METALLOGRAPHIA: OR, AN HISTORY OF METALS. Wherein is declared the signs of Ores and Minerals both before and after digging, the causes and manner of their generations, their kinds, sorts, and differences; with the description of sundry new Metals, or Semi-Metals, and many other things pertaining to Mineral knowledge. As also, The handling and shewing of their Vegetabi∣lity, and the discussion of the most difficult Questions belonging to Mystical Chymistry, as of the Philosophers Gold, their Mercury, the Liquor Alkahest, Aurum potabile, and such like. Gathered forth of the most approved Authors that have written in Greek, Latine, or High-Dutch; With some Observations and Discove∣ries of the Author himself.

By JOHN WEBSTER Practitioner in Physick and Chirurgery.

Qui principia naturalia in seipso ignoraverit, hic jam multum remotus est ab arte nostra, quoniam non habet radicem veram, supra quam intentionem suam sundet.

He who is ignorant of the natural principles in himself, is already much removed from our art, since he has no true root on which to plant his intention.

Geber. Sum. perfect. l. c. 1. p. 21.
Sed non ante datur telluris operta subire,
Auricomos quam quis discerpserit arbore foetus.

But not before it is given to be covered with earth,
The fruit of the fruit that one has plucked from the tree.

Virg. Aeneid. l. 6.
LONDON, Printed by A. C. for Walter Kettilby at the Bishops-head in St. Pauls Church-yard. MDCLXXI.

To his Highness PRINCE RUPERT, Count Palatine of the Rhyne, DUKE of BAVRIA And CUMBERLAND, EARL of HOLDERNESS, &c. Constable of the Royal Castle and Honor OF WINDSOR, And KNIGHT of the Noble Order OF THE GARTER.

May it please your Highness,

I Have not presumed to present this mean and slender Colle∣ction of Minerals unto your Highness view, forth of confidence


of its own worth, though there may be some things in it not unfit for the knowledge of so High and Noble a Person: But rather in respect of the transcendent worth of the Sub∣ject it treateth of, being the most abstruse and most excellent part of all Natural Philosophy; being here∣unto especially moved by two rea∣sons. One is, That your Highness being a Member of the Royal So∣ciety (one of the happy fruits of His Majesties blessed and mira∣culous Restauration, and that which will speak him glorious to all suc∣ceeding Generations, beyond all his Royal Progenitors) stands there∣by in some measure obliged to be an encourager, and cherisher of all attempts (though of the lowest and meanest persons) that tend to


the advancement of Experimental Philosophy. This (may it please your Highness) did heighten my hopes, that I might receive the same candor (in some measure) that your Highness seemeth to have afforded to all. Another is the propension, and inclination that (as I am informed) your Highness bears in a particular man∣ner to this worthy and commen∣dable Science of Minerals and Me∣tals. The onely thing (besides the craving pardon for my bold∣ness) is, that I humbly beg of your Highness, that if your spare hours will allow, you may sometimes make a perusal of it, and if your Highness be pleased to put to your helping hand, that this kind of knowledge may be


more heedfully sought into, and promoted, and that others of far greater abilities, may communi∣cate some part of their knowledge, it is all that is desired by

Your Highness's most humble and devoted Servant, Io. Webster.

The PREFACE.

COurteous Reader, Expect here no flourishing Frontispiece to allure thee to the buying of this untrim'd and unpolished piece, no not so much as the Authors Picture, who never yet was so far in love with his earthly Taberna∣cle, as to be at the charges to have the resem∣blance of it drawn, or cut in Copper. Thine own desire after this kind of knowledge, and the plainness of the Subject, are the greatest motives that I have to lay before thee, to move thee either to buy, or read. The stile is low, and plain as the nature of such a sub∣ject would bear, whose harsh and unusual terms, suitable for the most part for the Mi∣ners themselves, could not well have admitted of Rhetorick, or more polite Language, had I been furnished with any such. And though sometimes I am forced to use more nice and subtle expressions, they are such as the matter in hand did necessarily require, and cannot but be agreeable to such Readers, whose un∣derstandings are capacitated to comprehend the matters treated of.


What Opinions soever I offer, whether of mine own, or taken from other Authors, are not to impose upon the judgments of any, who am my self no lover of Dogmatizing, and have long wished, and am now most glad to see a way set up for the promoting of Ex∣perimental Philosophy, that Mens judgments may no longer be fettered in Scholastick Chains, nor kept always in the Prisons of Academick Opinions. Though I would not here be understood to condemn those Systems, and Methods of Arts and Sciences, that are necessary to the instructing of Youth therein, but that they are laudable and allow∣able, and have their proper and peculiar uses and benefits, but not so far as to set a stop to farther Discoveries by Experiment and Ob∣servation, especially in Natural Philosophy; for all the knowledge (doubtless) that is yet had, is but a small part of that which may be known, and lies yet undiscovered, or found out.

There are two main things that I have aimed at in this Work. 1. The one is, that seeing there is little extant in our English Tongue, concerning Metals or Minerals, the signs of finding, and discovering of them, or


of their Generations, Growth, Properties or Differences, nor of many other things perti∣nent to this kind of Knowledge: I thought it might be both an acceptable and beneficial matter to communicate publickly what either by reading I had collected, by converse learn∣ed, or by observation found out, concerning Mineral or Metallick Knowledge, unto our English Miners and others that have a desire to understand these things, and yet are not capable of the Latin or German Tongues, in which the greatest part of this Knowledge is written. And this being as it were the chief∣est of mine aim, I hope my Country-men will take it thankfully, and in good part, though it be wonderfully far short of what may be desired and expected about this sub∣ject.

2. Another main end that I have had in publishing of this poor piece of collected Learning, is simply (as far as I am able) to promote Metallick Knowledge, and especi∣ally to excite others that have had far better and greater advantages to instruct and in∣form themselves, than I that have always li∣ved in a private, obscure, and troubled con∣dition;


and doubtlesly know much more than ever I can justly challenge or appropriate to my self; which if it may occasion, or gain this end, I have a great part of my wished desires.

I have also discussed some things of the highest pitch about mystical Chymistry; which if I be censured for, I am contented, and shall use no other defence but silence and patience: For I too well know how that kind of Learning finds entertainment in the World: But there are none that are blessed with any measure of that noble, true, and most true Science, but they have learned little to weigh the Judgments and Censures of the ignorant and envious. And however others may judge, they that do understand will be satisfied with what particulars I have decla∣red; and that is all that I desire or wish for.

But if any object, and say, that this is little, but only a Collection and Transcription of what others have written upon this subject: We shall confess it; for it is not possible that one private person that hath been no great Traveller, nor seen any Mines but those of his own Nation, and not the most of them


neither, should be able experimentally to comprehend all that is necessary to this kind of Knowledge. Yet hath the Reader two benefits hereby: one is, that those things that lie dispersed in many and several Au∣thors, are here as it were contracted, and for the most part brought to their heads or kinds, whereby with less labour and pains, and the sparing of much cost in buying many Au∣thors, the Reader may come to some mea∣sure of Mineral Knowledge. Secondly, A∣nother benefit is, That the Reader may find the marrow of what other Authors have writ∣ten in other Languages, represented in his Mothers Tongue: as also, here are many things of my own Observation that may be conducible to advance this kind of Learning.

Again, I have here given an enumeration of the most considerable Authors that have written of Metals and Minerals, with a mo∣derate Censure upon them; whereby the Reader may be enabled to make his choice of such of them as he liketh best, and may be indifferently instructed how to judge, or account of the most of them; which is a matter of no small concern.


If any seem offended that I have given too great Commendations to Paracelsus, Helmont, Basilius, and some other of the Adeptists, they may know that it is not without just cause, though they understand them not: for chewed meat must not always be put into mens mouths, let them study to find forth the depth of the meaning of those Authors, and then they will judge as I have done, and will confess that far less praise is given unto them than they have justly deserved.

I have also sometimes given the Authori∣ties quoted in the Language and words of the Author; sometimes have rendred them into the English, not so much regarding the Gram∣matical Order, as the sense of the Author; and for the most part the Book and Folio no∣ted in the Margent: so that however, if the Reader doubt or dislike, he may have re∣course to the Authors themselves, and consult them in their own words, or in other Tran∣slations, if there be any.

Lastly, I have mentioned divers sorts of Ores, that possibly some of them might be found in England or Scotland, as of Antimony, Tinglass, Spelter, Talk, and Cinnober;


which if the diligent Miner would seek care∣fully after, the ways of refining and purifying of them might easily be found forth, and thereby no small advantage be brought to the Nation in general, and to the poor Miners in particular. And this is all that I think good to offer by way of Preface, the Work may speak for it self without further Commenda∣tion. And I hope the Reader will take it in good part, at least until some abler Pen shall publish something concerning this subject in our English Tongue, that may be of greater worth and utility. Farewel.


A Register of the Chapters.
Chap. 1. OF the usefulness and excellency of the knowledge of Minerals and Metals; and of the Antiquity of the melting, refining, and accom∣modating of them to humane use; and the cause of the non-proficiency of metallick skill, especially in his Majesties Dominions of Great Britain.
Pag. 1.
Chap. 2. Of the Authors that have treated of Metals and Minerals.
p. 26.
Chap. 3. Of the Generation of Metals, and whether they grow, and have vegetability, or not.
p. 50.
Chap. 4. Of the causes assigned by the most approved Authors for their Generations, both efficient and ma∣terial, and the manner thereof.
p. 61.
Chap. 5. Of the uncertainty of the division of Fossiles, their definitions or descriptions, and number.
p. 84.
Chap. 6. Of the signs and discovery of Mines and Ores, both in general and in particular.
p. 93.
Chap. 7. Of the Minerals that are said to be of affinity to Metals, as those they call Cachimiae, Marchasites, Pyritae, or Fire-stones.
p. 111.
Chap. 8. Of the several sorts of Gold according to the mystical Authors; also of the Primum Ens of Gold, and of some other things of the like nature.
p. 118.
Chap. 9. Of the sorts of common Gold, as they are pro∣duced by Nature, and in what manner they are seve∣rally found.
p. 131.
Chap. 10. Further, of the Stones, Rocks, and Flints of Gold, and the striking passages wherein it is found; as also of the several sorts of it mentioned in Scripture, and elsewhere.
p. 141.

Chap. 11. Of the description of common Gold according to some Authors, and of the properties thereof; as also of some ways of beating, sifting, and washing the Ores thereof.
p. 153.
Chap. 12. What may be thought of common Gold, whe∣ther it be an ingredient into the Philosophers Tincture or not? What may be said of Aurum Potabile, or the Tincture of Gold? And what of the white Body when the Tincture is taken from it? and something of the Alkahest.
p. 161.
Chap. 13. Of the description of Silver, and the several ways that the Ore of it is gotten; and of its Mines, Conditions, and striking passages.
p. 199.
Chap. 14. Of Silver found pure by Nature that needs no refining by fire. And of those sorts that must be purified, their colours, mixtures, and several Coats wherein they lie.
p. 207.
Chap. 15. How they refine Silver Ore at the Indies, and of some other such things.
p. 227.
Chap. 16. Of the description of Copper, of its Ore, stones, operation, and striking passages.
p. 235.
Chap. 17. Of some signs where Copper Ore may be found, as also of its several sorts, and the divers pre∣parations it undergoes ere it be pure.
p. 241.
Chap. 18. Of native and factitious Orichalcum; of Corinthian Copper or Brass; and of some other Com∣positions that Copper undergoes with other Metals or Minerals; and of the Medicines prepared forth of it.
p. 248.
Chap. 19. Of the descriptions of Iron, its Ore or Mine, Operations, Stocks, Floats and Passages.
p. 261.
Chap. 20. Of the several sorts of Iron-stone or Ore, and of Medicines prepared forth of the Metal.
p. 265.

Chap. 21. Of the description of Lead, its Ores, Mine, condition and striking passages.
p. 270.
Chap. 22. Of the several sorts of Lead Ore, their Coats and Matrixes; and of Medicines prepared forth of this Metal, and of such things.
p. 277.
Chap. 23. Of the description of Tin; of its Ores, Ope∣ration, Stocks, Floats, Fallings and striking Passages, and the like.
p. 286.
Chap. 24. Of the several sorts of Mercuries, accor∣ding to the mystical Philosophers or Adeptists.
p. 293.
Chap. 25. Of the description of Quicksilver, of Cinno∣ber, and its several Ores and Passages, and how it is gotten and refined in divers places, and the like.
p. 308.
Chap. 26. Of several sorts of Medicaments prepared forth of common Mercury, both by the way of vulgar Chymistry, as also by the mystical way; and of the Praecipiolum of Paracelsus and Helmont.
p. 318.
Chap. 27. Of Antimony or Stibium, of Wismuth, Bis∣muth, or Plumbum Cinereum, or Tinglass of Zinetum, Zinck, or Spelter; of Cobaltum. And of their Qua∣lities, Ores and Medicaments prepared forth of some of them, and of native Electrum.
p. 330.
Chap. 28. Something more of Galena, Lapis Plumba∣rius, native Cadmia, &c. As also of Chrysocolla or native Borax, Caruleum native Blue, Aerugo native Green, Talk, Magnes the Loadstone, Haematites the Bloodstone, Schistus the Lazul-stone, and of metallary stones, and the like.
p. 376.
Chap. 29. Of the Transmutation of Metals.
p. 356.
Page 1
METALLOGRAPHIA: OR, An HISTORY of METALS.
CHAP. I. Of the usefulness and excellency of the Knowledge of Minerals and Metals, and of the antiquity of the Melting, Refining, and accommodating of them to humane use, and the causes of the non-proficiency of Metallick skill, especially in his Majesties Dominions of Great Britain.
THe usefulness and excellency of the knowledge of Minerals is fully de∣scribed by that learned and indu∣strious person Iosephus Acosta,* who saith, The Wisdom of God hath made Metals for Physick, and for defence, for ornament, and for instruments for the Work of men. What great benefit the Mineral Kingdom doth yield in the Art of Medicine, for the curing both of in∣ternal and external diseases, the Authors (as Dioscori∣des and Matthiolus) that have written largely de mate∣ria Medica, as also the whole Band of the Chymists, both mystical and vulgar, do sufficiently testifie. So
Page 2

that some have thought that an whole Apothecaries shop might be furnished forth of Vitriol alone; and Hel∣mont (quoting Paracelsus, which he seems to approve of) that 200 Diseases (perhaps) might be cured with Preparations made forth of Lead. And for the other benefits that this knowledge hath brought to mankind, both for War (which since corruption entered the nature of man, could not be eschewed, either in the offensive or defensive part) and Peace, are so many and so great, that there are none so ignorant that are not sensible thereof. So that in a manner the well∣being of mankind would be much deficient if this Mi∣neral skill had not been found out, exercised, and im∣proved; as almost all Trades, Artificers, and Families can sufficiently testifie.

And therefore we find this Skill was (necessity compelling) found forth in the first Ages of the World,*Moses testifying that Tubal-Cain was an in∣structer of every Artificer in Brass and Iron. And as Iunius and Tremellius render it, qui erudivit omnem fabrum aerarium & ferrarium: and Sebastian Castalion gives it, omnis aerarii & ferrarii opificii fabricatorem: and the Vulgar Latine renders it, qui fuit malleator & faber, in cuncta opera aeris & ferri: and Arias Mon∣tanus gives it, acuentem omne opificium aeris & ferri: And the learned Piscator seems to incline to render it a∣cutorem (seu politorem) patrem (sive auctorem) omnis fa∣bri aerarii ac ferrarii. I have given these several Transla∣tions, because some would have Tubal-Cain not to have been the first that discovered Mines and Metals nor to have found forth that part of Chymistry that teacheth the fusion and refining of them, but onely to have been the Inventer and Teacher of making instruments
Page 3

forth of Brass and Iron; and then the discovering, dig∣ging up, and purifying of Metals must have been be∣fore his time, and so more ancient. Others ascribe unto him both the discovery, digging up, and refining of them, as also the framing of sundry instruments forth of them (which is most probable) as our Coun∣tryman Ioshua Silvester in his Translation of The Di∣vine Weeks and Works of the learned Du Bartas,* who singeth thus,

While through a Forest Tubal with his Yew
And ready Quiver did a Bore pursue,
A burning Mountain from his fiery vain,
An Iron River rolls along the Plain.
The witty Huntsman musing, thither hies,
And of the wonder deeply can devise.
And fi•st perceiving that this scalding mettle
Becoming cold, in any shape would settle,
And grow so hard, that with his sharpened side,
The firmest substance it would soon divide.
He casts an hundred plots, and ere he parts,
He moulds the ground work of an hundred Arts. &c.
For now the way to thousand works reveald,*
Which long shall live, maugre the rage of Eld.
In two square creases of unequal sises,
To turn two iron streamlings he devises.
Cold, takes them thence: then off the dross he rakes,
And this an Hammer, that an Anvil makes:
And adding Tongs to these two instruments,
He stores his house with iron implements, &c.
So that whether way soever it be taken, it is apparent that the discovering of Mines and Metals, their
Page 4
digging up, refining, and sundry uses of them are ve∣ry ancient, if not more then many other Arts now extant in the World. And though it be not mention∣ed in Holy Writ, that in those days Medicines were prepared forth of them, yet it is no solid conse∣quence to affirm that they were not, for many things were both invented and used, of which there is no po∣sitive mention in the Scriptures. And however Cou∣ringius with all his bitterness, the Catholick Transcri∣ber and Rhapsodist Athanasius Kircherus, with all his querks, and Guibertus with his ignorance and malice may imagine, it is manifest that Chymical or Herme∣tick Physick was very ancient, as we in a few argu∣ments (though digressively) shall prove and evince.
1. The great question is, Whether the Egyptian Learning was anciently in any great request, especi∣ally in this point of curing Diseases. 2. And whe∣ther Chymistry was not ancient in respect of prepa∣ring Medicines forth of Metals and Minerals.

1. That the Egyptian Learning in Physick and Metals appeareth thus. 1. We find Gen. c. 41.v. 42. these words: And Pharaoh took off the ring from his hand, and put it upon Iosephs hand, and arraied him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck: from whence it is plain that the Egyptians in that time had either the knowledge of finding of Me∣tals, or had them brought from some other Countries, but however had the skill of melting of them, and cu∣rious framing of them, else they could not have made (as may rationally be supposed they did) such valua∣ble, and choice things as Rings and Chains of gold. And this Art could not in a moment or on the sudden be learned of them, or arisen up amongst them; for
Page 5

nothing is invented and perfected at one and the self-same time; and this sufficiently proveth that they had skill in that part of Chymistry that teacheth the fusion and purifying of Metals.

2. A second Argument is,* in this Text, And Io∣seph commanded his servants the Physicians, to embalm his father: and the Physicians embalmed Israel. And forty dayes were fulfilled for him (for so are fulfilled the dayes of those which are embalmed) and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten dayes: and Ioseph was embalmed also. From whence it is apparent that they had Physicians thus anciently in Egypt; and that they had no other skill but onely to embalm, were absurd to imagine, or to think they were not versed in curing diseases, and so were furnished with medi∣cines both from the Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral Kingdoms. If their Learning had not been great in this point as well as in Politicks, Arithmetick, Geo∣metry, and Astronomy, the comparison betwixt Solo∣mons wisdom and theirs had been fondly asserted by the Text that saith,*And Solomons wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the East country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. From whence we may note, 1. That the Text would not have said that Solomons wisdom had excelled the wisdom of the children of the East, and all the wisdom of Egypt, if the wisdom of the East, and of Egypt had not then been account∣ed the greatest wisdom known in the world. 2. This wisdom of the East and of Egypt was not such as like a Mushrom must start up in a night and an age, but must necessarily in reason be supposed to have had a begin∣ning, an encrease long ere it could come to that height to be esteemed the greatest in the world, and then
Page 6

must needs have been of a long and large antiquity be∣fore the days of King Solomon. 3. And that it should be then accounted the greatest wisdom in the world, and yet to be defective both in that part of the Theory of Natural Philosophy, which of all is the most noble; and especially in that part of the Practick, the Art of Medicine, or Curing Diseases, and meliorating of Metals, were indeed to mutilate the wisdom of So∣lomon, and to make him not only ignorant in the most secret and noble parts of natural knowledge, but also to have been most miserable, in not being able to cure the infirmities of the body; which cure being wanting, the comfort of all other earthly joys doth vanish and flie away. 4. And what should Solo∣mons skill have been accounted to excel theirs (for the excellency is chiefly put in his knowledge of natu∣ral things) being so knowing in the nature of all Ve∣getables, that he was able to dispute of all Plants and Trees,* from the Cedar of Lebanon even unto the Hys∣sop that springs forth of the Wall: And to know the nature of all living Creatures, as Beasts, Fowls, creep∣ing things, and Fishes: if by all this he knew not to preserve health▪ and cure diseases, and especially to be ignorant of the nature of the things contained in the Mineral Kingdom; or understood not the great Ar∣cana's and Medicines that might be drawn from them, and lay hidden in them:* and if he excelled them in all these (as doubtless he did) then the knowledge of the children of the East, and of the Egyptians in all these things, was not little or of small account. 5. Why should Solomon send to Ophir for gold, and to make at Ierusalem silver and gold as plenteous as stones: if it were for nothing but for vain glory and covetous∣ness;
Page 7

what wisdom was this, any but that which was earthly, sensual, and devilish? and not that which as a blessing was given to Solomon by the Almighty. 6. But if we may believe that piece (though reckoned among the Apocrypha) called the Wisdom of Solomon,* we may hear him thus confessing: Wherefore I prayed and prudence was given me, I prayed and the spirit of Wisdom was bestowed upon me. And he esteemed gold in comparison of it, as sand: and acknowledgeth that by it he had innumerable riches, and that there∣by he knew the framing of the World, and the ver∣tue of the Elements, and whatsoever was hidden and manifest, that he knew. From whence it is plain that he was not ignorant of the most secret vertues both of things occult and manifest, and so could not but understand the nature and vertues of the Mineral Kingdom, otherwise he had not excelled the children of the East, nor the Egyptians, whose skill could not be little in these things.

3. Another Argument appeareth from the Text. And Moses was instructed (or instituted from a child) in all the learning of the Egyptians. For though Mo∣ses after his nursing was brought to Pharaohs daugh∣ter, and brought up as her son, yet was it well known unto his Mother who had nursed him, that he was her own child; and therefore it is not rational that she, his father, and the rest of the Hebrews would suffer him to be brought up so with Pharaohs daugh∣ter, as thereby to destroy the principles of his Reli∣gion (in which no doubt they had a special care to instruct him) being therein as zealous as any peo∣ple under heaven. And therefore his being instruct∣ed in all the Learning of the Egyptians, it is in
Page 8

reason to be conjectured,* that it was not in vain su∣perstitious Magick (wherewith as Couringius labour∣eth to prove, they were much infected) but in the lau∣dable Sciences of Arithmetick, Politicks, Geometry, Astronomy, and their Hieroglyphick learning, which doubtless contained natural and lawful Magick (such as those Magicians were partakers of,* that came to worship Christ,* whose learning all the Fathers and ••terpreters do justifie to be good, natural, and law∣••l) the Art of Medicine, and knowledge of natural ••d artificial things, as in the next Branch we shall more at large make appear.

