of the body) so likewise the Spirits of venemous animals (the product also of the Fermenta­tion peculiar to their juices) being by exaspe­ration so subtiliz'd, as that they are highly in vigorated, and beyond imagination Spiritua­liz'd, [Page 61]do by their sudden fiery vibrating moti­on, (if admitted) make their transits quasi ictu oculi, through our Fermenting juices, pre­sently arrest our Spirits, and by coagulations, and other manner of mortifications, suspends their generation and motion, which being pre­cipitated and born down, and the future vibra­tions of the vital Acidum and Sulphur mortifi­ed, must needs bring on death, which is no­thing else but a period put to the mutual colli­sions of the vital principles.

Where we might shew, that the deleterious properties of venemous Animals, as Vipers, Ad­ders, Snakes, Scorpions, &c. reside not at all in their flesh, because they may and are fre­quently eaten, not onely without harm, but also in some cases with good success, but in their peculiar Ferments (consisting (according to our supposition) of Acidum and Sulphur of their kinds) which being capable of exaspe­rations and heightenings, are also as lyable to have their Spirits invigorated, insomuch as the more those animals are angred (as I may say) the stronger the Fermentation, and the more subtile the Spirits are, yea the more mortal their fire, which bearing the character of their material principles, have the foresaid sudden mortifying influence upon our vital juices, and the Spirits thereof.

We might also shew, how those sorts of [Page 62] Ferments in their strong inveterating motions, do sometimes fix themselves upon some peculi­ar matter, or coagulated juice in their bodies, where the Ferments lurk as in a seminary; and this is the reason why that matter vomited by some sort of venemous Scorpions, (If I mi­stake not) called Gecco, upon their being whipt and hung up (thereby having their Fer­ments exasperated) is used by the Indians as a speedy death to their malefactors, by pricking the skin under one Nayle of the hand, and applying a little quantity thereof to it, which immediately thereby getting entrance into the blood, presently suspends the Fermentation thereof, mortifies the Spirits, killing them presently; yea, at Macassar a Town in the Island Celebes, belonging to the Molucco Islands, there is a sort of poyson (whether made by the foresaid artifice from inraged venemous ani­mals I know not) which the King of that place uses for expeditious killing those he would dispatch out of the way, by applying it to any breach of the skin, it immediately from its Fermental corrosive poyson, not only kills, but burns the whole body into a corruptive putrilage; concerning which, and many other things of the like nature, we now for brevity sake wil­lingly desist to inlarge.

CHAP. VII.

HAving in brief thus signified the causes of the Fermentations in animals, to con­sist in a brief, but suitable intestine dwellings betwixt the two principles Acid and Sulphur, which coincide in puncto vitalo, according to our Hypothesis, and that their heat is immedi­ately thence produced.

In the next place, let us consider whether the same Hypothesis may not hold good in the due explicating the Phoenomena in that other kingdom of nature, I mean the vegitable, where (besides what we have already said) vegita­tion in our account, is no other then a gentle vibration, and slender collision of the Vegitable Acid & Sulphur, from which two principles, put into a wrestling motion in every seed, after the loosening its body or husk in the lessas terrae, is begun the vegitable Fermentation, which cea­seth not till the body (shap'd according to the form of those minute Types, wrapt up in the seedlings) and in some obvious to the eye, assisted by good microscopes, is brought in all its pourtrayings upon the visible Stage of the World.

And from this Fermentation, set afoot in the [Page 64]very primordials, seedlings, and first hewings of vegitable forms, are deducable all the obser­vable Phoenomena of vegitables; for not onely vegitation it self consists in a slow-pac'd moti­on of the foresaid principles, set into a slender easie Fermentation, but also their colours, sapours, odours, also other medicinal qualifications, and their propagation by Seeds, and their future Fermentations, as of Corn, Grapes, and Fruits, &c. in order to our Bread and Drink, are re­ferrable to the various intestine wrestlings of the inbred Acid and Sulphur.

• First, As to Vegitation it self, we have al­ready hinted, how its performed by a secret Fermentation from the inward combating of their peculiar Acids and Sulphurs.
• Secondly, What are Colours but the ludicra Sulphuris? the sportings of vegitable Sulphurs, from whose interweavings and coagulations up­on their genuine acids, are struck those beau­tiful colours which so gratefully salute our Op­ticks, and that by making such alterations in the texture of the parts, as to admit those va­rious reflections and refractions of Light, and causing such mixtures of Shades and Lights, as lively to represent those amiable, and no less admirable appearances of Colours to our Eye.
• Thirdly, What are their Sapours but the deductions of Plants by their peculiar vegita­tive Fermentations, to any equal temperature, [Page 65]whereby they become pleasant or ungrateful to the Palate, and whereby those that are for food become nutritive; whose grateful gust in all, especially Fruits brought on to maturity, signifie the soft sweetnings of their Acids, by the ripenings of their Sulphurs; whereby they become sit objects for the Ferment of the Sto­mack to turn into nutritive juices, quod sapit, nutrit, is from this ground most certainly true.
• Fourthly, Again, what are all odours of Ve­gitables, but the efflor scence of their Sulphurs from vegitative Fermertations, whereby, from the continual hits and incessant touches of the native acid upon the Sulphur, the Sulphur thereby becomes in part so comminuted and volatiz'd by that gentle Fermentation, as to pass off (especially in the more odorous Plants) in a sensible apporrhea, able to smite the Nostrils at a great distance; So that Vegetable odours are the immediate products of intrinsick Fer­mentation, which by how much the nobler the specifick Sulphur is, and by how much the higher graduated, the more gratefully are we accosted by it, odour, and at the greater distance it is carried.
• Fifthly, How much the medicinal proper­ties of vegetables depend upon the foresaid Fermentation, will not be unaptly represented by observing their chief dependance upon their Sulphurs: For what is it in most vegeta­bles [Page 66]that we seek after, or that doth the work, but the Sulphurous and Oylie principle, which is no otherwise brought on to maturity, but by the uninterrupted collision and inward wrest­lings with its connate acid, whereby it swee­tens the Acid, is it self volatiz'd and gradua­ted. and most what complicated with a volatile Salt, the product thereof.
• Sixthly, As to the propagation of vegetables by Seeds, how that also is performed by the foresaid Fermentation, will be evident, if we consider, That as Fermentation in vegetables begins in a seminal punctum, wherein is deli­neated all the organical parts (if I may so say) the whole plant-Embrio, (being by the great and most skilful contriver of nature) epitomiz'd into a punctum mechanically indivi­sible, onely discoverable to the Eye, in some Seeds, by the help of good Glasses, according to the excellent and curious micro-scopical ob­servations of the worthy Malpigius. So I say it ceaseth not till it terminates in a new seminal punctum, its set afoot in the very first motions of Seed, and ends not till it have by the same wrestlings of Acid and Sulphur, produced a new Seed, or rather a new Cloathing for the Seed, nor doth it then cease to be a Ferment, onely lies dormant, close shut up, as in a Prison, in the husk of the Seed, till it be set awork again, by being put into a proper matrix or analogous [Page 67]moisture, and then the compage of its body is loosed, the Prison doors are set open, and the Embrio Captive set at liberty: yea, if Fermen­tation of vegetables was duely understood, and carefully attended, it would never cease to act, during the world: for if when by Fer­mentation the two principles concenters them­selves in puncto, shaping a new domicil (for their retirement a while, till other assisting causes, according to the appointment of God, conspire at their due seasons) should then im­mediately be committed to its proper matrix, the Fermentation would keep onwards in its pace, which being continually observ'd, would never cease to act. But because God the great Builder of all things, hath limited the Fermen­tations and Productions of all vegitables to cer­tain seasons, therefore do the principles take sanctuary for a time in those visible [...]rains and husks we see; which husks, although to us they seem new Seed, yet they are but new Cloathings at the best, to that inward Seed, which ceaseth not, and from this Fountain it was, that Paracelsus and Helmont truly tell us, that essentiae rerum non pereunt.

And indeed we cannot but look upon Seeds, or Seminary principles, in all things thence pro­ducible, as Embrio-Ancherites, concentred and thrust up (by the great skilful Builder and Contriver of all things) into small parcels [Page 68]of matter, which (at least in some) are me­chanically (I dare not, nor indeed can say Phisically) indivisible: Now that these Plant-Embrio's are so minute in most, as to escape any mechanical division, and in some so incon­spicuous, as not to be discernable by the most curious, assisted by the best and most skilfully contriv'd Glasses, is very evident to those who are very inquisitive herein: And yet these so minute points, mechanically indivisi­ble (which is worth our remarking) being put into their proper matrix, or having a competent moisture allowed them, do by a slow Fermentative motion, compitible to all vegitation, begin to make intestine collisions and inward wrestlin's of their inbred princi­ples of Acid and Sulphur, whereby that little parcel of matter, so small as not to be obvious (at least in some) to the Eye, assisted as afore­said, is by the power of its implanted Fer­ment, capable of being split and subdivided in­to plenty of yet more minute parts.

Lastly, (for at present we only design tran­sient sleight touches upon each) That the Fer­mentations of vegetables, as of Corn, Grapes, Fruits, &c. in order to the preparing our Bread and Drink, depends upon the foresaid collision and inward stru [...]lings of the two principles Acid and Sulphur, is hence evident, because if the Acidum of Paste, Must, Wurt, or the like Fer­mentable [Page 69]Liquors, be by the addition of any other thing precipitated, altered, or mortified, then will those Liquors never Ferment. Thus if quick-lime, coral, Crabs Eyes, or any sort of fixt livial Alcalies, be added thereto, either before it begin, will prevent, or if while Fer­menting, will cause the Fermentation to cease.

Ferments are so obvious in the preparing our Bread and Drink, as that usually Fermen­tation, (through the defect of the right un­derstanding the nature and due improvement thereof) hath been imputed to few other things. The brisk effervescence of Wines, which work without any additional Ferments, owe their Fermentative motion to no other, then to the quick struglings, and inbred collisions of their native Acid and Sulphur; a great part of whose superfluous Acidum and Sulphur, com­plicated with a volatile Salt, together with other Heterogenities, are, during Fermentation, rejected and precipitated in the form of Tartar (of which more in our Halologia) The rest from a genuine wrestling of the principles compose an equal temper, and generous potable Liquor, viz. Wine, the noblest of vegetable Fermentable juices. The like may be said of all other vegitable Fermentative Liquors, such as are Ale, Beer, Syder, &c.

If the efferuescence of Wines prove strong, either from the too brisk assaults of the inbred [Page 70]Acidum and Sulphur, (as sometimes happens in new Wines) or from the reimbibition of the formerly deposited Tartar, or rejected rich Lee or Faeces, (both well Saturate with the foresaid principles) or from too great agita­tion, or immoderate warmth, or some heteroge­neous Acids, as of different sort of Grapes prest into one mustum, or from the addition of Mercury sublimate (wherewith sometimes it is adulterated) or the like; if I say, from any of the foresaid ways, Wines be set into a Fermentative motion de novo, and put into a high efferuescence, the remedy chiefly consists, either in the racking it oft, whereby the con­tracted fervour is to be abated, and future im­bibitions are to be prevented; or by precipita­tions of the foresaid Tartarous particles, or ex­traneous bodies, which is to be performed by affusion of plenty of Milk, or such sort of Liquors; by which, not only such kind of pre­cipitations are well performed, but also doth help to allay those Fermentations too much exalted from agitation by Carriage; or which happens from immoderate heat, by attempering and softening inordinate exaestuations.

And as this is to be done in Wines, whose principles are too active; so on the contrary, in the great impoverishment of Wines from the depressed state of the principles, somewhat of a like Ferment should be added, such, I mean, [Page 71]as may not only acuate the dormant principles, but also may inspire a new sort of Ferment, congenial to the former, of which kind, is a well impregnated Tartar, or stong Lee to be put thereto, or a Fermental Syrup compos'd from a generous Wine, Sugar, or some Aromacticks, to bring on a fresh Fermentation, or a little Fermenting Wine, freshly working upon its Lees; if in Ale, which wants a due Fermenta­tion, either a little fresh Ferment, I mean the flores Cerevisiae, call'd Yest or Barn, or a little new working Ale is to be added, especially after a cohobation of fresh Malt, or upon Malt once by infusion extracted; or some dust of Malt, and some sliced Ginger; or Eggs well beat; but to return:

Yet some of these will not easily Ferment per se, but require an additional Ferment to excite their implanted Acidum and Sulphur, in­to a brisk motion or strugling, which we call Fermentation. Thus in the making Ale or Beer, from the infusion or juice of Malt, a con­genial Ferment, viz. Yest or Barn (which is flos Cerevifiae, or the seedling of its Fermenta­tion, able from its Symbolical principle, to pro­pagate ad infinitum, of which more else­where) is to be added, to rouze up the like principles of Acid and Sulphur, in the foresaid juice, to a Fermentative motion.

