Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 004.djvu/248

 Further, why he should make Iron and Vitriol two distinct Mineral Constituents of this Water, and call it Ferrum Vitriolatum, I do not see: As if Vitriol were a stranger to Iron, or that they were here two distinct Minerals; when indeed Iron alone will supply both. Vitriol is the Salt of Iron, and there is no Iron without it. And that Vitriol, which he faith is found alone in the Rocks near this Water, will by the Summer-heat be hardned into Iron, which in a forge will melt and run. So that, though Vitriol may be found alone without the Iron stone, it is not because it is no Ingredient in the Composition of Iron, which cannot be Iron without it; but because those Vitriolin Earths are not grown to that perfection, but either by some accidental mixture or other Bodies is clapt up into the Composition of some other Mettal or Mineral; or else wants those Bodies, or time, that should fix it into Iron.

And truly that opinion of Learn'd Dr. Jordan, that Waters are tinged by Minerals while they are in fieri (though it seems to some ridiculous, as importing, that they should remain for many hundreds of Years in the same imperfect state,) may yet have much of truth in it here. And what can the Water receive from a perfectly wrought and mixt Metal, in its passage by it? But when the whole mass is in solutis principiis, no part fixt by its neighbour, but every one at liberty, the water, passing through, may easily lick up something of every Body dissolveable in it. And that these Bodies may continue in this State of Liberty for many years, without a copula to fix them into such a Metal, is not a matter either un-intelligible or ridiculous. The Salts in the Earth may combine with different Bodies, and make up several compounded masses, which yet, when dissolved, may communicate the same properties. The Vitriol of Copper makes water acid as well as that of Iron.

But it is not my business to undertake the quarrel; only I must note, that his Colouring of Roman Vitriol pag. 21, is erroneous. Note, that Vitriol was omitted in the Print of Numb. 51. p. 1039 l. 46.

In the 120th pag. he is dissatisfied, that his Adversary allows the Saltness of the Sea to proceed from the Fossile Salt; or from such Rocks and Bodies of Salt which are often found in the Sea;