Subterranean Physics

OF THE SECTIONS AND CHAPTERS OF THE FIRST BOOK

PREFACE.

On the Creation of the Entire World.
Chapter One: On the Creation of the Heavens.
Chap. II. On the Creation of the Earth.
Chapter III. On the universal production of all bodies from chaos the formless state of matter before the universe was ordered.
Chapter IV. On the general difference between bodies, which they acquired through mixing during the first production of all things.

On the state and physical motion of the terraqueous composed of earth and water globe after its universal production, in relation to the origin of subterranean things, where the wondrous structure of the terraqueous globe is discussed, as well as the specific super- and subterranean motions of water and earth.
Chapter I. Contains preliminaries on the super- and subterranean motion of water.
Chapter II. On the center of the earth, its condition and state, as well as the motion of seawater toward the center of the earth.
Chapter III. On the motion of water from the center to the circumference of the earth, specifically discussing springs and fountains.
Chapter IV. On acidic mineral waters, saline waters, and hot springs.
Chapter V. On the central earthy effluvia invisible vapors or outflows, both solid and mineral.
Chap. VI. On the perpetual motion of Nature, where the previous statements regarding the motion of subterranean water and earth are proven by examples and compared with one another.

A special digression into the origin of subterranean things, specifically concerning the three principles of minerals, which the author demonstrates to be three distinct types of earth.
Chapter I. On the Definition and Nature of subterranean principles.
Chapter II. On the first principle of metals and stones, which is "fusible stone" or "stony earth," improperly called salt Lapis fusilis: Becher’s first principle of matter, providing solidity and resistance to fire.
Chap. III. On the second principle of minerals, which is "fatty earth," improperly called sulfur Terra pinguis: Becher’s second principle, which he believed was responsible for combustibility; this later became the basis for the "Phlogiston" theory.
Chapter IV. On the third principle of minerals, which is "fluid earth," improperly called Mercury Terra fluida: Becher’s third principle, providing weight, density, and metallic luster.

Chapter V. On the union and certainty of the three Principles.

Demonstrates the action of the Subterranean Principles, which is composition original: "mixtio"; in this context, the chemical combining of elements into a substance.
Chap. I. On the necessity and obscurity of Physics regarding composition.
Chap. II. On the method of acquiring knowledge of composition.
Chap. III. Contains certain general axioms on composition.
Chap. IV. On animal composition.
Chap. V. On vegetable composition.
Chap. VI. On mineral composition.
Chap. VII. Presents an analogy of the three preceding types of composition.

On the dissolution of mixtures.
Chap. I. On animal dissolution, which is putrefaction.
Chap. II. On the dissolution of vegetables, which consists of fermentation.
Chap. III. On the dissolution of metals, which is liquefaction melting or becoming liquid.

On Mixtures Substances formed from combined elements.
Chap. I. On mixtures in general.
Chap. II. On the first subterranean compound, namely various earths in genus and species.
Chap. III. On the second subterranean compound, namely various stones by genus and species.
Chap. IV. On the third subterranean compound, namely metals and minerals.
Chap. V. On subterranean "de-compounds" complex mixtures of compounds, starting with the earthy ones: dry and liquid, fat and lean.
Chap. VI. On stony de-compounds: dry and liquid, fat and lean.
Chap. VII. On metallic de-compounds: dry and liquid.
Chap. VIII. Treats the compositions and de-compositions of subterranean things chemically.

And the last of the first book, a single Chapter on the physical accidents and attributes of subterranean things.
Conclusion of the First Book.