Thus also in the preparing the potable Liquor [Page 72]from Sugar (which if done with Birch-water, makes it the more medicinal) a Ferment of Yest, or the like, is to be added, which sets the foresaid principles in the Sugar, into a Fermental motion, whereby it becomes a good potable Liquor, bearing some resemblance to Wine: Now that there is Acidum and Sulphur in Sugars, Grapes, Apples, Berries, Cherries, and other Fruits and Grains, is very obvious: First, As to their Acids, those are plainly dis­coverable both by the facile degenerating of Liquors or Juices hence made into Acids or Vinegars, if I may so call them; thus Sugar-Canes, laid by in Troughs, becomes very Acid, and so of the rest: As also by their distillation, as appears in the distillation of the Floors of Wheat, Wrye, &c. which give an acid Spirit; so all Fruits, Sugars, Honey, &c. which by Fermentation are capable of becoming potable Liquors, by distillation yield an acidum, wit­ness the acid Spirit of Sugar, Wheat, Honey, &c. Your Bread distilled yields an acid Liquor, chiefly from the added Ferment, which sets the Acidum of the Corn more at liberty; from both which proceeds that acid menstruum ta­ken notice of by the honourable Boyle, which will draw a tincture from Stybium, as we have try'd.

And as to Sulphurs, they are demonstrable to be in all the foresaid Fruits, Sugars Grains, [Page 73]&c. First, By their Vinegars, in all which lurk an Oyle, separable by Art two or three ways, as we shew in our Lithologia and Halolo­gia: For when the Acid prevails, it dissolves the Sulphur per minima, and hides it in it self, under the mask of an Acetum. 2ly. By Di­stillation, as when urg'd by stress of Fire, they give besides their acid Spirit, an Oyle, which from the forcible actings of the Acid upon the Sulphur, and some terrestrial parts, by the vi­olence of Fire makes it become Empyrhumati­cal, (as in our Halologia we further inlarge.) 3ly. By putrifaction and Distillation they give an Cyle. 4ly. By Fermentation and Distilla­tion, whereby they become vinous Spirits, whose Sulphur is discernable from their flagra­blity. And Lastly, (to omit what might pro­bably be done in order to the separating ge­nuine Oyles from some of them by bare Distil­lations in water) by their [...]perations of their juices, and extractions by vinous Spirits, where­by their tinctures are drawn, which are nothing else but specimens of their Sulphurs.

As to Corn, suppose Wheat, or any other Grain, the same principles of Fermentation are evident; for when wrought into a masse with water, and the addition of a little vege­table Ferment, suppose Yest; this by the con­gruity and congenialness of its parts to the simi­ler Ferments implanted in that Grain, sets it in­to [Page 74]motion; for all additional Ferments do no more but excite the principles of Fermentation, native to the body, or Liquor to be Fermen­ted: for neither Yest put to water, nor Old Leaven put to powder of Stone, mixt with water, will cause either of them to work for want of Symbolical principles.

Yet this last Paragraph we are to ballance with this following consideration, and that is to illustrate the reason why Corn (for instance Wheat) sprouted by overmuch wet in the reaping, or moisture by bad laying up, will not make good Bread, at least, other sorts of Ta­ble Food, because hereby the vegetative prin­ciples of Acid and Sulphur are excited, which should either go on in order to propagation by vegetation or germination, or that design of nature being perverted by artificial malting, might thence be used for preparing a Fermen­table, and afterwards potable Liquor: but be­ing imploy'd for other purposes, from the activity of the principles, already set into a vegitative Fermental motion, as soon as they feel the Heat retaining their vegitative sprou­ting motion, break the Prison doors; and in short, if the heat was answerable, would Sprout and Grow; but because the heat is stronger then is required for such purposes, it onely makes the Mass Fat, or become more Florid; and thence it is that such paste bakes not solid [Page 75]and firm, but falls and runs in the Oven, as be­ing more fit for making Malt then Bread, or other such Food.

CHAP. VIII.

NOw that there is some gentle warmth in all vegetable Fermentations, undiscerna­ble to our senses, is apparent, because the same principles of Fermentation being invigorated in their brisk intestine duellings, may become sensibly hot, witness the heat of steep'd Barley, laid on a heap in order to Maltin, which if neglected for want of turning and ventilation by Air, will become so hot, as one cannot in­duce his hand long in it: Yea, and from the same principles, yet heightned in their inward Collisions, may an actual burning Fire be pro­duced: Witness Corn wet, laid in heaps in Chambers if neglected, will take Fire: Also Mows of Corn laid up too moist and close, have been Fired. So likewise a Rick of Hay is sometimes burnt to Ashes, from the violent and furious Fermentations of its principles, and that from its moistness and closeness, setting its prin­ciples of Acids and Sulphur into a violent moti­on, so as to break forth into aciual Flame.

Not to say here how Acids are sweetened by Sulphurs, and sometimes coagulate into a neutral body: For although all Fermentation is certainly (at least according to our Hypo­thesis) caus d from the Collisions and inward combatings of Acids and Sulphurs in the pro­duction of things: yet as Acids amongst bo­dies (as I have before, and may more largely hereafter shew) differ amongst themselves, so they make different assaults, and are variously reacted by Sulphurs, whence both, by their mutual actions, undergo various changes and different modifications amongst bodies in their transformations.

And as some Acids ferment with their Sul­phurs in an inward wrestling, the Sulphurs af­terwards as they predominate upon the wheel of operation, softening, sweetening, and ripen­ing their Acids, making gentle coagulations in their naturations, both amongst animals, vegi­tables, yea, and Minerals too (although more obvious in the two former) so likewise some Sulphurs ferment with some Acids, while with others they combine in a natural texture, to confirm which we shall onely (because in hast) give this single mechanical example, which shall be in Mercury or Quick-silver, to which if a Spirit of Nitre or Aqua fortis be added, the mixture presently ferments from the collisi­on of the Sulphur in the Mercury, and the Acids [Page 77]in the Menstruum, whereby the compage there is broken from the intimate commixture of the Sulphur with its Mercurial parts, whence a solution of the whole: But if in lieu of that corrosive Menstruum, the dry Salts (of which that Menstruum by a colliquating fluor with their inbred Sulphurs by Fire is made) be mixed and sublimed together, there hap­pens no Fermentation, but arise in a corrosive sublimate; to which, if such a due proportion of fresh Mercury be added and re-sublim'd, they coagulate and sweeten each other into a solid concretion of a neutral texture, which is that trite preparation we call Mercurius dulcis, in which the acid Salts of Vitriol and common Salt is so dulcified by their interweavings with the Sulphur of the Quick-silver, as that it will not coagulate Milk, and so becomes (be­ing well prepared) a very harmless and inno­cent Medicine: whilst the same sublimate (thus sweetened by the Sulphur of its Mer­cury freshly added) if therewith Antimony in lieu of Quick-silver be mixed, the same acid Salts, meeting with a different Sulphur in An­timony then in Mercury, falls into a colliquati­on and fretting Fermentation, causing a great heat, and becomes a strong corrosive.

And as from the difference of Acids amongst themselves, and their various assaults upon their Sulphurs, cause various changes in the [Page 78] geuesis and transformations of Bodies, both in the texture of Liquors, and the concretions of Bodies: So from various modes of aggression of our principles, justleing differently, accor­ding to various applications, are produc'd varieties of effects, which are discoverable from the difference of Spirits thence separable, which in some (at least upon rectification) smite our Organs of sense with great variety, as will appear these following ways: Thus, First, If the principles are set awork in the seminals of things, in a generative way, as suppose in Vegetation, here the principles by an evolution, expand themselves in a slow but genuine Fer­mentation, whose effects (I mean their Spi­rits) most what guise themselves in the minute effiuvia of odours, especially in odorous Plants, and that chiefly in the opening of the Flower (though in many through the whole plant) when the Sulphur is by circulation (as I may say) so subliliz'd by its connate acid, as to pass off in a subtile Steam, for hereby the acid not onely strikes the colour, (according to the varieties of Acids acting upon their proper Sulphur) but also causeth an expansion and emanation of subtile parts. Secondly, If this Fermentative Vegetation be carryed on to the maturation of Fruits, and in their Juices the foresaid principles be again set awork, they then make different assaults, combining in [Page 79]other manner of collisions then before, as is evident from the vinous Spirits thence easily separable, which partake much of the vola­tiz'd Sulphur. Thirdly, Thus if during Fer­mentation, any quantity of a plant (suppose Wormwood, Mugwort, Tansey, &c.) should be gathered and laid together in heaps: Here the principles make new and different collisions then before, making retrograde motions, which tend to a putredness of the Plants, the product of which Fermentation is a volatile Ʋrinous Spirit, as appears by Distillation thereof: which is so strong in some Plants, as that it doth very discernable ferire nares, as I have felt in the Glastum or Wood, prepared by that artifice of putrefactive Fermentation, yea, the workers thereof told me, that when after a previous preparation (by Grinding and expo­sing to the Air in Cakes) they are laid in heaps, the Fermentation is so very strong, as the Ʋrinous Spirits thence issuing, are searce to­lerable to those that are near it: which last named Spirits are as much a product of that sort of Fermentation, as the two former are of theirs; and therefore as we are not to guess at the quantity of vinous Spirts, separable by that Fermentation peculiar to those Fermental juices, as if pre-existent; nor of Odours in Plants, as aforehand, in their minute seedlings before the openings of those powers by their [Page 80]own vegitative Fermentation: so neither in­deed ought we to esteem those vinous Spirits, pre-existent in the Plants before putrefaction.

And as the different modes of the principles, aggressions, and collisions, cause various sorts of Fermentations, and different kinds of Spi­rits, thence separable in the Vegital; so like­wise with some variation, they do the like in the animal Family, I mean, that according to the vi [...]ious methods of the principles mu­tual [...], different sorts of Spirits thence result: thus from the intestine struglings betwixt the native Acidum of the Stomack, and the Sulphur in the Food begun in the Sto­mack, carried on by the intermediate Ferments, and compieated in the blood, are produced those sorts of Spirits we call animal.

Thus from the same principles acting upon each other in a retrograde motion, which is that we vulgarly call putrefaction, are all other sorts produc'd; and so of the rest, which we shall not now enlarge upon; and as to what results from mineral Fermentation, we have elsewhere discourst.

That moisture or water (the former of which is but the latter rarified) is absolutely neces­sary, both to the setting the principles of Fer­mentation a work, as also to the keeping them afoot even in all such motions, from the very lowest degree of vegetable Fermentation, to [Page 81]the highest of actual flagration, is evident in most things throughout the series of natures triplicity; thus Vegitables necessarily require moisture, not onely to set, but also to keep their principles of Fermentation in a constant Spring. Thus the Ferments of our Stomacks do really need the pouring down of Water, Wine, Ale, Beer, or other potable Liquors, for the perpetuating and invigorating their active principles.

And hence, for ought we know, may be the reason why a Glass of Water, taken after a plentiful repast, is found to help the digestion, by setting the Fermentation awork, which otherwise, by the glut of Food might be inter­rupted, and that too by diluting the assum'd ali­ment, and so setting the Acidum of the Stomack and Sulphur of the food into a mutual collision, even as a little water poured to the thick Oyle of Vitriol, by diluting, sets the inward princi­ples of Acidum and Sulphur into a Fermenta­tion, thence producing a considerable heat, as we elsewhere further treat.

So likewise do the principles of mineral Fer­ments, in their source no less require the con­tinual afflux of Water, in order to the heigh­tening their heat, and making of hot Baths: Thus also Brass Lumps (which are a sort of vitriolin marcasite) laid in heaps, do from the moisture of the Air, or sprinkling of water, [Page 82]suffer their principles of Acid and Sulphur, by their mutual collisions, to be set awork, which are invigorated to that height, as to rise to an actual flagration.

The same will Metal-Coals, Mines of Tin-Glass, Alom, &c. do, and that from the iden­tity of causes with the former: So likewise moist Hay, Corn in Green or Moist Sheafs, Corn Steeped or otherwise Moistened, do all of them from the same heightening of the action of their principles by moisture, conceive heat, yea take fire too, as is abovesaid. So that wherever Fermentation happens, and that there is plenty of moisture or water, there the Fermentation is considerably heightened, as may be illustrated by all the foresaid instances. And wherever there is heat, proceeding from the same principles of Acidum and Sulphur, if these by the addition of moisture become suf­ficiently intended, will certainly cause Fire.

