CHAP. I.
The reason why the Author chose the Explication of Whiteness and Blackness ([93].) Wherein Democritus thought amiss of these ([94].) Gassendus his Opinion about them ([95].) What the Author approves, and a more full Explication of White, makinig it a Multiplicity of Light or Reflections ([96], [97].) Confirm'd first by the Whiteness of the Meridian Sun, observ'd in Water ([98].) and of a piece of Iron glowing Hot ([99].) Secondly, by the Offensiveness of Snow to the Travellers eyes, confirm'd by an example of a Person that has Travell'd much in Russia ([100].) and by an Observation out of Olaus Magnus ([100].) and that the Snow does inlighten and clear the Air in the Night, confirm'd by the Mosco Physician, and Captain James ([101].) But that Snow has no inherent Light, prov'd by Experience ([102].) Thirdly, by the great store of Reflections, from white Bodies observ'd in a darkned Room, and by their unaptness to be Kindled by a Burning-glass ([103].) Fourthly, the Specularness of White Bodies is confirm'd by the Reflections in a dark Room from other Bodies ([104].) and by the appearance of a River, which both to the Eye and in a darkned Room appear'd White ([105], [106].) Fifthly, by the Whiteness of distill'd Mercury, and that of the Galaxie ([107], [108].) and by the Whiteness of Froth, rais'd from whites of Eggs beaten; that this Whiteness comes not from the Air, shew'd by Experiments ([109], [110].) where occasionally the Whiteness of Distill'd Oyls, Hot water, &c. are shew'd ([111].) That it seems not necessary the Reflecting Surfaces should be Sphærical, confirm'd by Experiments ([112], [113].) Sixthly, by the Whiteness of the Powders of transparent Bodies ([114].) Seventhly, by the Experiment of Whitening and Burnishing Silver. ([115], [116].)
Chap. 2. A Recital of some Opinions about Blackness, and which the Author inclines to ([117].) which he further insists on and explicates ([118], [119].) and shews for what reasons he imbrac'd that Hypothesis ([120].) First, from the contrary Nature of Whiteness and Blackness, White reflecting most Beams outwards, Black should reflect most inward ([120].) Next, from the Black appearance of all Bodies, when Shadow'd; And the manner how this paucity of Reflection outwards is caus'd, is further explicated, by shewing that the Superficial parts may be Conical and Pyramical ([121].) This and other Considerations formerly deliver'd, Illustrated by Experiments with black and white Marble ([122], [123].) Thirdly, from the Black appearance of Holes in white Linnen, and from the appearance of Velvet stroak'd several ways, and from an Observation of Carrots ([124], [125].) Fourthly, from the small Reflection from Black in a darkned Room ([125], [126].) Fifthly, from the Experiment of a Checker'd Tile expos'd to the Sun-beams ([127].) which is to be preferr'd before a Similar Experiment try'd in Italy, with black and white Marble ([128].) Some other congruous Observations ([129].) Sixthly, from the Roasting black'd Eggs in the Sun ([130].) Seventhly, by the Observation of the Blind man lately mention'd, and of another mention'd by Bartholine ([130].) That notwithstanding all these Reasons, the Author is not absolutely Positive, but remains yet a Seeker after the true Nature of Whiteness and Blackness. ([131], [132].)
Experiments in Consort, touching Whiteness and Blackness.
The first Experiment, with a Solution of Sublimate, made White with Spirit of Urine, &c. ([133], [134].)
The second Experiment, with an Infusion of Galls, made Black with Vitriol, &c. ([135], [136].) further Discours'd of ([137].)
The third Experiment, of the Blacking of Hartshorn, and Ivory, and Tartar, and by a further Calcination making them White ([138], [139].)
The fourth Experiment, limiting the Chymist's principle, Adusta nigra sed perusta alba, by several Instances of Calcin'd Alabaster, Lead, Antimony, Vitriol, and by the Testimony of Bellonius, about the white Charcoles of Oxy-cædar, and by that of Camphire. ([140], [141], [142].) That which follows about Inks was misplac'd by an Errour of the Printer, for it belongs to what has been formerly said of Galls ([142], [143].)
The fifth Experiment, of the black Smoak of Camphire ([144].)
The sixth Experiment, of a black Caput Mortuum, of Oyl of Vitriol, with Oyl of Worm-word, and also with Oyl of Winter-Savory ([145].)