Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/226

 tion Abundance of other Preparations, which Arnoldus de Villa Nova, Raymund Lully, his Scholar, and F. Bacon learned from them. I will not deny but some Chymical Experiments were very anciently known. Solomon (k) hints at the Disagreement of Vinegar and Nitre; which, though not intelligible of common Nitre, yet, as Mr. Boyle (l) found by his own Experience, it is certainly true of Egyptian Nitre; which, as being a natural Alkali, will cause an Ebullition, when joined with any Acid Salt. The Property of Mercury to mix, or, as the Chymists speak, to Amalgamate with Gold, was known in Vitruvius's Time: Though by that one may perceive, that very few of its other Properties were then known; since Pliny, who mentions that Quality of Mercury, that it will Amalgamate with Gold, speaks of it as a singular Thing, in these Words, (m) Every Thing swims upon Quick-Silver but Gold; that only it draws to it self. Whereas now every Body knows that Mercury will Amalgamate with all Metals but Copper and Iron. And if the Ancients Skill in Minerals may be judged of by Pliny's Accounts,