Yea perhaps fire it self, I mean, the culinary made up, and fed with combustible concretes, doth as necessarily require a moisture in the Air, to the performing its quick rapid Fermen­tation of ignition and flagration, so as to make [...] principles liquid in the very act of flagra­tion [...] that mineral corrofive Fires do re­quire the addition of moisture or water, upon no other account then for the dissolving and putting into Fermentation, their corrosive Acids [Page 83]and Sulphurs, is evident, not only in the Oyle of Vitriol, but also in the Stigian waters, viz. Spirit of Nitre, Aqua fortis, and Aqua regia, the two former of which being the same thing, as made from the same principles of Acid and Sulphur, (dissolv'd by the help of fire in wa­ter, as we further declare in our Halologia) all which are corroding menstrua's, or liquid burning fretting fires, which while in the form of dry Salts or Sulphurs separated, are not at all apt to make such corrosions of Metals, Mi­nera s, &c.

For according to our Hypothesis, corrosive menstrua, are not made from Salts in fluor, nor are they bare acetous Liquors, or Saline particles driven by force of fire, from the im­braces of their own Earth, as the learned Dr. Willis would have them, but are an Acid and Sulphur brought over in a Liquid form: That they are all Acids, needs no proof; and that they have all Sulphurs, may very easi­ly be made to appear, by the resinous, oylie, or other Sulphurous separations to be made from all of them, even from the leanest, I mean distilled Vinegar, (as we demonstrate in our Lythologia Physica, and Halologia) so that Aci­dum and Sulphur by stress of Fire, raising up some Liquid or watery parts, fall into a fluor, and thereby become corrosive menstrua: For mineral Salts never become corrosives, till their [Page 84] Sulphurs and Acids colliquate, and that they do, either by distillation from stress of fire, the acidum of the fire assisting their colliquati­ons, as is evident in the making of the Stygian, and other corrosive menstrua, or by Fermenta­tion, as appears in the mixture of Mercury sub­limate, and crude Antimony, or regulus of An­timony, where the acidum of the Salts, catch hold of the Sulphur in the crude or reguline An­timony, and cause a Fermentation, colliqua­ting together, or rather by their colliquations, cause a Fermentation, which you will; for we see upon the Fermentation, the mass of Salts and Antimony flow together, appearing in a liquid, although thick form, which Colliqua­tion and Fermentation is perform'd, without the least specimen of any alcali, or quid alcali analogum: to which many ingenious persons (for want of a true Basis and right Ariadnes Thred to extricate them from difficulties) are driven to take Shelter in the solving these and the like Phaenomena.

And not onely corrosives, but causticks also, we suppose (according to our Hypothesis) to consist both of them chiefly in the vigour of Acids, raised to the height of Fermenta­tion, and to differ onely in this, that causticks are made from the acidum of Fire, and that either as in its own rapid motion of Fermen­tation, happening betwixt the Acidum and [Page 85] Sul­phur of the combustible concrete, or as its Aci­dum is fixt inter cremandum upon such sort of bodies as can grasp hold of, and detain it in its intrails, of which are all sorts of fixt Al­calies (as they are call'd) minium, calx vivae, &c. whereas Corrosives are made from the acids of Minerals, complicated with their Sul­phurs, and heightened by Fire, which by the medium of an ingeint moisture, or by a colli­quation betwixt themselves, become liquid corrosive Menstrua; of which, more elsewhere: And of whose manner of workings in the so­lution of Metals, we have above given a short account, according to our deposited Thesis.

Yea, and that some Acids and Sulphurs will colliquescere, even without the help of Fire in distillation; and in that colliquation will cause a strong Fermentation and intense heat, is evi­dent from the mixture of Antimony, or the regulus of Antimony and mercury sublimate, with dry powders, will melt (being mixed) as if fused in a crucible.

We shall not here say, how by the Fermen­tations of our foresaid principles, all vegetable and animal concretes, (for the texture of whose bodies, water, as a material principle, is abso­lutely requisite, and which is wrought up into those bodies in their natural generation) are continually, by a constant wheeling off, after a little rotation in the Air, in the great capitellum [Page 86]of the Amosphere, turn'd into water again, or into watery vapours, which are but water rari­fied, and how that watery vapour is as one spring in the Air, for the setting all other Fermenta­tions awork; not onely useful towards the actual flagration of combustable matter, main­taining thereby the great round and circulation of generations and reductions of all bodies. But also from the same moisture in the Air, carried thither in the great circulation, and fed by incessant subterraneal steams, arising especially from Springy and other watery places, which whether in the form of Dews, helps to feed Corn and Grass, kept back by long droughts, or whe­ther wrapt up more invisibly in the Air, doth yet reach some of the tender veins of other ve­getables, or uniteth with the slender fibers of their roots, plac'd in Sandy, Gritty, or other barren Ground, and thereby either way by a sort of filtration, is communicated to their Juices, whence such Plants (which otherwise could scarce be thought to receive any suffici­ent supply from such barren Soils) admit of a competent stock of moisture, able to carry on their vegetative Fermentation, whereby they grow and thrive well: And hence it is, that C [...]pin, and several other Plants, onely set in Sand, and sometimes sprinkled with water, doth from the foresaid moisture in the Air, ve­getate and like well.

Nor here to shew how Air, after a double manner, contributes towards the Fermentation both of animals and vegetables: yea, towards the producing the highest of Fermentation, Fire; nor shall we take time here to insist upon water, as the true material principle, in­dispensibly necessary for the production of all bodies, the want of which in the grand circu­lation of nature, bring on a consuming drought in all bodies, whereby those concretes (whose natives the principles are) wither and dye, because their principles of Acidum and Sulphur, having not whereon to work, and model bo­dies with, desert them, taking wing into their own aether, leaving their former receptacles to pine away in a continual marasme, and un­avoidable tabers; Nor to shew, how water is indeed as essentially requisite, materiae gratia for natural, as Stone and Wood, are for arti­ficial fabricks; whilst the active principles of of Acidum and Sulphur, are the inward artifi­cers, the implanted fabers, yea the hidden limners, who by the manuduction of Seeds, hews out forms, shapes, and draws forth the lineaments and portraitures of all things, an­swering ad vivum (from the unerring rules of nature) their beautiful antitypes, invisibly coucht in the initials of all bodies: But (now studying brevity) shall leave them to a further discourse.

From what is premised concerning this our Doctrine of Fermentation, how it is performed in all vegetation, as being the lowest orb (in the whole round world of nature) it moves in, and yet is the true beginings of all fire in bodies; and that the most violent of fires, is no other then this Fermentation in the most rapid manner; the principles furiously driving upon each other, will be evident, and very obvious from this following mechanical experiment. Take the subtile aethereal Spirit of Venice Tur­pentine four Ounces, (which is nothing else but the Sulphur of that vegetable resinous gumm, comminuted and subtiliz'd by gentle distilla­tion, and intimately marryed to a defaecate im­planted acid) as also Aqua fortis six Ounces, both recently drawn, mix them together in a Glass-Viol, and they will presently fall into a furious Fermentation, which will arise to that height, as actually amongst the thick clouds of fumes to burn and blaze out of, and above the Orifice of the Glass in a visible flame.

Now what is observable in this Fire, thus by the foresaid mechanick produced, and whence the causes, the same may truly (we think) be said of all other fires in combustable concretes, for here the Acidum in the Aqua fortis (lately made) is very strong, closeth with the Acid in the Spirit of Turpentine, immediately sets upon the Sulphur in the same vegetable Oylie [Page 89]Liquor, which Sulphur being congenial (as Sulphurs usually are to each other) to that in the Aqua fortis, increaseth in its vigour, where­by both the Acid and the Sulphur, even in both Liquors become fortified, and forthwith fall into an intestine Collision, whence the Fermen­tation begins, which being by the purity and sincerity of the principles, more and more heightened and invigorated, (having no hete­rogeneous matter to interrupt their inward duellings) at length arise to that degree, as to colliquate into an actual fluid flame, which is the very same cause we elsewhere assign to to the production of all usual Fire in combusta­ble concretes, only with this difference, that in such stagrations, conceived from the immedi­ate conflicts of the principles, there are not, as I said, those heterogenities interwoven, as in other combustable concretes, set into that rapid motion by kindling or firing.

Thus I say these actual flagrations, whether from the furious assaults of fiery acido-Sulphu­rous Liquors, as is apparent from the foresaid mechanical experiment, or from Acids and Sul­phurs, set into intestine conflicts in combustable concretes, as is evident in all usual Fire, is no other then our foresaid Fermentation in a most violent hurry, the principles acting furiously upon each other; while other slower Fires are main­tain'd by sleighter, and more gentle touches of [Page 90]the same principles. Hence methinks, when I behold the varieties of Vegetables, I cannot but esteem them as so many igniculi, little Fires, shewing their various lustre in their pe­culiar colours.

Yea to me the whole appearance of nature in the concretions of most bodies throughout the triplicity of her dominions (some Petrificks, and such like anomolous productions excepted) is nothing else but so many Lamps burning in water, each of them distinguishing a parcel thereof, into this or the other visible figuration which we commonly call bodies or concretes, so that the Philosophers ignis aqua, I mean, both their Mercury, and the grand Solvent the Alcha­hest, in which the ignis Sophorum is artificially implanted in the mercurial or watery juices, is but an Epitome of what nature in the great vo­lume of the World, sets down in Folio; yea, is no otherwise preparable by art, then what (to a Philosophick eye) nature is constantly performing in its great orb of productions.

And as each Body carries its central Fire shut up in its Bosom, expanded or blown up by the evolution of its seminals, depending upon the implanted active principles of Fermentati­on; so likewise that adventitious heat, which helps to foster Fermentation, (in such juices or concretions, where the active principles seem to be immur'd, in the weighty bulk of terre­strial [Page 91]strial parts) ought in its degree to be gentle, soft, and symbolical to the Fermentative prin­ciples: which if it exceed, in lieu of chenish­ing, dissipates the nimble agents, and spoils the act of Fermentation, and this is evident, not onely in the concretions and maturations of Fruits, but in the Fermentations of potable Liquors.

Thus as to the First, Fruits while upon the Trees, by the help of the Sun, have their ve­getative Fermentations compleated by the Sul­phurs, sweetening and maturating their Acids, the like is done (though nothing nigh so well) in Fruits taken off the Trees before they be ripe, and laid by in Straw, Hay, or the like, whereby the warmth of the Air, there for­merly begun Fermentation, is in some measure carryed on to maturation: whereas, if expo­sed to a more warmth, or a greater degree of heat, if done in Water, they are Codled; if before the Fire, they are Roasted: In both which, although somewhat sweetened from what they were, yet are far short of the pleasant gust and delicate colour they arrive at, by their more natural and gentle maturating heat.

Thus if any Grain, suppose Barley, &c. be steeped, and afterwards laid in heaps till it con­tract a spontaneous heat: this very heat trans­cending that which is peculiar to its own vege­tative Fermentation suspends, or rather indeed [Page 92] perverts the intention of nature, whereby it will never so vegetate afterwards, as to go on to a propagation by Seed, but onely if per­mitted (by neglect of turning) will shoot forth a spurious branch, call'd vulgarly an Acre­spire.

Thus as to the last, Fermentative Liquors, if they have any other heat but what results from the collisions of their own active principles, or at least in degree is congenial thereto, then the intention of nature is perverted by the dissi­pations of the principles of Fermentation, or at least, by the graduations of the Acid above the Sulphur, as appears in heating the Fermen­tative Liquor too much, or in putting it up too warm in the Vessels: the like happens (I mean a dissipation of the Fermentative agents, or an exorbitancy of the Acidum) in hot seasons, or with the percussions of the Air by the noise of Guns or Thunder, or from insolation, or the like; In all which the crasis of Fermentable Liquors are perverted, and the Acidum by overpowering the Sulphur, grows exorbitant, subverting the temperature of the whole.

CHAP. IX.

HAving thus sleightly (for brevities sake) run through the reasons and causes of Fermentation, from the lowest to the highest degree thereof, in all natural productions throughout the threefold kingdom of Nature, and shewed those from the genuine causes and natural principles, to be the fountain of Heat in and amongst bodies: Now come we to con­sider of some other sorts of Heat, that seem to arise either from other manner of Fermentati­ons, or from other causes: of which are all Fer­mentations or Ebullitions made betwixt Acids and all kinds of Alcalies, whether lixivial or al­calizate, fixed or volatile; the Fermentation and Heat obvious in quicklime, made by the affusion of water, heat also caus'd from the collision and attrition of solid bodies. For in­deed, from a due examination I find, there is no Heat produc'd amongst bodies (I mean from their own intestine principles) what sort soever it be, but what is referable of one of these two, viz. either Acids and Sulphurs, or to Acids and Alcalies: The first is the natural cause of Heat as thence springing from its genuine source, which admits of degrees even to actual flagra­tion: [Page 94]The other is artificial, and never ar­rives to the height of the former.

