During my travels in the mines near Schemnitz, I learned about natural vitriol, which forms in lumps and is pure and ready to use. The miner I spoke to said he had found it in many places, but the largest quantity was in a mine that had been abandoned because parts of the earth had collapsed. This mine was located close to Schemnitz The Town of Ghremnitz.
A few days later, the miner came to visit me in Schemnitz. He brought lamps and miners’ clothes for me and two companions, so we could safely explore the underground passages. We went deep into the mine, and he showed us large quantities of vitriol. I was very satisfied with what I saw. Unlike other places where vitriol hangs like icicles from the ceiling, in this mine, it coated the stones and earth, the floor, and the sides of the passageways. It formed naturally, almost as if art had shaped it.
Historical Notes on the Region
Gus-Hitten belonged to the Count of Lipp, whose family included the learned polymath Procopius Emmu. Some time ago, the Arch-Bishop of Presburg sent him to study and report on the rare natural features of this region. Unfortunately, his death prevented the publication of his findings, leaving many of his observations unpublished.
About four English miles from Schemnitz is Eisenbach, which also has hot springs. The sediment in these baths is red and eventually turns into stone. I collected several pieces, some five or six inches in diameter, and even a large piece showing the shape of the water as it fell from a spout. The spout itself, made of wood, had not changed, but the wood of the bath walls in contact with the water had completely petrified Customized Guided Turkey Tours.
It was fascinating to see how nature worked with art, turning the body of a fir tree into a column of stone. Wood above the water changed completely, while wood below the water remained unchanged. The heat and minerals in these waters cause part of the substances to vaporize, which then rises with the steam. I observed a similar effect in the Bath of the Green Pillars at Euda, where mineral vapors formed long, stone-like icicles suspended from the roof and iron supports, similar to formations found in natural grottoes in England, such as Oakey Hole in Somerset and Pooles Hole in Derbyshire.
Observing Mineral Vapors
In many hot springs, vitriol can be carried away by steam and is not found if the water is boiled or evaporated. To discover it properly, it is better to observe it outside the water rather than inside. This method proved accurate, and I was able to study the mineral formations in their natural state. The combination of underground heat, mineral-rich water, and natural stone formations created one of the most remarkable examples of how nature preserves and transforms minerals.