2. We shall now prove that Chymistry is (though p••haps not under that name, for of the Original of th• title we may justly doubt) but in its nature and pro••rty, as an Art that taught the preparing of Me∣dicines forth of Minerals as well as other things, there∣by to cure diseases, and to preserve health.

1. And first it is sufficiently proved that the Lear∣ning of the Eastern Nations, and of Egypt, was great; to which we shall add some more testimonies from such ancient and approved Authors as are of the greatest authority and veracity, and then urge the Consequen∣ces, and answer the main Objections.*

Concerning some part of the great Learning of the Egyptians, hear Aristotle; who saith, speaking of the Stars: Similiter & de caeteris stellis Egyptii & Baby∣lonii dicunt, qui plurimis jam annis ante haec observa∣verunt, & à quibus multa fide d•gna de singulis stellis accepimus. And in like manner of the rest of the stars the Egyptians and Babylonians have spoken, who had many years before observed them, and of whom we have received concerning all the stars, many things worthy of credit.

Page 9
The next Authority we shall urge,* is the Testimo∣ny of Cicero; who saith, Quid de Pythagorâ? Quid de Platone aut Democrito loquar? à quibus propter di∣scendi cupiditatem, videmus ultimas terras esse pera∣gratas? What shall I say of Pythagoras? what shall I say of Plato, or Democritus? of whom, for the ear∣nest desire of Learning, we have seen the furthest Lands travelled over.* And again, Philosophiae deni∣que principes ipsius, nunquam in suis studiis, tantos progressus sine flagranti cupiditate facere potuissent; ultimas terras lustrasse Pythagoram, Democritum, Pla∣tonem, accepimus. Ubi enim quid esset, quod disci pos∣set, eo veniendum judicaverunt. Lastly, The Princes of Philosophy it self, never could have made so great progresses in their studies, without a burning desire. We have received that Pythagoras, Democritus, and Plato had viewed the farthest Lands: for where there was any thing to be learned, they have judged it fit to go thither.

Another Testimony take from Macrobius,* who saith, That Egypt was the Mother of all Arts. And again, That the Egyptians were the Parents of all the Disciplines of Philosophy: which is confirmed by Strabo, an Author of unquestionable verity; by Hero∣dotus, and by Diodorus Siculus.* To these add the words of Philo Iudaeus in his Book De vita Mosis: who saith, that their Learning consisted in Arithmetick, Geometry, Musick, and Hieroglyphical Philosophy; vid. Iamblic. de vit. Pythag. l. 1. c. 29. Diog. Laer∣tium, p. 182. & Orig. Sacr. p. 122. &c.

From all this we shall onely draw these Dedu∣ctions:

1. That if the Learning of the children of the East,
Page 10

and the Wisdom of Egypt, were in Solomon's time ac∣counted the greatest that then was known, and that Solomon's excelled them both; then it cannot ratio∣nally be conceived that either of them were defective in the most noble parts, either of Natural Philosophy, or the Art of Medicine drawn from the Mineral King∣dom, nor the Art of Transmutation, but that they understood both.

2. Aristotle, (accounted the Prince of Learning, and of as much Antiquity as the most Authors we have) would never have so much commended the Egyptians and Babylonians for the truth of their Do∣ctrine concerning the Stars; but if they were so well versed in the nature of things so remote as the Stars, they must (in all probability) be as much (if not bet∣ter) skill'd in the knowledge of the nature of the sub∣terraneous Kingdom.

3. Cicero, a person that writ above 1600 years since, would never have so remarkably taken notice of Pythagoras, Democritus, and Plato for travelling into the remotest Regions, and especially into Egypt, they knowing the height of the Graecian Learning, and being therein, by the account of all Authors, the chiefest Masters, if there had not been some excellen∣cy in the Egyptian Learning that they were ignorant of. And what could that be except the Art of Trans∣muting of Metals, and of curing diseases in a more perfect way then the Graecians knew; amongst whom notwithstanding the Aesculapian Family had been fa∣mous many hundred years before the time of Pytha∣goras, and those that followed him and their going down into Egypt?

4. And if Egypt was (according to Macrobius and
Page 11

the rest quoted before) the Mother of all Arts, and the Parent of all the Disciplines of Philosophy; then surely they could not be ignorant of that which is the most noble of all Arts, the Transmutation of Metals, and the curing of all diseases by an universal Medi∣cine, which is no where to be had but forth of the Mi∣neral Kingdom.

But their chief Objection is, that Chymistry (about which name we do not contend, but about the Art it self) is but of late invention; and that the learning at∣tributed to Hermes Trismegist, is but of late years standing, and both the Author and it but forged and feigned. To which we answer,

1. Couringius (the most bitter Enemy that ever the Hermetick Learning,* or that Hermes had) doth con∣fess, that from most ancient Times the Art of Medi∣cine was had in esteem in Egypt; and saith, That the Art of Medicine had been in most high esteem with the Egyptians, seeing it was manifest by the testimo∣nies of their own Country and of others, greater then all exception. For that in the Age of the Patriarchs Iacob and Ioseph, there wanted not Physicians, by whose care their dead bodies were (being embalm∣ed) preserved from putrefaction; but that afterwards the same was practised by others, as might be gathered by those things that are related of the Egyptian Fune∣rals, by Herodotus and Democritus. By whose con∣fession it being granted that the Medical Art was so anciently practised there; and that according to Pli∣ny, they affirmed that the Art of Medicine was in∣vented amongst them,* and all their Arts commonly attributed to Hermes; then it must of necessity follow, that Hermes (though there might be, and by the testi∣mony
Page 12

of Cicero were divers of that name) was not a feigned Author, nor the Art forged, but was of such antiquity, that no vain Arguments can easily over∣throw.

2. The Testimony of Suidas, though undervalued by Couringius and Guibertus,* is not of the least validi∣ty: who relateth, That Dioclesian had caused to be gathered all the Books that treated of Chymistry a∣mongst the Egyptians, and caused them to be burned, lest growing rich by the Art of Transmutation, it might incourage them to rebel. Now Dioclesian came to the Empire, or reigned about the Year of Christ, 288. or as some, 287. or as Baronius, 284. and Suidas lived about Ann. Christ. 1214. so that the Name and Art of Chymistry must needs have been both known before the time of Suidas writing. And Coelius Rhodigines, an Author of great authority and general Learning; the Collegium Conimbricense are perswaded that he writ the truth. And this testimo∣ny Demetrius Chalcocondyles giveth of the Writings of Suidas. This Book, to wit of Suidas, doth not onely bring manifold profit to young Students, but also great fruit and pleasure to persons of every Age. For neither doth he onely interpret the words of Hi∣storians,* Orators, and of all sorts of eloquent Authors, but he also comprehendeth many and various Histo∣ries, that are not easily to be found elsewhere, because the Books of the Graecians, Romans, and Hebrews, from whence they were taken, are lost and perished. Which Testimony of the Writings of Suidas, the con∣current Opinion of all learned men for above the space of 400 years, is a far greater evidence then ever the authority of Guibertus, or Couringius is able to in∣validate.

Page 13
3. Couringius and Guibertus both do confess that Iulius Firmicus the Astrologer,* who lived in the time of Constantine the Emperour, about the year of Chirst 320. did attribute a good or bad Constellation in Heaven to the Professors of Alchymie. By which it is plain that the Profession of that Art must have been long known before;* for it is a rule, that Rei non exi∣stentis, aut incognitae nulla est assignatio; That of a thing not existing, or unknown, there can be no assig∣nation. And seeing that Firmicus was a most ancient Astrologer, and that Astrological Observations do arise from long Experience; it must necessarily fol∣low, that Alchymy must needs be both Re & Nomine, of far greater antiquity then the days of Firmicus.

4. Guibertus himself brings an example forth of Cedrenus of one Professing Chymistry, that was a Ma∣gician (in the worst sense he meaneth.) Now Cedre∣nus writ in the time of Anastasius the Emperour, who reigned about Ann. Christ. 491.* And if then there were some that professed Chymistry, then it must needs have been of a more ancient standing. For there is no Profession that upon a sudden doth get root, and pass into an habit; but must have a time of its invention, increase, and perfection; so that it is plain that both the Art of Chymistry and the Name was very ancient. And to this might be added, That the Writings of Hermes Trismegist were long extant in the World before the Times of Christianity, other∣wise it could not be imagined that the Christians for the advancement and defence of their Religion, should have forged supposititious pieces under Her∣mes his name, but that his Reputation and Learning had been long, and then was of great account a∣mongst the Heathens themselves.

Page 14
5. Also it is manifest that Chymistry was ancient, because it had flourished long before the times of Avicen, Bulcasis, Mesue, Rhasis, and the rest of the Arabians, who could not have mentioned it, if it had not had a beginning before their Age and Time.* To this I shall onely joyn the Testimony of Morienus a Roman Hermit, whose Writings were translated forth of the Arabick Language into Latine, Ann. Ch. 1182. who learned the Art of Transmutation, or of the great Elixir at Rome of Adfar an Alexandrian, and a Christian. And afterwards Morienus taught it to Calid or Evelid, the son of Gizid the second, who was King of Egypt about the year of Christ 725. which doubtless Adfar had learned forth of the Writings of Hermes Trismegist; which do all plainly prove that Chymistry, for the Hermetick Learning was of suffi∣cient antiquity, and Hermes himself no feigned Au∣thor.

6. I shall onely add the judgments of four or five Authors of unquestionable credit and veracity.

*1. And first the most learned Sennertus, a great Chymist and Galenist, a person generally approved of by all, (though otherwise a most virulent adversa∣ry of Paracelsus) doth confess in these words; Fuit enim haec ars (nempe Chymia) jam usque ab Hermete Trismegisto sacerdotibus Egyptiis familiar is, & nota. This Art (to wit, Chymistry) was even from the time of Hermes Trismegist, familiar and known to the Egy∣ptian Priests. What can be more clear and manifest for the antiquity of this Art, and for Hermes himself, then this Testimony of so learned a person? And a∣gain, after a long discourse of the antiquity of Chy∣mistry, and of Hermes himself, who he conceives to
Page 15
have lived about the year of the World 2000. be∣cause that Diodorus Siculus writeth,* that Isis had en∣graven in the Pillar of her Sepulchre, that she was in∣structed or taught by Hermes; he concludeth thus, Chymiam ipsi (sc. Hermeti) notam fuisse facile concedi∣mus: quid tamen in ea praestiterit, ex historiis non patet. We easily grant that Chymistry was known to Hermes, but what he performed therein is not ma∣nifest from Histories.
2. The second we shall commend unto the Curi∣ous,* is the learned and approved Iohn Langius, who in that Epistle of his of the Original of the Art of Medicine amongst the Egyptians, Chaldaeans, Grae∣cians, and Arabians; as also in his next concerning the Libraries of the Art of Medicine, of the Ancients and of other Faculties, doth (in this point) give most ample and full satisfaction.
3. The third that I shall name,* is the judicious and learned Iohn Heurnius; who saith, that the Art of Medicine was said first to spring up amongst the Egy∣ptians: and reason agreeth thereto, because the chief axioms of the Art of Medicine did flow from them:* and quoteth the Testimonies both of Hippo∣crates and Aristotle; unto which for brevity, I refer the Reader.
4. The two last I shall onely name,* and those are Franciscus Patricius, and Michael Mayerus, both solid and learned persons, and have written so much (in this point) as may satisfie any unbiassed and impar∣tial Reader.
Now though the knowledge of Metals be of such benefit to the well-being of mankind, and the inven∣tion of so great antiquity, yet hath it amongst the ge∣nerality
Page 16

of the Learned, found no great entertain∣ment, nor has been brought on to any great perfection. For but that since and about the time of Paracelsus it hath been revived and restored, and now begins ex∣ceedingly to flourish; otherwise before it either was by Tradition (especially the mystical part) delivered over from hand to hand, and so kept lock'd up in the brests of a few mystical Authors or Adeptists; or in their Writings delivered so darkly and obscurely, that the most were deterred from taking pains to read or study them: and of those few that bent their la∣bours that way, scarce one of a thousand did perceive or understand their manner of Aenigmatical and Para∣bolical Writing and Expressions; so that for the most part, until the time aforesaid, the knowledge of Chymistry lay buried in the Cells of the Friers and Monks, and so came to no great improvement nor perfection.

And the Reasons of the non-proficiency of the knowledge of Minerals and Metals in general, we conceive to be these principally.

1. That whereas the Animal and Vegetable King∣doms, in their Generations, Growth, Operations, and Properties, lay visible and obvious, that every diligent Observer and Searcher might dive thereinto; yet hath the knowledge of all those particulars not yet at∣tained to any such degree of perfection, but that the most necessary and substantial points are yet undisco∣vered or not found out. Now the progress of Na∣ture in the generation of Metals and Minerals, their properties and alterations, being a thing that lay hid in the bowels of the Earth, whereinto the senses of few men could pierce; and so exceeding difficult to
Page 17

observe or understand, that it is no great marvel that so little progress is made into that kind of Knowledg; for where obviousness and easiness are awanting to know the Subject and the Properties thereof, men commonly have no incitements or encouragement to search after the knowledge of such matter, and therefore must needs be a great remora or stop to the progress therin.

2. Again, Though most Countries that are not extremely barbarous, do produce within the compass of some circuit of years, Men learned, and studious of the secrets of Nature; yet every Region doth not produce such store of Minerals, as may afford either a fit subject, or opportunity for such disquisitions, and therefore searching minds, either diverted themselves to inquire into other parts of Nature, more near and easie to be observed, or else betook themselves to ge∣neral contemplation; and so framed Systemes accor∣ding to their own fansies, rather drawing Nature to follow their Conceptions, then by travel, labour, long toil and experimental Observations, to order their speculations according to the truth of Natures operations; or else fall down with that scantling of knowledge in these things that they found written by other Authors, that had preceded them. So that thereby this kind of Learning was brought to a stand, and had its ne plus ultra set upon it. And it had stood so still, had not some persons of more insatiable desire of the knowledge of the secrets of Nature, and espe∣cially of her Mineral Kingdom, with Herculean bold∣ness, and undaunted resolution, broken through all difficulties, and adventured great dangers and long peregrinations for attaining the same, more (perhaps) then Iason for the Golden Fleece. And such ap∣pears
Page 18

plainly Basilius Valentinus, Bernardus Trevi∣sanus, Iohannes Pontanus; and of late Iohannes A∣gricola to have been, and especially that indefatigable person Paracelsus,* who when under the twentieth year of his age (having seen all the Mines in Germany) travelled through England, Scotland, Swedeland, Denmark, Norway, and into Russia, and from thence into the Borders of the Tartars; where being taken prisoner, and carried to the Great Cham, was from thence conveyed to Constantinople, and from thence returned home thorow Arabia, and so to Venice. So little doth any danger fright a noble and resolute mind, when armed with the ardent desire of gaining knowledge, while other idle Lubbers that dare not adventure from the air of their own Countries, nay scarce from the smoke of their own fires, think them∣selves fit Judges of the labour of others, as competent Judges as Midas was of Apollo's Musick.

3. Another Reason I shall offer is, That the way and means to discover the Nature of Minerals, is not onely difficult and dangerous, but in it self is so sor∣did, base and troublesome, that the most men of parts, will hardly adventure themselves into the Pits or Shafts where Ores are usually gotten; nor can in∣dure to stay there so long, that they can rightly inform themselves of any thing that may be satisfactory to their Inquiries. And the Miners or Workmen (for the most part) being but people of the most indigent sort, and such as whose knowledge and aims reach no higher then to get a poor living by that slavish Labour, regard to inform themselves of no more then what may con∣duce to such a poor and servile kind of living; by which means they are little able to give any learned
Page 19

man satisfaction to those necessary Inquiries that might tend to enable him to judge rightly of the Na∣ture of the things in that subterraneous Kingdom. And to this you may add, That the Miners (or Berg∣men, as the Germans call them) have as well as the School-men, Logicians, nay, Mariners, and other Ar∣tificers, their peculiar Idiom or Dialect, which none but themselves, or those that have long conversed with them, are able to understand; it being for the most part like Heathen Greek, or terms of Conjuring to others: and therefore no marvel if this skill have had no greater progress.

Now for the small progress that is made in Mineral things, either to profit or knowledge, within His Ma∣jesties Dominions of Great Britain, is not because they do not abound with diverse sorts, both of Me∣tals and Minerals; though according to the Vulgar opinion, they lying so far in Northern Latitude, might be thought not to yield any great store; it be∣ing commonly imagined that the Southern Climates are most fertile of them; but some other special rea∣sons we shall shew anon. For it plainly appeareth by the learned Antiquary Camden,* that Cornwal and Devonshire have from Ages long ago abounded with most excellent Ore of Tin, which hath stored a great part of Europe with that Metal, accounted ge∣nerally the best in the World, except that of Corin∣thia or Villacum. For speaking of Cornwal, he saith, Stannum enim non sine uberrimo fructu,*admiranda copia effoditur, ex quo vasa domestica ducta apud om∣nes Europaeos in mensarum usu argenteis fulgore com∣parantur. Incol• passim nigros lapillos ex quibus stan∣num conflatur, vel effodiunt, vel ex arenis lotis exi∣munt,
Page 20

quod in continentem à Britannis priscis navigiis vitilibus corio circumsutis devehi solebat. For Tin is digged up in a wonderful quantity, not without great benefit, of which are made houshold vessels for the use of Tables through Europe, comparable to Silver vessels in brightness. The Inhabitants do every where gather little black stones, out of which Tin is melted, or dig them up, or gather them forth of them: which was wont to be carried by the ancient Britains into the Continent in Wicker Boats covered with Leather.

*And in his Des•ription of Cumberland, he decla∣reth plainly the store of Copper Mines that were there, which were conceived to hold something of Gold and Silver, as also a Mine of Black Lead, for which we yet want a Latine name, but that of late Dr. Merrett hath given it the title of Nigrica. And also that in Darbyshire not onely plenty of Lead was found,* but also the Ore of Antimony, which the a∣foresaid Dr. Merrett confirms;* and so of Tin, Lead, Silver Ore, Copper Ore, Black Lead, and divers other Minerals. And if we may believe Holingshed (no contemptible Author) there hath not wanted the Ore of Gold, Silver, Tin, Lead, Copper, Steel, Iron, and other Minerals.* And Dr. Iorden in his learned Trea∣tise of Natural Baths and Mineral Waters, saith, In Scotland, three miles beyond Berwick, I found a red stone,* which I take to be Minium nativum, seeing Agricola makes mention of it in Scotland; but by a mischance could not trie it. And I my self know two places in Craven, in the West-riding of Yorkshire, where formerly good Silver Ore hath been gotten:* the one is a place called Brunghill Moor in the Parish of Slaidburn, where betwixt 50 and 70 years since,
Page 21

Sir Bevis Bulmer got good store of Silver Ore, that held about 67 pound per Tun, as Walter Basby an ex∣pert Essay or Test-Master informed me, who was a person of at least 76 years of age, and had (as an expert Artist) been in the time of King Iames sent to the Emperour of Russia to setle the standard of his Coin: where he remaining divers years, and going down to the Borders of Tartaria to view the Mines there, was taken prisoner by the Tartars, and after re∣deemed by the Russian Emperour, and sent over into England. Where after about the year 1655. he was again brought down with some Londoners, that then had a Patent for Mines. But they being men neither of free purses to follow such a Work, nor of skill or government fit to manage such an Enterprise, they at last deserted the poor old man, whom I entertained for three quarters of a year, and got some of the Ore pick'd forth of the old Rubbish of the Works that Sir Bevis Bulmer had left (with whom the said old Mr. Ba•by had been an Essay-master) and caused him to make several Trials; which yielded near to the quantity of Silver in a Tun, as is before specified, though it were none of the best Ore.

The other place was within the Township of Rim∣mington in the Parish of Gisburn,* in Craven, in the a∣foresaid West-riding of Yorkshire, in a field called Skelkorn, belonging to one Mr. Pudsey an ancient Esquire, and owner of Bolton Hall juxta Bolland; who in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, did there get good store of Silver Ore, and converted it to his own use (or rather coined it, as many do believe, there being many shillings marked with an Escalope, which the people of that Country call Pudsey's shillings to
Page 22

this day.) But whether way soever it was, he procu∣red his pardon for it, and had it, as I am certified from the mouths of those that have seen it. And while the said old Basby was with me, I procured some of the said Ore that had been formerly left, of which (I looking on) he made several trials, and I am sure that I was not imposed upon by him, nor deceived, but that it yielded in the Tun about 26 pounds. And since that time there hath been good store of Lead Ore gotten in the same place: but by all the interest and means that I could use, I could never get from the Workmen any such Ore as had been formerly got∣ten there; so cunning are the Miners, that if they find any Vein of Ore that may contain so much of Silver as would make it a Mine Royal, they will not let it be known, but presently beat it, and mix it with their softer Ore, pre•ending the o•e will not melt without the other• being with them a common trick, lest their work should be taken from them. As also I can shew the most several sorts of Ore of most Metals (except Gold:) besides great diversitie of other Mi∣nerals, Stones, and Earth, some known, and some not known, whereby it may sufficiently appear that it is not want of Minerals or Metals in his Majesties Do∣minions, that hath hindred the growth of this know∣ledge, but some other reasons, which we shall now shew.

1. The end that commonly men aim at in digging for Minerals and Metals, is gain and profit: and the im∣pulsive cause that moves them to that end, is generally Poverty, Want, Indigency, and consequently Ne∣cessity. Now the most part, if not all of his Maje∣sties Subjects of Great Britain having wherewithal
Page 23

to get a comfortable and sufficient lively-hood, as by Pasturage, Tillage, Professions, Arts, Trades, or Ma∣nufactures, have no such necessity put upon them as to seek for a sustentation by such slavish and drudgery Work, as men must undergo that work in those dan∣gerous and darksom undertakings, as is necessarily performed in the Mines: and therefore it is clear, that in His Majesties Dominions, few will undergo such servitude, that have a better means to live upon.

