And as Metalline, so likewise Mineral Solutions may produce Colours
differing enough from those of the Liquors themselves. I shall not fetch an
Example of this, from what we daily see happen in the powdring of Beef,
which by the Brine imploy'd about it (especially if the flesh be over
salted) do's oftentimes appear at our Tables of a Green, and sometimes of a
Reddish Colour, (deep enough) nor shall I insist on the practise of some
that deal in Salt Petre, who, (as I suspected, and as themselves
acknowledg'd to me) do, with the mixture of a certain proportion of that;
and common Salt, give a fine Redness, not only to Neats Tongues, but which
is more pretty as well as difficult, to such flesh, as would otherwise be
purely White; These Examples, I say, I shall decline insisting on, as
chusing rather to tell you, that I have several times try'd, that a
Solution of the Sulphur of Vitriol, or ev'n of common Sulphur, though the
Liquor appear'd clear enough, would immediately tinge a piece of new Coin,
or other clean Silver, sometimes with a Golden, sometimes with a deeper,
and more Reddish colour, according to the strength of the Solution, and the
quantity of it, that chanc'd to adhere to the Metall; which may take off
your wonder that the water of the hot Spring at _Bath_, abounding with
dissolv'd Substances of a very Sulphureous Nature, should for a while, as
it were gild, the new or clean pieces of Silver coyn, that are for a due
time immers'd in it. And to these may be added those formerly mention'd
Examples of the adventitious Colours of Mineral Bodies; which brings into
my mind, that, ev'n Vegetable Liquors, whether by degeneration, or by
altering the Texture of the Body that imbibes them, may stain other Bodies
with Colours differing enough, from their own, of which very good
Herbarists have afforded us a notable Example, by affirming that the Juice
of _Alcanna_ being green (in which state I could never here procure it)
do's yet Dye the Skin and Nails of a Lasting Red. But I see this Treatise
is like to prove too bulky without the addition of further Instances of