That _Vitriolum_ (otherwise called _Chalcanthum_) is here most
predominant, there needs no other proofe, then from the assay of the
water it selfe; which both in the tart and inky smack thereof, joyned
with a piercing and a pricking quality, and in the savour (which is
somewhat a little vitrioline,) is altogether like unto the ancient
_Spaw_ waters; which according to the consent of all those, who have
considered their naturall compositions, doe most of all, and chiefly
participate of vitrioll.
Notwithstanding, for a more manifest, and fuller tryall hereof, put as
much powder of galls, as will lye on two-pence, or three-pence, into a
glasse full of this water newly taken up at the fountaine, you shall see
it by and by turned into the right and perfect colour of Claret wine,
that is fully ripe, cleare, and well fined, which may easily deceive
the eye of the skilfullest Vintner.
This demonstration hath beene often made, not without the admiration of
those, who first did see it. For the same quantity of galles mingled
with so much common water, or any other fountaine water thereabouts,
will not alter it any thing at all; unlesse to these you also adde
Vitrioll, and then the colour will appeare to be of a blewish violet,
somewhat inkish, not reddish, as in the former, which hath an exquisite
and accurate conjunction of other minerall exhalations, besides the
vitrioline.
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