I found therefore upon due consideration, that the foresaid Fermentations and Heat rec­koned amongst those which arise betwixt Acids, and some sorts of Alcalies, might be soly'd from one of these two causes, viz. ei­ther from our deposited principles of Acid and Sulphur, or from a mutual fretting betwixt Acids and urinous Spirits: Thus we suppose (and elsewhere in our Lithologio Physica illustrate) in all Petrifick concretions, somewhat of a Sulphurous principle lockt up in the strickt texture of the petrifying native Alcaly; which when an acid menstruum comes to terebrate, finding the Sulphur its proper object, closeth therewith; and from their mutual struglings, happens the solution of the body; thence pro­ceeds the Ebullition, and consequently in some (where it is strong) Warmth: For we suppose a Sulphur or Sulphurous principle, to be as a cement, to bind up the petrifick Alcali in all or most of stony concretions.

Thus also we suppose in all fixt lixivial Al­calies, (or fixt Salts as they are vulgarly call­ed) a Sulphurous principle, to be close shut up in the texture thereof; and that every fixt lixivial Alcali, is a new compage of the same prae-existent principles, produc'd and bound up by the Acidum of Fire, where the Acidum [Page 95]and Sulphur are so interwoven with a volatile urinous Spirit or Salt, as that by force of Fire they do colliquescere, melt down into a body dissolvable per deliquium, which is generally esteemed a simple Salt, but having discourst largely thereof in our Halologia, shall now wave it, and onely say, that these fixt Alcalies (vulgarly reputed solitary Salts) being new textures of the intrinsick principles, do by that neutrality of Essence they are wrought into by the Fire, from new complications, I say, do make different assaults upon Acids then before.

Hence it is, that upon a double account, as I said, that Acids mixed with these Alcalies may cause an effervescence, viz. either as meet­ing with the Sulphur close bound up with the Acid and urinous Spirit or Salt in the compage of the Alcali, and so to cause an Ebullition and Heat, according to our foresaid princi­ples; or as meeting with the volatile urinous Salt close rivetted with the Sulphur and Acid, may either way cause an effervescence.

Onely this difference (which is considera­ble) is to be noted betwixt these Fermentati­ons made between Acids and Sulphurs as they happen in petrifick concretions, and fixt lixivi­al Alcalies; from those which happen in the general course of nature, inasmuch as Fermen­tations which are set awork amongst animals, vegetables, yea, and many minerals, do produce [Page 96]a quite different effect from those lately cited, as appears in animal Fermentations, their effects are the production of animal Spirits, &c. In vegetable Fermentations their effects are either such which immediately result from the slow pac'd motion of the principles, viz. Vege­tation, Volatization of their Sulphurs, Odours, &c. or are the effects of the more sensible Fermentations in all vegetable juices, in order to potable Liquors, which are vinous Spirits, or the effects of mineral Fermentations, which if done in the bowels of the Earth, where no current of water happens) are the producti­ons of mineral concretes, &c. If where wa­ters have their Channels (in their great cir­culation) their effects are hot Baths, &c. Or Lastly, if the Fermentation be from mineral bodies, and corrosive menstrua, the effects are stifling fumes, &c. All which in their different classes happen from the looseness of the com­page of their Sulphurs, and from their facile inclination to volatization. But in the late ci­ted effervescences betwixt Acids and Alcalies, whether in Petrifick or lixivial Salts, their Sulphurs being naturally fixed, as in Stony con­cretions, and are made so in lixivial alcalies: So that although Acids may touch upon them, and cause a little fretting effervescence, yet can­not volatize them; therefore upon their colli­sion and Ebullition, we find no different hogo [Page 97]to smite our Nostrils, the usual products of other Fermentations.

And then as to volatile Alcalies, which put to Acids, cause a fretting heat, they do consist of an Acid and an urinous Spirit (as in our Halologia we further demonstrate) which be­ing complicated together, retains so much of the Acidum, as is sufficient to its concretion in­to a saline form, and yet is so much subjugated by the Ʋrinous Spirit, as to be overpowered thereby; and from the neutrality of their na­ture to cause the foresaid effervescence, being mixed with Acids.

In the next place, as to the reasons of Fer­mentation contracted in quick-lime, from the affusion of water; in short thus, we suppose (and think to demonstrate) that heat to pro­ceed from a Fermentation, betwixt Salts of a different nature; which upon the affusion of water are dissolv'd, and thereby set into an actual strugling. These different Salts are an Alcali and an Acidum: Now that fixt alcali­zate Alcalies (not lixivial of Plants) are disseminated in the bowels of the Earth, to which petrisick concretions chiefly owe their original, we at large shew in our Lithologia Physica; and that such a sort of Alcali is im­planted in calx vive (which in the calcination required to the making thereof, becomes yet heightened) is evident, First, by its mortify­ing [Page 98]and sweetening Acids, witness its being put to water acidulated with Spirit of Salt, Nitre, &c. the acidity will presently be altered, and mortified: next by its closing Acids wrapt up in the texture of another body, as appears by its mixture with Sal armoniack, where its Alcali, (for it can be no other) catcheth hold of the Acidum of Sal marine, and so breaks the compage of the Armoniack Salt, setting the volatile Ʋrinous Spirit at liberty. Thirdly, by the heat it makes (after extinction by af­fusion of water) with an acid Spirit, as when Spirit of Vitriol is poured upon extinguish'd Lime, a heat is thence caused. Lastly, By the observing that the water of its extinction, will serve to open the body of mineral Sulphur, by boiling them together, which it will do almost as well as if the water had been acuated with fixt lixivial Salts: both which work upon mineral Sulphurs by their Acids, as we shall demonstrate more clearly afterwards.

And as to the Acidum in quick-lime, we say, it owes its original to no other then to that of Fire, contracted in the calcination of the Stone, and that it was not pre-existent before calci­nation. Now that Fire in the actual flagration of combustable bodies, doth (in that violent Fermentation of its principles) fix its acidum (while the Sulphurous principle wheels off into the Air) upon some bodies it meets withall, [Page 99]suitable for the reception thereof; and how that from the difference of Acids in several combustable concretes by flagration, intangling themselves with, and fixing upon other bodies, different effects are produced: I might confirm by many instances.

The former is evident (amongst the rest) in the reverberatory calcination of Lead, in its preparation into minium, where the Acidum in the flame of Wood, centers and fixeth it self upon the Lead, and gives considerable increase of weight thereto: So in like manner (to come nearer to our purpose) the Acidum of Cole in the calcination of Lime-stone, doth by a continued reverberation, fix it self in the cra­nies and inward recesses thereof: Thus in the calcination of Vitriol by the rayes of the Sun, in the preparation of the Sympathetick powder, the pondus thereby becomes increased.

And then as to the latter, viz. the different effect upon bodies from the variety of Acids in actual ignition or flagration, either fixing themselves thereon, or at least by some sleighter intrusions, shewing a different operation, we could demonstrate from our observations upon burning of Bricks, hardening of Iron or Steel, calcinations of minerals and metals, various reverberations, and many other mechanical ope­rations, (solely owing their original to the difference of the foresaid Acid;) nor to say [Page 100]here, how amongst other Phoenomena, the dif­ference of colours amongst minerals and metals, contracted by calcinations and reverberations, owe their original to this source of varieties of Acids in different sorts of Fires, which for brevity sake we now omit, referring to a fur­ther discourse thereof in another place.

By the power of the foresaid Acidum in quick-lime, communicated thereto by Fire, in the calcination thereof, it is, that the water of Lime will perform what other more usual Acids cannot; for instance, That Lime-water mixed with any volatile Ʋrinous Salt, and di­stilled therefrom, fixeth, yea, turns the Salt into an insipid powder, or indissolvable calx; concerning which, the ingenuous Zuelfer well notes, quin etiam (saith he, speaking of this very thing) huic aquae recenti salia volatilia jungerem, mox (que) vidi effectum, sc. salium dicto­rum totalem destructionem, & eorum in calcem vel pulverem insipidum indissolubilem, omni odore, & sapore, privatum, ignis (que) violentiam in posterum strenue sustinentem, conversionum. The like probably would minium do to the same volatile Salts, if mixed therewith, and that from the same cause, viz. the Acidum contracted by the Fire, and from the same Aci­dum it is also, that water of Lime cast plentifully upon boiling Milk, will curdle it. And from these two, viz. the Alcali and Acidum (which [Page 101]we have demonstrated to be in quick-Lime) put into a strugling fretting motion, by their soluti­on in water, is (according to our Hypothesis) the very cause of heat, obvious in quick-Lime: For unless these two be dissolved, no Fermen­tation happens, and consequently no heat. Hence it is, that although rectified Spirit of Wine, Spirit of Turpentine, or other such like Sulphurous Liquors be added, yet cause no heat, because they are not competent menstrua, nor suitable Liquors for the dissolving the foresaid Alcali and Acidum, from whose solution and combating motion, proceeds the heat: But we have at large discourst upon that subject in our Lithologia Physica, to which I refer the Reader therefore shall now forbear further to insist thereon.

CHAP. X.

LAstly, as to heat, and sometimes ignition, which is caused from the collisions and attritions of hard solid bodies, we may with­out any difficulty solve from our formerly de­posited principles: As (for instance) that heat and ignition which proceed from the attri­tions and percussions of Flint and Steel, the at­tritions of Steele and Wood, of Steel and Py­rites, or any other Gritt or Free-stone: The at­tritions [Page 102]of either sappy or dry wood, as happens in the violent motion of the Axis, or Wheels of Coaches, Chariots, Wagons or Mills: all which Phoenomena we can well (and we think ratio­nally) charge to the account of our former Hypothesis, viz. That they are performed no other way, then by a quick and sudden exci­tation of the implanted principles of Acid and Sulphur, being by percussion, allision or attri­tion put into a speedy Fermentation.

For the better understanding whereof, we are to consider both the nature and tempera­ment of those bodies, as also the manner of the production of Heat or Fire therefrom, as to the first, they are all of them such, in whose texture our principles of Fermentation, viz. Acid and Sulphur, lye scattered and inter­spers'd; what are Flints and other Pyrites, but stony concretions, who have a Sulphurous prin­ciple for their cement, which lyeth close shut up in their bodies, especially in some of them, the flagrable Sulphur is so fast locked up, as that it appears not by any usual manner of way: un­less either by attrition of other bodies (where­in an Acid and Sulphur hang more loosely, viz. Iron or Steel) or by the solution of some pow­erful menstruum, such as the grand solvent the Alchahest: whilst others of them have their Sulphur more easily extricated: of which last sort it is G. Fabricius speaks when he saith, [Page 103]that out of any the Pyrites; equo excutitur ignis, excoquitur etiam Sulphur.

What is Iron or Steel (the latter being but the former hardened) but a metal wherein eminently (above the rest of metals) doth appear an Acidum? witness its easie moulder­ing into Rust, being a natural calcination there­of by the bare acid moisture of the Air: For what Fire by its Acidum, doth to Iron, loosen­ing the innate acidum thereof by actual calci­nation, the same in a longer tract of time doth the connate acidum of the Air to the inbred acid of Iron, which then working upon the na­tive Sulphur doth unhinge it, and so together ta­keth in pieces the whole body into a crocus; And although Copper hath also an implanted acidum (the chief cause of its contracting an erugo in the Air) yet it is not so easily extravertable by the acidum in the Air, and therefore de­fends it self the better from the injuries thereof.

Lastly, (not now to name any more) what is Wood, whether in a sappy Branch or dry (but firm) stick, but the more strong concretions of vegetable juices, wherein the foresaid prin­ciples of Acid and Sulphur are, in the one freshly acting in the work of vegetation, and in the other lye dormant under the bonds of coagula­tion: So that if the same principles be actuated and accelerated in their motions, as they are by sudden collisions and attrisions, they may [Page 104]thereby be put into stronger Fermentations; and at length be invigorated to that height, as actually to take Fire: which (according to our Hypothesis) is the very reason why a Green Branch or Stick, by strong and frequent attri­tions (one part upon another) will Fire; al­so why the Axis, Staves, or Wheels of Coaches, Wagons, and Mills, will from strong and violent motions and attritions, take Fire and burn. The like may be said concerning all the other fore­going Subjects, as to the causes, or manner of their striking Fire; which now we shall in­sist no longer upon: only this (by the by) I would take notice of (before I have done with this matter) that frications (which are sleight attritions) of the parts of the body, which by the Ancients were much in use, to­wards the assisting the cure of many Diseases, whose peccant matter lay much in the habit of the body, were grounded upon this very reason, viz. that they thereby help'd the Fer­mentation of the blood, and other dormant juices, which lay coagulated in the outward parts of the body, benumbing the Nerves, Muscles, and other outward parts; and that if Physicians would now more frequent the use thereof, might probably find an advantage thereby in order to the Cure of Diseases by invigorating those dorming Ferments, putting them into acti­on, whereby the offending matter might the bet­ter be discuss'd and evaporated.

