ABSTRACT
BUT these are only a few of the many Instances that might be all edged to evince in how uncertain and perplex'd a Condition this Study has hitherto lain: And how little Light into the Nature of Fossils, and their Relation to one another, we are to expect from those that have theretofore wrote.4 The classical Disposal of the native Fossils will indeed ever be a Work of Difficulty. It hath been prov'd from observations, made on the present Condition of them, that they have been one all in a State of Solution and Disorder: And such is the present Constitution of them that it is very hard, if not impracticable, to rank and reduce them into an exact Method.s For they want those fix'd Characters of Affinity or Disagreement that Animals, and that Vegetables carry along with them. It has been shewn, how little Certainty there is in their Colour and Figure, in their Situation in the Earth, and their Mixtures with each other. And few of them being pure, or unmix'd, 'tis plain there can be no determinate Rule as to their Specific GraVity, their Consistence, or Approach more or less to Solidity, or as to their Constitution. In fine, there being no single Character steady, or to be rely'd upon, I am oblig'd to make Use of one or other of them, as I see most fit, and conducing to my Purpose. My chief Regard is, to the Nature and constituent Matter of each; but since that Matter is frequently mix'd, and various in the same Sort of Body, I conduct my self by such other natural Notes as present themselves, and all such Tests and Methods of Scrutiny, as I find practicable. In particular, I have Regard to the Bulk each Sort of Fossil is naturally of: Also to its comparative Gravity, Density, Solidity, the Grossness, or Fineness of the Parts: The natural Figure of the form'd Stones, and other Bodies, their Texture and Constitution; as likewise the Colours observable in many Sorts of Fossils, the Diaphaneity, or Opakeness: Their Disposition to a Solution and Mixture with Water. Lastly, I consider in what Manner they affect the Organse of Sense, the Smell and the Taste; as also the Touch, as to their Roughness, Harshness, Smoothness, and their being unctuous, oyly, and the like.6 With this Conduct, and assisted by these Lights, I range the native Fossils in the following Method. 1. Earths. 2. Stones. 3. Salts. 4. Bitumens. 5. Minerals, or Bodies nearly approaching the Nature of Metalls. And, 6. Metalls themselves. The particular Reasons for my
adjusting them thus, you will be better Judge of, when you come to see the Details of the whole Method.