2. Another reason is, the small incouragement that Undertakers, or Workmen have in our Nation, to proceed to undergo such pains and hazards, as neces∣sarily they both must run that meddle with such mat∣ters. For if the Mines be Royal, then for the most part, they are carelesly followed, as too much expe∣rience hath often verified: and if they belong to par∣ticular Lords, then the conditions are for the most part so hard, that the Undertakers and Workmen can get little profit by them, which causeth them often to be deserted and left. For it is usual with the Work∣men, that if they can hear of another place where they may find better Wages, both to leave the Work and their Masters. And often it hapneth that either di∣vers Lords are at variance about the same Mine, or that divers pretend several Grants, that while they are trying their titles, the Work is neglected, and the Workmen betake themselves to some other Work. Or that where a Mine is discovered, that may lessen the price of the Mineral or Metal that another gets; the Workmen of the one is hired away by the other, or some other sinister means used betwixt them; as often is the overthrow of the one or other, if not of both:* of which I shall onely give two instances.
Page 24

Sir Bevis B•lmer (before named) having brought the Mine at Brunghill Moor to great perfection, and getting great store of Silver Ore (as many men yet living can testifie) a controversie rose about the said Mine with Sir Gilbert Houghton, or his father, about the title, that grew to that height that Sir Bevis Bul∣mer was forced to give over pursuing the labour, and so caused the Workmen to throw in the Works; which have been often since attempted and wrought in, but the same rich Vein could never since be found. Another is,* that Sir Richard Houghton, had set up a ve∣ry profitable Mine of Allom, near unto Houghton Tower in the Hundred of Blackburn, within these very few years, where great store of very good Al∣lom was made and sold; but whether some persons that had Works of the same nature in other places, found that the store gotten there, would bring down the price of that commodity; as it had all about near unto those parts; or for what other cause I know not, a contention was raised against him about the same Mine, so that he was either compounded with, or o∣therwise forced to give it over; so that it is now quite left, to the loss of the Nation in general, and to the damage of many a poor man in particular, that got their living by working there.

3. A third reason is, The common Disease or Con∣dition of the English Nation, that are accustomed too much to dote upon foreign Commodities, and im∣ported Wares; which makes them negligent in look∣ing into, or improving their own native commodities, and such things as their own Country yields. Which hath stirred up the vigilancy and industry of our neighbours, especially the Dutch, who can make grea∣ter
Page 25

benefit of our home-bred Commodities then we our selves, and therefore they have for many years last past brought up and transported all the Lead Ore they could possibly buy; and as I, and many other persons have been credibly informed, did refine the same Ore, and thereby got no small profit. And the Mine of Black Lead (or Kellow, as we call it here in the Northern parts) that is in Cumberland, and opened but once in 8 or 10 years, is commonly all bought by those industrious people, of whom •caliger saith, animas in digi•is babentes, so exceeding active are they in all manual performances, while we English lie •upine and idle.

CHAP. II. Of those Authors that have treated of Metals and Minerals.
IF the Authors that have written of the Mineral Kingdom were to be considered according to their number and multitude, then a man would think that this kind of Learning had already attained its height and Zenith. But if we come to ballance them by their substance and weight, we shall find them for the most part but light, and their writings to contain very much Chaff, and but a little Corn. For a great many of them have framed large Volumes of this knowledge, and the other parts of Nature, which had no other foundation to stand upon, but onely the no∣tions and fansies of their own brains; others were
Page 26

onely Transcribers of what others had written before them, but had little or no further experience, and so onely added to the bulk of those kind of Writings, but not at all to the substance or matter. Others that ex∣perimentally knew something in this occult Science, yet delivered their knowledge so darkly, that few were thereby instructed or bettered; and some few were painful and experienced men in these matters, and did as freely communicate their knowledge. And therefore amongst so great a multitude and variety, that the Reader may in some sort receive satisfaction, and know by which of them he is most like to profit, we shall propose some few (for it would be endless to enumerate all) and those we shall rank into these three orders: 1. Speculative Authors. 2. Mystical Writers, or Chymists. 3. The Authors that were experimental Observators.

1. By Speculative Writers I understand such, who by their deep contemplations, notions, and working of their brains, thought they had catched Nature in a Net, and so kept her, that they were able to under∣stand all her operations, bot• hid and open, and so framed large Volumes of the whole operation of Nature, as though they had been skilled in all things, when the least individual may afford matter to stag∣ger and baffle the greatest of Philosophers, of which we shall name some, not in the due order of the times they lived in, but as they occur to our me∣mory.

1. We shall first begin with the Graecians, who though they were accounted the great Masters in all kind of Learning, yet hath there flowed down to us but little scantlings of this kind of knowledge. For
Page 27
Plato, one of the most knowing amongst them, in all his Works (which are pretty large) I do meet with little concerning Metals and Minerals, except some little where he speaketh of their generation; which we shall have occasion to mention hereafter; for he was more frequent in confuting the Opinions of o∣thers, then in asserting his own; and rather adhered to dubitation then to positive affirmation.

2. As for Aristotle accounted the Prince of Learn∣ing, and one who would seem to be (almost) igno∣rant of nothing, yet what he hath written in this kind of Learning, is but in general; and far short from giving satisfaction to searching spirits, concer∣ning all the particulars of Mineral knowledge, and that which in general is handled by him concerning their generations, is not received by the most learned, nor will hold good with Experiment and Observation. And therefore I cannot but mind the Reader of that ingenious Confession of Zabarell concerning Aristo∣tle's writing of Minerals;* where he saith, Non sum enim in eo communi errore, ut putem necesse esse Ari∣stotelem ita perfectam tradidisse naturalem Philoso∣phiam, ut nihil quod ab humano ingenio inveniri, aut cognosci queat, praetermissum ab eo potuerit.

For I am not in that common error, that I should think that it is needful that Aristotle should have deliver∣ed natural Philosophy so perfect, that nothing which can be invented, or known by the wit of man, was praetermitted by him.
3. Hippocrates, a most famous Physician, yet in all those Works that have come down to our Age, there is little or no mention made of Minerals or Metals, so that we cannot understand what his knowledge
Page 28

was in these things.* And as for Galen, though he were a most learned and laborious person that spared no pains to come to the knowledge and attainment of good Medicaments; for it seems that yearly forth of every Nation, he took care to have the most excel∣lent Medicaments brought unto him: as also for the same cause that he travelled into Syria, Cyprus, and Lemnos, and left a learned Piece behind him, of the nature of Simple Medicines; wherein he describeth the nature of many Minerals, as to their use in Phy∣sick, and did know divers that were artificially pre∣pared; yet for any deep knowledge that he had in the generation and production of them,* it is not ma∣nifest, seeing he took Quicksilver to be prepared by Art, and not produced by nature; and whether it would kill, being taken inwardly, or applied outward∣ly, he had not tried.

4. Dioscorides, an ancient and learned Greek Au∣thor, writ six Books, De re Medica. Upon which Matthiolus hath made a large and learned Commen∣tary: in the fifth of which there are very good de∣scriptions of Metals and Minerals, and their Vertues; by which a diligent and heedful Reader may gain much worthy knowledge, and especially by those clear expositions that the laborious Commentator hath made upon the Text. Yet it is to be noted that the Author Dioscorides, had been more conversant in the Refining Shops then in the Mines, as speaking but little of the generation of Metals in the bowels of the Earth.

5. I must by no means omit C. Plinius Secundus, who collected and writ a Book which he calls his Na∣tural History; a stupendious and laborious Piece,
Page 29

where in the 33. and 34. Book, he treateth of Metals and Minerals, according to what it seems he had ga∣thered from the Ancients; and declareth many nota∣ble things of them, hardly elsewhere to be found in any that preceded him; and may yield singular in∣struction to an heedful Reader. Yet are not the things he treateth of so clear, but that later Observa∣tions have discovered divers defects in them (if not errors) which our search and industry ought rather to amend and perfect, then to censure and con∣demn.

6. As for the numerous, and almost innumerable rabble of the School-men, Expositors, Commentators, and followers of Aristotle, they have all of them (ex∣cept in some small trivial points) danced after his Pipe, and added little or nothing of new discovery, but rested satisfied in following his tract. And for Fuchsius, Brasavolus, Baccius, and such like, they have not much deviated from the rest; though in their Writings there be some things worthy of note, and may much better the understandings of such as be ig∣norant, if they take care to try before they trust, and not to take every thing for a truth that they may find in them.

7. I cannot but rank Hieronymus Cardanus and Scaliger together; who (excepting their niceties, quibbles,* and disputes) have many things in them that may conduce to the improvement of this kind of lear∣ning: though neither of them, in my judgment, have shewed any great solidity gained by experience or observation. Onely I shall not forget Iohannes Hen∣ricus Alstedius, in that little Piece of his of the Mine∣ral Kingdom; which, both for method and matter,
Page 30

may serve for an Introduction to a Learner or Be∣ginner. I cannot but here also remember, and com∣mend the Book De Metallicis, set forth by Andreas Cae∣salpinus, because it is a pretty compendious Piece, comprehending most Metals and Minerals that were then known; and seems to be a good Collection of what had been formerly written in the common way; though it have little of later Observations in it; nor tasts not much of experience or trial.

8. The Jesuite Bernardus Caesius writ a Volumi∣nous Piece of Minerologie, or Natural Philosophy; wherein, though he expatiated too far to fetch in all things that might seem any way of kinred to that kind of knowledge; and that it was but a meer Col∣lection and heap stoln from other Authors, and hard∣ly any thing except notions; yet is there something in it (especially concerning the signs of discovering Mines and Ores) that may advantage such a Reader, as either hath the skill, or will take the pains to sever the Tares from the Wheat, and separate the gold from the dross. But I must by no means pass in si∣lence that universal Scribler and Rhapsodist, Athana∣sius Kincherus, who after a great many huge and bar∣ren Volumes, did promise the World a Work, by him styled Mundus Subterraneus, which put all the Learned into great expectations of some worthy and solid Piece of Mineral knowledge; but, alas! when it appeared, every Reader may soon be satis∣fied, that there is but very little in it, except the Title, that doth answer such conceived expectations, or ful∣fill such great promises. For excepting a few Que∣ries sent to the Emperours Officers in Hungary and Germany, and Answers unto them, there is neither
Page 31

any solid, or new discovery of any thing material, tending to advance Mineral knowledge; but it is ful∣ly stuffed with Scandals and Lies against Paracelsus, Arnoldus, and Lully, whose Art of Transmutation or Maturation of Metals he laboureth to prove to be false; of which he knows no more then a blind man doth of Colours.

2. As for Mystical Writers or Chymists, I put them in two ranks. 1. Those that knew and writ of Vulgar Chymistry. 2. Those that knew and writ of the Mystical part of Chymistry.

1. And for the first, I shall onely reckon some few, as Quercitanus, Mylius, Beguinus, Sala, Faber, and such like, who though they have written much in the way of preparing Minerals for Medicaments by Chy∣mistry, yet have they done little to the discovery of the Nature and Generation of Metals: but yet some few things are here and there interspersed in their Works, that may be worth the taking notice of, and may be of very considerable use to an intelligent per∣son, of which, in some places hereafter, we may have occasion to speak.

2. As for Libanius, though he would seem very knowing, and a great Chymist, yet it is manifest to all that understand aright, that though he was a great Broyler in Gebers Kitchin, yet he never came to enter the Closet of Philosophick Secrets: yet hath he (though a bitter and sworn Enemy to Paracelsus) gathered some very true and profitable things from the Wri∣tings of other good Authors, which are worthy to be regarded. For it is discretion in every Student and Reader, to chuse the good in any Writer, and to leave that which is bad: for there are few Authors that have not some mixture of both.

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3. I cannot but commend to the studious of Mine∣ral knowledge, the Naturae sanctuarium of Henricus Nollius, who amongst other things, hath methodi∣cally comprised the Doctrine of Metals and Minerals; wherein there are many neat and witty things very worthy to be observed. I might here add to these a great number of the like, but these are sufficient.

2. As for the Mystical Authors that have treated of the Nature and Generation of Metals, though they have written so obscurely, that the darkness of their Writing might deter the most earnest desirers from reading or studying of them: but they must remem∣ber that, Difficilia, quae pulchra; and that, Dii sua bo∣na laboribus vend•nt; and that the kernel is not had, but by removing the husk and breaking the shell. And I must assure them, that they above all others have written most truly, and experimentally of the Nature of the Mineral Kingdom, (as perhaps we may shew hereafter) and whosoever shall come truly to know the Nature and Generation of Metals and Mine∣rals, will then understand that they have not written Lies.

1. And first those that I shall commend unto the Reader of them that were more ancient, are Morie∣nus Romanus, Arnoldus de V•lla nova, Albertus Mag∣nus, and Raymundus Lullius; these, if rightly under∣stood, will give thee a great light and entrance into the knowledge of Metals and Minerals. Neither are our Countrymen, Roger Bacon, Thomas Norton, and George Ripley, any way inferiour unto them. And to these may be joyned Rosarius Philosophorum, and all the Authors contained in the Musaeum Hermeticum, to which might be added many others.

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2. There are none more excellent (especially in declaring the root and seminary power of Metals) then the learned Bernardus Trevisanus, who in his Book of Alchymy, and his learned Epistle to Thomas de Benonia, doth fully and clearly discover the hidden nature, generation, root, and properties of Metals, so that nothing can be wished for more of an intelli∣gent Reader; though he must note, ut perspicuus ap∣paret, it• profundus delitescit. To whom I may ad∣joyn the subtile Philosopher Michael Sendivogius, who in his Novum lumen Chymicum, and his Book De Sulphure, hath candidly opened the secrets of the Me∣talline Kingdom; though as he adviseth, he be to be understood, not according to the syllables, but sense; and all things are to be interpreted according to the possibility of Nature. Neither is the acute and lear∣ned man Michael Mayerus, in the most of his Writings of less value and esteem; having in many places un∣locked those secrets of the Mineral Kingdom, that lay close covered in the Aenigma's and Parables of others; but to be often read, and pondered upon with sober heed, and careful attention.

3. The next (who above all of this sort of Au∣thors) I do most approve of and commend, is the Frier Bafilius Valentinus; who besides his many Wri∣tings of Metals and Minerals, and of the rare Medi∣cines, and secrets contained in them, hath written an elaborate Tract of all the particulars that any way may pertain to Minerals. A work so absolutely com∣pleat, that I know not any that may justly be compa∣red unto it. And though it was written in the Ger∣man Tongue, and but lately translated into English; and that he altogether useth the terms of the Work∣men,
Page 34

or Miners, which renders it more difficult to be understood; yet he that will learn this knowledge must forbear no pains, but must labour about the Pits and Groves where Metals and Minerals are got, and converse with the Labourers as well as with Books, for else their Terms and Language will not be understood; the want of which, hath caused no small stop to the progress of this knowledge.

4. I come now to that much wronged, though most experienced person, Theophrastus Paracelsus, who (notwithstanding the malice of Erastus and all his followers) did really understand more of the na∣ture, generation, and properties of Metals, (which we shall make good in the ensuing Discourse) and of the Art of Medicine, then all those his malignant Ene∣mies, or many hundreds besides: And had taken more pains, and made more dangerous peregrina∣tions, even from his Cradle (being brought up under a learned Father, and the most knowing men that Germany in that time produced) to attain this know∣ledge, then any other person we know or read of; and doubtless knew and had seen more several Mines, then any one that his Enemies are able to name; as we shall have occasion to shew hereafter.

5. Let us close up this Class of Authors with that late learned, and deeply experienced person Iohan∣nes Baptista van▪ Helmont; who though he left no Treatise (that ever came to light) that was purpose∣ly written upon this Subject, yet hath he enriched his Writing with much deep Mineral knowledge. So that it is to me no small wonder, that seeing his Writings are so much read, and studied, that now an Helmon∣tian seems to overtop a common Chymist, Paracelsian,
Page 35

and Galenist, that none hath taken the pains to gather up those Pearly drops of Mineral learning, wherewith here and there he hath watered his polite and pithy sheets; unless it be because that the most of his Fol∣lowers and Readers are drawn, with too longing a desire, to obtain his Arcana's and great Medicines, thereby to purchase profit and honour, that they lit∣tle regard the advancement of the Commonwealth of Mineral knowledge and learning.

3. The third sort of Authors that were mentioned, where those that I termed Experimental Observators, as the most of those were that I shall now recite; for either they were such as attended the Mines, or went thither to converse with the Workmen to inform themselves, or bore some Office about those places, or were those that either for curiosities sake, or to enrich their knowledge, did gather together all the Minerals they could, or used the most of all these ways to gain understanding. And therefore I com∣mend these above all the rest before named, to be read and studied of all Officers and men belonging to any Mineral or Metallick Works; and of all young Stu∣dents and Beginners that seek after Mineral know∣ledge: because these Authors speak not altogether by Opinion, Fansie, and Conjecture; but forth of their own experience, and the experience of those that were conversant about the Mines, and getting of Ore, and purifying and refining of them; and therefore more certain to be relyed upon for Leaders and Teachers. And more, because they have written what they knew, openly and plainly as the Subject would bear; and not in Parables, and Aenigmatical ex∣pressions.

Page 36
1. The first I shall offer (and not one of the least in worth) is Georgius Agricola, a person of great experience and laboriousness•; who being born in a Country (as Melchior Adams asserteth) that was ex∣ceeding fertile of all sorts of Minerals,* was thereby the better inabled to make a good progress towards the attainment of that kind of knowledge. To which he added industry and diligence; for coming to live in the Valley of Ioachim, he was thereby better fitted for such a purpose: and the forenamed Author saith, That what time he had to spare from curing the sick, in attending his health, from his domestick affairs; he bestowed all that partly in inquiring of persons that were skillful in the Metallick Art, partly in reading the Writers, Greek and Latine, who had committed any thing to memory concerning Metals. But when he saw that very few things of that nature were extant, and that more were lost, he determined to write of subterraneous things; that which he had read or learned of such as were skillful in Metallick knowledge, or which he had seen in the Mines, or Work-houses.

This Author therefore had all those advantages that might enable a man to be sufficiently furnished to write of Mineral knowledge. As first, his reading of what others had left upon Record. Secondly, His learning from those that were experienced in matters belonging to Fossiles and Minerals. Thirdly, That which he had seen and observed, either in the bottom of the Pits and Mines, or in the Work-houses or Shops where the Metals and Minerals were prepared, separa∣ted, and refined; three such advantages as seldom concur to promote the knowledge of one person.

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2. Another that I shall name, is Iohannes Mathe∣sius, who giving his mind to this piece of Learning, and living in the Valley of Ioachim, where were store of Metals and Minerals; came thereby to be enabled to leave behind him that learned Piece, which he called Sarepta, which he writ in the Ger∣man Tongue; it being an Exposition of all those places of holy Scripture, where any mention is made of Metallick matters. A Work of that worth, for declaring experimentally the nature, generation, in∣crease and decrease, ascension and descension, perfe∣ction and decay, and other properties of Metals, that I know few can equalize it, except Basilius Valen∣tinus.

3. A third is Iohannes Kentmannus, who writ an excellent Treatise, which he styled, A Nomenclature of such Fossiles as were especially found in Misnia, and also in other Regions. A Book that sheweth not onely the Authors learning, but diligence and veracity; he chiefly writing of those things that were to be found in his own Country: and therefore he the easilier might come to the certain knowledg of them.* Where∣in it appeareth that he was most painful, having got∣ten a Repository furnished (besides many things else) with Gold, Argent Vive, Copper, Metallick Cadmia, Plumbago, Pyrites, Plumbum nigrum, Cineraeum, & Candidum, Antimony, Iron, and Steel, that is doubt∣lesly the Ore of all these.

4. In the next place I shall name Caspar Schwenck∣feldt, who writ a Catalogue of the Plants and Fossiles of his own Countrey Silesia; a Work by many much commended, (for I have not seen the Book) and is of much affinity with the Authour foregoing. Also
Page 38
Christophorus Eucelius writ a Book, De re Metallica; wherein there is much of truth shewn, and seems to have proceeded from a candid mind, and was in part the product of his own experience. A Piece for its method and brevity, very fit for a Fresh-man in these studies. Andrea• Soleas may well also be remem∣bred, who is exceedingly commended by Mayerus; but I shall say the less of it, because I have not had the happiness to peruse it. But Sebastianus Munster in his Book of Geography, hath many things concer∣ning Metals, which are very well worth reading, and a serious consideration. I should have inserted Ga∣briel Fallopius with those of the first rank, but had forgot him; yet must now commend him to the stu∣dious, as one that hath toyled sore by Arguments to promote Mineral knowledge.

5. I had almost forgot that famous Chymical Phy∣sician Martinus Rulandus; who, besides his excellen∣cy in the Medical Profession, and his good fortune in curing diseases, being a Master of many rare Arca∣na's; hath also taken no small pains to enrich his mind with the knowledge of Minerals and Metals: as his most learned Book, called by him Lexicon Al∣chymiae, may witness. Wherein, besides his great reading in all foregoing Authors that had written of that Subject, he hath manifested extraordinary pains in getting the knowledge of most (if not all) the seve∣ral Ores of Metals and Minerals, that were contained within the large Territories of the German Continent, and the names of the places where they were gotten. A Work truly worthy of eternal commendations, and of that singular use, that no person studious of Mineral knowledge, can well be expert, without the perusal and understanding thereof.

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6. Lastly, I shall commend unto all diligent inqui∣rers into the knowledge of Metals and Minerals, the Writings of that learned Chymist and great Travel∣ler Iohannes Agricola, his two Volumes upon Hume∣rus Poppius Book of Antimony; wherein is contained many rare observations about the generation of Me∣tals, that are hardly elsewhere to be found or read. As also those curious pieces concerning Chymical preparations, and the nature and properties of Mine∣rals, written by Iohannes Pharamundus Rhumelius: wherein is contained the description of the primum ens auri, and of some other rare Minerals that scarce∣ly any other Author hath named, or made mention of. And though both these Authors were written in the High-Dutch Language, and not yet (that I can under∣stand) translated, yet I thought good to mention them, because it may stir up some others (of more abilities then my self) to procure and peruse them, and per∣haps of rendring them into our English or the Latine Tongue.

To these may be added that Elaborate Piece of Olaus Wormius which he calls his Musaeum; where∣in is not onely contained many rare Ores of Metals and Minerals, but a succinct History of all that be∣longs to the Subterranean Kingdom.

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CHAP. III. Of the generation of Metals, and whether they grow, and have Vegetability, or not.
IT is the general Opinion, not onely of the Vulgar, but also of most of the Mine-men that I have con∣versed withal, (which have been no small number) that Metals do not grow in the Earth, but were all at once created of God; and so have no seminary prin∣ciple to propagate themselves by. Which foolish Conceit the most part of learned men have rejected; nay, even the Collegium Conimbricense it self; and therefore it is needless to waste time in the confuta∣tion thereof.

Now though the whole stream of Mystical Au∣thors, or Adeptists, have asserted the generation and growth of them; yet have they rather left it as a Principle to be granted, and believed of their Disci∣ples, or handled it so darkly, that few have been able thorowly to understand it. And therefore (as a point most material and necessary) we shall labour as much as in us lies, to make it clear, both by reasons, and observations from credible Authors.