CHAP. XI.

THus having (as compendiously as we could) run through the causes of Heat and Fire, as the result from all sorts of Fer­mentations, in the triplicity of natures Empire: and shewed Heat to be Fire in a remiss, and Fire Heat in an intenc'd degree, or if you will a slow or more quick motion of the principles (I mean Fermentations) solves both; and shewed also these Fermentations to proceed from a wrestling of Acidum and Sulphur, ex­cepting those made from an intestine strugling of Acidum, and a fixt Alcali, or Acidum and Ʋrinous Spirits: Now come we to the last thing we propounded, and that is, how from our deposited Doctrine of Fermentation, to solve that other grand Phoenomena, viz. Light.

Not now to treat of Light as it is communi­cable to us from the great Fountain thereof, the Sun, which, as we suppose, consists in an illumination of Air by a perpetual emanation or eradiation of solar beams, springing from an incessant, but peculiar Fermentation in the body of the Sun, and fostered by an unwea­ried circulation of Aethereal matter, Light and Heat, as proceeding from the great scuree [Page 106]thereof, we conceive to differ only in this, viz. That Light is the bare illumination of the medium the Air, by a direct progressive motion of Aethereal matter, from the foresaid Fer­mentation, as the proper object of the Eye, and by which all other things are seen, while heat is the reflection or reverberatory motion of the same luminous beams (proceeding from the said Fermentation) from the Earth or other solid bodies, affecting (by that Fermentative motion) our Organs of feeling, concerning which, we may elsewhere modestly propose our opinion.

Our design at present is, onely to discourse of the nature and manner of such sort of Lights, which we find amongst bodies we usually con­verse with upon the Earth, and within the verge of our Atmosphere: which are as follow­eth, viz. the Light of culinary Fire; I mean, of most usual combustable concretes, the Light of all Sulphurous matters, whether in the form of mineral Sulphurs, Gumms, Rosins, Turpen­tine, Axungia's, &c. or in liquids of Bitumen, Oyles, vinous Spirits, &c. The Light of rotten Wood, long dry'd Fish, as Codds, &c. who have an incipient putrefaction; The Light of Glow­worms, Cats-Eyes, Light from attrition of Wood green or dry, which have thereby taken Fire, from the attrition or percussion of Steel and Flint, or any Pyrites, from the frication or [Page 107]pectation of animals: such as are Light from the Combing a Womans head (as sometimes hath been known) Light struck in the curry­ing of a Horse; and that Light I have seen from a sudden frication upon a Catts-Back; of some Liquors the Light of subterraneal Lamps; the perpetual Light preparable by the exuberate Mercury of the Philosophers, gradua­ted by circulation and cohobation, according to our English Anonymus, who had seen it done.

The Light of some precious Stones, as Car­buncles; some sort of Diamonds, magnetical of Light, as the Bononian-stone, prepared by an artificial calcination. Lastly, The Light of meteors, amongst which may be reckoned Lightening, flashes of Fire, or Light seen in Storms upon the Sea, also those luminous meteors which in great Storms at Sea are seen to cleave to the tops of Maine Masts, and at the Sterns of Ships, by the Ancients call'd Castor and Pollux, by our English-men corpus-Ants, and very probably is the same with that meteor we call ignis fatuus, of which, as also concerning the Light seen upon the impressions of footings in the Sand upon Sea-shores: we shall shortly speak more.

All which give Light in the Dark, viz. in the Air not illuminated by any Light from the Sun; so that we may say of things that occur [Page 108]to our sight, that they carry Fire and Light in their Bellies, and that by an excitation of their intrinsick Ferments, their inside tapores are set above board: It remains therefore that we try these Lights, and examine whether all or most of them, may not (according to our Hypothesis) be solv'd from various degrees of Fermentation, grounded upon our principles of Acidum and Sulphur, from various causes dif­ferently excited.

We shall begin with that which is most ob­vious, viz. culinary Fire, and examine how Light is produced therefrom: no sooner are the inbred Acidum and Sulphur of any combu­stable concrete, set into a violent Fermentation, kindled by the Fire or symbolical Fermentation (already in actual motion) put to it, but forthwith by the help of the Air, the princi­ples are set into a rapid intestine motion: which yet more and more being sharpened by the Air, ariseth by degrees to that pitch, as to fall into an actual ignition; and from thence being yet more thin'd by the interweavings of the Air, breaks forth into flagration, or ignition with Flame; Fire and Flame seem to differ only in this, that in the struglings of the prin­ciples, and thereby in the rejecting the hetero­genites, the Air is more complicated in making Flame, then in bare ignition, Flame being but Fire, rarified by the intertexture of Air, which [Page 109]by such rarifaction of a dark cloudy smoke or fume, makes a diaphanous Flame.

Air is necessary for ignition and flagration upon a double account: First, from its moisture (brought into it from the grand Fermenta­tion and Circulation of other Bodies) where­by the principles of Firing become more liquid, and thence fall into a more intensly furious and colliquating Fermentation, according to that of Silenus the Epicurean, brought in by Virgil, semina terrarum, &c. —Et liquidi simul ignis; next by its own peculiarly, plyable, penetrative, and circulating nature, whereby it insinuates into every of the principles act­ings, keeping them in a constant agitation, thereby maintaining their wheel of motion, as long as any combustable matter remains, and is well put together.

So that by the first qualification, Air by its spongy nature, imbibes moisture, wheeling off from other bodies in their incessant Fermentati­on, and thereby becomes qualified for keeping other Fermentations afoot, and then by its other qualification of penetration, and being as a Fan to blow off the loose Corns, (as I may say) or heterogenious matter, ingendred by the foresaid rapid Fermentation: And by both it becomes truly capable of assisting the princi­ples of Acidum and Sulphur in their furious combating, as thereby to turn vast bulkie bodies [Page 110]of combustable matter, first into Fire and Flame, and at last (by winding off) into water, leaving some few Ashes, wherein re­main some Salt, and in some vegetable concretes, the seedling of the former body: For all com­bustable bodies, are by this agitation of the innate Acidum and Sulphur, with the co-ope­ration of the Air (in that double foresaid respect) reduced after a little rotation into the Air, to water again; And although Fire moistens no bodies put thereto, yet doth it really go off, not onely in a liquid, but humid form, wit­ness the condenc'd steams of mineral Sulphur, or Brimstone, burning under a Glass campane, is sav'd in an acid Liquor, also Spirit of Wine, fired and condensed by such an artifice, appears in an infipid water: yea, for ought I know, the like might happen (with some small varia­tion) to most combustable bodies, if their fumes were condenced by such a contrivance: however the Air at the long run condenceth all those steams (Fire wheeleth off in) into water.

This being premis'd, we say that the high­est degree of Fermentation, whereby the prin­ciples are put into a rapid motion, maketh Fire, and that is done by the help of Air as aforesaid, which Fire of ignition gives Light by a conti­nual winding off in luminous rayes, springing from the foresaid Fermentation, and that by [Page 111]the further complications of Air, interwoven in the texture of Fire, whereby the otherwise gross fumes gains a more Aethereal liquidity, is that we call Flame, which is yet more luminous then bare ignition.

Not here to insist, whether Light, either of the Sun, or other luminous bodies, be made any other way then by refraction; for although the rayes of the Sun make their exit in right lines from the source of their Fermentative motion: yet being to wade through a fluid medium, I mean our Atmosphere, where, ever and anon hitting upon liquid particles of rari­fied water, born up by a Columne of the same, extended perhaps as far as the surface of the Earth, (and may be further) must needs have their Lines broke, their Files disordered, and their Rayes much altered, being put into ob­lique motions, amongst such a Sea of watery atoms: Notwithstanding which refraction, a luminous body may not undergo any sensible variation as to locality, and that because our Eye is plac'd in the same medium with the lu­minous body, (if such as represented to us here below) And as to the Sun, perhaps that may be the very reason of the difference betwixt the apparent and real place thereof: whereas, an object so scituate, as to have the reflecting luminous rayes to pass through two mediums of different textures, must need sustain a greater [Page 112]difference, as to the locality thereof, witness an oar part immerst in water, part out, or a piece of Silver in a Bason of water. But a luminous body, becoming such by having its principles of Acid and Sulphur, heightened by a furious Fermentation, and being plac'd in the same medium with our Eye, the luminous rayes continually winding off in that rapid motion of the combating principles, although (I say) they make their Exit in right Lines from the Source of their motion, (viz. the body they issue from) yet must they be continually hit­ting upon watery Atoms they meet with in the Air, which are many times back'd with strong Cylinders of the same, whence they are distorted from their right Lines, and become refracted from each of the adjacent watery bulla's, where­by, for ought we know, the rayes of such bodies in their illuminating motion, may be­come the more intended, then if they should have reach'd the Eye in right Lines, directly from the object.

For hereby those watery particles may be­come as so many minute apake Specula's, by which, each of these luminous rayes, being once broke from its direct line, becomes by various reflections and refractions multiplyed, first hitting upon one, then slanting off ano­ther, and so ad infinitum, yet retaining their first impulse from the Fermentation or transmissi­on [Page 113]from the luminous bodies, whereby those rayes of Light are infinitely increased in their illuminating property, easily communicating a diaphaneity to the adjacent and ambient Air, to confirm which, we may observe how nota­bly a stream of watery particles cast from a Spring, through a Cylinder of Sun-beams (the eye being placed in the shade) cutting it at Angles, intends the Light thereof, make by reflections and refractions new appearances of Light.

CHAP. XII.

THus much concerning Light, as proceed­ing from culinary Fire, or from ordinary combustable concretes, put into that rapid furi­ous Fermentation we call Fire: The same we may say of the causes of Light in all Sulphu­rous matters, whether in the dry form of mi­neral Sulphurs, resinous Gumms, Turpentine, &c. or in Liquids, as Bitumen, Oyles, Vinous Spirits, &c. All of them in their flagration or flammability requiring Air, and that in the double acceptation thereof, as aforesaid. We shall therefore in short take leave to say, that these have their intrinsick principles of Acid and Sulphur, set awork into an actual flagra­tion, [Page 114]by being kindled by some congenial fiery Fermentation, and that by the assistance of the Air both as a Sponge and as a Fan, especially the last, which thereby not onely promotes the incipient Fermentation, but also is necessarily required for the perpetuation thereof, as long as any of the principles remain yet unwound off by flagration.

That there is an acid principle in all these, we may elsewhere prove by demonstrable and undenyable arguments, &c. That there is also a Sulphurous principle, no eye will doubt it, upon beholding their flagration, inasmuch, as according to the vulgar acceptation, Sulphur must be in all combustable matters, onely we may observe, this difference there is betwixt common culinary combustable matters, and those last named, viz. That the first are com­plicated with more heterogenious matter, wrapt up in the texture of those concretes; the latter are more simple, come nearer to the nature of the principles themselves, and therefore are the more readily and easily flagrable, and con­sequently sooner give their exuberant Light; to which the Air hath more easie admission, towards the keeping the principles at work, and to the facile boying them up in a constant luminous aereal flame, burning without glow­ing, or any considerable residence of a Caput mort', especially in some Oyles, and in all recti­fied vinous Spirits.

The same may be said of Light, arising from attrition of Wood green or dry, which ha­ving its inward principles of Acid and Sulphur rouz'd up by so quick a motion as attrition pro­duceth, gives the same appearances of Fire and Light, and that from the same causes, as that which is done by actual flagration from other external Fire added thereto.

So likewise the same may be urg'd in the solving the Phoenomenon of Light, arising from attrition or percussion of Steel and Flints, or any Grit-stone or Pyrites; for as by that sud­den motion of attrition or percussion, the acidum of the Steel and the Sulphur in the Flints or Pyrites, are set into a rapid Fermenta­tion, whence (as we have shewed before) ariseth Fire: So Light being the immediate product and result of Fire, must needs appear. Wherefore the causes of Fire and Light arising hence, are the same with those produc'd from others more obvious, onely are differently put into action, yea the Air is as much inte­rested in the excitation of the one, as the other: And that according to the qualifications and manner aforesaid.

