6 NAfURALMAGICK.®OO^IJ.

is not made of the River Bilbilis, or tempered with the water of Chalybes. Andhence are those people that live neer this River called Chalybes; and they are heldto have the belt Iron. Yet Strabo faith, That the Chalybes were people in Pontnsneer the River Thermodon. Virgil -peaks,

4nd the naked falybes Iron.

Then, as Pliny faith, It is commonly made soft with Ovl, and hardened by Water,It is a cull ©me to quench thin Bars of Iron in Oyl, that they may not grow brittleby being quenched in Water, Nothing hath put me forward more to letk highermatters, then this certain Experiment, That Iron may be made lo weak and loft byOyl, that it may be wrested and broken with ones hands : and by Water it may bemade so hard and stubborn that it will cut Iron like Lead,

Chap. II,

Hour Iron will wax soft.

I Shall first fay how Iron may grow soft, and become tractable ; so that one maymake Steel like Iron, and Iron soft as Lead. That which is hard, grows loft byfat things, as I said; and without fat matter, by the fire onely,as Pliny affirms. Ironmade red hot in the fire , unless you beat it hard, it corrupts : as if he shouldfay, Steel grows soft of it self, if it be oft made red hot, and left to c olof it self in the fire : and lo will Iron grow softer. 1 can do the same diverswayes.

That Iron may grow soft,

Anoynt Iron with Ovl, Wax, Afafoerida; and lute it over with straw and dung, anddry it: then let it for one night be made red hot in burning coals. When it growscold of it self, voushall finde ir lost and tractable. Or, take Brimstone three parts,four parts of Potter^ Earth powdered: mingle these with Oyl to make it soft. Thencover the Iron in this well, and cry it, and bury it in burning coals ; and, as I said,you may use Tallow and Butter the same way. Iron wire red hot, if it cool alone,it will be so soft and dnctible, that you may use them like Flax. There are also softjuices of Herb«, and fat, as Malloas, Bean Pods, and Inch-like, that can soften Iron;but they must be hot when the Iron is quenched, and Juices, not distilled Waters tfor Iron will grow hard in all cold waters, and in liquid Oyl.

Chap. III.

The temper of Iron must be ttfed Upon soft Irons'.

1 Have said how Iron may be made softer, now I will shew tht tempering of it,A how it may be made to cut (harper. For the temper of it is divers for divers uses.For Iron requires several tempers, if ic be to cut Bread, or Wood, or Stone, or Iron,that is of divers liquors; and divers ways of firing it, and the time of quenching itin these Liquors: for on these doth the business depend. When the Iron is sparklingred hot, that it can be no hotter, that it twinkles, they call it Silver; and then icmust not be quenched , for it would be consumed. But if it be of a yellow or redcolour, they call it Gold or Rose-colour : and then quenched in Liquors, it growsthe harder: this colour requires them to quench it. But observe , That if all theIron be tempered, the colour must be blew or Violet colour, as the ed e of aSword, Rasor or Lancet : for in these the temper will be lost if they are made hocagain. Then you must observe the second colours ; namely, when the Iron is.quenched, and so plunged in, grows hard. The last is A(h colour : and after this ifft be quenched, it will be the least of all made hard, For examples