Our learned and ingenious Countryman Doctor Iorden,* giveth this Reason for the generation of Me∣tals: and saith,*

It appears in Genesis. that Plants were not created perfect at first, but only in their se∣minaries: for Moses, Chap. 2. gives a reason why Plants were not come forth of the Earth; scil. because (as Tremellius translates it) there had as yet neither any
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rain fallen, nor any dew ascended from the earth, whereby they might be produced and nourished. The like we may judge of Minerals, that they were not at first created perfect, but disposed of in such sort, as they should perpetuate themselves in their several kinds.* And to this same purpose the pro∣found Sendivogius saith, Et quam prerogativam ve∣getabilia prae metallis habent, ut Deus illis semen inde∣ret, & haec immerito excluderet? nonne ejusdem digni∣tatis metalla apud Deum cujus & arbores? Hoc pro certo statuatur, nihil sine semine crescere, ubi enim nullum est semen, res est mortua. And what pre∣rogative have Vegetables above Metals, that God should put seed into them, and undeservedly exclude these? Are not Metals of the same dignity with God that Trees are? This may be set down for cer∣tain, that nothing doth increase without seed; for where there is no seed, that thing is dead.
A second reason is also given by the last named Author;* who saith,

Necesse est ergo, ut vel qua∣tuor elementa creent semen metallorum, vel ea pro∣ducant sine semine: si absque semine producuntur, tunc perfecta fieri non possunt,*siquidem res omnis si∣ne semine imperfecta est, ratione compesiti. There∣fore it is of necessity, that either the four Elements should create the seed of Metals, or that they should produce them without seed. If they be produced without seed, then they cannot be made perfect; seeing every thing is imperfect without seed, in regard of the Compound.
A third reason I take to be this,* To prove that Metals are generated: That whosoever hath diligently con∣sidered the manner how most Metals do lie in their
Page 42

wombs, or beds, which for the most part are hard Rocks, Cliffs, and Stones, or things equivalently as hard as they, as lank and spare, must necessarily con∣clude, that they could never have penetrated the Clefts, Chinks, and porous places of such hard bodies, but that before their entrance into those cavities, they were in principiis solutis, either in form of water, or vapours, and steams. And then were those steams, or that water produced before their induration into a Metalline form, and after concocted and maturated into several forms of Metals; which is an analogous, if not an univocal generation; otherwise they could never be found in such streight passages, and narrow cavities, as all experience doth testifie they are.

*The last reason, though some may account it light, yet I hold it (and so will all persons that understand the Philosophers grand Secret) to be very cogent; and that is, that either the maxims of the great Masters of abstruse Philosophy, is false; as that Natures ultimate labour is in time to bring all Metals to the perfection of Gold: which she would accomplish, if they were not unripe and untimely taken forth of the bowels of the Earth; or else it is false that Metals do not grow, and have vegetability. For those unripe ones, as Quick∣silver, Lead, Tin, and others, have been by the ocular testimony of Helmon•, who confesseth that he had divers times had the Gold-making powder in his hands, and of other Authors of unquestionable vera∣city, and some others yet living, have been maturated into Gold; which must of necessity be false, if Me∣tals, by reason of their Analytical Homogeneity, which in all is Mercurial, had not an intrinsecal power of vegetability; for then Art (which is nothing but by
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its help, an acceleration of the work of Nature; and performing of that in a short time, which Nature on∣ly, without the help of Art, could but accomplish in many years) could never bring to pass. For though that the producing of Glass forth of Sand and Ashes, be done by Art, and the force of the fire, and so is as it were the product of Art, and in a manner a new creature; yet if Nature intrinsecally had not contain∣ed it in its power, Art could not have produced that effect. So that it is clear, that either Metals have an analogous kind of vegetability in them, or else the Art of transmutation of Metals is false, and all the grounds of the more abstruse Philosophy, without verity.

Now we shall prove by the observations of Au∣thors of credible veracity,* that Metals have growth and vegetability. And first we shall begin with our Countryman Doctor Iorden, who saith thus,

Our Salt-petre men find, that when they have extracted Salt-petre out of a floor of earth one year, within three or four years after, they find more Salt-petre generated there, and do work it over again. The like is observed in Allom and Copperas.
And for Metals, our Tinners in Cornwall have ex∣perience of Pits which have been filled up with Earth, after they have wrought out all the Tin they could find in them, and within thirty years they have opened them again, and found more Tin generated. The like hath been observed in Iron, as Gandentius Merula reports of Ilna, an Island in the Adriatick Sea, under the Venetians, where Iron breeds con∣tinually, as fast as they can work it; which is con∣firmed also by Agricola and Baccius. The like we
Page 44
read of at Saga in Lygiis, where they dig over their Iron mines every tenth year. And of Ilna it is remembred by Virgil, who saith, Ilnaque inexhaustis Chalybum generosa metallis.*Iohn Mathesius gives us examples almost of all sorts of Minerals and Me∣tals, which he had observed to grow and regene∣rate.n The like examples you may find in Leonardus Thurnisserus; Erastus affirms that he did see in S. Ioa∣chims dale, silver grown upon a beam of Wood which was placed in the Pit to support the Works; and when it was rotten, the Workmen coming to set new timber in the place, found the silver stick∣ing to the old beam. Also he reports that in Ger∣many there hath been unripe and unconcocted silver found in Mines; which the best Workmen affirmed would become perfect silver in thirty years. The like Modestinus, Facchius, and Mathesius, affirm of unripe and liquid silver; which when the Work∣men find, they use to say, We are come too soon.
And in the same place before quoted, I find Erastus to have this relation.

I have (he saith) two stones of Iron, one of an Ironish colour, the other of the colour of the shell of a ripe Chesnut; altogether soft and fatty, that they may like butter be wrought with the finger; from which notwithstanding, hard and good Iron was extracted by the fire.
*And to confirm this that Dr. Iorden hath said, we know certainly that in many places of this Nation where persons make a kind of a trade to draw forth Salt-petre, they keep Earth (sit for that purpose) in Cellars, where once in three or four years (though formerly all the Salt-petre hath been extracted) it will renew it self, and be fully impregnated with more
Page 45

Salt, as is most likely, from the Atoms of Salt dis∣persed in the air, or aether, which some hold to be no∣thing else but pure volatiz'd Salt.

It is also common in the Northern parts of England to dig up certain sorts of bituminous earth to burn, which is much of their firing where there is want of Wood and Coals, and they commonly call them Peats, being digged two or three yards, and sometimes less or more deep, forth of the ground; which places they call Peat-pits and Mosses, of which they have di∣vers. And when they have digged some, that there is no more of that sort of bituminous Earth left, they usually leave one depth of a Spade-graft of that Earth, and so cover them with the soil, or first grassie Earth that they cut up, and so leave them for certain time, as twenty or thirty years, and they will be filled, and grow up with the same sort of Earth again. And though it may be said, that the being filled up again is no great matter, because the wind blows dust, and the rain doth bring down mud and sand from the higher places, by which again they are soon filled. Yet this will not solve the business, for what should turn the dust, mud, and sand into that kind of bitumi∣nous Earth, that when they dig there again, they find them as good as before, and as fit for burning; so that doubtless that kind of Earth doth grow, and is genera∣ted. And it is as plain that stones do grow and in∣crease,* and though they may alledge, that it is but by juxtaposition (as Fallopius feigned the term) if they mean by aggregation and apposition of Atoms, or small corpuscular particles we shall concede; for so we imagine the most of those we call generations (which indeed are but accretions and augmentation of
Page 46

small and minute bodies, already framed in their se∣veral seminaries, matrixes, or seed-husks) to be brought to perfection. But if they mean meerly by apposition of more to that which was already gather∣ed, onely an increase in the bulk, and nothing else, then it is false; for in Vegetables there is a seminal spirit, vapour, or steam, that doth transmute, and as∣similate the juice of every Plant into this or that indi∣vidual, as of Pear into that kind of Plant, a Rose into that kind, and so of the like: and in stones there is a petrifying quality, vapour or steam, that doth turn the matter aggregated, into the nature of this or that stone; as in flint, to flint; in greet, or free∣stone, to the like. And that the generation of all sorts of those stones we call sand-stones, is such, by some liquor, vapor, or ordor, coagulating, (or as Avicen learnedly speaketh) conglutinating the small sandy particles together,* is manifest in those soft red greet∣stones that they build their houses with, at and near Chester; for the sand there is of the same colour and nature: and the stones may even with ones hands be crumbled to sand and powder; and often with the said greets may be observed great numbers of small pebbles (silices) far more hard, and of another nature in the coagulation, cemented and inclosed in them. Which may be also noted in our free-stone (which is of a far harder nature, and smoother grain) in the most of the North parts of England. So that if Earth renew it self with Salt regenerated; and that bitumi∣nous Earths have their increase, and stones their growth and augmentation, we may well believe that other Minerals and Metals have the like; and from hence Sendivogius doth draw this conclusion: Inde
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sit quod hodie reperiantur minerae in locis,*ubi ante mille annos nullae fuerunt. From hence it come to pass that Minerals may be found in places, where before a thousand years since, there have none been.

And that Metals do grow even like other Vegeta∣bles,* is manifest from divers examples. For the ho∣nourable Mr. Boyle from the testimony of Gerhardus the Physick Professor,* telleth us in these words; In valle Ioachimaca (says he) argentum graminis modo & more è lapidibus minerae velut è radice excrevisse di∣giti longitudine, testis est D. Schreterus, qui ejusmodi veras aspectu jucundas & admirabiles domi suae aliis saepe monstravit & donavit. In the vale of Ioachim, Dr. Schreter is a witness, that silver in the manner and fashion of grass, had grown out of the stones of the Mine, as from a root, in the length of a finger, who hath shewed these Veins very pleasant to behold, and admirable at his own house, and given of them to others.

And Rulandus telling of silver that is found pure,*quod statim suum est, as is their proper distinction of it from other sorts, saith; Sed hoc argenium purum tenuissimis bracteis amplectitur lapidem. Interdum e∣tiam praese fert spec•em capillorum, interdum virgula∣rum, interdum globi fert speciem, quasi filis convoluti candidis aut rubris: interdum praese fert speciem ar∣boris, instrumenti, montium, herbarum, & aliarum re∣rum. And this pure silver doth imbrace the stone with most tender leaves, plates, or spangles. It some∣times also beareth the shape of hairs, sometimes of little twigs, sometimes it beareth the shape of a globe or round ball, as though wrapped about with threds white, or red. Sometimes it beareth the shape of a
Page 48

Tree, mountains, an instrument, herbs, and of other things.

*To these add that most remarkable passage of Peter Martyr, Counsellor to the Emperour Charles the fifth, who relateth thus:

They have found by experience that the Vein of gold is a living Tree, and that the same by all ways spreadeth and springeth from the root, by the soft pores and passages of the Earth, putteth forth branches, even to the uppermost part of the Earth; and ceaseth not until it discover it self unto the open air: at which time it sheweth forth certain beautiful colours in the stead of flowers, round stones of golden Earth in the stead of fruits, and thin plates in stead of leaves. These are they which are dispersed throughout the whole Island (he is speaking of Hispaniola) by the course of the Ri∣vers, eruptions of the Springs out of the Mountains, and violent falls of the flouds. For they think such grains are not engendered where they are gathered, especially on the dry land, but otherwise in the Ri∣vers. They say that the root of the golden Tree ex∣tendeth to the center of the Earth, and there taketh nourishment of increase: for the deeper that they dig, they find the trunks thereof to be so much the greater, as far as they may follow it, for abundance of water springing in the Mountains. Of the bran∣ches of this Tree, they find some as small as a thred, and other as big as a mans finger, according to the largeness or streightness of the rifts and clefts. They have sometimes chanced upon whole Caves, sustain∣ed and born up as it were with golden pillars, and this in the ways by which the branches ascend: the which being filled with the substance of the trunk
Page 49
creeping from beneath the branch, maketh it self way by which it may pass out. It is oftentimes divided by encountring with some kind of hard stone; yet is it in other Clifts nourished by the ex∣halations, and virtue of the root.
Now these signal observations seem fully to evince, that it is no feigned fable of the Mystical Philosophers, nor (however Ignorants may scoff and snarl) of that profound and learned Poet Virgil, that there is a gold-bearing and metallick Tree, as he famously hath sung,

—Latet arbore opaca*
Aureus & foliis, & len•o vimine ramus.
And after,

—Primo avulso non deficit alter
Aureus, & simili frondescit virga Metallo.
The deep and serious consideration of which,* as also that learned description that the profound Chymist Augurellus gives of that noble Mineral or metallick Tree, called by him Glaura, so well known unto, and whose sulphur above the sulphurs of all other Mine∣rals, is so much extolled by the experienced Helmont; I faithfully commend unto all the cordial lovers of Mi∣neral knowledge, to seek for, and inquire after. And shall shut up these testimonies with that golden sen∣tence of the golden Tree, mentioned by Paracelsus; where speaking of the sulphur of gold,* he saith, Hoc sulphur, si quale in aurifera arbore, & ad hujus radi∣cem in montibus est, Alchymistae invenire & adipisci possent, esset certe, de quo effuse gauderent. This sul∣phur, if the Alchymists could find out and attain, as it
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is in the gold bearing Tree and at the root of it, in the Mountains, it would certainly be a thing of which they might fully rejoyce.
*Further (besides what to the same purpose hath been shewed above) it will appear that Metals may be (and have often been) found in a soft and liquid form or substance; as the forementioned honourable and worthy person Mr. Boyle hath instanced from Ger∣hardus,* in these words: Item aqua caerulea inventa est Annebergae, ubi argentum adhuc erat in primo ente, quae coagulata, redacta in calcem fixi & boni argenti. Also that at Anneberg a blew water was found, where silver was yet in its first being or ens, which coagu∣lated, was reduced into the powder or calx of fixed and good silver.

*The Author Arcae Arcan. from Lully and Mathesius tells us this:

Materiam, priusquam in metallicam for∣mam congelatur, esse instar lactis coaguli butyri, quae in butyrum diducitur, quam Gur vocat, quam ego quogue in fodinis in quibus natura plumbum para∣vit inveni. That the matter (viz. of Metals) before it be coagulated into a metallick form, is like unto Butter made of the Cream of milk, which may be clamed or spread as Butter, which he (he meaneth Mathesius) calleth Gur; which I also (saith the Author quoted) have found in the Mines, where Nature hath produced Lead.*
To ratifie this, and to put it forth of doubt, I shall relate what I my self have found, and now have some pounds of it by me. In∣quiring after this Gur of all persons that I could hear of that wrought in Mines, there could some of them tell me, that often in the sudden breaking of some stone, there would a liquor spurt forth bright and
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shining, which they regarded not, because they knew no use nor benefit to be made of it, nor knew how to save or keep it. At last, meeting with an ingenious young man, whose Father had all his days been ex∣perienced in working in the Mines of Lead in Darby∣shire, and he therein also had been trained up from his young years: one whom I had formerly much imployed in seeking and procuring for me, several sorts of Oars, Minerals, Stones, and Earths, wherein I had found him very faithful and diligent; and dis∣coursing with him about what liquid juyces or waters he had ever observed in digging in the Mines, and in∣structing him in all that I understood of such things, according as I had read in Paracelsus, Helmont, or other Writers, he thought the thing might be feasible. So according to my directions, providing himself of some woodden dishes to take with him, it was not ve∣ry long ere he brought me a large quantity, found in a trench; where then he got good store of Lead Ore, such as the Miners account the best for their pur∣pose; that is, such as will most easily run, or melt, and yield the most Lead: the description of which I shall here give as fully as I am able. It was (as he most faithfully affirmed) when he first broke the hard stone in which it was inclosed, some of it especially very thin and liquid, so as he could hardly preserve it; and the other as soft as Butter, and the inmost part of that he brought was as soft as Butter, to my touch and feeling, and the outside more hard; for the longer it lay to the air, the harder it grew. It was of a greyish or whitish colour, and would spread with ones finger upon a table, or smooth piece of wood, as like Butter as could be, but not so fatty, or greasie: and as Hel∣mont
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saith, was like unto soft soap, but most of it something harder, for he had brought it near two miles to me, and though he had made haste, yet it had hardened by the air in the way. He also brought di∣vers of the pieces of the hard grey stone, in whose holes and cavities it lay, and some of it in the midst, little pieces of Lead, bright and pure Ore. So that if a man may give any reasonable conjecture, one would verily imagine that the piece of Lead inclosed in this soft matter, did in continuance of time change, or ripen it into its own Nature; which I will not po∣sitively affirm, but commend it to further trial and inquiry, for there had need be many careful experi∣ments, before an Opinion be raised from them. But I remember that the Colliers and those that seek for Coal-mines, do usually before they find the Mine of Coals, find in their boring or other working, such matter as they call Crow-stone, Coal-stone, and Soap-stone; the last of which is a black substance like fat Clay, and will (as the Gur) spread like Butter, but will soon harden in the air, into an hard matter that will hardly be cut with a knife, and somewhat harder then the other will do, which I take to be true Gur; and this as a common thing I do but onely name, to il∣lustrate the other by: which both makes me more and more admire the skill and knowledge of Paracelsus and Helmont, and to wonder at our ignorance in these things.
An observation agreeable to this (as I conceive) that I have related of mine own experience, is that of Helmont, which he gives us thus.

Non raro nempe contingit, quod metallarius in fodinis, saxa diffrin∣gens, dehiscat paries & rimam det, unde tantillum
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aquae subalbidae virescentis manavit, quod mox con∣crevit instar saponis liquidi (Bur voco) mutatoque deinceps pallore subviridi,*flavescit, vel albescit, vel saturatius viridescit. For it often happeneth that a Mine-man in the Pits breaking stones, the wall is opened and shews a chink from whence a water hath flowed of a somewhat whitish greeness; which by and by hath thickned, like soft Soap (I call it Bur) and forthwith the somewhat greenish pale∣ness being changed, it groweth yellowish, or whi∣tish, or more fully greenish.
This I would have the Reader to consider seriously of, in comparing it with the former relation; and to note, that whereas he calls it Bur, I suspect the Print is false, and that it ought to be read Gur.
Now we shall come to what Paracelsus hath left written in relation to this very particular, wherein I must needs say, that in despite of all gainsayers, or ignorant haters of him, it will appear to all judici∣ous persons, that he truely knew more then the most of all those that went before him: and first special notice may well be taken of that remarkable passage, where he saith;*

Sciendum est, metallum quodvis, quamdiu in primo ente adhuc latet conditum, peculia∣ria sua astra habere. Quamprimum autem ad suam perfectionem venerunt, & in fixum metallicum corpus coagulantur, ab illorum quolibet sua astra re∣cedunt, & corpus suum relinquunt mortuum. It is to be known that every Metal, whiles yet it lyeth hid in its first being, or ens, hath its peculiar stars. But as soon as they come unto their perfe∣ction, and are coagulated into a fixt metallick body, their stars do go back from each of them, and leave
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their body dead.
* He likewise in other places (that I shall not recite at large, because I shall have occasi∣on to do it more fully in another place) doth make mention of the first being, or the primum ens auri, in form of a red water, and to be had before it be coagu∣lated into an hard metallick body; as also of Anti∣mony and of Quicksilver; to which I refer the Rea∣der, for brevity sake.
*We shall now go to prove the growth of Metals from a fuller testimony of that honourable and lear∣ned person Mr. Boyle, who saith:

And as for Me∣tals themselves,* Authors of good note assure us, that even they were not in the beginning produced at once altogether, but have been observed to grow; so that what was not a Mineral or Metal before, be∣came one afterwards: of this it were easie to al∣ledge many testimonies of professed Chymists. But that they may have the greater authority, I shall rather present you with a few borrowed from more unsuspected Writers. Sulphuris mineram (as the inquisitive P. Fallopius notes) quae nutrix est caloris subterranei sabri seu Archaei fontium & mineralium, infra terram citissime renasci testantur Historiae me∣tallicae. Sunt enim loca è quibus si hoc anno sulphur effossum fuerit, intermissa fossione per quadriennium, redeuni fessores, & omnia sulphure, ut antea, rursus inveniunt plena. Pliny relates, In Italiae insula Ilna, gigni ferri metallum. Sirabo multo expressius; effossum ibi metallum semper regenerari. Nam si ef∣fossio spatio centum annorum intermittebatur, & ite∣rum illuc revertebantur, fossores reperisse maximam copiam ferri regeneratam. Which History not only is countenanced by Fallopius, from the Income
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which the Iron of that Island yielded the Duke of Florence in his time; but is mentioned more expresly to our purpose, by the learned Cesalpinus. Vena (says he) ferri copiosissima est in Italia, ob eam nobili∣tata Ilna Tyrrheni maris insula incredibili copia, etiam nostris temporibus eam gignens. Nam terra quae eruitur dum vena effoditur tota, procedente tem∣pore in venam convertitur. Which last clause is therefore very notable, because from thence we may deduce, that Earth by a metalline plastick principle latent in it, may be in process of time changed into a Metal. And even Agricola himself, though the Chymists complain of him as their adversary, ac∣knowledgeth thus much and more; by telling us that at a Town called Saga in Germany, they dig up Iron in the fields by sinking Ditches two foot deep; and adding that within the space of ten years the Ditches are digged again for Iron since produced. As the same Metal is wont to be obtained in Ilna. Also concerning Lead, not to mention what e∣ven Galen notes, that it will increase both in bulk and weight, if it be long kept in Vaults or Cellars, where the air is gross and thick, as he collects from the swelling of those pieces that were imployed to fasten together the parts of old Statues. Not to men∣tion this, I say Boccacius Certaldus, as I find him quoted by a diligent Writer, hath this passage touching the growth of Lead. Fesularum mons (says he) in Hetruria Florentiae civitati imminens, lapides plumbarios habet; qui si excidantur. brevi temporis spatio, novis incrementis instaurantur, ut (annexes my Author) tradit Boccacius Cer•aldus, quiid compotissimum esse scribit. Nihil hoc novi est;
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sed de eadem Plinius, lib. 34. Hist. Natur. cap. 17. dudum prodidit, inquiens, mirum in his solis plumbi metallis, quod derelicta fertili•s reviviscunt. In plumbariis secundo lapide ab Amberga dictis ad Asy∣lum recrementa congesta in cumulos, exposita solibus pluviisque paucis annis, reddunt suum metallum cum foenore.
*The last thing that I shall observe to prove the ge∣neration of Metals, shall be from the quotations of Libanius,* which I do not so much for the credit that I give unto him, as to the Authors that he citeth; of which I shall cull forth some, and give their meaning in English, that I may not be too tedious. The same (of which he had spoken before) he saith Maiolius doth record, colloq. 19. Tom. 1. Canicul. and is confirm∣ed in the history of Pannonia. In Pannonia, near the City Firmicum, hard by the Vines, in the Spring, golden Sprigs do shoot forth themselves, and of them for that cause money is much coined there. Also Ful∣gosus (he saith) doth bring ocular witnesses, lib. 1. Fa∣bricius ex 4. Genealium dierum Alexandri Neapoli∣tani.

The same Alexander hath found by certain and faith-worthy Authors in the nearer Germany between Danubius, that there are Vines, which do sprout forth little branches, and for the most part whitish leaves, of pure gold, which are given to Kings and chief Com∣manders for a rare gift, &c. Further, He saith that Kentman doth deliver, that of the recrements of Iron, divided into heaps, or banks made of them that are ancient, that a new Iron is excocted forth of them, Agric. lib. 5. de ortu subterraneorum, cap. 1. That Me∣tals are generated, Iron is an instance, that in the Me∣tals
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of Ilna, the most approved Writers have commit∣ted to memory, that it doth grow again. For that to the same Lead set in a moist place there is increase, of which thing Galen is witness. Certainly those Lead coverings, with which we see the roofs of the houses of Noble men to be overlaid, they find to be much more heaviy after certain years, then before, when they had tried their weight; and so far forth that they are very often forced to change them for brazen ones. Mathesius Concion. 3. Sareptana proponit & deducit tria. 1. That Metals even in his time, and then, did increase in the Veins and Mines. 2. That one Mine∣ral in time, did change into another that was better. 3. That a perfect Metal, unless it be digged up, is con∣sumed of the subterraneous fumes and heat.

