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of Attraction: But the greateſt and moſt evident attractive Quality is in that Stone which attracts [1]Iron. But
- ↑ The Author takes occaſion here, among the Stones endued with an attractive Quality, to mention the Loadſtone, the moſt known and moſt powerful of them all. The antient Greeks called this, Ἡράκλεια λίθος, and the later, Μαγνῆτις λίθος. It has ſince been by ſome improperly called, inſtead of Heraclea, Herculea, as if it had obtained its Name from Hercules; whereas it had it from Heraclea, a City of Lydia, near which it was found in great abundance. Κέκληται δὲ οὗτος ἀπὸ τῆς Ἡρακλείας τἤς ἐν Λυδία πόλεως, ſays Heſychius. This, therefore, was its original Name among the antient Greeks, and indeed its only Name; for the Word Magnetis, which was alſo in common Uſe among them, ſignified a quite different Subſtance: Their Μαγνῆτις λίθος was a white ſilvery-looking Stone, with no Power of Attraction, and in frequent Uſe for turning into Veſſels of many kinds, as this Author obſerves in another Place. It was a talcy Stone, of the Ollaris kind; (ſee Foſſils Arrang'd, p. 27,) but not exactly the ſame with any we know at preſent. The later Greeks calling the Loadſtone by the ſame Name, which both had from Magneſia in Lydia; the Place where they were found, has occaſioned almoſt endleſs Errors in the leſs cautious Writers ſince. The Loadſtone is a ferrugineous Subſtance, found in many Parts of the World, and in Maſſes of different Size: It is commonly met with in or about Iron Mines, and among ferrugineougs Matter. We have them from moſt Parts of
ber, or Smocth Amber. We have of both theſe Kinds in England; the rough is found in digging to conſiderable Depths in Clay, but is commonly of an ill Colour, and impregnated with the vitriolic Salts, with which almoſt all our Clay-pits abound; and this in ſuch a degree, as often to crumble and fall to pieces, when it has been ſome time expoſed to the Air: The other, or Waſh'd Amber, we have on many of our Shores, particularly the Northern; and that ſometimes not inferior to the fineſt of the Pruſſian. Beſide the Variety of natural Colours in Amber, of which, beſide the common pale yellow, we ſee white, orange, brown, and grey; there are certain Cabinets which now boaſt, red, purple, and green Amber; but I think I am warranted to ſay, that theſe, as well as the fine pale ſtriated Amber, are made ſuch by art: there are ſome Poliſh Jews who have this ſecret, and who keep it carefully to themſelves.
