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the Thpie'fCHLNA 
to Powder, affords the Painter a moff delicate Vert. There are ,alfo feveral
excellent stone Qtarries, among which, fome of Marble, whereof they make
Tables, and other curious Ornaments for their Houfes, it having fuch fItrange,
yet natural Veins, that by their concentring, the fhapes of Hills, Waters;
Trees, Flowers, are fo admirably figur'd upon the fame, as if the moff exqui-
fite Artift of the World had depieed them with his Pencil. 
In the Province of Teking is fourdveryclear white and red Marble, as alfo
Touchatones, and feveral other forts of Stones, which for colour and hardnefs
are much valued. And upon the Mountain Xaituxg, in the Province of Xanfi,
very clear Stonesr which for their lufire and fparkling refemble Diamonds.
Out of Mount IQun is digg'd red Marble. 
In Suc, ue, on Mount Tlexe, grows a Stone, whichbeing burnt in the Fire,
yields Iron very fit to make Swords. 
The Hill Cucay, near Cbingtien, brings forth Trees and Stones red ofcolour
1 
and in the Province of Huquang, all the Produas of the Hill Hoan (which fig.
nifies The 2ellow Hill)even to the Earth and Stones, are of aGold colour.
There are feveral other Hills which produce firange and Precious Stones'
as the Hill Xeyen, fo nam'd, becaufe after Rain there are found Stones upon
the fame refembling Swallows. Many other produce variety of Stones, held
in great Efleem by reafon of Experiments which" have been made of them
in 
the cure of feveral Difeafes, as all forts of Agues, Fevers, Calentures c.
And as in fome places are fuch variety of r are and Phyfical Stonesfo in
others 
are Earth and Medicinal Drugs ; namely, 
In the Province of 9.uangfi; near to the City Cincbem, is digg'd up acertain,
yellow Earth, which is a powerful Antidote againftiall manner of Poifon.
In the Jurifdi6tion of Huquang there are feveral Places where .they gather
great flore of Manna, which the Natives take for frozen  ew. 
In the Province of Xanfi, upon the Mountain Tape, they dig up a certain 
Earth fo red, that they ufe it for Vermilion to Print their red Seals; whereas
upon the Mountain Nieuxu the Earth isfo white, that it is us'd by the Women
in ftead of Paint; ;forbeing diffolv'd in Water, it firangely embellifheth
the 
Face which is wafh'd therewith. Here alfo they have Mines of Coals, which
are like thofe in Europe. 
There is afo in divers Places throughout the whole Empire, a certain fort
of Lime, which they prefsfrom the Bark of a Tree, being tough, and flicking
like Pitch; of this, which I fuppofe I may call a Gum, they make a certain
fort of Paint, wherewith they colour all their Ships, Houfes, and Houfhold-
fluff, which makes them to fine like Glafs; and thisis the reafon that the
Houfes in China and Japan glitter and fhine fo bright, that they dazle the
Eyes 
of fuch as behold them.- This Paint alfo lays a fhining colour upon Wood,
which is fo beautiful and lafling, that they ufe few or no Table-cloths at
their 
Meals ; for it they fpill any Greafe, or other Liquor upon the Table, it
is ca- 
lily rubb'd off with a little fair Water, without lofs or damage of Colour.,
CHAP