You must know what belongs to this Process that _Farnner_ did not
learn this Preparation of me, but of another man, which pleases him
extreamly, though ’tis of no moment. But he most unworthily calls them
Coral Flowers, which he exposes to sale at ten R. Dollers, seeing they
are not Flowers, but rather to be called a Cremor; for when in a very
hot fire they are reduced into a white Calx, from this Calx, by the
help of Water, is drawn a Cream after this manner: The calcin’d Corals
are put into common Water, and left in the Water a whole night, then in
the top will appear a little skin, as is usual in _Calx viva_, which
must be taken off to dry. Lastly, while that is doing, another little
skin appears, which is also to be taken off, and that so often, till
the Water will give no more.
I know also, that this Powder is held up by some Apothecaries as a
certain singular Secret, (but that indeed exceedeth it) which is
prepar’d of _Calx viva_, which I have also shewn to some that have
attributed great things to this Powder, who, the Experiment being made,
seeing me produce true things, What need is there, said they, to burn
precious Corals, when common Chalk (or _Calx viva_) will give the same
thing as Corals, and they prepar’d no more Powder of Corals, but of
_Calx viva_.
Therefore this does not deserve to be called a Secret.
NB. That Corals, Pearls, Pearl-shells, and Tortoise-shells, as well
those that are in the Sea, as those that are in Running Rivers, if they
are burnt together, are brought into a true and natural Lime, like that
which is made of burnt Stones, needs no probation. He that will not
believe me, let him go to _Holland_, and other Sea-Ports, and he shall
see that the men of those Countries do not use Lime made of Stones,
which are wanting in those places to build Walls, but that which is
made of burnt Shells, which the Sea in great abundance casts upon the
shore; which yet, is not so good as that which is made of Stones, which
some Lovers of Curiosity have also brought them from _Germany_.