There is another remarkable observation quoted by the forementioned Mr. Boyle,* which I shall give you in his own words,* which are these:

The other two relations I have not met with in Latine Authors, and yet they are both very memorable in themselves, and as pertinent to our purpose. The first I meet with in the Commentary of Iohannes Valehius upon the Klein Baur, in which that industrious Chymist relates with many circumstances, that at a Mine-town (if I may so English the German Bergstadt) eight miles or leagues distant from Strasburg, called Ma∣ria Kirk, a Workman came to the Overseer and desired imployment; but he telling him that there was not any of the best sort at present for him, added that till he could be preferred to some such, he might in the mean time, to avoid idleness, work in a Grove or Mine-pit thereabouts, which at that time was lit∣tle esteemed. This Workman after some weeks la∣bour,
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had by a crack appearing in the stone upon a stroke given near the wall, an invitation given him to work his way through; which as soon as he had done, his eyes were saluted by a mighty stone or lump, which stood in the middle of the Cleft (that had a hollow place behind it) upright, and in shew like an armed man; but consisted of pure fine silver having no Vein or Ore by it, or any other addita∣ment; but stood there free, having onely underfoot something like a burnt matter: and yet this one lump held in weight above 1000 marks, which ac∣cording to the Dutch account makes 500 pound weight of fine silver. From which and other cir∣cumstances my Author gathers, that by the warmth of the place, the noble metalline spirits (sulphureous and mercurial) were carried from the neighbouring Galleries or Vaults, through other smaller cracks and Clefts, into that cavity, and there collected as in a close Chamber or Cellar, whereinto when they were gotten, they did in process of time settle into the forementioned pretious mass of Metal.

The other German relation is of that great Tra∣veller, and laborious Chymist, Iohannes (not Geor∣gius) Agricola; who in his Notes upon what Pop∣pius hath written of Antimony, relates, that when he was among the Hungarian Mines in the deep Groves, he observed that there would often arise in them a warm steam (not of that malignant sort which the Germans call Shwadt, which (says he) is a meer poy∣son, and often suffocates the Diggers) which fastned it self to the walls; and that coming again to review it after a couple of days, he discerned that it was all very fast and glistering. Whereupon having col∣lected
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it and distilled it per Retortam, he obtained from it a fine spirit; adding that the Mine-men in∣form'd him that this steam or damp of the Mi•e (re∣taining the Dutch term) would at last have become a Metal,* as Gold or Silver. And afterwards he ad∣deth, I remember that a very skillful and credible person affirmed to me, that being in the Hungarian Mines he had the good fortune to see a Mineral that was there digged up; wherein pieces of Gold of the length, and also almost of the bigness of a humane finger, grew in the Ore, as if they had been parts and branches of trees.* And doth make full recital of Earth renewing it self with Salt-petre; as also of the Ore of Vitriol growing into Vitriol it self.* Add to this that which Munster tells us, that Nature doth figure pure silver into the form of Trees, Rods, or Hairs, &c.

I have been the more large in this point, to prove the growth and vegetability of Metals and Minerals, because it is not of the least concern in the promoting of Mineral knowledge: and I could have added more testimonies, but these being from most approved Au∣thors, I hold to be sufficient: Onely I shall commend some particulars deduced from hence, to be inquired of by all persons that love metallick knowledge, and have opportunities and abilities to search after the same. As also to all those that travel where any Mines are, and especially to all ingenious persons that are O∣verseers of Mines, or imployed about them, or work in them, to take notice of these few Inquiries.

1. To observe whether Earths, of any sort, or Stones do grow and increase, and after what order and fashion?
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2. And that all those in our own Nation, or else∣where, that work about Allom and Vitriol, would observe how their Ores do lie and are found, and whether they increase or not?
3. And seeing our Nation hath store of Tin and Lead Mines, that they would observe, whether their Ores grow, or not, and in what manner?
4. And in Tin and Lead Mines, and all other, as of Copper, Silver, Gold, Quicksilver or Cineber, and of Iron, whether any such liquid matter may be found as the Germans call Gur, or not; and of what colours and qualities, as it seems the water found at Anneberg that yielded Silver, was blew; and that which Para∣celsus calls the primum ens auri, was like red water; and that of Quicksilver he calls blood, or not?
5. That inquiry may be made whether any steams arising in Mines, do grow into a metalline substance, or not?
6. Lastly, and to inquire, whether where Ores are wrought out, that they do after some years renew and grow again, or not?
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CHAP. IV. Of the Causes assigned by the most approved Au∣thors for their generations, both efficient and material, and the manner thereof.
FOr the material and efficient causes, and manner of the generation of Metals; We shall enume∣rate some opinions of the chief Authors, and leave the Reader to chuse which he judgeth most probable, or most true; because we mean not to dogmatize nor impose upon any, but rather to move all men to a di∣ligent search after the things of this nature, that (if possible) the truth of their generations may be found forth, and discovered.

In the first place we shall give the opinion of the Aristotelians, and to eschew tediousness, shall tran∣scribe what Dr. Iorden hath written in that case, with his censure upon it, and his own opinion adjoyned; because that little Tract of his may be in few mens hands,* and hard to be got; who relateth it thus:

For the manner of generation of Minerals, although it be alike in all, yet it differs from the generation of ani∣mate bodies, whether animals or vegetables, in this, that having no seed, they have no power, or instinct of producing other individuals, but have their species perpetuated, per virtutem seu spiritum semini Ana∣logum, by a spiritual substance proportionable to seed, which is not resident in every individual, as it is in animals and plants, but in their proper wombs. This (saith he) is the judgment of Petrus Severinus,*
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however he doth obscure it by his Platonical grandi∣loquence. And as there is not vacuum in corporibus, so much less in speciebus; for that the species are perpetuated by new generations, is most certain, and proved before: that it is not out of the seeds of individuals, is evident by this, that if Minerals do not assimilate nourishment by attraction, retention, con∣coction, expulsion, &c. for the maintenance of their own individual bodies; much less are they able to breed a superfluity of nourishment for seed. And how can they attract and concoct nourishment, and expel excrements, which have no veins nor fibres, nor any distinct parts to perform those Offices with∣al? Moreover they are not increased as Plants are, by nourishment; whereas the parts already genera∣ted, are extended in all proportions by the ingression of nutriment, which fills and enlarges them: But onely are augmented externally upon the superfi∣cies by superaddition of new matter concocted by the same virtue and spirit into the same species.

The matter whereof Minerals are bred, is much controverted;*Aristotle makes the humidity of water and the dryness of earth, to be the matter of all Mine∣rals: the dryness of earth to participate with fire, and the humidity of water with air; as Zabarella inter∣prets it: so that to make a perfect mixt body, the four Elements do concur: and to make the mixture more perfect, these must be resolved into vapour or exhalation, by the heat of fire, or influence from the Sun and other Planets, as the efficient cause of their generation: but the cause of their congelation to be cold in such bodies as heat will resolve.

This vapour consisting partly of moisture, and
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partly, of dryness; if all the moisture be spent, turns to earth, salt, or concrete juices, which dissolve in moi∣sture. If some moisture remain before congelation, then it turns to stone.* If this dry exhalation be unctu∣ous, fat, and combustible, then Bitumen, Sulphur, and Orpiment are bred of it: if it be dry and incombusti∣ble, then concrete juices, &c. But if moisture do a∣bound in this vapor, then Metals are generated, which are fusible and malleable. And for the perfecting of these generations, this exhalation is not sufficient; but to give them their due consistence, there must be the help of cold from Rocks in the earth, to con∣geal this exhalation.* So that here must be two ef∣ficients, heat and cold. And for the better effecting of this, these exhalations do insinuate themselves into stones, in the form of dew or frost, that is, in little grains: but differing from dew and frost in this, that these are generated after that the vapour is conver∣ted to water; whereas Minerals are generated be∣fore this conversion into Water. But there is doubt to be made of frost, because that is bred before the conversion of the exhalation into Water,* as may appear, Meteor. 1. According to this assertion, there must be two places for the generation of Mi∣nerals: the one a matrix where they receive their essence by heat, in form of an exhalation; and from thence they are sent to a second place, to receive their congelation by the coldness of Rocks. And from this matrix come our Mineral waters, and not from the place of congelation.

This is the generation of Minerals, according to Aristotle; but it is not so clear, but that it leaves many scruples, both concerning the matter and effi∣cients.
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For the matter, it seems not probable that water and earth should make any thing but mud and dirt; for you can expect no more from any thing then is in it, the one is cold and dry, the other cold and moist; and therefore as fit to be the matter of any other thing, as of particular Minerals. And wa∣ter, whereof principally Metals are made to consist, is very unfit to make a malleable and extensible sub∣stance, especially being congealed with cold, as we may see in Ice. But some do add a mineral quality to these materials, and that simple water is not the chief matter of Metal, but such as hath imbibed some mineral quality, and so is altered from the na∣ture of pure water. This assertion doth presup∣pose Minerals in the earth before they were bred, otherwise what should breed them at the first, when there was no mineral quality to be imparted to wa∣ter? Again, this mineral quality either gives the water, or the vapour of it the essence of the Mineral; and then it is not the effect of water, but of the mine∣ral quality, or the potential faculty to breed it. If the essence, then this metalline water or vapour, must have the form of the Metal, and so be fusible and mal∣leable. If it have onely the power and potential fa∣culty, then the generation is not perfected, but must expect further concoction. This concoction is said to be partly by heat, and partly by cold; if by heat, it must be in the passages of the exhalation, as it is carri∣ed in the bowels of the earth. For afterwards, when the exhalation is setled in the stones, the heat is gone. Now if the concoction be perfected before the ex∣halation be insinuated into the stones, as it must be, if it be like dew, then it is perfect Metal, and neither
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is able to penetrate the stones, nor hath any need of the cold of them to perfect the generation. If by cold, it is strange that cold should be made the prin∣cipal agent in the generation of Metals, which gene∣rates nothing; neither can heat be the efficient of these generations. Simple qualities can have but simple effects, as heat can but make hot, cold can but cool, &c. But they say that cold doth congeal Me∣tals, because heat doth dissolve them. I answer, the rule is true,* if it be rightly applied; as we see Ice which is congealed by cold, is readily dissolved by heat. But the fusion of Metals cannot properly be called a dissolution by heat, because it is neither re∣duced to water or vapour, as it was before the con∣gelation by cold; nor is it permanent in that kind of dissolution, although after fusion it should be kept in a greater heat then cold could be which congealed it. For the cold in the bowels of the Earth cannot be so great, as it is upon the superficies of the Earth, seeing it was never observed that any Ice was bred there. Wherefore this dissolution which is by fusion, tends not to the destruction of the Metal, (but doth rather make it more perfect) as it should do accor∣ding to the former rule rightly applied. And there∣fore this dissolution by fusion, doth not argue a con∣gelation by cold: which being in the passive ele∣ments, doth rather attend the matter then the effi∣cient of generations: for it is apt to dull and hebe∣tate all faculties and motions in Nature, and so to hinder generations, rather then to further any. It is heat and moisture that further generations, as Ovid saith, Quippe ubi temperiem sumpsere humorque ca∣lorque concipiunt.

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*And thus much, he saith, for Aristotles generation of Minerals; where the vapours or exhalations do rather serve for the collection or congregation of matter in the Mines, then for the generation of them, as Libanius doth rightly judge. Agricola makes the matter of Minerals to be succus lapidescens metallifi∣cus, &c. and with more reason, because they are found liquid in the earth. Gilgill would have it ashes, Democritus lime: but these two being artificial mat∣ters, are no where found in the earth. The Alchy∣mists make Sulphur and Mercury the matter of Me∣tals;*Libanius Sulphur and Vitriol. But I will not stand upon discoursing of those materials, because it makes little to my purpose. It is enough for my purpose to shew the manner of these generations; which (saith he) I take to be this.

There is a seminary spirit of all Minerals in the bowels of the Earth, which meeting with convenient matter, and adjuvant causes, is not idle, but doth proceed to produce Minerals, according to the na∣ture of it, and the matter which it meets withal: which matter it works upon like a ferment, and by its motion procures an actual heat, as an instrument to further its work, which actual heat is increased by the fermentation of the matter. The like we see in making of Malt, where the grains of Barley being moistned with water, the generative spirit in them is dilated, and put in action; and the superfluity of water being removed, which might choke it, and the barley laid up in heaps, the seeds gather heat, which is increased by the contiguity of many grains lying one upon another. In this work Nature's intent is to produce more individuals according to the nature
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of the seed, and therefore it shoots forth in spires; but the Artist abuses the intention of Nature, and converts it to his end; that is, to increase the spirits of his Malt.

The like we find in Mineral substances, where this spirit or ferment is resident, as in Allom and Copper as Mines; which being broken, exposed, and moistned, will gather an actual heat, and produce much more of those Minerals, then else the Mine would yield; as Agricola and Thurniser do affirm, and is proved by common experience. The like is generally observed in Mines, as Agricola, Erastus, Libanius, &c. do avouch out of the dayly experi∣ence of Mineral men, who affirm, that in most pla∣ces, they find their Mines so hot, as they can hardly touch them. Although it is likely that where they work for perfect Minerals, the heat which was in fer∣mentation whilest they were yet in breeding, is now much abated, the Minerals being now grown to their perfection. And for this heat, we need not call for the help of the Sun, which a little cloud will take away from us; much more the body of the Earth, and Rocks; nor for subterraneal Fire. This inbred heat is sufficient, as may appear also by the Mines of Tin-glass, which being digged, and laid in the moist air, will become very hot. So Anti∣mony and Sublimate being mixed together, will grow so hot as they are not to be touched.* If this be so in little quantities, it is likely to be much more in great quantities and huge rocks. Heat of it self d•f∣fers not in kind, but onely in degree, and therefore is inclined no more to one species then to another, but as it doth attend and serve a more worthy and supe∣riour
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faculty, such as this generative spirit is. And this spirit doth convert any apt matter it meets withal to its own species by the help of heat; and the Earth is full of such matter, which attends upon the species of things.* And oftentimes for want of fit opportunity and adjuvant causes, lies idle, without producing any species: but is apt to be transmuted by any mechanical and generative spirit into them. And this matter is not the Elements themselves, but subterraneal seed placed in the Elements; which not being able to live to themselves, do live unto others. This seminary spirit is acknowledged by most of Aristotles Interpreters, (and Morisinus calls it Elphesteria) not knowing how otherwise to attri∣bute these generations to the Elements. And this is the cause why some places yield some one mine∣ral species above another. Quippe solo natura sub∣est. Non omnis fer• omnia tell us. The seminary spirit hath its proper wombs, where it resides, and forms his species according to his nature, and the aptness of his matter. But as Severinus affirms of animal seeds, that they are in themselves Hermaphroditical, and neither masculine nor feminine, but as they meet with supervenient causes. So it is in these Mineral seeds and species, which in one womb do beget divers sorts of Minerals, either according to the apt∣ness of the matter, or the vigour of the spirits.

Thus far this learned Author, whose reasons we shall not censure, nor confute his opinion, which may pass with as much probability as any others; but leave every one to his own liberty in judging. Onely we shall note one thing to the Reader to be considered of; and that is, where he makes Plants to be nourished and
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augmented by the ingression of nutriment, which fills and inlarges them; but that Minerals are onely aug∣mented externally upon the superficies, by superad∣dition of new matter concocted by the same virtue and spirit into the same species. Of this we shall offer these things:

1. As for Plants we take it for a probable truth (though some may look at it as a new fansie and para∣dox) that the true and proper generation of the most (if not of all) Plants, is in the former generant Plant that did produce the seed in its husk or covering; and that the seeds contain in them a Plant of its own kind, as that was of that did produce the seed, though not to be discerned by our senses, nor, perhaps, by the best microscopes, because in many the little Plant contain∣ed in that husk or covering, is in so extream minute parts, and artificial means not yet found forth, to cause them to open themselves; nor due observations had from time to time as they open and display themselves in their several wombs in the Earth. And that after they are fallen, or cast into fit wombs in the Earth, that the warm and moist vapours, or steams of the Earth, as an external and adjuvant cause, doth soften and dissolve the husk, covering, or shell, and excite and stir up that heat in the seed, or little Plant (which is the true agent and efficient cause of its increase and growth) that before lay as it were idle, and asleep; by which means that little embrio doth open and ex∣pand it self, and receives in by its pores, or cavities of those parts ordered for roots (whether by attra∣ction, or propulsion of its heat and moisture by the steams of Earth and its saline atoms, I shall not here determine) the fit warm vapours, and assimilates it
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to its own nature. And as this is (as we conceive) the growth of Plants, though commonly called their generation; so we commend this to be inquired of by all industrious persons, that if Nature (as is most probable) contain in her Cabinet the secret seeds of Minerals, then why may she not, meeting with fit matter and adjuvant causes, have those small semina∣ry particles stirred up and put into motion, grow and expand themselves in the manner of Plants, and by taking in new matter grow and increase. This I onely offer as fit to be noted and considered of.

2. The other thing that I would note is, That though Plants when young, may receive their nutri∣ment, by the matter having ingression by their pores; yet when they are grown older, and their truncks great and hard, it is probable that then their growth is by superaddition of more matter to their outward parts, and assimilating it into their species. For it is generally in the North parts of England (especially in old Oaks) that yearly great store of sap ariseth betwixt the bark and the trunck, which afterwards hardens into wood, like unto the other: and if this be a truth, as all our Carpenters, and buyers of Timber affirm, if Metals do but increase by addition of new mat∣ter to the superficies, then in some sort it differs not from the increase of Trees when grown great and old. But if the relation given by Galen,* and approved of by Agricola, be true; that Lead being placed in a moist Cellar or subterranean rooms, where the air is gross and turbid, will be increased both in bulk and weight; then it must probably be by taking in some parts of that gross air, or the mineral particles con∣tained in it, by which it makes protrusion of its parts,
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and getteth an increase in weight. By all which we may learn to observe:

1. That it may be that the seeds of Metals rising in steams, may sometimes, finding a fit room or vault, setle together, and in time become an hardned and metalline substance.
2. Or that other-sometimes those mineral seeds may become setled in some holes and cavities of rocks, in the form of water, or of that thicker substance that the Germans call Gur, and so in continuance of time grow to be a Metal.
3. Or that after they be hardned into a metalline substance, if the place will give leave, may protrude it self further and further (as the roots of Vegetables do in hard Rocks and old Walls) by virtue of the mi∣neral steams, piercing from the root, through insensi∣ble pores, or at least may ripen from one degree of perfection to another; as from Lead to Silver, and the like. For my self and divers other ingenious per∣sons have observed, that in the late Wars, when many Castles and other old buildings were dismantled or demolished, that the Leads that were taken from off them, would have sold dearer then any other Lead; and I have heard divers persons of credit affirm, that it would yield very considerable quantities of silver, and the longer it had laid, the more. Which (if true) is an evident argument, that either by long lying, the Lead being the softer part, wasted away with the Sun and Weather, and so left more of silver in the same bulk of matter, then the same bulk of Lead con∣tained, when newer and fresher; or else that the Silver in the Lead (as all Lead contains some more or less) did maturate some part of the Lead into its own more
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noble Nature, or got increase from the beams of the Sun, or particle in the Air, or both. And these no∣ble hints I onely give, as worthy to be considered of, and inquired after.
Now we shall come to the other opinion of the causes and manner of the generation of Metals, which is that of the mystical Authors, learned Chymists, and expert Mineralists, which we shall handle fully and at large. And for order sake, we may consider: First the matter, of which they hold they are generated. Secondly, the efficient cause of their generation. Third∣ly, the manner how they are generated.

1. The ancient Chymical Philosophers held, that the matter out of which the Metals were generated, were Sulphur and Mercury; but Basilius Valentinus, Paracelsus, and the later Chymists have added Salt as a third; which notwithstanding though they seem to make them three in number, and properties, yet they intended but one Homogeneous substance or essence; and the most of them joyned Salt with the Sulphur, so that in effect they held but two. And this Sulphur and Mercury they did not mean of those that are vul∣gar, as the most of their adversaries have too grosly mistaken; and therefore it will be necessary in the first place, to clear what they understand by Sulphur, and Mercury, and how those two are first gene∣rated.

*1. Their Sulphur and Mercury they variously de∣scribe, as Sendivogius saith: Prima materia metallo∣rum, & principalis est, humidum aeris caliditate mix∣tum, hanc Philosophi Mercurium nominarunt, qui radiis solis & lunae gubernatur in mari Philosophico. The first and principal matter of Metals is, the humidity of
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the Air mixt with calidity; this the Philosophers have named Mercury, which is governed with the rayes of the Sun and Moon in the Philosophers Sea.*Secunda est terrae caliditas sicca, quam vocarunt Sulphur. The second is the dry calidity of the Earth, which they have called Sulphur. And again he saith, Quatuor elementa in prima operatione naturae stillant per Ar∣chaeum naturae in terrae centrum vaporem aquae ponde∣rosum,*qui est metallorum semen, & dicitur mercurius propter ejus fluxibilitatem, & uniuscujusque rei con∣junctionem, non propter essentiam, assimilatur Sulphuri propter internum calorem, & post congelationem est hu∣midum radicale. The four Elements in the first ope∣ration of Nature, do distill by the Archaeus (or Work∣man) of Nature, into the centre of the Earth, a pon∣derous vapour of Water, which is the seed of Metals; and is called Mercury, because of its fluxibility and its conjunction with every thing, not because of its essence; it is likened to Sulphur because of its inter∣nal heat, and after congelation is the radical moist••e. Trevisan defines Sulphur thus:*Sulphur enim aliud nihil est, quam purus ignis occultus in mercurio, qui longo successu temporis excitatur, atque movetur moti∣bus corporum coelestium, digeritque frigiditatem & hu∣miditatem in mercurio pro varietate graduum decoctio∣nis, & alterationis in diversas formas metallicas, &c. For Sulphur is nothing else then pure fire hid in the Mercury, which in long continuance of time is exci∣ted, and moved by the motions of the celestial bo∣dies, and doth digest the coldness and humidity in the Mercury, according to the variety of the degrees of decoction and alteration, into divers metallick forms. Elsewhere he hath called Sulphur the masculine agent
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fire and air, which in the metallick seed doth maturate and digest the two feminine passives of Earth and Water: because that heat is an intrinsick and essential part of the Mercury it self; to wit, the two more a∣ctive elements in it, that is to say, the Air and Fire. And again,* because Sulphur is no other thing then the pure act of the Air and Fire making hot, digesting, or decocting the Earth and Water proportionable to it self, and Homogeneous in the Mercury. And Geber saith, it is nothing else but light and tincture; and o∣thers call it the most ripe part of the Mercury. And the ingenuous and candid Nollius defines it thus:* The Sulphur, with which Argent vive is impregnated, is not the vulgar Sulphur, but fire placed in the Argent vive, by which it is excocted into a Metal in the Mines by the intervening of Motion.

