Page:Theophrastus - History of Stones - Hill (1774).djvu/316

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The Salts in Urine that has ſtood long come nearer the Nature of Foſſils than any Thing we know; and Tartar, formed from Wine, is very difficult of Solution: Yet both theſe may be melted in pure Water. The Salt produced by flow Cryſtalization from a Lixivium of Lime and Sulphur, comes neareſt of all to Spar; but ſtill it is but an Approach; and not a Sameneſs: As he who is well acquainted with all the Qualities of the vitriolated Tartar will perceive: Nor do I conceive Henkel's Receipt, formed on the ſame Foundation, would go any farther: But till Men ſpeak plain,'‘tis vain to war againſt their buried Meaning.

In fine, the Formation of Spar is yet a Subject of Enquiry: Its Atoms are all Spar; each Particle into which we can without Violence divide it, is the ſame in all Reſpects as the Whole: And as the Foſſil World admits no Generation, or Birth, by Egg, or Seed, it ſeems moſt probable that all the Variety of Forms in which we ſee this Protean Mineral, are owing to no Cauſe beſide the Arrangement of Rhombs into as many Forms as they are capable of producing. It fills the Cracks of its own Rocks: And of no other: For Cryſtal Columns riſe from cryſtaline Rocks; and from metallic Maſſes, fractur'd, grow Pyrite; each ſeparated from the great mixt Body we ſee ſplit; and each formed into Figures by its own Laws, without the Intervention of Salt, or other Matter.

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