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This is called the [1]Carbuncle, on which
- ↑ The Antients expreſſed by this Word all the red tranſparent Gems, which have been ſince diſtinguiſhed under the Names of the different Kinds of Ruby, Granate, Hyacynth, &c. all which they eſteemed only different Species of the Carbuncle: And in Juſtification of them it muſt be acknowledged, that foſſile Bodies not being organized, in general want thoſe fixt and determinate Characteriſtics, by which thoſe of the vegetable and animal Kingdoms are unalterably diſtinguiſhed from each other. Thoſe of the Gems in particular have fewer fixed and unvariable Differences by which their Genera and Species may be determinately fixed than any other.
The Reaſon of the Difficulty in regularly methodizing and diſtinguithing the Genera and ſubordinate Species in the various Claſſes of the foſſile Kingdom, is, that in the Time of their original Concretions their Particles ſcarce ever coaleſced in perfect Purity; but took up among them, from amidſt the Maſs of fluid Matter in which they were at that Time ſuſtained, Particles of extraneous Matter, of various Kinds in various Places; ſo that not only the external Face, but even the interior Conſtitution of the ſame Species is found in different Regions very different; and in many Specimens not to be known at firſt ſight even to the moſt accurate Obſerver.
certain others, which either from the different Matter of their conſtituent Particles, or the different Manner of their Combinations, he eſteems of a Texture not to be injured by it; but altogether ſafe againſt its Efforts; and, as his own Words expreſs it, incombuſtible.
None of theſe indeed are of Power to reſiſt the ſolar Fire collected by a great reflecting Burning-glaſs; but, in general, are firſt calcined as it were, and ſplit and ſhattered in Pieces by it, and afterwards melted into Glaſs. This, however, was probably a Kind of Fire, unknown in theſe extreme Degrees of Power, till very long after the Time of this Author. The culinary Fire, or that uſed in thoſe Times for fluxing Ores, the ſtrongeſt they then knew, tho' much leſs intenſe than thoſe we now uſe on that Occaſion (of which there are many unqueſtionable Proofs; nay, that even thoſe of the Workers in Metals, but a few Ages ago were ſo) had no Power of making any Change in theſe Stones; therefore the Author is not to be cenſured for eſteeming them incombuſtible; or not knowing what it was impoſſible he ſhould have ſeen. He is to be underſtood with regard to the Action of the Fires uſed in his Time; and he muſt then be allowed to have been well acquainted with the Subjects he treats of in this Diviſion of his Work.