Nor need we go much further for solving the reasons of Light, which appeareth from frication or pectation of some animals; such as are Light from the Combing of a Womans head, (as hath been known) that struck in the curry­ing [Page 116]some Horses, and that from a sudden fri­cation of a Cats back, if we consider the two first, as depending upon the peculiar texture and singular disposition of the Fermentative juiees; For it is not all individuals of either of the species, from which that appearance of Light is obvious; but onely those in whose constitution the principles arise, or are gradua­ted to a peculiar efflorescence, in the very for­mation or genuine production of animal Spirits, carryed by the nervous juices, as their proper vehicle, into the habit of the body, which be­ing excited by that sudden motion of pectation, &c. readily by the help of the Air, give those quick flashes of Light. And as to the last, viz. the striking Flame or Light from a Cats back by frication in the dark (as I have sometime taken pleasure to see done) that I cannot otherwise impute, then also to proceed from the peculiar graduation of the principles Acid and Sulphur, in the texture of that animal, and what is done by that sleight artifice in exciting the efflorescence of the principles in a luminous flame, may (for ought we know) be done naturally by a brisk, but slender woven Fer­mentation, perform'd either in the texture of their eyes, or rather in the very fabrick of their animal Spirits, being a brisk floridues of those juices, proceeding from a most depurate and heightly volatiz'd Sulphur, carryed away to [Page 117]the Eyes by the optick Nerves, from whence we suppose it is that their Eyes shine and give Light in the dark.

Which last I am induc'd to believe, viz. That this luminous efflorescence, peculiarly re­sides in the animal Spirits, even in all the fore­said instances, carryed by the nervous juices in­to the habit of the body, because (in the last instance) the frication being made along the Spina, running down the vertebre of the back, excites that volatile and highly depurated Sul­phur, into a luminous flame: whence its very probable, that many other animals, especially those which are highly fed, and whose animal Spirits are of a fine spun texture, having their Sulphur highly volatiz'd, would I say upon trial be found, (from the foresaid causes excited by attrition, pectation, or the like) to give the same luminous flame.

In the next place, we come to give the rea­sons of Light in rotten Wood, and dry'd Fish, &c. where we are to observe, that as in the causes of Light aforesaid, from the principles of Acid and Sulphur, variously put into motion, being excited into a Fermentation divers ways: So amongst the rest, this by putrefaction is not the least; for Wood shines not tift its princi­ples of Acid and Sulphur, by a retrograde mo­tion, fall into a new sort of Fermentation, whereby it winds off what the principles in [Page 118]their generative Fermentation wound on, viz. unravels its own Clew, taking in pieces what the other built up, in which putrifick analysis, the foresaid principles make different assaults upon each other, by the intermission of moi­sture in the Air, fortified perhaps with an acidity, repugnant to that of the concrete: And as moisture in the Air, is necessary to­wards the promoting Fermentation in a ge­nerative way; so likewise as necessary to the helping forward the destructive or retro­gressive Fermentation in taking bodies in pieces.

For putrefaction always begins where the principles terminate their actions in generative motions, viz. upon the external superficies, or outward rims of all Bodies, where the ambient Air touch them, and thence begin their retro­grade motion in the natural analysis of Bodies; which is evident from this observation, viz. That I know by an artificial exclusion of Air, how to preserve most (perhaps all) sorts of Fruits, newly taken off the Trees, as suppose Gooseberries, Apricots, Damsens, Cherries, &c. so that in January I have had Tarts made of them to entertain Strangers with, as we else­where in our Lithologia Physica further shew.

So that it is from a peculiar sort of Fermen­tation betwixt the Acidum and Sulphur in the unhingeing the compage of the concrete; [Page 119]whence proceeds the flaming brightness of rotten Wood; For the principles are not all wound off, but onely are a going off in a lu­minous brightness, whence also proceeds its facile susception of Fire from any Spark there­of: insomuch, as the last Threds of natures unraveling in the reduction of bodies by putre­faction, (especially in some) is of the finest sort, the volatile Sulphur winding it self off (by slender vibrations from the connate acid) in a subtile but luminous rotation.

The like account may be given of Light, from some sorts of Fish, hung up till they un­dergo an incipient putrefaction: For while their principles of Acid and Sulphur, do by the moisture in the Air, undergo a putefactive Fer­mentation, the Sulphur by those retrograde mo­tions, becomes more volatiz'd, and by gentle touches from its inbred Acid, winds off in a luminous flame: In which supposition we are the more confirm'd, inasmuch, as they shine not till a sleight putrefaction of their juices be already begun: To which may be added, that in their putrefactive reductions, a mucilage is made to appear, which is the receptacle, and as it were sperme, wherein the two principles do the better shew themselves in their vibrati­ons and luminous productions: which mucilage the Fish imbib'd and incorporated into its self, (according to all probability) from the [Page 120] estuations of the Sea, upon Storms and Tem­pests, of which we shall speak further below.

As to the Light from Glo-worms, its proba­ble that sort of insect takes its original from the putrid juice or excrements of some animal or other insect, wherein the principles are winding off in a slender texture of an eradia­ting brightness, which juice that insect yet re­tains: For I look upon the slender woven flame inherent in Glo-worms, and other fore­said putrid juices to proceed from a mutual, but gentle vibration of the principles in their retro­grade motion; which although without any sensible heat (that it has none, we dare not say) yet ceteris paribus, to be in some measure answerable (as to the ground of the causes) to that flame, made from the principles in their generative motion, heightened by frication, at­trition, or the like, into a burning luminous flame.

CHAP. XIII.

NOw come we to treat of the production of luminous Meteors, and to enquire in­to the causes of their Light; such I mean, as happen within the compass of the Atmosphere: For the better understanding whereof, we are [Page 121]first to conceive of the Earth, as a body, in whose intrails various Fermentations (espe­cially such as relate to minerals) are conti­nually at work to the compleating the genera­tion of Minerals and Metals to the making Hot-Baths, the producing the fontes acidi; and to the perpetuating other grand Phoeno­mena of Nature: Next, that these Fermenta­tions of subterraneal juices (I mean as to the effects thereof) terminate not always upon the external cortex of the Earth; but are con­tinually breath forth: whose subtiliz'd and volatiz'd particles, (especially the Sulphure­ous) are incessantly passing off in the slender­est of textures, viz. in a subtile apporrhea, or invisible steame into the Atmosphere, filling it with plenty of agil nimble parts, floating in the Air, as in their proper Sea, and dissolv'd therein, as in their peculiar fluid menstruum.

Also we are to conceive, that the Atmos­phere doth not onely lodge plenty of the fore­said effiuvia, arising from mineral, but like­wise from animal and vegetable Fermentations, wheeling off in tenuious combinations, and slender woven nexures, (undiscernable to our Eyes, although fortified by the best micros­copes) whereby the Air becomes the common receptacle of innumerous multitudes and swarms (as I may say) of volatiz'd Acid and Sulphu­rous particles, not onely issuing through the [Page 122]pores of the Earth, but also from other bodies upon the surface thereof, continually spen­ding themselves in insensible effuvia, kept a foot by their unwearyed Fermentations.

In which consideration we are to apprehend of the Earth, not onely as the common ma­trix, impregnated with those intestine Fer­mentations from mineral juices; but also as from whose exuberant lap, plenty of other more simple, and sometimes sensible (I mean watery) steams, are, especially from springie places, continually issuing forth: insomuch, as those last are discernable to a curious eye, in­tently looking upon the surface of the Earth, a little after Sun-rise, the eye being somewhat elevated above the Level of the ground, and directed towards the Sun, by which curious observation, Springs themselves are sometimes found out.

And as the Earth in the consideration afore­said, so also every particular concrete has its Atmosphere, more or less extending its orb of activity, according to the quick or slow pac'd inward Fermentations, I mean, according to the more brisk or flat onsets and encounters of their principles Acid and Sulphur: And fur­ther, that many of those slender woven com­binations, are by reason of their tenuity, so indissipable, as to retain the specimen of their first original, even after long, at least succe­daneous [Page 123]rotations in the Atmosphere, whereby they become capable of performing other effects, to which they are naturally propence, from the occurrance of other co-working causes, as is evident in many unusual effects in or from the Air, whose causes, lying so remote from our sences, we do not easily apprehend, con­cerning which, we have not time now to reckon.

These considerations being premis'd, it will not be difficult hence to solve the Phoenomena of those short liv'd luminous textures, Meteors: where we shall not need to our help, to call in, ei­ther the exhalations of the Peripateticks, because grounded upon improbable causes, amongst which that of the supposition of extrinsical heat, as the efficient, is not the least: Or the Cartesian Globeloy. Or Gassendus, his Glomeres, being supposed complications of Nitro-vitrio­lick-Sulphurous-steams: Or Nitro-aereal parti­cles, common to the Air and Nitre, according to the Hypothesis of a late Author. Nor last­ly shall we call in any other Hypothesis to con­tribute to our assistance: But shall study to trace the sootings of our own principles, al­though making their way through (as yet) hidden and unknown paths; making our free inquest, whether Meteors, may not from our foresaid principle, be genuinely and satisfacto­rily solv'd.

We say therefore, that amongst the Mine­ral and other Apporrhea, the Sulphurous, espe­cially the Acido-Nitro-Sulphurous are not the least; which mustering in long-droughts, when the Clouds ride high, being born up at those seasons by a stronger elasticity of the Air, up­held by strong and long Colums thereof, and one Cloud being higher then another, by its own weight (and wanting stress of Air to bear it up) falls upon the subsiding; which by the sudden percussion of the Air, makes that explosive motion or crack we call Thunder, together with a rushing wind, which usually attends those Thunder-claps, which is nothing else but a pressure of Air, circulating from the coincidence of the two Clouds: Now by the sudden allision of the foresaid Clouds upon the Acido-Nitro-Sulphurous-complications, float­ing in the Atmosphere (as aforesaid) heigh­tens them into a quick vibration, and momen­tary flagration, we call Lightening; which al­though it be done in the very same moment with the crack, as proceeding both from the same causes with different respects; yet be­cause luminous percussions do more quickly make their transits through the medium, therefore it is sooner seen, then the other heard, (as might further be illustrated, if I would now insist upon it.)

So that Lightening owes its causes to the sudden percussions, or attritions of the Acido-Nitro-Sulphurous apporrhea in the Air, made by the sudden falling of one Cloud upon another: which we cannot better represent by simili­tude to our understanding, then by the obser­vation of a sudden flash of Fire or Light, struck from the allision of a Flint and Steel: For the thin Acido-Nitro-Sulphurous textures, are in that part (as well as in others) of the At­mosphere, which is comprehended betwixt two Clouds, and the percussion of the Air, as also of those foresaid minute effluvia, wheeling in the Air, make them to appear in a sudden flash, as happens from the foresaid allision of Flints and Steel.

Not here to insist upon the reasons, why (according to our Hypothesis) Lightening is sometimes so penetratively powerful, as to kill men, or other animals, without the least ap­pearance of any bones broke, or breach of skin; How so piercing and liquifactive a cau­stick, as to melt a Sword in the Scabbath (which sometimes has been known) while the Scabbath it self has remain'd safe? Why it comes with such force and fury, as sometimes to tear up by the Roots the strongest Oaks, and other Trees of mighty bulk; and other-while breaks and splits the bodies of huge Trees; throws down Houses, overturns Wind-Mills, [Page 126]and causeth other the like Catastraphies, dis­mal and frightful to behold: witness amongst the rest, the late sad and dreadful calamity, which happened from Lightening and Thunder the last year, in several Citties in Holland, but chiefly in Ʋtrecht; which although that, and the like, be Judgements from GOD, yet are not without their natural causes.

And from the foresaid Acido-Sulphurous effluvia, passing through the Sea, and some­times gliding upon the surface thereof, hap­pens those sudden flashes of Fire or Light, taken notice of by some Sea-men, by them seen in Storms upon the Sea, shining in the Night like Fire, being struck up by sudden percussions betwixt Air and Water from the furiousness of Storms; whose corruscation is observ'd in more plenty, during the collisions of Clouds, Winds and Seas, whence Storms and Tempests then at any other season.

The like may be said as to the causes of those luminous, but narrow-siz'd Meteors; which in great Storms at Sea, are seen by Ma­riners to cleave to the Masts and Sterns of Ships, anciently called Castor and Pollux, by our Sea-Men Corpus-ants; in both which, the foresaid apporrhea, whether floating in the Sea, or Air, conterminous to the Sea, being agitated, the one into a Fermentative flagration, or thin-woven flame, the other into a figur'd Meteor; [Page 127]in both, I say, the foresaid Acido-Sulphurous effluvium is struck up into a luminous flame, by the fore-nam'd attritions and percussions.

Which last, I mean the Corpus-ants, are ve­ry probably (as my ingenious Friend J. R. well observes) the very same Meteor, upon the Land, we call ignis fatuus, which seemeth to run before people, and is sometimes in Storms seen to cleave to Horses Maines; which I say is very likely to be carryed by Storms ashore to inland places, and that too at remote distances from the Sea: which ignis fatuus, or noctivagus, is observ'd in greater plenty in or upon Storms, and more rare in a clear and se­rene Skie.

