Hujus itaque descriptae arboris lignum in poculum efformatum,
aquam eidem infusam primo in aquam intense Caeruleam, colore floris
Buglossae; tingit, & quo diutius in eo steterit, tanto intensiorem colorem
acquirit. Hanc igitur aquam si Vitreae Sphaerae infuderis, lucique exposueris,
ne ullum quidem Caerulei coloris vestigium apparebit, sed instar aquae purae
putae fontanae limpidam claramque aspicientibus se praebebit. Porro si hanc
phialam vitream versus locum magis umbrosum direxeris, totus humor
gratissimum virorem referet; si adhuc umbrosioribus locis, subrubrum, & sic
pro rerum objectarum conditione, mirum dictu, colorem mutabit; in tenebris
vero vel in vase opaco posita, Caeruleum colorem suum resumet._
[17] Kircher. Art. Mag. lucis & umbrae, _lib. 1. part. 3._
In this passage we may take notice of the following Particulars. And first,
he calls it a White _Mexican_ Wood, whereas (not to mention that
_Mornardes_ informs us that it is brought out of _Nova Hispania_) the Wood
that we have met with in several places, and employ'd as _Lignum
Nephriticum_, was not White, but for the most part of a much Darker Colour,
not unlike that of the Sadder Colour'd Wood of Juniper. 'Tis true, that
_Monardes_ himself also says, that the Wood is White; and it is affirm'd,
that the Wood which is of a Sadder Colour is Adulterated by being Imbu'd
with the Tincture of a Vegetable, in whose Decoction it is steep'd.
Pages:
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209