Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 004.djvu/258

 Clouds, it must needs hide the Sun from us, as such a depth of foame and Snow would do. But in this Paragraph I would hint the change, and beneficiall Improvement, that may be made upon some Liquors by meer Frosts, by Chrystallizing, and perhaps more by Petrifying Vaults.

7. I observ'd a Spring, that in all the extreame Frosts, that have been these ten years, hath yielded a small stream, which running over a large Tract of Pasture, keeps all the bankes and borders Green, and free from freezing, dissolving the Snow, and smoaking all the way where it runs. And this warming force it holds for 4 or 5 foot on each side, wherever it runs, till the very small stream falls into a little Chanel. Hence I would offer, that some better use may he made of such streams for Hortulan entertainments, and for many Philosophical uses, if well considered. The Sober Warter-drinkers, who are addicted to cleanliness, and a simple Diet, may by the smel and tast discover, and fore-warn of the great Diversities of waters; which are more or less Petrifying, and which more powerfully dissolving petrification; which assists Nutrition, and which is more Jejune. Yea perhaps by Assiduity and Insturctions they may Indicate by Springs, and the steams of Vaults, much of the Treasures of our Hills and Mountains; and of all the Subterraneous World. We trayn up Setting-Dogs to find Partriges, but we neglect the Ayd, that maybe had from Inquisitive men for the finding out of Springs for Bolus's, Salts, Minerals, Stones, and Metals; For Health, Accommodations, Ornaments, and wealth. You see here, how by Vaults and deep Wells, furnished with proper Materials, and so covered, that by apertures wider, ndand [sic] smaller at pleasure, we may find the effects of Air in the entrance, and by the rebounding returns, and by mixtures with Subterraneous Steams many effects, which will hardly appear by any contrivance of the Pneumatic Engine: as to try, what the Mineral steams of all kinds will operate upon all sorts of Materials, when they are strained by the driving and rebounding Air through strait and winding Orifices of various shapes, wider and narrower? Whether the Barkes or Timber of Trees are more apt to receive the Saline or other steams? And whether the common Saline steams may not be appropriated to o-