The latest account hereof may be found in the voyage of the Dutch Embassadors sent from _Batavia_ unto the Emperour of _China_, printed in _French_ 1665, which plainly informeth, that the Earth whereof _Porcellane_ dishes are made, is brought from the Mountains of _Hoang_, and being formed into square loaves, is brought by water, and marked with the Emperours Seal: that the Earth it self is very lean, fine, and shining like Sand: and that it is prepared and fashioned after the same manner which the _Italians_ observe in the fine Earthen Vessels of _Faventia_ or _Fuenca_: that they are so reserved concerning that Artifice, that 'tis only revealed from Father unto Son: that they are painted with _Indico_ baked in a fire for fifteen days together, and with very dry and not smoaking Wood: which when the Author had seen he could hardly contain from laughter at the common opinion above rejected by us. Now if any enquire, why being so commonly made, and in so short a time, they are become so scarce, or not at all to be had? The Answer is given by these last Relators, that under great penalties it is forbidden to carry the first sort out of the Country. And of those surely the properties must be verified, which by _Scaliger_ and others are ascribed unto China-dishes: That they admit no poison, that they strike fire, that they will grow hot no higher then the liquor in them ariseth. For such as pass amongst us, and under the name of the finest, will only strike fire, but not discover _Aconite_, _Mercury_, or _Arsenic_; but may be useful in dysenteries and fluxes beyond the other. 8. Whether a Carbuncle (which is esteemed the best and biggest of Rubies) doth flame in the dark, or shine like a coal in the night, though generally agreed on by common Believers, is very much questioned by many. By _Milius_, who accounts it a Vulgar Error: By the learned _Boetius_, who could not find it verified in that famous one of _Rodulphus_, which was as big as an Egg, and esteemed the best in _Europe_. Wherefore although we dispute not the possibility, and the like is said to have been observed in some Diamonds, yet whether herein there be not too high an apprehension, and above its natural radiancy, is not without just doubt: however it be granted a very splendid _Gem_, and whose sparks may somewhat resemble the glances of fire, and Metaphorically deserve that name. And therefore when it is conceived by some, that this Stone in the Brest-plate of _Aaron_ respected the Tribe of _Dan_, who burnt the City of _Laish_; and _Sampson_ of the same Tribe, who fired the Corn of the _Philistims_; in some sense it may be admitted, and is no intollerable conception.