Asbesti

Cronstedt Min. §§ 79---83. and perhaps § 102—105 alſo; but I have not yet ſubmitted the aſbeſti to the liquid analyſis.

Source: wiktionary

This is a very ſingular and beautiful Foſſil, it is not found in veins in marble as many of the other Aſbeſti are, nor in compact and ſeparate maſſes of itſelf in the earth as the reſt; but ever in a looſe diſhevell’d form, and very much reſembling the artificially ſeparated filaments of ſome unknown ſpecies of that body; it is uſually found in conſiderable bundles, and is compos’d of long and generally crooked filaments of a flatted figure, and of a pure ſnow white; they are conſiderably broader than the filaments of any known ſpecies of the Aſbeſtos, and are found from two inches, to eight, ten, twelve, or more in length:[…]

Source: wiktionary

For, at the time that this paper was written, no perfect analyſis of the aſbeſtos had as yet been made, and two only of its principles were known. We would, however, hope to flatter ourſelves, that we have determined the ſpecific difference of the aſbeſtos among eleven varieties, both as to their agreement in external characters as well as inward compoſition. / The aſbeſti have been hitherto applied to little or no uſe. Formerly, indeed, cloths made of the ſoftest kinds were employed to wrap up the bodies of the dead, that, by its qualities of reſiſting fire, their aſhes might be preſerved. But on the abolition of funeral piles, the utility of the aſbeſtos ceaſed.

Source: wiktionary

See Asbestos. On this Cronſtedt obſerves, that the natural ſtore of the aſbeſti is in proportion to their economical uſe, both being very inconſiderable.

Source: wiktionary