And lastly, (to name no more) we may reckon that sort of Light, to be from the same causes with that of Meteors, which my foresaid ingenuous Friend (whose unsuspected veracity in matter of fact, is sufficiently ob­liging to me, to be credulous of his relation) has observ'd to appear in dark Nights, upon walking on the Sea-shore, in every impression of his Foot, upon the lifting up his Heel, he espied a Light, or sparkling brightness, with which being surpriz'd, and desirous to know what, and whence it was, fetch'd a Lanthorn and Candle, took up in his hand some of that matter which gave the Light, which he found to be a mucid matter fere instar pituitae, and [Page 128]that he had often seen this matter, which was a pellucid recrement, cast off upon the Shore, from a boyling Sea aestuating with Storms.

So that it should seem, as if by the per­cussions and attritions, betwixt Wind and Seas, made by Storms, upon the mutual collisions of the aforesaid principles, or effluvia, whether in Water or Atmosphere, or both, not onely the foresaid sudden appearances of Meteors happen, but also by the estuating of the Seas, a mucilaginous matter is ingendred, wherein as a sperme, those forenamed luminous effluvia (I mean such as are struck up by percussion and attrition) fix themselves, which sometimes is hovering in the Air, and cleaves to Masts or other parts of Ships; other while is carryed off by Storms upon the Sea-Coasts, and thence further in Land, gives those appearances of ignis fatuus and the like: and sometimes, or in part is rejected upon the Shore, and gives cause for that foresaid Phoenomenon of Light in the impressions or footings upon the Sands, af­ter Storms are over; and may contribute to the making some sorts of Fish, upon their putrefactive resolutions, give that usual appea­rance of Light, according to the account we have given thereof above.

We might here take an occasion of insisting upon other sorts of Meteors, as Mill-dews, Blastings, &c. all which proceed from the same [Page 129] Acido-sulphurous effluvia, floating in the At­mosphere, and struck up, by the mutual attri­tions and collisions of winds, clouds, and the like; being carryed in certain Channels or Peroledi of the Air, to the producing their usu­al effects, but shall now wave any further dis­course thereof.

CHAP. XIV.

NExt to which, we come to enquire into the reasons of Light from precious stones; of which there are three sorts, which will give light: first such as shew their native lustre, by shining in the dark, without any previous excitation; of which sort are native Carbun­eles. Secondly, Such as need a previous fri­cation to the exciting their Light and Lustre: of which are some peculiar sorts of Diamonds. Or lastly, Such as are magnetical by a prepa­ratory calcination, of which sort is the Bono­nian stone.

As to the first, viz. That of Carbuncles, the cause of whose luminous rayes we can no other­wise attribute, then to the irradiation of a glaurious incombustible Sulphur, disseminated through its whole body, imbibed in, and fixed to, a most defecate matter, (imbib'd, I say, [Page 130]whilst that exquisitely pure petrifick matter, was yet in its pristine juice) through which that highly graduated tincture, or Philosophick Sulphur, is incessantly vibrated; concerning which we have discours'd more at large in our Lithologia Physica.

The same we may say of some sorts of Dia­monds, onely with this difference, that these to shew their Lustre, require a gentle excitati­on by a previous frication, whereby the fore­said luminous incombustible Sulphur gets more at liberty, and darts forth the better.

Now that some particular sort of these do by a gentle frication shew their lustre in the dark, I have from the autopsie of my worthy Friend Mr. Shippen: Yea that some sorts of Diamonds are not onely luminous, but also electrical of a Needle after a previous excita­tion by frication, I am assur'd by the honoura­ble Boyle, who acquainted me, he has had one of that sort: As also, that the King (as he told me) has one that will do the same very remarkably.

As to the cause of Light in those which by a foregoing calcinatory preparation, become magnetical of Light, of which sort is the Bo­nian stone, (and perhaps others might be found out, that by the like artifice would per­form the same.) It depends, I say, on, and proceeds chiefly from, the peculiar texture of [Page 131]such sort of Stones, so wrought upon and al­tered by the Fire, as not onely to imbibe as it were, the rayes of the Sun, but also for a time to fix them, suffering them leisurely to go off again, and so become by fresh impregnation, capable of performing the like emissions of Light ad Lubitum: concerning which Light issuing from the three foresaid noble petrifick bodies, we insist more largely in our Lithologia Physica, to which (when extant) we refer the Reader.

And as to the Light of subterraneal Lamps, although those be generally reputed (and that too by very learned and intelligent per­sons) amongst Chymera's, suppos'd to be mere­ly fictitious, yet I am not altogether of their opinion; but do think, there is a possibility in nature for them to have been really per­formed. Now the reason why it is gene­rally concluded in the negative, is taken from the defect of Air in those close caverns; inas­much as all sorts of vulgarly known Fire, need the access of Air to the keeping up that rapid motion in combustable bodies, which being se­cluded, those Fires thence depending, of ne­cessity must dye.

But we suppose, and in part know, that there is lodged in most, especially in some par­ticular bodies, an incombustible Sulphur, known chiefly to the Adepti, to whose invigorating [Page 132] actions, and enlivening operations, the out­ward Air of our Atmosphere doth not at all contribute, yea during some particular seasons of working, ought wholly to be excluded. To confirm the possibility in nature of such kind of Fire that may be maintained and perpetuated without Air, I might add, that I have with my own Eyes seen a Flame or Fire in the ca­vity of a Glass, which as soon as the Stopple was taken forth, became (contrary to the Genius of all vulgar Fires) immediately extin­guished: So why might not those sorts of Lamps recorded in History, to have been performed by the Ancients, (viz. amongst the Romans, who might probably have the Art from the Grecians, and those from the Aegyptians) have been Fed with such kind of Fire, even in the greatest seclusions of Air, and upon their being expos'd thereto, when found, might as easily and speedily extinguish: concerning which, we may probably elsewhere further inlarge.

Lastly, as to the perpetual Light, preparable by the Philosophers exuberate Mercury, gra­duated by circulation and cohobation, as also a luminous Liquor demonstrable by Art: upon which we shall not now insist, both because we do not pretend to be a Master of any such thing; as also because we have touched there­on in our Lithologia Physica.

CHAP. XV.

THus having compendiously run through the great varieties of Fermentations in the threefold Kingdom of Nature, and shewed the various Phoenomena of Light in different bodies, in that part of the Scene of visibles we converse with, solvable by our principles from different causes, put into various motions. Now it remains to conclude this Doctrine of Fermentation, first by elucidating our princi­ples from collateral authority: Next, by shew­ing how from the great vdriety of Acids acting upon Sulphurs, may divers other Phoenomena be naturally solv'd.

As to the first, viz. to confirm and illustrate our principles to be in all concretes throughout the triplicity of natures Empire, besides what we have in brief said, and reserve also for a further discourse, we might here bring in the Authority of the great Hypocrates, and some others of the Ancients, to shew how this con­cordia discors, the principles I mean of Acidum and Sulphur, contracted into Seedlings, are interspers'd in the seminals of all things; whence by such kind of Fermentation (as aforesaid) all things vegetate, come to their [Page 134] acme and decline; yea, from which the whole Scene of visible concretions, are by a certain s [...]gling from their central Fires, brought in­to action, lively pourtray'd upon the Stage of the World.

But because we take an occasion in our Epi­stle to touch thereon, we shall forbear; and at present onely add the authority of the in­telligent, learned, and worthy Borichius, who in his late piece de Hermetis, Aegyptiorum, & Chy­micorum sapientia, a tract highly valuable, and worthy the perusal by all ingenuous persons) in one place, as if measuring forth our princi­ples, saith to this purpose, viz. Nul­lum animal ostendi potest, p. 413. ex quo ole­um [& hoc est animalium Sulphur] educi nequeat; nullum, ex quo nihil aciduli possit seperari: nulla planta, quae non vel oleum vehat, vel spiritum admoto igne flammantem; nulla, quae non pressu succum profundat, si sibi permittatur, in acidum quiddam sponte abitu­rum. Metallica ut robustioris temperamenti, Sulphure & Mercurio non carent, equidem hoc primum illis cum animalibus & plantis commune est, quod rara minera illa sit, quae Sulphur verum & flammaturum solicite inquirentibus non offe­rat; nulla, quae ingeniose in alkohol tenuata, & aeri, si opus est, tantillum exposita, distillatione non spiritum acidulum expromat.

Not here to insist on what the learned Dr. Willis saith in this matter in his Doctrine of Fermentation, who as he urgeth, ob salis fluorem (how rightly let others judge) so we,De Ferm. p. 10. ob acidi pre­dominium, vinum, lac. sanguis, ce­revisia, edulia prius grata & dulcia, quando corrumpi incipiunt, ingrate acescunt. To which we shall add the suffrage of the industrious Tachenius (a consi­deration highly worth his own due and well-weighing inspecti­on) Lac (saith he) sponte acessit, Hip. Chym. p. 90, 91. sicut & re­liqui succi tum vegitabilium quam animalium, cum in putrifactionem tendunt: imo nil putrere ne (que) generari potest novi, nisi praecedat aciditas.

As to the last thing propounded in order to the concluding this discourse: we might say, that Acids in order to the concretions and re­ductions, coagulations and liquifications, conden­sations and rarifactions, solidity and fluidity, and other various modifications of bodies, dif­ferently denominated, according to the diffe­rent impressions they make upon our sensual Organs; I say, Acids in the solving the fore­said appearances of bodies in the main, fall under a double consideration, viz. either as active and fluid, or passive and consistent.

Under the first, viz. while its active, and so its succulent, liquid, or fluid, after which man­ner [Page 136]it appears in all actual Fermentations, whence immediately result those grand distin­ctions of concrete bodies, known to us under the notion of animals, vegetables, and mine­rals; which Fermentation is previous to all manner of concretions in the triplicity of natures workings (as we have in the foregoing dis­course briefly illustrated) For while vegetation amongst Plants, animation in the composure of juices, and thence of the structure of ani­mal bodies, and mineralization in order to Hot-Baths, are perform'd; the Acids concern'd, must, I say, of necessity be fluid and actually succulent; otherwise a stop or lett would im­mediately be impos'd upon the workings of na­ture in the formations and transformations of bodies, and consequently would cease to pro­pagate themselves.

For no growth or accretion of parts in the genesis of natural bodies is perform'd, without a succulent Fermentation, where an Acid is in an actual, yea fluid motion: From which suc­culency of Acids together with intermediate coagulations and hardenings, perform'd at due seasons, all concrete bodies in the threefold Kingdom of nature are produc'd: and from these two, viz. Acids in succis solutis, work­ing upon their inbred Sulphurs by a natural Fer­mentation, and from the concretions of these juices by the help of the ambient Air, always [Page 137](in the genoration of bodies) conspiring to such effects, I say from the motion of liquid acid juices, and their weavings by concretion seasonably perform'd, it is, that from very mi­nute seedlings, Plants are brought on to great bigness.

Thus from Oak-Seedlings, call'd Acorns, (whose seminal part lyeth in a very small and inconsiderable compass) may be produced too, and is daily growing to be, great bulkie Oaks: So that when we see a vast spreading Oak, and look at a small seedling, whence such in process of time, is produc'd: if we consi­der what has been done, and which way nature has so busied her self, as to bring forth so dis­proportionable a bulk to the little plant Embrio compriz'd in the seedling: we cannot, I say, chuse but view the inward agents, set at work in the epitomiz'd Oak, in a fluid state, which by the expansive motions of their juices in their natural Fermentative vegetation, as they come to the Air, become thereby woven into Stems and Leaves,, and by further hardenings, are condenced and incrustated in part into Wood and Bark: So that by the concretions of the Sap (wherein the principles are in a liquid state or Fermentation) carryed up betwixt the Bole and Bark, are made considerable increase in Bulk, till at length it swell to that huge stature, we see many of them grow too.

As to the bulk it self of an Oak, Ash, &c. it oweth its original (as well as all other concre­tions do) materially to water: But that water should be form'd, coagulated, and put on the shape of an Oak, Ash, &c. that is wholly ascribable to the intrinsick agents or intestine principles of Acid and Sulphur, set in the seed­ling into a Fermentative motion, displayed in­to that figure by the manuduction and evoluti­on of the contracted and shut up Seed, carryed up and conveyed by their proper Vessels, whe­ther by the names of veins, arteries, &c. with their accompanyed Air Vessels, according to the ingenuous Malpigius, and our Countrey-man Dr. Grew. What we have said of an Oak is compatible suo modo to all other vegetables.

Then as to the other consideration Acids fall under, in order to the fabrick of bodies, whe­ther in the form of natural or artificial concre­tions, viz. as it is passive, or becomes consi­stent, so it stands in opposition to fluidity, or rather is the complement thereof, determin­ing it into solid bodies: For we see no other cause to which natural concretions, coagulations, incrustations, consolidations, congelations, &c. comprized under the notion of binders up of bodies, can or ought to be more genuinely re­fer'd then to Acids, under this consideration: what I pray are Stalks, Leaves, Husks, Grains, &c. of Plants or lesser vegetables, but the Aci­dum [Page 139]woven and condenc'd (with some Sul­phurous parts) into those forms by the access of Air? what are the bole, bark, and branches of Trees, or larger siz'd vegetables, but the concretions and hardenings of the native Acid juices, together with the inclosure of some Sul­phurous parts, by the co-operation of external Air? what the Fruits of Trees, but the coagu­lations of Acids, sweetened by their Sulphurs, thereby brought on to maturity, and thence made fit for other Fermentations, in order to potable Liquors?

