[95]. Leslie’s Elements of Natural Philosophy.
[96]. Virg. Georg. iv. 392–402.
[97]. Dioscorides and Pliny describe a process, which may be considered that of distillation in its infancy; it consists in obtaining oil from pitch, by spreading over it while boiling, fleeces of wool, which receive the vapour and afterwards yield it by expression. In this country the art of distillation was unknown at the time when the Romans had possession of it. It is said to have been introduced in the early part of Henry II.
[98]. It was destroyed in the sixth century, by the Caliph Omar, the cotemporary and companion of Mahomet.
[99]. The Saracens, in their treaty with the Greek Emperors, demanded, by express articles, the works of the ancients.
[100]. Garcias as well as Geoffroy and Hill say that Ætius mentions camphor, but it cannot be found, as Dr. Alston has observed, in that, or in any other Greek author. There is a Camphoræ herba in Myrepsus; but this is evidently a different thing.
[101]. The Records of Physic, if I am not deceived, will afford numerous instances of similar error, from mistaking figurative expressions for literal truths. A knowledge of this species of fallacy will explain the origin of several very extraordinary receipts. I shall select the following instance, by way of illustration. In many of the ancient works on Physic, we find the blood of the goat extolled for its efficacy in dissolving stones, and, from this supposed lithontriptic virtue, it forms the principal ingredient of the Powder of Nicolaus, and of the Electuary of the Queen of Colein. The expression which gave origin to this belief was evidently allegorical, signifying that the blood of the goat, by which our Saviour was typified, was capable of softening the stony hearts of his enemies, or, according to others, that by his influence, the stony rocks, and veil of the temple were shatterd. Browne’s Vulgar Errors.
[102]. Silver, Mercury, Copper, Iron, Tin, Lead.
[103]. Agricola de veteribus et novis metallis: Lib. 1.
[104]. 2 Kings, chap. ix. verse 30.