Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 001.djvu/117

 made therein, by the vertue of Salt and its Auxiliaries, the differences whereof are largely discoursed of, together with the way of extracting the same. In particular of Saltpeter, its Generation, Nature, Vertues; of the way of making Gunpowder, and the various uses thereof; as also the Nature, Qualities, Preparation, Medical and other uses of Alume and Vitriol.

In the seventh: Of some Fossils, as Sand, Gravel, Earths, and their various Differences, Qualities, uses Economical, Chymical, Medical: together with the strange varieties and changes happening in the Earth, and their causes; as also the requisits to Agriculture.

In the eighth: First, of Stones, their Origine, Concretion, difference of Colours; and in particular, of Gems and their variety, causes of generation, transparency in some and colours in others; as also of their various Figures and Pictures, by Nature formed both in common and precious Stones, with their Causes. Secondly, of the Transformation of Juices, Salts, Plants, yea of Beasts and Men turn'd into Stone: together with the generation of Bony Substances under Ground, by many esteemed to be the Bones of Gyants; and of Horny Substances, taken for Unicorns horns: as also of Fossile wood and Coals. Thirdly, of Bituminous Flowers, lapis Asbestos, Amber, and its Electrical vertue; together with the way how Insects, little Fishes, and Plants are intombed therein. Fourthly, of Subterraneous Animals, Moles, Mice, Birds, Dragons; where is also treated, of those Animals that are found in the midst of Stones.

In the ninth: First, of Poysons, their primeval Origine from Minerals, and their accidental Generation in Vegetable and Animal Bodies, together with their differences; where 'tis discoursed, not onely how Poysons may be bred in Men, but also, how the Poysons of some Animals do infect and kill Men; and, where the Venom of Vipers lodges, and how mad Dogs and Tarantula's so communicate their Poyson, as that it exserts not its noxiousness, till after some Rh