What, amongst animals, is flesh and muscu­lous parts, but the coagulation of the blood and other humours, to whose constitution a genuine Acidum in a due proportion is essenti­ally requisite? What the Bones, but parts conso­lidated from implanted Acids, in whose coagu­lation or condensation, some Sulphurous parts are also taken in? And as in the natural con­stitution of the body, and eucrasie of the hu­mours, Acids are chiefly concern'd in the con­cretions, coagulations and consolidations of the parts; so likewise in the dycrasie of animal juices, and preternatural concretions and indu­rations, &c. of the body, Acids are primarily concern'd: Thus what are Fistula's, but callo­sity and obdurate hardness of the inward parts, viz. the veins, arteries, &c. being hardened by a spurious Acidum lodg'd in those particu­lar [Page 140]parts? What are the podagrical Tophi and Nodi, but the Synovia of the Joints, harden­ed and congealed by a gouty Acidum, fixing it self by coagulation upon those parts? What are hard tumours, but swellings from Scorbutick Acids, or from Acids of some badly cured Di­sease, lurking in its Acid seminary for a time, till other concurring causes sets the spurious Ferment more a work, and by the predomi­nant Acidum (the general faber of pains and dolours) the Vessels are obstructed, and the humours of some particular parts coagulated in­to those obdurate swellings. Lastly, What is the Stone in the Gaul, Bladder, or other parts of a humane, or other animal body, but chiefly an Acidum fixed upon a petrifick Earth, and urinous Alcali or volatile Salt, taking in some Sulphurous parts, but espcially, as I say, bound up, or knit together by the vinculum of an Acid: Of which, further in our Lithologia Physica.

Amongst Minerals, What are all fossil and other mineral Salts, but concretions chiefly perform'd by the power of Acids in the bowels of the Earth? In particular, what are Sal ma­rine, Vitriol, Alom and Nitre, but concretions of acid juices? And indeed what are the ge­nerality of artificial Salts, or such as are made by mixture, but such in whose texture Acids are chiefly and primarily concern'd, and with­out [Page 141]which scarce any saline concretion at all doth appear? What are Stones made in the bowels of the Earth, but liquid subterraneal juices of alcalizate, or other proper matter, arrested by acid steams, arising from some Fer­mentation of mineral juices, which together pass into those petrifick concretions; as we sufficiently (and that de industria) demon­strate in our Lithologia Physica and Halologia Chymica.

What are Minerals themselves (being im­mature Metals, having the principles of Metals but after a crude, volatile, imperfect manner) such as Brimstone, Antimony, Pyrites, Auripig­mentum, &c. but Sulphurous concretions, bound up by their intrinsick acids, taking in­to their compage other Heterogenities, as we have in short above declared, and may more at large, God willing, in another place. Yea, to go higher, what are the Metals, but a metallick Sulphur, bound up by a peculiar implanted Acidum, in the mercurial juices, whose mixture being not perfect, through a complication of some heterogenities, makes the imperfect, but those being removed by a closer bond of the metallick principles, gives the perfect Metals, unseparable and unalterable by the power of the strongest culinary Fire.

We might go yet further, and ask what is the Philosophers Elixir, (if such there be in [Page 142]rerum natura) but such a close weaving of metallick principles, (whose Acidum is intimate­ly and inseparably united) all so highly gra­duated, as to become a fixt coagulated tincture, of so extensive a nature, as to be able to make quick transits through, and thereby to hinge into its own fixity and purity, other imperfect metallick bodies?

So that upon a serious inquiry with our Eye directly levelled into the works of nature, we cannot but conclude; First, That all manner of coagulations, congelations, condensations, sa­lifications, petrifications, yea all sorts of con­cretions of bodies (or of juices into bodies) are primarily ascribable to Acids, as their grand faber, of which we discourse largely, and de­monstrate (we think) clearly in our two fore­said Tracts. Secondly, That by these fore­said coagulations, salifications, petrifications, and other concretions, the connate Acidum doth so combine with the Sulphurous parts it closeth with, as that both pass into a quid tertium, or neutral result, partaking of both, and yet di­stinguishable by neither: insomuch as the Aci­dum by such sort of coagulations and concreti­ons, looseth its Sting, and becomes thereby al­together unperceptable: And hence is the reason why although Acids be the very foun­dation of all coagulations & other concretions of bodies, yet are themselves, as to our gust, in many [Page 143]things the least discoverable; which because we cannot easily get to the insides of bodies in their natural productions, shall therefore en­deavour to demonstrate and ellustrate by arti­ficial mixtures, resembling the natural.

Thus in mixing the Runnet or usual Ferment to New-Milk upon heat, or while warm after Milking, the acidity of the Runnet, not only makes the Milk split into Curds and Whey, but is it self so coagulated with the Curds, as not to become perceptable at all: so that Cheese is nothing else but a neutrum, or neutral result from an Acid, and curdling parts of Milk, co­agulated together, while Cream is the Sulphu­rous parts of Milk; and Butter is the coagulum of that Cream, separated by a slender Fermen­tation procured by the motion of Churming; which very coagulation of Butter is from a com­bination of some small quantity of Acidum with the Sulphurous parts.

Thus also from the Acidum in Wines (of all sorts) in Ale, Beer, Syder, &c. being poured upon warm or boiled Milk; from the Acidum, I say, in any of the foresaid Liquors it is, that the Milk separateth into Curds and Whey, or posset-drink; the former of which are made lighter or stiffer, according to the difference of the Acids, and various manner of application of the ingredients; in which Curds, the acidum of the Fermentable Liquor [Page 144]is wholly coagulated, which is a good way of mortifying or correcting all sorts of fretting Acids, whether in bad Wines, or other Liquors, which all fix (if there be Milk enough) in the Curd: and yet that Curd is a neutral, and the Acid not at all perceptable therein; yea in case of bad Wines or other Drinks, where the Acedum is too eager and fretting, to those who do not care for Posset-drink, and yet would not loose their Wines, or other Liquors, I would (being prompted from the foresaid cause) propound as an expedient, to put a spoonful or two of boyling Milk upon a Pint or Quart of such sort of Liquors, stir it about, if the Curd rise to the top to skim it off, if not to run it through a filter, whereby it will become clear: and so you have corrected your Wines, &c. and made them fit for drink­ing, or in lieu of that to put a tost of old Wheat bread therein, which will imbibe much of the superfluous Acidum, and make the Drink there­by more wholsome.

From the foresaid cause of Acids it is also, that Fat congeals in animals, which is but the Sulphur of the blood congealed by its own, or at least acquired Acidum of the Air: which after melting by heat, (whereby the Acid becomes fluid) congeals again in cold, into that con­sistence called Saem or Tallow; and from the facile congelation of the Sulphurous parts of the [Page 145] blood in some animals, from the acidum under either or both considerations, viz. of native, or acquired from the Air, it is, that for in­stance Conies and Field-fare, become Fatter in Frosty weather: and from the like cause, the Fat of Land-animals is hard (as the ingenu­ous Dr. Grew notes in his discourse of mixture) while that of Fish is very soft, and in great part runs to Oyle, viz. because the first sort are expos'd to the acidum floating in the Air, and thereby continually (to proper ends) inspired: and the latter, being always im­mers'd in water, is much what depriv'd of that congealing acreal acidum.

And as Acids are remarkable in the various concretions of animals, viz. in the coagulati­ons into Flesh, consolidations into Bones, con­gelations into Fat, &c. whereby they shew their different operations upon various juices of animal bodies; and thereby also combine into neutral results as aforesaid: so likewise, the same is evident amongst vegetables: Thus express'd Oyles, especially when the innate acidum so prevails by some acquirements from the aereal, do by keeping, grow rancid and thick; as also is further apparent in the mix­ture of acid Spirit of Nitre, with Oyle Olive; whereby the vegetable Oyle is coagulated, and made consistent, being congealed thereby into a white Fat or Butter (as Dr. Grew observeth.)

And as nature produceth Rosins and Gums in Plants and Trees, congealing the juices of wounded Stems, Boles, Stalks, Heads, &c. by the acidum of the Air, according to the disposition and genius of the Plants, whence Rosins, as of Turpentine Scamony, &c. Gums, as Camphire, Opium, &c. so in like manner Art in imitation of Nature, and from the same principles, can produce somewhat equivalent thereto: Thus if the acid Oyle of Vitriol be mixed with the Oyle of Anise-seeds, the vege­table Oyle is immediately (by the acidum in the mineral distill'd Liquor) congeal'd into a perfect Rosin.

Yea, and by the addition of Acids to some vegetable Oyles, may be resembled the produ­ction of Turpentines: Thus Oyle of Vitriol added to the distill'd Oyles of Turpentine, Nutmegs, Juniper, &c. after Fermentation be­come of a consistence altogether emulating usual Turpentine, without the least appearance of Oyle swiming on them; nay, although Spi­rit of Wine be afterwards added, yet will it cause no separation of any of the Oyle: But the contrary happens, if you add Spirit of Wine to an essential Oyle, before mixture with the Oyle of Vitriol; for then the Spirit of Wine and Oyle of Vitriol unite, and reject the essential Oyle to the superficies: So that the reason why distill'd Oyles by the foresaid arti­fice, [Page 147]subside in the form of a liquid Turpen­tine, is because, that upon Fermentation from the foresaid mixture, the Oyles receive such an alteration, by suffering their volatile parts to go off, as that what remains, combining with the Acidum of the Vitriol, becomes thence more a Turpentine then an Oyle, and consequently, as heavier, must subside, al­though Spirit of Wine be put thereto, which otherwise would swim above it.

So that from the premisses it will naturally follow, that Turpentines are indeed but liquid Rosins; and Rosins, no other then concrete Turpentines, and further, that Turpentines are Oyles incrassated or condenced by additi­on of Acids: yea all, but several disguises of Sulphur, altered according to different de­grees of Acids, and their various assaults upon Sulphurs.

Its worth (by the by) our observation, that even from the mixture of some Acids and Sulphurs, sanguification (I mean as to its tincture) may as well be imitated and sha­dowed forth unto us, as from those of vola­tile Alcalies and Sulphurs: Thus the acid Oyle of Vitriol, mixed with the essential Oyles, ei­ther of Turpentine, Juniper, Nutmegs, or Am­ber, Strikes (besides the Fermentation and intense heat they cause) a deep blood red co­lour, as I have tryed; And I do not know yet, [Page 148]but that even Alcalies, whether fixt or volatile, may from the same reason of their hidden and shut up Acids, intend the colours of Sulphu­rous vegetables: concerning which Acids we elsewhere touch: yea, and from the same operation of the genuine Acids upon their proper Sulphurs, in the great work of vegeta­tive Fermentation, are struck those various, and no less admirable colours, in the great field of vegetables, as we have hinted before.

And to conclude, as we have shewed water to be the material principle of all concretions: so the distinction and specification thereof, de­pends upon Fires or Ferments, lodg'd and hid in the inwards of Seeds: which Fires or Fer­ments are differenced from the great variety, chiefly of Acids, not onely in Fermentation, but Concretion, in Fluidity but Solidity, and consistency of bodies: For whats the tapestrey of vegetables, in their peculiar verdure, span­gled with an amicable lustre, but so many cen­tral Fires or Ferments, at first hid in their semi­nals, and afterwards by the co-operation of other conspiring causes, displayed into almost infinitely variety of Plants, branching them­selves in their different, delicate, and beauti­ful colours? And what are animals, but vital Lamps burning in bodies; and yet those bo­dies no otherwise consum'd, but by the glow­ing, dwindling, and at last extinguishing of [Page 149]those vital tapers? whereby not onely ani­mals, but also vegetables are apt (besides their common putrilage from plenty of moisture) to spend themselves (by the declining of the foresaid Ferments) in hecticks and wearing marasmes, which vital Ferments are more no­ble then the vegetable, because working in greater varieties of Vessels, and therefore the more highly by circulation, sublim'd and gra­duated into animal Spirits, the ultimate pro­duct of vital Ferments, yea in humane bodies is the very vinculum of the rational Soul (that Heaven born Creature) to the body, being its vehicle: here a large Field is open, where I could freely let my thoughts and pen run; but shall at present set up my staft, and con­tent my self (although unwilling) in draw­ing the Curtaine over the rest, and indeed at length, after many conclusions, make an End.