*2. These two are not distinct, as though Mercury were one thing, and Sulphur another, as extraneous bodies one to another. For Trevisan saith, Sulphur is not something separate by it self, without the sub∣stance of the Mercury, neither common Sulphur; o∣therwise the matter of Metals should not be Homoge∣neous, which is repugnant to the opinion of all Philo∣sophers. Likewise Morienus and Aros say: Our Sul∣phur is not vulgar Sulphur, but sixt and not volatile; of the nature of Mercury, and not of any other thing whatsoever.* And Trevisan again saith: Some per∣sons do judge amiss, that in the procreation of Metals some Sulphureous matter doth intervene; but it is manifest on the contrary, that Sulphur is included in his Mercury when Nature doth operate.

3. Now for the generation of their Mercury or viscous fatness, they describe it thus: Aethereus mundi
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spiritus,*quem animam appellitant, duo elementa aquam & terram inter se committit, atque ex utrisque conjun∣ctis spiritum quendam prolicit unctuosum, eumque in centrum terrae demittit, ut ex eo sursum elevetur, & in matricem deferatur debitam, ac in ea in argentum vi∣vum sulphure, & sale naturae impraegnatam concoqua∣tur. The Aethereal spirit which they call the soul, doth commix betwixt themselves the two Elements, Water and Earth; and of them both being conjoyn∣ed, doth draw forth a certain unctuous spirit; and doth dimit it down into the centre of the Earth, that from thence it may be lifted upwards, and be carried into a fit matrix, and in it may be concocted into Argent vi∣ve impregnated with the sulphur and salt of Nature. And Sendivogius thus:*Res omnes nasci ex aere liquido vel vapore, quem elementa perpetuo motu in viscerae terrae stillant, hunc postquam naturae Archaeus accepit, per poros sublimat, & unicuique loco sua sagacitate tri∣buit, & sic locorum varietate, res etiam proveniunt, & nascuntur variae. Quando enim ex terrae centro sub∣limatur vapor ille, transit per loca vel sicca, vel calida. Si igitur transit vapor per loca calida & pura, ubi pin∣guedo sulphuris parietibus adhaeret, vapor ille quem Philosophi mercurium Philosophorum dixerunt, accom∣modat se & jungitur illi pinguedini quam postea se∣cum sublimat, & tunc fit unctuositas relicto nomine vaporis, accipit nomen pinguedinis. That all things do grow of the liquid air or vapour, which the Ele∣ments do distil by a perpetual motion into the bowels of the Earth, which after the Archaeus (or Workman) of Nature hath taken, he doth sublime it through the pores, and doth distribute to every place by his saga∣city; and so by the variety of places, various things
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do come and grow. For when this vapour is subli∣med from the centre of the Earth, it passeth by pla∣ces either drie or hot. If therefore the vapour pass by places hot and pure, where the fatness of Sulphur doth cleave to the walls, that vapour which the Phi∣losophers have called the Mercury of Philosophers, it accommodateth it self, and is joyned to that fatness; which afterwards it sublimes with it self, and then it is made an unctuous thing, the name of vapour being lost, it receiveth the name of fatness.

Now having described their Sulphur and Mercury, and how they are generated, and how they differ on∣ly in property, and not in homogeneal essence, which they hold to be the matter of the generation of metals. We shall more distinctly handle it in order, and from what is already said, and to be shewed, deduce their fuller meaning.

They make the matter of the Minerals threefold.

1. The most remote matter, which they call the first; and this Nollius doth call the Aethereal spirit, which doth commix the two elements of Water and Earth, and draws a certain mineral spirit forth of them. And Trevisan saith it is the four Elements. Etenim ele∣menta quatuor aeque sunt ad informationem asini vel bo∣vis apta, ac ad metalla. For the four Elements are equally fitted for the information of an Ass, or Oxe, as they are for Metals. And Sendivogius saith, that the Elements do continually distil down into the centre of the Earth, a ponderous vapour or water, which is again sublimed into divers matrixes.

2. The remote matter they establish to be this va∣pour mixt with the Sulphur that stuck to the Walls, growing into a middle substance like to fat or gluti∣nous water.

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3. The third is the proxime, or next matter of Me∣tals, and that is this fat and glutinous substance, grown more thick, and may be that which before we have named Gur: which Trevisan thus excellently defines. Apprime sciendum materiam primam esse rem ipsam, in quam immediate specifica forma introducitur, uti prima hominis materia, est utrumque viri semen & mulieris. First of all we are to know, that the first matter (to wit of Metals) is that very thing, into which immediately the specifick form is introduced, as the first matter of a man, is both the seed of the man and woman. And this is it they call their metallick seed, in the nearest power; for after it be conceived and brought to this, it cannot then be changed into any thing, but into some kind of Mineral. From all which, we may note these things.

1. That the sperm of Metals (to wit in its first pro∣duction) is not different from the sperm of other things, to wit, an humid vapour.

2. This metallick seed is not like the animal and ve∣getable seed, easily to be known or had; for they say of it:*Semen minerale vel metallorum creat natura in visceribus terrae, propterea non creditur tale semen esse in rerum natura, quia invisibile est. Nature doth create the mineral or metallick seed in the bowels of the Earth, therefore it is not believed that there is such a seed in the Nature of things, because it is invi∣sible. And again, The Mineral seed is known of the Philosophers. And lastly: Semen autem metallorum filii tantum doctrinae noverunt. But the Sons of Art have onely known the seed of Metals.

3. This metallick seed is but one, and not divers;* for so he witnesseth, Sunt qui opinentur, Saturnum
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habero aliud semen, aurum quoque aliud, & sic conse∣quenter metalla reliqua, sed vana sunt ista, unicum tantum est semen, idem in Saturno, quod in Auro inve∣nitur, idem in Luna, quod in Marie. There are those that imagine that Saturn hath one sort of seed, and Gold another; and so consequently the rest of the Metals: but these are vain, there is onely one seed, the same in Saturn that is found in Gold, the same in Luna that is in Mars.* And Basilius Valentinus, far more fully, saith thus; Therefore observe and take notice, that all Metals and Minerals have onely one root, from which generally their descent it; he that knoweth that rightly, needs not to destroy Metals to extract the spirit from one, the sulphur from a second, and the salt from a third. For there is a nearer place yet, in which these three, Spirit, Soul, and Body, lie hid in one thing, well known, and may with great praise be gotten. He that knoweth exactly this gol∣den seed, or this magnet, and searcheth throughly in∣to its properties, he hath then the true root of life, and may attain unto that his heart longeth for. Where∣fore I intreat all true lovers of Mineral Science, and Sons of Art, diligently to inquire after this metallick seed or root, and be assured that it is not an idle chi∣maera or dream, but a real and certain truth.

Sometimes (and perhaps not untruly) they affirm the Metals to be generated of the element of Water; as Helmont, who proves not onely that metallick bo∣dies, but also all other Concretes to have their rise from thence, and demonstrateth the immutability of elemental Water, as well as of the homogeneous Mercury of Metals:* Who saith, Estque ideo in ipso Mercurio, prout in elementis, ratio propinqua inde∣structibilitatis.
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There is therefore in Mercury it self (meaning metallick Mercury) as in the Elements, the nearest cause or reason of indestructibility.* And that Metals were generated forth of the Element of Water, I find Plato holding that opinion, who saith, Aquae genera duo sunt praecipua, unum humidum 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, alterum fusile〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. There are two chief sorts of Water, one moist, the other fusile, or to be poured forth. And a little after, he speaketh thus of the Water he calleth fusile: Ex his vero quas aquas fusi∣les appellavimus, quod ex tenuissimis levissimisque fit densissimum, uniforme, splendidum, flavumque, pretio∣sissima res est, aurum florescens per petram compactum est. But of these waters which we call fusile, (or to be melted) gold flowering through the Rock is com∣pacted, because it is made of most tenuious, most soft (or tender) things, most dense, uniform, splendent, yellow,* and is a most pretious thing. The rest may be seen more fully in the place quoted. And that Pa∣racelsus was of opinion that Metals had for their ma∣terial cause Water, is manifest; for he saith, Sic er∣go mirabili consilio Deus constituit, ut prima materia naturae esset aqua, mollis, levis, potabilis: & tamen foetus seu fructus ipsius est durus; ut metalla, lapides, qui∣bus nihil durius est. So therefore God hath ordered by a wonderful counsel, that the first matter of Na∣ture should be Water, soft, gentle, potable. And notwithstanding the off-spring or fruit of it is hard; as Metals, Stones, then which nothing is more hard.

And that Water was the matter out of which Me∣tals and all other mixt bodies were framed, seems not altogether disliked by that honourable and learned person Mr. Boyle,* who saith; Yet thus much I shall
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tell you at present, that you need not fear my reject∣ing this opinion for its novelty; since, however the Helmonti•ns may in complement to their Master, pre∣tend it to be a new discovery; yet though the Argu∣ments be for the most part his, the opinion it self is ve∣ry ancient, as there he further proveth at large: to which for brevity sake, I remit the Reader.

But no Author (in my judgment) hath more fully, plainly, and truly described the matter, manner, and order of the generation of Minerals, then that learned and most experienced Chymist Helmont hath done; and therefore we shall give you his opinion at full, though some part of it hath been recited before; who saith:*

Non raro nempe contingit, quod metalla∣rius in fodinis, saxa diffringens, dehiscat paries & •imam det, unde tantillum aquae, subalbidae virescen∣tis, manavit, quod mox concrevit instar saponis liqui∣di (Bur voco) mutatoque deinceps pallore subviridi, flavescit, vel albescit, vel saturatius viridescit.
The English of it you have before. And from thence he draweth these conclusions.
Sic enim visum est, quod alias intus absque saxi vulnere fit. Quia succus ille interno efficiente perfi•itur. Est ergo prima seminis metallici vita, in condo, sive promptuario loci, homini plane incognita. Ac ubi semen in lucem, liquore ve∣stitum prodit, & Gas incoepit sulphur aquae inquinare, vita est seminis media, ultima vero cum jam indure∣scit. So that it seemeth, it is made otherwise with∣in, without the breach (or wound) of the stone. Be∣cause that juice, or liquor, is perfected by an inter∣nal efficient. Therefore the first life of the metal∣lick seed is in the cup, hole, or little cellar of the place, altogether unknown unto man. But when
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the seed doth appear unto light invested, or cloathed, with the liquor, and the Gas hath begun to stain, or corrupt the sulphur of the Water, it is the middle life of the seed; but is the last life when it beginneth to harden.
To this we shall onely add the opini∣on of the Author of the Arcae Arcani artificiosissimi a∣pertae, who saith thus.* Which, because it is large, I shall onely give in English.
Therefore it is to be known, that Nature hath her passages and veins in the Earth, which doth distil Waters, salt, clear and tur∣bulent. For it is always observed by sight, that in the Pits, or Groves of Metals, sharp and salt Waters do distil down. While therefore those waters do fall downwards, (for all heavy things are carried downwards) there are sulphureous vapours ascend∣ing from the centre of the Earth, that do meet them. Therefore if the waters be saltish, pure and clear, and the sulphureous vapours pure also; and that they embrace one another in their meeting, then a pure Metal is generated; but in defect of purity, an impure Metal: in elaborating of which, Nature spreadeth near, or about a thousand years, before that she can bring it to perfection; which cometh to pass either by reason of the impurity of the salt Mercurial waters, or of the impure sulphureous vapours. When these two do embrace one another, shut up close in the rocky places; then of them a moist, thick▪ fat vapour doth arise by the operation of natural heat, which taketh its seat where the air cannot come (for else it would fly away) of which vapour then a mucilaginous and unctuous matter is made, which is white like Butter; which Mathesius doth call Gur, which may be clam'd like Butter; which
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I (saith this Authour) can also shew in my hand, a∣bove the Earth, and forth of the Earth. The La∣bourers in the Groves do often find this matter which is called Gur; but of it nothing can be prepa∣red, because it is not known what was the intention of Nature in that place; for a Marchasite, as well as a Metal, might equally have been made of it.
2. In the next place we come to the efficient cause of their generation; which Aristotle and his followers have made external, some of them hot, and some of them cold, and some both; vainly holding that the ef∣ficient cause in natural generations, did not enter the compound, being seduced (as is most probable) by the similitudes taken partly from artificial and manual operations, as the Painter, or Statuary, being the effi∣cient cause of the Picture or Statue, were external and separate from them, after they were wrought and fi∣nished: Not considering that these, and the like, make no alteration intrinsecally in the compound, but one∣ly are conversant about the figuring, and altering the dimensions of quantity: partly from humane, ani∣mal, and vegetative generations, wherein they con∣ceive the male and female to be efficient causes of ge∣neration, and so to be external and separate from the thing generated. Which is merely false, for the male and female are but instrumental, or artificial causes of moving and ejaculating the seeds into the due ma∣trix 〈◊〉 which seeds being joyned together, become agent, and patient (being excited by the heat of the matrix, as an adjuvant cause) and the intrinsecal efficient cause is contained in them, which we call the Archaeus, or seminal Idaea that doth form and organize the body, according to the species from whence it
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was derived, if the matrix be proper, and of due kind for it. And the male and female in this do no more then the husbandman that ploweth and tilleth the earth, and then casteth in the seed, (onely Nature hath prepared and provided seed intrinsecally in the male and female, which the husbandman must have elsewhere provided by Nature for him ab extra) be∣ing no intrinsecal; or efficient cause of its generation or growth; but onely that particle of vital air or aether within it. Which being the Faber or Archaeus, and excited with the hot and moist vapours in the Earth, or matrix, doth produce its like; or as the Holy Writ words it, gives to every seed its own body.

But to come to the true efficient cause of the gene∣ration of Metals (though what hath been said might suffice) the substance seems to be this. That the Solar particles, celestial spirit, or internal and incombusti∣ble Sulphur (which is the true fire of Nature) hid in the viscous matter or mercury, and excited a•d stirred up by the motion of the celestial bodies, central sun, or subterraneous fire or heat (which we shall not take upon us to determine, but leave it to the judgment of the learned Reader) doth generate, per∣fect, and ripen Metals; as most of what hath been said before, doth sufficiently testifie. And all do con∣sent that Sulphur is the efficient cause, or father, and Mercury the passive or mother of all Metals.

Now for the manner of their generations, there hath been so much related in the passages of this Chapter, that we shall but onely add this short collection. That the Water being sharp and salt, and falling down in the subterraneous caverns and passages of the Earth, doth meet with the drie, sulphureous, and warm steams
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that rise from the lower pa•ts of the Earth, do joyn together, and so becomes unctuous and fat, which setling in close holes, and cavities of Rocks where the air cannot enter,* as in a close womb, is in length of time thickned into a soft substance, which they call Gur; and after by the warmth of the place, or womb, and its own internal fire, sulphur, or heat, is concocted into a metallick body, pure or impure, according as the steams were, when they joyned together, and the place in which they are generated.

CHAP. V. Of the uncertainty of the division of Fossiles, their definitions, or descriptions, and number.
THe reason why I begin here with the divisions of Fossiles, is, because I mean not to determine, but to propose, and the things being yet so far from being certainly known, that I dare but Sceptically treat of them, and recite what the opinions of Authors are in these particulars.

1. And first, That things may be plain to the Rea∣der, as far as we are able to lay them open, by things digged forth of the Earth, commonly called Fossilia, we understand all elementated, and perfectly mixt bodies, growing, found, and had either in the bowels of the Earth, or in the superficial parts thereof, brought to the knowledge of our senses by any means whatsoever; thereby not intending subterraneous ani∣mal, vegetables, nor any of their parts. Which are
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so variously divided by Authors, that a man cannot well tell which of them to pitch upon, as the most per∣fect, but some of the chief of them we shall here recite, and leave the censure to others.

And first the learned Wormius doth thus define [ 1] Fossiles.*Est autem fossile, corpus perfecte mixtum in∣animatum, vitae expers, peculiari forma, & virtute se∣minaria à deo in prima creatione dotatum, ut sibi simile procreare, suamque speciem propagare possit. But a Fossile is a body perfectly mixt, inanimate, void of life, endowed with a peculiar form, and seminary virtue of God in the first creation, that it might procreate a like to it self, and might propagate its species. And after doth divide them into three sorts. 1. Into mid∣dle Minerals; which have a middle nature, as it were betwixt stones and Metals; and of these he maketh four sorts. 1. Earths. 2. Salts. 3. Sulphurs. 4. Bitumens. 2. Into stones, of which he maketh two sorts. 1. Stones less precious. 2. Stones pre∣cious. 3. Into Metals, by which (he saith) he un∣derstands metallick bodies, meaning as well the Me∣tals properly so called, as also those bodies that are of kin or nearness to the Metals. Which I confess to me seemeth as comprehensive a division of Fossiles as any other Author that I have read.

Secondly, Eucelius divides them all but into two [ 2] sorts,* that is to say, 1. Into the greater Minerals, which have their original from Sulphur and Mercury, and that these are all ductible and liquable. 2. Into the middle Minerals, or remote, which are not pro∣perly metallick bodies, as those that draw their origi∣nal from a very weak Mercury and Sulphur, or those that consist of argent vive, or sulphur alone, as sub∣ventaneous
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eggs, or a Mole. This division I leave as but defective, and to be censured by others.

[ 3] 3. I cannot now but mention the Jesuit Caesius, who writ a huge Volume of Minerals, but grounded upon very little experience; in which notwithstanding a curious fansie may find many nice and speculative questions handled, and according to his notions re∣solved. It being the custom of those kind of men to seem ignorant of nothing, when indeed experimen∣tally they scarce know any thing. He relateth that Avicen quoted by Albertus,*Agricola, and others, do divide Fossiles into four kinds; as Stones, Metals, Sul∣phurs, and Salts. And others likewise into four, to wit, remarkable Earths, concrete Juices, Stones, and Metals. These and other divisions he sheweth, and seemeth to approve of them all, in these words.

I say that the before-alledged divisions are all useful, for they fitly enough do distribute the whole into its parts, which is the office of a good division. Therefore Fallopius and Raynandus do rightly commend the di∣visions of Aristotle, Theophrastus, Galen, Avicen, and Albertus; and that the said Fallopius doth rightly prefer the fourfold division of Agricola, into Earths, Juices, Stones, and Metals, as more clear then the rest.*
And afterwards he forth of Agricola, doth enu∣merate six sorts; which, with the rest, I commend to be considered of.
[ 4] 4. The Author of the Aureus Tract De Lapide Phi∣losophico,* divides them into four sorts, to wit, Stones, amongst which the matter of every kind, and Earths are understood Salts of all sorts, the middle Minerals, and Metals.

[ 5] 5. Lastly, I shall onely add the division used by
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Trevisan,* not so much regarding the exactness, as usefulness, which he maketh four-fold.

The first he calls of the first imposition, which are vulgar and common Stones, in which there is a bare compaction of the Elements. 2. The second are the media mi∣neralia, or lesser Minerals, as Salts, Aloms, Tackles, Auripigments, Vitriols, Sulphurs, &c.
3. The third are the metallick bodies, or mineralia majora. 4. Of the fourth sort are gems, and precious stones.
Now for the definitions and description of what a Metal is, to distinguish it from other Fossiles and com∣pound bodies, we find the Authors as different in their opinions; and therefore the most learned and expert in Mineral knowledge, have for the most part omit∣ted it, as too nice a difficulty and fruitless specula∣tion, as Paracelsus,* who giveth this; and yet howe∣ver, thought of it as good and true as the best of them; who saith,

He that goeth about to know what Me∣tals are, and from whence they arise; must under∣stand, that our Metals are no other thing, then the best part and spirit of common stones, that is to say, pitch, grease, fatness, oyl, and stone. For so hardly are the things of Nature to be known, that they are more easily to be known by similitudes then Logical definitions.
This definition is given by an Aristotelian thus: [ 1]

Metallum est corpus perfecte mixtum,*& inanima∣tum, ex sulphure & argen•• viv•, mixti• & tempe∣ratis in terrae v•nis, natum. A Metal is a perfect mixt body, and inanimate, arising from sulphur and argent vive, mixed and tempered in the veins of the Earth. And first he thinks the definition to be good, as consisting of a genus and difference. The
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genus he makes corpus, because a Metal doth consist of three dimensions: and the difference he makes fourfold. 1. It is called a body perfectly mixt, to difference it from meteors; because there is not so light a concourse of the Elements in Metals as in Meteors. 2. It is called inanimate, to difference it from animate things, as Plants and Animals. 3. The matter of Metals is set down to be sulphur and ar∣gent vive, as the father and mother of Metals. And when they are said to grow of sulphur and argent vive mixt and tempered together in the veins of the Earth, by which the efficient cause, and place or matrix of generation is signified.
[ 2] Wormius gives this modest definition of a Metal.

Metallum est corpus perfecte mistum,*non vivens, sed viventi aemulum, à Deo in venis creatum, ex terra subtilissima, & halitibus pinguibus ex terra & aqua, per calor•m mistis, ut inde sulphureum & mercuriale semen fiat, ex quo metalla generari possunt: quae ac∣cedente salino principio concrescunt, & incrementa capiunt, donec pura, & perfecta reddantur, igne fu∣silia, ictuque in longum & latum ductibilia. A Me∣tal is a perfect mixt body, not living, emulating life, created of God in the veins, of a most subtile earth, and steams being fat, from the earth, and wa∣ter, mixed by heat, that from thence a sulphureous and mercurial seed may be made, from whence Metals may be generated: which do joyn together, and take increase, by a saline principle coming to them, until they be made pure and perfect, being fu∣sible by fire, and by force to be drawn into length and bredth.
3.
Schroderus gives this description:

Metalta sun•
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corpora dura,*ductilia ex succo salino sine Mercurio, vi sui sulphuris in terra coagulato. Metals are hard bo∣dies, to be drawn (or ductible) coagulated of a saline juice or Mercury, by the force of sulphur, in the earth.
There might be many more definitions, or descri∣ptions given of Metals, from many other Authors, but so defective, or imperfect, that I have onely instanced in these, to shew how lame this piece of learning is concerning Metals, that all ingenuous persons may be stirred up to a farther search into the nature and pro∣perties of them, to help to lead this knowledge to∣wards perfection. And therefore we shall onely men∣tion three particulars that may be observed from what hath been spoken before. 1. That if we take a Me∣tal in the sense of the first definition of Magyrus, then it may comprehend both those that are strictly called Metals (not excluding common argent vive to be one) and those that are also called semi-metals, as Autimo∣ny and the like.

2. But if we take a Metal strictly to be, a perfect mixt, constant and Mineral body, fusible, ductible, or malleable, arising or generated of Sulphur and Mercu∣ry: and so the special difference of a Metal from all other Minerals to be its abiding the hammer, and per se, or of its own nature, without commixture of any other, to endure extension into length and bredth by force. Then quicksilver must be none of them, nor those that are accounted semi-metals, as Antimony, Bismuth, or Tin-glass, and the like; which of them∣selves will not extend under the hammer, but with the commixion of some others will easily do it. For they make a semi-metal to be a perfect mixt body, less con∣stant,
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fusible not ductible per se, compounded of a less perfect Mercury and Sulphur then the former. Its difference from other Minerals, to be its metallick colour, and fusion; and from a Metal, that it will not (without mixture of some other) extend under the hammer, but proves brittle and frangible.

3. But if a metallick body be taken in the largest sense, then it sometimes comprehends not onely those that are malleable per se, but those called semi-me∣tals, that will not extend under the hammer without commixtion of some other, and those other Minerals that some Authors call Cachimiae & Marchasitae; of all which we shall have occasion to speak here∣after.

In the next place we come to speak of the number of the Metals, which commonly are accounted seven, according to the number of the seven Planets, which we shall let pass, as a thing assumed by Analogy and similitude, more then by certainty and truth; but because they have been most anciently and commonly known more then others, they have got that repute and esteem, which we shall not labour to take from them.

Concerning this point we may take the judgment of Paracelsus,* in stead of all; whose experience in Mineral knowledge was inferiour to none; who saith:

But understand further of the generation of Metals, that there is a great number, and a diverse variety of them. For a Metal is that which the fire can tame, and the Workman frame an instrument of; of which are Gold, Silver, Iron, Copper, Lead, Tin. For these are accounted Metals of all men. But fur∣thermore, also there are certain other Metals, which
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are not accounted Metals, either in the Writings or Philosophy of the Ancients, or by the vulgar, and notwithstanding they are Metals. Hitherto doth be∣long Zink, Cobalt, which are tamed, and forged or stamped by force of the fire; as also certain Granates (so used to be called) of which there are many kinds, and these are Metals. But there are many others besides these, that are not yet known unto me: as are many differences in Marchasites, in Bismuths, in other Cachimies, which yield Metals, but not yet known or discovered. For the chief Metals are one∣ly known, that are more ready, and commodious for use, as Gold, Silver, Iron, Copper, Tin, Lead: The rest are for the most part neglected through a certain slothfulness; neither is there much care ta∣ken about their properties. For neither the Smith, nor Artist that worketh in Iron, or Tin, or Copper, regardeth them: and yet they are Metals for other Artificers not yet sprung up; for none labours to learn, except by one way and one Art. And a little after he saith:* But this Chapter of Metals doth teach that there are six Metals in number known unto me, which also I have reckoned above: to which yet a few more are to be added, to wit, three or four, also known unto me; whose number and species do hereafter follow. But it is of likelihood to me, that yet a great number of them remains behind un∣known. For by the probation or essaying of Me∣tals, manifold trials or essays do offer themselves, which are of a metallick nature, that is, they are ve∣rily estimated according to the nature of the (known) Metals, but notwithstanding they do not altogether agree with it; that from hence I conjecture that there
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remains a great number of Metals undiscovered. For every Mineral may be rightly known and discerned, if it be tried or tested, by a just proof or examination. And to this purpose Georgius Agricola tells us, That he would shew them a certain kind of Mineral,* which was in the number of the Metals, but (as it seemed to him) unknown to the Ancients, which the Ger∣mans called Bismuth. And thereupon they reply, Therefore according to thy opinion, there are more then the vulgarly and commonly known seven Me∣tals. To which he replies: I judge there are more, for this which even now I told you our Countrey∣men call Bismuth, you cannot rightly say it is either white Lead (that is Tin) nor black Lead (that is,* that Lead which is commonly called so) but differs from them both, and is a third kind. And again he tells us; That there are said to be six Metals in num∣ber, distinct in kind, to wit, Gold, Silver, Iron, Cop∣per, Lead, Tin; but that indeed and truth there are more. And that also Quicksilver is a Metal, and that which the Germans call Bismuth. Therefore (he saith) that Ammonius had written well, that there are many species of Metals to us unknown.
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CHAP. VI. Of the signs and discovery of Mines and Ores, both in general and in particular.
NOw we shall relate the signs of Mines and Ores, as we could promiscuously gather them from the best Authors we have, or could meet withal; and add some few of our own experience and observation. And first take these from Caesius,* who tells us thus: That they are either found forth by chance, or by Art and search.

1. Sometimes Mines are found forth, without the industry of men; as when torrents and great floods do make them bare, as hapned at the Silver Mines at Friberg.
2. By eradicating the Trees that grew over the veins of the Ore, by the force of winds.
3. By the falling out of stones forth of the Moun∣tains, by the force of large Showers, Earthquakes, Thunderbolt and Lightning, the rowling down of Snow, or the force of winds.
4. By plowing, or accidental digging; as Gold was found in Galecia, as Iustin reporteth.
5. By the burning of Woods, as hapned in Spain, in shewing Silver Mines, as Diodorus Siculus writeth.
6. Lastly, Any other force may discover Ores, as the hoof of a Horse (as it is said) at Gose∣laria.
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Again, they may be discovered by Art, and proba∣ble signs before digging, or searching.

1. The heads of Springs and Fountains are to be carefully observed, and their Waters to be tried, be∣cause they cannot be far from the Vein, as having their rise or passage near them.

2. The pieces or fragments of Veins are to be mar∣ked, that the force of torrents hath laid open; for if they be smooth, it is a sign that the Vein is far off, but if fixed in the Earth, or rough, it is a sign that the Vein is near at hand.

3. The site and position of the place is to be noted, for that may be the cause that the Veins are more or less hidden in the Earth, and the pieces thrust far∣ther off.

4. The Frosts sticking to the Grass are to be mar∣ked, which commonly are white and hoary, except they which grow over the Veins of Minerals, because they breath forth hot and drie steams, which hinder the concretion of the Frost; therefore where the Grass is moist, and not congealed with the Frost, as o∣ther Grass near the same place is, there the Vein is pro∣bably under it, and the Grass short, and of a languid and pale colour.

5. The signs of hidden Veins, are the leaves of Trees, which in the Spring time are livid and some∣thing blewish, the boughs (especially the highest) in∣fected with blackness, or some less unnatural colour, and the stock or trunck chinked, all caused by me∣talline vapours.

6. The tops of Mountains which tend towards the South, and their bottoms towards the North, do af∣ford an Argument of Metals, and especially of silver,
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and those most abounding which tend directly from the East towards the North.

7. The colour of the Mountains, Stones, and Earth, is to be regarded, for these do not onely discover Me∣tals, but also shew of what sort they are, as a green colour Copper, a black Silver or Gold, a Purple a Fire-stone, or Marchasite, livid and wan Lead and Iron, lurid or very pale Vitriol, Copperas, or such like Juices, ashie and obscure Sulphur.

8. The smell or odour also may be reckoned a∣mongst the signs of Mines or Ores; as when two stones of the same Mountain are rubbed hard together, if there be Metal, they will greatly smell of Brim∣stone.

9. Barren Mountains are also a sign of Metals, be∣cause the humour is wasted within, and the evil va∣pours destroy the young Plants and Grass.

10. The stones or earth being heavier then ordina∣ry; are a certain sign of Metals.

11. If the stones shine more then ordinary, or be very solid shining but little,* it is a sign of Metals. And if thou flux or melt the stones, thou shalt not onely discover the Metal, but the kind, and quantity of it.

12. The Waters afford signs, for if they have any strange smell, or colour, they shew some Metal. The mud and sand in the bottom of Rivers and Brooks, are diligently to be examined; for something in the length of time must needs be washed from the Veins in their passage. And where there are unusual and strange Plants, where they do not thrive, but their truncks are little, leaves and branches withered, &c. are sometimes signs of Metals.

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*To these we may add what Paracelsus saith,

That coruscation, or scintillation, is a certain sign of Me∣tals that are unripe, and yet in primo ente; and ac∣cording as sparkling or fire is carried, so the Veins lie. And that this coruscation, or sparkling of fire, is to be seen in the night, as if Gun-powder were sprinkled in a long line, and then fired; so it goeth along, and shineth, and doth glissen, and glimmer even as Gold or Silver upon the Test or Cupel, when the Lead is separated from it. And if this glimmering shew whitish, it is a sign of white Metals, as Tin, Lead, Silver, &c. if red, a sign of red Metals, as Copper, and Iron; if yellow, yellow Metals, as Gold, &c. That this coruscation being thin and subtile, is the best sign; and sheweth subtile, and excellent Metals; and the contrary denoteth the con∣trary. And as long as these glimmerings appear, whether of this or that colour, little or great, so long the Metal is immature, and as yet in primo ente, as the sperm of a man in the matrix of the woman. But Basilius saith,* Seeing this stuff which this coruscation seizeth on, is found often in a place where no Metals are, therefore it is very deceitful; however com∣monly, and for the most part of a metalline breath.
For the signs of Metals, in or after digging, to seek them, take these:

1.
If the Miners happen into a fat clayish earth, which discovereth a Vein of pure and fresh Metal, it is a very good sign, certainly shewing, that the Me∣tal of which it is a Vein, is not far off.

2.
If the earth digged up have no Metal in it, but be very fat, and be of a white, black, yellow, red,
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green, or a bright blue or Azure colour, it is also a good sign of some noble Metal there. For the Mine-men have especially a regard unto noble, neat, and prime colours, as green Earth, or Chrysocolla, viride aeris, Lazure, Cinnabar, Sandaraca, red Arsnick, Au∣ripigment, Litharge of Gold or Silver, &c. For eve∣ry one of these doth for the most part shew its pecu∣liar Metal and Mineral. So viride aeris, Chrysocolla, Green Earth, do for the most part shew Copper, or a cupreous Metal. So Lazure, or white Arsnick, or Litharge of silver, do for the most part shew the Metal of Copper. So Cinnabar and Sandaraca, or red Arsnick, do sometimes denote Gold, or Silver, or both mixt together. So Auripigment, red Sulphur, or Litharge of Gold, for the most part do po•tend Gold. So where Chrysocrlla with Lazure, or La∣zure with Chrysocolla and Auripigment, are found mixed and confounded together, for the most part they shew a most excellent and rich Mineral. Where stones or earth are found of an Iron-like colour they certainly shew an Iron mineral.

3.
It is to be noted, that sometimes the Archaus of the Earth doth thrust out, or vomit forth, by some hidden passages, from the lower Earth, some Metal; and that is a good sign that the Miners should pro∣ceed, because there is certain hope of a noble metal hid there.

4.

Moreover,* If thin leaves of metals like to Talck do stick to the pebles, or stones, it is a good and cer∣tain sign. Thus far Paracelsus.
Now we shall shew the signs from that laborious and experienced person,*Georgius Agricola, which are these; very well worth nothing.

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1.
There is often fou•d pure Gold, Silver, Copper, and Argent vive; seldom •ron, or Plumbum Cine∣reum, or Bismuth, seldom ever Tin, or Lead. But the little black Stones, and the rest, do not much dif∣fer from pure Tin, which is melted by blast forth of them; and the best lapis plumbarius, or Lead Ore, from which the Lead is melted, differs little from the Metal it self.

2,
Then after pure gold, that is, statim suum, that which is called rude, or unwrought; whether it be greenish yellow, or yellow, or purple, or black, or red without, and inwardly of a golden colour, it is to be reckoned as a rich Vein, because the gold doth exceed the stone, or earth in weight. Also every Vein of Gold, whereof an 100 pound weight doth contain more then three ounces of Gold, is rich. All the rest of the Veins of gold are to be esteemed as poor ones.

3.
Earth, whether drie or moist, sometimes con∣tains gold; but in that which is drie, for the most part there is more, if in the Furnace it give any good sign, or do not want little spangles like cat-silver. These Juices for the most part contain Gold, caeru∣leum, or a kind of blue Sand, Azure, Chrysocolla, native Borax, or green Earth, Auripigment native, yellow Arsnick, Orpiment, or Orpine, Sandaraca native, red Arsnick. Also pure or unwrought gold doth sometimes stick or cleave, sometimes less, some∣times more in the sand, gravel, or grittle of flints, little pebles, slates, or cleaving stones and marble. In Fire-stones sometimes it is found, but very rarely.

4.
But the richness of a silver Vein is thus discer∣ned;
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If in 100 l. weight of the Ore, there be a∣bove 3 l. weight, it is rich, 'otherwise it is poor, as is that which consists of unwrought silver. Whe∣ther the colour be leaden, red, white, black, ash-co∣loured, purple, yellow, liver-coloured, or of any o∣ther sort; such also sometimes is the Vein of flint, slate, and marble, if much do adhere unto them. Some∣times in Fire-stones, Cadmia, Ore of Brass, Lead Ore, and Ore of Antimony.

5.
But in the other sort of Metals, though their Veins may be rich, yet unless they be plentiful also, they are seldom worth labour. But if it happen that any kind of gems or precious stones be discovered, they are diligently to be sought after; as Cements, Marbles, Lapis Haematites, Load-stone, which is u∣sually found in the Iron mines; Smiris, or as com∣monly called by Mechanicks Emery, in Silver mines; the Lapis Iudaicus, Trochites, and the like, in Quar∣ries, or elsewhere. Neither ought they to neglect the several sorts of Earth, whether found in the gold, Silver, Copper Mines, or others: nor should they neglect the several concrete, or hardned Juices, found in the metallick passages, or in their proper Mines.

6.
If a yellow Earth offer it self, in which the ra∣ments or shavings of any Metal, pure or unwrought, do appear, it is a good sign: For the Metallick mat∣ter from whence the shavings are separated, must needs be at hand. But if it offer it self void of all Metallick matter, but be fat, and of a white, green, blewish, or such like colour, the Workmen ought not to give over, so they have the signs spoken of before.

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7.
But if any drie Earth offer it self to the Miner, which containeth pure and unwrought in it self, it is a good sign, If yellow, red, or black, or any other notable colour, which hath no Metal in it, then it is no bad sign, and Chrysocolla, Caeruleum, Aerugo, Au∣ripigmentum, Sandaraca being found, are good signs.

8.
Also where a subterranean Spring casteth forth some piece of a Metal, we ought to pursue it; for it sheweth that that piece was separated from some greater part of the Metal. Likewise when very thin spangles of some Metal do cleave to the Rock or Stone, they are to be numbred among the good signs. Furthermore, Veins which forthwith do consist partly of flints, partly of clayish and dry earth; if being mixed together with fibres, and descend low into the earth, it is good hope that there is metal.* But if the fibres afterwards appear not, and little or no metallick matter offer it self, they ought not to give over digging.

9.
But if a brown, black, horn-like, liver-colour∣ed flint appear, for the most part it is a good sign; but white is sometimes good, sometimes not; but the sand or grittle of marble, appearing in the depth of the Vein, is not good. And those sorts of stones that do easily melt in the fire, although they be trans∣parent, are to be numbred amongst the middle signs, if other good signs appear, they are good; if not, they are no good signs. And they are of some hope which above and below (or at the covering or bot∣tom) have a flint or marble, and in the midst clayish earth, &c. In like manner, where the top (or as our Miners call it, Cooping) and the bottom have
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an Iron-like earth, and in the midst fat and clammy earth. So where the top and the bottom have that which the Miners call Armaturam (the harness or arming) and in the midst black earth, or like to burnt earth, these yield some hope.

10.
But the proper sign of Gold, is Auripigment, natural yellow Orpiment, or Orpin. Of Silver, Plum∣bum Cinereum, Bismuth, and Antimony: of Copper, natural Verdegrease, pared off from brass stones, out of which it groweth; Melanteria, or black Earth; Sory, a poisonous black pory Earth; Chalcitis, the Copper stone, or red Vitriol; Misy, a kind of Vi∣triol now not known; Altramentum sutorium, green Vitriol, Shoo-makers black. Of Tin, the pure black stones, out of which the Metal is melted, and things digged up like the spume or froth of silver. Of Iron, Ferrugo, Iron stone. The common sign of Gold and Copper, is Chrysocolla, green Earth, or native Borax, Caeruleum, Azure, or blue sand. Of Silver and Lead, Plumbago Fossilis, Lead Ore, in which is always silver, less or more; and is also called Ga∣lena, Molybdena, and Lapis plumbarius. But although the Miners do rightly call Plumbum cinereum Bis∣muth, Wismuth, or Counterfein, the cover (or coo∣ping) of Silver; and that the Copper fire-stone, or pyrites aerosus be the common parent of Atramen∣tum su•orium, Melanteria, and the like: Yet notwith∣standing sometimes these have their proper metals; as also Auripigment and Stibium. And amongst good signs are slate stones of a pale-blue, or black colour; and also Lime-stones of any colour. But a good sign of Silver, are little black pebles, forth of which Tin is drawn, especially when the intervein is made of
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such like. And thus far this noble Authour.

The signs to discover where Metals are that the ex∣pert Miners have informed me of, and that I have observed in these Northern parts, where the Ores that they either get or look for, are commonly Lead, and but rarely any Silver Ore, are these.

1. The Hills and Mountains from whence they are digged, are for the most part barren and squalid, ha∣ving but little Grass, and that short, dried, and (as it were) withered; few Trees, Plants, or Shrubs, grow∣ing upon them; and those they have, little, dwarfish, livid, and ill-coloured, very rocky and stony at the tops, with earths of sundry colours, but most com∣monly something reddish.
2. The stones that by the Land-flouds and Torrents are brought down into the Vallies, are very ponderous, flinty, grayish, or horn-coloured, and oftentimes pie∣ces and fragments of Cauk, and pure white, and other coloured Sparr; and good store of small grey, black and white Silices, or pebles, which are found to be good, and for the most part certain signs that there is metalline Ore in those Hills or Mountains.
3. There are commonly found upon the tops of the Hills where they find Lead Ore, many sorts of fire-stones, or pyritae; which rubbed hard or smitten toge∣ther forcibly, do not onely give sparks of fire, but smell most strongly of Brimstone, whether they yield fire or not. And sometimes store of little yellowish and reddish stones, and these prove very good signs of Metals.
4. Sometimes there is found fragments of very bright and shining marchasites of a golden colour, or like Copper in shew, wrought forth of the Hills by
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Rains, and Flouds, that together with some other signs named before, give great incouragement to Mi∣ners, and seldom deceive them.
5. Some expert Workmen (which I my self have divers times seriously marked, and sought for) have found in the chinks and holes of the stones washed from the tops or sides of Mountains; a blue kind of Sand or Earth, being (as I conjecture) the native Cae∣ruleum or Azure; as also a pure green Earth or Sand, which might be the natural aerugo or verdegrease that Agricola mentions: and where these were found they always proved good signs.
6. But the most certain sign that all our Miners relie upon, is to find some fragments of Ore washed down from the sides of the Hills; or by careful walk∣ing over the tops of the Mountains (whose barren∣ness, and some other such like signs, have moved them to search) and prying into the clifts, irruptions, or cre∣vises of the Rocks. And this they find never to fail them.
7. After they have digged, the most of the signs that doth encourage them, is grey or blewish stones, flints, or slates, red or yellow clay or earth, or that which appears of many colours; but especially to find some pieces of such Ore as they call loose and shaken Ore; or some small twigs of a Vein of Ore, for then they think that there cannot but be greater store, if they can find the right way to it.
8. I have specially noted that near where Metals are (especially near Brunghill Moor, where Silver Ore was formerly gotten, and at a place called the Syks) there the Stones being for the most part of a greyish, or blewish colour, are very thick interspersed with
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the small Atoms, or grains of Metal, as little as small Pin heads, or almost Needle points, and will excee∣dingly shine and glister upon a Sun-shine day, and also are very ponderous.
Now to conclude this Chapter, I shall onely mind the Reader of a remarkable passage of Paracelsus; which though twice repeated in his Works, and (as I judge) of great weight, and full of honest and plain instruction to a Mineralist, yet hath been little re∣garded by any one that ever I yet conversed withal; which is this:

*Whosoever therefore doth search after Minerals, it is fit that he be endowed with such reason and dis∣cretion, that he have not a regard alone to vulgar and known Metals, which are found only in the depths of Mountains. For very often such a Mineral is found in the very superficies of the earth, that no such, or none so good is found in the hidden deeps.* There∣fore every stone that comes into our view, whether it be great or little, whether it be a small peble, or a whole stone, is most diligently to be looked into, and to weigh the nature and property of it, with an exact examination. For many times a vile flint or peble, contemn'd and thrown away, is better then any Cow. For here the dominion of Heaven pre∣vails. And all over earth, dust, or sand is offered, which hath with it much of Gold, or Silver, which thou shalt mark and take notice of.
It may be perhaps here expected that I should say somthing of the Virgula divinatoria, as by many judged to be a sure way to discover where the Ores of Metals lie; of which I find that some of our credulous Mi∣ners have a great opinion but none of them that
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ever I could meet withal, had made any certain or ex∣act trial of, so as to verifie the truth of the experiment. Neither indeed is it much used by any in these Northern parts. But yet notwithstanding I shall give you the opinion of some of the best Authors, both a∣gainst the certainty of it, and for the verity of the Ex∣periment.

1. And first Agricola,* a very sober person, far from superstition, and doubtless that had seen the fallaci∣ousness of it, and that it hapned to shew where Me∣tals lay but rarely; and after a long discourse about the verity or falshood of it (to whom I refer my Rea∣der) doth conclude against charms and incantations used about it, but that the natural use of it may be allowed, in these words:

Virgula igitur, in invenien∣dis venis, viro bono, gravique usui esse potest. There∣fore the rod for discovering of Veins of Metals, may be used by a good and grave man. But not in chu∣sing the figure, nor using charms: non enim valet virgulae figura, sed incantamenta carminum. For the figure, of the rod prevails not, but the charms.
2. The second I shall name,* is Paracelsus, one whom his enemies would brand with most gross su∣perstition, and favouring or practising of unlawful and cheating Magick: as commonly all that preten∣ded Magick that is practised, and counted Diabolical, is but the cheats of crafty and cunning Knaves; or as Cardan said, Carnales Daemones, ipsis daemonibus cal∣lidiores. Incarnate Devils, more cunning then the Devil himself. He (I say) doth so clearly, plainly and honestly disclaim all superstition, charms, and in∣chantments, as none can do more; and also confesseth the deceitfulness of the use of this Divinatory rod, in
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these words; which for brevity I give in English.

Therefore care is sedulously to be taken, that ye suf∣fer not your selves to be seduced by the Divinations of uncertain Arts. For they are vain and frivolous, especially the Divinatory rods, which have deceived many Miners. For if they once shew any thing rightly, they on the contrary deceive ten times. In like manner, we are not at all to trust to other frau∣dulent signs of the Devil, which are done and appear against Nature upon the night, and at inconvenient time, as Apparitions, Visions, and the like.
And in ano∣ther place he saith;* For the Divinatory rod is fallaci∣ous; as also the other Visions in Glasses, and Crystals.
3. The great Kircherus doth reject it, and that upon his own trial,* in these words:

Cente ego saepius hujus rei supra metallica corpora auri & argenti, ex∣perimentum sumens, semper spe mea frustratus sum. Certainly I very oft making an experiment of this thing upon the metallick bodies of Gold and Silver, was always frustrated of my hope. And concludeth, Atque luculenter adverti manifestam esse non daemenis, sed virgam tractantis illusionem. But I have clearly observed, that the manifest illusion is not of the De∣vil, but of him that handleth the rod.
From whence observe,
1. That there have been, and are many things that are performed by true natural means, though hid, and secret; as also by sleight, nimbleness, and cunning, that wiser heads, and cunninger wits, have used charms, spells, strange words, or incantations to, thereby to keep them veiled from the Vulgar, and to deceive others. Which hath occasioned many incon∣veniences, and therefore not to be used by an honest
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and conscientious Christian;* but we are carefully to mark what is natural Magick, which is both lawful and laudable, what may be done by Art, which is of∣ten strange and wonderful, and what is done by Dia∣bolical means, if it be a truth that there is any such matter; of which the most learned do not cause∣lesly doubt.

2. That in trying such nice experiments as this, there had need be extraordinary care, and caution, both in time, and in every minute circumstance there∣of; and though one should often miss about it, it is not safe to conclude generally, and negatively: for an experiment (especially when it depends upon Na∣ture more then Art) may fail at some times and pla∣ces, for peculiar reasons; and yet when all circum∣stances necessary and suitable are added, may prove effectual: and therefore notwithstanding the autho∣rity of Paracelsus and Agricola, it may be doubted, whether their trials were accompanied with all the exact circumstances that were requisite for such a matter, for we know they were men, and might err; and it is too manifest, that in many things they did err, and it is the common frailty, that no man, as meer man, hath been priviledged from.

3. For Kirchers trials often made with the rod up∣on the metallick bodies of gold and silver, which I sup∣pose were the Ores of those Metals, he doth not men∣tion of what kind of wood his rod was; or whether he had tried with rods of all those several woods that he nameth; which if not, he left it short, and con∣cludes not safely. Again, the great question is, whe∣ther if the rod will move when it is over the veins of Metals, that it will do so at any distance, which is not
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probable to be supposed, for the Loadstone will no work beyond the sphere of its activity, and therefore there may be great store of Metals in the Mountain where it is used; and yet they not lying near enough the superficies of the earth, may frustrate its effects, though if they had been within the compass of its vir∣tue, it may be that it would have shewed them. Fur∣ther the great Quaery may be, that it will discover Mines at some times and degrees of their concoction, when they send forth strong steams, but not when they send forth little or none. And much may be in the manner and skill of using the rod.

*1. Now first for those that affirm the experiment of the rod to be true, I shall give what Mr. Gabriel Platte delivereth us upon his own trial, who saith:

The operation with the Virgula Divina, is thus to be per∣formed: some observe a set day and hour, with cer∣tain words and ceremonies at the cutting up of the same, which I have found to be little to the pur∣pose. Thus I wrought about Midsummer in a calm morning, I cut up a rod of Hasel, all of the same Springs growth, almost a yard long; then I tied it to my staff, in the middle with a strong thred, so that it did hang even, like the beam of a ballance: thus I carried it up and down the Mountains where Lead grew, and before Noon it guided me to the orifice of a Lead Mine, which I tried, having one with me with an hack of Iron and a Spade, and with∣in two hours we found a vein of Lead Ore; within less then a foot of the Grass. The signs that it shew∣eth, is to bow down the root end towards the Earth, as though it would grow there, near unto the orifice of a Mine. When you see it do so, you must carry it
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round about the place, to see that it turneth in the string still to the place, on which side soever you stand.
The like Story to this I have seen in an unnamed Au∣thor, but shall here omit it, because I know not of what credit he was.
2. The second I shall give you is,* from the Author of the Nova disquisitio de Helia artista; who affirms it of his own knowledge thus, which I give you in English.

Let a two-forked rod be cut of one years growth, of Hasel or of Oak, whose Forks or two twigs must be equal, and without fault. Some think it ought to be cut down before the Sun rise, especial∣ly the Moon increasing, and that above all about the day of the Annunciation of Mary. But we observed none of these. This being done, let the two ends be taken into the opposite hands, the fingers compressed upwards towards Heaven; to wit, that on both sides the ends of the twigs of the divided branch, or fork, may hang forth out of the hands at both the thumbs pressed to the hands. But the root of the forked branch must bend outwardly between the two hands. Which if any having silver buttons fixt to his doublet, that cut end of the root, although with all thine endeavour thou compress the rod in both hands, will make a circle by moving by it self, and will turn it self inwardly towards thy doublet, even to the buttons. But if, having no Metal at all about thee, thou lay silver or gold upon the earth; then holding it fast, and being unwilling, the cut part of the root will bend outwardly, until with a strong motion it smite the Metal.
That there are many exceptions may be made against these two experi∣ments, is plain; but I shall omit them, because those
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that are curious may easily be satisfied with trials of this nature.
*3. Basilius Valentinus hath a large discourse about several kinds of rods, but I confess to me so dark, that I dare not adventure to meddle with them, nor to say that I understand any thing of them, onely I shall give you these two passages. First he saith;

Though the stirring of the rod is fallen into abuse among ma∣ny people; however it is a fundamental way to know, and to bring forth the Metals, if duely and naturally used. Again, he saith: Therefore if you take such a rod, especially of a Hasel, or of a Kray Tree whose sap is full, and beareth a pleasant and sweet fruit; it draweth the same downwards, that the rod must sink and stick; it will suck out the juice when the rod stands right on its passage, this holdeth from a∣bove unto this station, where the rod stands still, that place they call the Ores station, standing as streight as a line.
I shall say nothing, but refer all to expe∣riment; for some have believed too much, and some too little.
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CHAP. VII. Of those Minerals that are said to be of affinity to Metals, as those they call Cachimiae, Marchasites, Pyritae, or Fire-stones.
WE shall speak something of these, because the difference, and divers kinds of them are little known or regarded by our common Miners, because they can make no profit of them, nor other use, except as signs to discover where metalline Ores are. And what is convenient to our purpose we shall give you, what we account material forth of some choice Au∣thors, and also what we have noted and observed our selves.

1. And first of those they call Cachimiae or Kakimiea, for it is printed both ways; but whether the word be Arabick (as most judge) I being not at all skilled in that language, or of some other tongue, I cannot cer∣tainly determine. For I find nothing either written by Toxites, Rulandus, or our Countryman Iohnson, but what they seem to have taken forth of Paracelsus, but have either grosly mistaken, o• wilfully perverted the sense of that learned and experienced Author; for they make a Kachimia to be Immatura metalli mine∣ra,*vel semiperfectum metallum, & nondum à natura absolutum, quod adhuc in primo suo ente, ut infans in utero suae matris delitescit. Ejusmodi Kachimiarum species triginta reperiuntur hactenus cogni•ae. It is the immature Ore of a Metal, or an half perfect Metal, and not yet compleated of Nature; which as yet lieth
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hid in its first being, as an Infant in the womb of the mother. And that there are thirty sorts of these Ka∣chimies found that are known. This is indeed the description of his primum ens of Metals, or of the vo∣latile spirit of Metals, whilest it lies hid in Kachimies, Marchasites, and the like, as a child in the womb of the Mother, but not of a Kachimy, as we shall shew hereafter. And he doth not say that there are thirty sorts of them, but that of Marchasites and Kachimies there are about thirty sorts comprehended under those two names, not under the one of them. But his de∣scription is thus, both of a Marchasite and a Kachimie; for speaking of Marchasites,* he saith;

Nihil autem sunt aliud, quam superfluitas metallorum, hoc est ma∣teria, in metallis abundans, quam metalla intra se fer∣re, ac continere, aut in suam formam vertere neque∣unt. But Marchasites are no other thing then the superfluity of Metals; that is to say, a matter aboun∣ding in Metals, which the Metals cannot bear, or contain within themselves, or change into their own form.
And that a Kachimy is of the same sort, to wit, bred of the superfluity of the Metals, he thus declareth:
Sic ergo Marchasita nihil est aliud, quam superfluitas abundans in prima materia metallorum in Ares, quae per Archaeum separatur in Yliadum, unde postea Mar∣chasitae, & Kachimiae generantur triginta circiter ge∣nerum & formarum, quae tamen omnia duobus istis no∣minibus comprehenduntur. Quod vero illae multipli∣ces sunt, nec unius formae, licet ab una materia descen∣dant, causa est haec, quia scilicet inaequaliter concurrit trium primorum pondus, uno altero abundantius sese conferente.*Hinc formas enasci varias necesse est. So therefore a Marchasite is nothing else, then the
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superfluity abounding in the first matter of Metals in the Ares, which is separated by the Archaeus into the Yliad; from whence afterwards Marchasites and Cachimies are generated about thirty of divers sorts and forms; which notwithstanding are all compre∣hended under these two names. But, that they are manifold, and not of one form, although they de∣scend from one matter, the cause is this, because the weight of the three first principles do meet together unequally, one bestowing it self more abundantly then another. From hence of necessity divers forms do arise.
From hence it is plain that Cachimies and Marchasites are bred and generated of the same matter; to wit, the superfluity of the Metals; and are both about thirty in number, of divers forms and colours.* And for the difference betwixt them he makes it this:
Est autem Cachimia fixior, & constantior Marcasita, propter sal fixum ex quo constat. But a Cachimy is more fixed and constant then a Marchasite, because of the fixed salt, of which it con∣sists.
Again, he enumerateth eight sorts of Cachimies that were known unto him; to wit, Marchasitae Mer∣chasites, Pyrites Fire-stones, Antimonia Antimony, Cobalta Cobalts, Talka Talks, Auripigmenta Auri∣pigments, Sulphura Sulphurs, Arsenicalia Arsnicks. Now it seems he maketh both Cachimies and Mar∣chasites to be the superfluity of Metals, onely that a Cachimy is more fixed then a Marchasite; and so see∣meth to make Cachimia the Genus to the other eight, and then every Marchasite is a Cachimy, but not on the contrary; but how this should stand with the rules of Logick, I understand not; nor that Antimony is a
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Cachimie, being in some respects a Metal, or at the least a semi-metal. But it was usual with this Author not onely to neglect, but to despise the Art of Logick; and if he did but certainly know the several sorts of Minerals, and their nature and properties, he little re∣garded the ordering of them according to those strict rules. Therefore I should commend this particular to be seriously considered of, and due observation to be made thereof, that what is defective may be sup∣plied, and what is amiss may be rectified.

*2. As for Marchasites and Pyritae Fire-stones, Para∣celsus makes them to differ; and so Wormius seems to do, shewing that some of them may better be re∣ferred to the sorts of Metallick bodies, then meerly to the kinds of stones. But others make them both one, as Agricola, Caesalpinus, Eucelius, and most of the rest. And some think them called so, by reason of yielding forth sparks of fire; and some because of their shi∣ning and fiery colour. We may take them under these considerations. 1. Those that have the splen∣dour and colour of Metal, and also contain some Metals in them. 2. Those that have the splendour and colour of Metals, and contain no Metal in them. 3. Those that yield fire by striking, and those that yield none.

1. Those Marchasites or Fire-stones that contain Metal in them, are in general of divers sorts, and co∣lours. Agricola reckons these,* that at Reithestein in Lygiis (that is within Germany) there were found those that yielded silver and gold; and at Cotteberg in Bo∣hemia those that yielded copper and silver, and those that yielded lead and tin, copper and silver at Goselac in Saxony; onely copper in those that are found
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at Cuperberg in Bohemia, and in many other places: But that of Breitebren in Misnia, none at all; which is also confirmed by Wormius.*Rulandus doth num∣ber six sorts that yield Metal of one sort or another, that are very ponderous and yield sparks of fire. 1. One of a silver colour, that yields silver. 2. One other of almost a golden colour, forth of which cop∣per is melted. 3. One of a full golden colour. 4. One like the Ore of silver or Galena, that like the former, holds silver, and some gold. 5. One of an ash-colour that holdeth gold and silver. 6. One of of an Iron-like colour, but what it holds he telleth not.

2. He reckons four of a silver colour, that hold no metal, nor yield any fire: and six others of a golden colour, that have no Metal in them: And other five of a golden colour, that hold no metal, nor yield fire: And ten more of an ash-colour, that hold no metal in them, nor yield fire.

3. He nameth four of other colours, forth of which fire is smitten; and so of divers others that do yield fire, and those that do not yield fire: and numbreth ten several sorts that are fertile of Metal; to which I do refer the Reader.

They also seem to attribute to every one of the six Metals its proper Marchasite, but have not been so free to tell us which were they, nor what they in this sense meant by a Marchasite.* For Basilius saith; For what is the Marchasite of Iron? Is it not the Magnet? what is it of gold? is it not Lazul? and so forth of the rest. And Antimony that they call the Marchasite of Lead, but for the other three, we are at a loss, except we can make it forth from some passages in Paracelsus,* where
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he seemeth to grant thus much, that the primum ens, or spirit of silver is in a white Marchasite, white Talk, &c. In Zink and Cobalt the spirit of Iron, of Cop∣per in Zink, Vitriol, &c. In Zink or Bismuth, &c. the spirit of Tin, and in Cinnabar the first ens of Quick-silver. But this makes but a slender conjecture; for if every matter, as Stones, Clays, Earths, Juices, Cauk, Sparr, Marble, Plaster Ore, or Quarry, in which the Metals are commonly contained and min∣gled, be Marchasites, then the Ore of every Metal is its proper Marchasite. But we may as roundly say, that the Lapis Lazuli is the Marchasite of Gold; of Silver, Talk or Galena; of Lead, Antimony; of Tin, Bismuth; of Copper, Zink; of Iron, the Load-stone; of Quick-silver, Cinnabar. But of this enough.

Now I shall say something of Marchasites or Pyritae, of mine own experience. We have in our Coal-pits in these Northern parts great store of the said Marcha∣sites, some of which are of a very bright shining gol∣den colour, and some of them of a pure bright silver splendor, and some of them so curiously intermixed with diversity of colours, that are very delightful to the Eyes; these are something soft and will not strike fire, but being laid in a cold and moist place, will dis∣solve; and then any one may perceive that they hold store of Vitriol; but being fired in a melting pot, do yield store of fumes that smell strongly of Sulphur, by which we may be assured that they contain both Brimstone and Copperas. There are also other sorts found, that are some of them bright, and of a metal∣line colour, and far more hard then the former, which by striking will yield sparks of fire.

Also I have divers sorts of them that are very
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smooth and shining, as bright as Flanders metal, Ori∣chalcum or Brass, which is found in the Quarries of Stone, Slate-pits, or where they get flooring-stones for paving of houses, in the clifts betwixt the Stones, but contain no Metal in them, but being fired do smell strongly of Brimstone. Some few I have had that held some little Copper in them, of an hard substance, and not very bright but ponderous; but I have found none that held any Silver, Gold, or any other Metal in them. Many other sorts I have of divers and sundry colours, some of a golden, some of a silver-like, and some of a copper-like, or brass-like colour; some of them found near the Lead Ore, and some of them in their proper Mines, some of them in confused lumps, or interspersed in Stones, Cauk, or Sparr; some tri∣angular, some of them quadrangular, like to the Ludus of Paracelsus or Helmont; some sexangular, and some of them of other figures; but all of them sulphureous, and to be fired away to nothing, but an unprofitable black Earth. One sort there is found in some of our Lead Mines near the Ore, that is ponde∣rous, black, and glissening; but by several trials I could find no Metal in it, neither any great store of sulphureous fumes; and it is not that which the Ger∣mans call Blend, and our Miners blue Blind ake; because that is brighter, more shining, and liker a metallick body. I therefore intreat all Miners to inquire of these particulars.

1. What sorts of Fire stones or Marchasites they find, and near what sorts of Metals.
2. Of what colours, forms, and figures, that they may get them tried, to see what sort of Metals they contain; or if they hold Vitriol, Sulphur, Alom, Salt, or any other sort of Mineral.
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3. To make exact observation what difference there is to be found amongst them, either as to colour, shape, taste, smell, or any other qualities that appear in them, and if possibly their number.
CHAP. VIII. Of the several sorts of Gold according to the mysti∣cal Authors; also of the primum ens of Gold, and of some other things of the like nature.
NOw we shall come to the Metals themselves, and first of those that have been commonly and an∣ciently accounted so; to wit, the known seven, and afterwards to those that some esteem as Metals, that have been more lately discovered, or at least by o∣thers are acknowledged to be semi-metals. And first of that most noble metal of all others, Gold; of which Paracelsus maketh three sorts:* saying, Aurum est in essentia triplex, Gold in essence is threefold, 1. Coele∣ste, & est solutum, celestial and loosed. 2. Elemen∣tare, and that is fluid. 3. Metallicum, and that is cor∣poreal. I confess the place is very dark, and hard to understand; but I thought good to commend it to the curious searcher of Natures secrets; for there is more of truth in it, then at the first sight any one would ima∣gine; and that which follows will make it more plain.

*Rhumelius a German Author of good account and experience, whose Works are not translated that
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ever I could hear of, saith thus:

There is no greater strife amongst the Physicians, then about the sub∣ject out of which the matter of the Elixir vitae is to be taken and prepared. And it is found in the final conclusion, that in Gold alone the medicament is to be sought and found, because that Nature alone doth consist in the spirit of Gold, that drives away all diseases, and brings in health; and this all Philo∣sophers with one voice confess. It is found also in Philosophia adepta, & naturae thesauro, that in rerum natura there are four sorts of Gold.
1. Astralish. 2. Mineralish. 3. Metallish, 4. Elementallish.

1.
Astralish is, and is called that very thing which as yet lieth in primo ente, and therein is as yet imperfect. Frater Basilius calls it, the Star of the Sun, because the stars as yet have their influence and first opera∣tions therein. And from this spiritual-like matter (saith he) from whence the beginnings of Gold doth grow, may be made Aurum potabile, more perfect and better, then from the perfect common gold it self; which first must be opened, and made spiri∣tual, ere forth of it drinkable gold can be prepared. Theophrastus calls it, Electrum immaturum, & pri∣mam compositionem solis, because therein Nature doth yet work her first composition; and it is there likewise called aurum immaturum, unripe or imma∣ture gold. Aureum Vellus calls it, primum ens solis, and Rosarius, gold and silver in posse. Turba Philoso∣phorum calls it leonem viridem, the green Lion, while it is yet green, crude, immature, and imper∣fect. Moreover, this matter is entituled by the Mine-workers, and named with its proper Teuto∣nick or German name; which in this place cannot be remembred without prejudice.

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2.
Aurum minerale, or Mineralish gold, is that ve∣ry thing, which as yet do• stick in its Earth-ore, or Berg-stuff, until it be melted from thence, and brought into a pure and clear Metal.

3. Aurum metallicum, or Metallish gold, is that which being freed from its Schleck and raw minera∣lish Ore-stuff, and with great force of fire is driven forth of it, and then may be called a pure and clear Metal.
4
Aurum Elementale, or Elementalish gold, is any Earth, Mineral, Stone, or the like, wherein the spirit of gold doth lie hid, and may be drawn forth by the Spagyrick Art. And he from hence conclu∣deth that the Astralish gold, according to the expe∣rience and the testimony of all Philosophers, is the best and most profitable of all these four.

From whence we may note, 1. That Mineralish gold, as it lies undrawn from its Ore, Marble, Earth, Sparr, Stone, or the like; is commonly known, and easily to be had, there being divers sorts of gold Ore, of sundry sorts to be gotten from many places.

2. That Metalish gold is that which is purified and refined, and is commonly known, and to be had.

3. That Elementalish gold, being that which lieth hid in many Earths, and Minerals, may by a labori∣ous and skillful Chymist be had and obtained.

As Wormius relateth of the Terra sigillata Silesiaca,* or Stri∣gonensis, which is found in the gold Mines near Stri∣gonium, amongst the hard Rocks. And was first in∣vented by Iohannes Montanus, a most famous Phy∣sician, who published a Book of the same. Where∣in he setteth down that it is gold by the provident or∣dination of God and Nature transmuted into a most
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excellent prepared medicament, profitable against poison, no less then the medicaments prepared with great charges forth of Hungarian Gold; and (saith) that the Chymists call it Axungia Solis.* Of this also Schroderus tells us, that that which was gotten and prepared at Striga, a Town of Silesia, was called Medulla vel axungia Solis, because it was believed to be impregnated with the sulphur of gold. And that Earth called Lignicensis, was termed Axungia Lunae, because it was mixed with the sulphur of Sil∣ver. And this, or such like, it is probable that was which Paracelsus calleth Axungia Solis,* which he prescribeth against the poysonous bite of a Salaman∣der, used both inwardly and outwardly.
4. But the Astralish gold is the great secret, and therefore may be questioned whether it may be found in a liquid and soft form, or hard, or both; and of the former we shall say thus much.

1. We shall give the testimony of Paracelsus, and leave it to censure; who saith thus:

The first ens is an imperfect compound, predestinated unto some certain end, and corporeal matter. And because it is not perfect, therefore it can alter any body with which it is incorporated, as Mercury, which is like this imperfect ens, according to its imperfection. But we speak of the first ens, which is perfect to re∣new and restore the whole body, as is the first be∣ing or ens of Gold; and that for this cause, by reason it altogether possesseth the spirit of gold, and is most subtile, and far more subtile then the true body of Gold it self. Also from hence it cometh to pass that the first ens of Sol or Gold, is penetrable, even as Mercury in Metals; and doth not contain in it
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self the spirit of Salt, by which it may be coagulated. For the spirit of Salt the first coagulating ens, recei∣veth so great forces, that Gold for the hundred part, is not so potent in its vertues, as the primum ens of it is. Further, it is to be known that the first ens, that is to say, the first composition of Gold, which as yet remains a liquor not coagulated, doth renew and re∣store whatsoever it takes; not onely men, but al∣so all Peasts, Fruits, Herbs, and Trees.
From hence we may note these things.
1. That if this Author be to be credited, then in rerum natura there is such a thing as the primum ens of Gold, and this as a liquor not coagulated. To the search and enquiry of which, I humbly and heartily intreat all ingenious persons, and Sons of Art, to use their industry, and ultimate endeavour, and not to think it a Chymical Chimaera.*
For if the quotation of that honourable person Mr. Boyle (who useth not to cite Authors of small credit or veracity) may be trusted, from Gerardus the Physick Professor (a man of great learning and Chymical experience, and whose fidelity is not questioned by any) that

at Anneberg a blue water was found, where silver was yet in primo ente, which coagulated, was reduced into the calx of fixt and good silver.
Then it may be as possible and probable, that the liquor of Gold may likewise be found uncoagulated, especially if we consider that all the Adeptists do seem to acknowledge a twofold way of the generation of Gold; one when the mercu∣rial and sulphureous steams (of which Metals are bred) being pure before and at their conjunction, do meet with a pure matrix, that hath nothing of impure sulphureous faeculency, nor other earthly or waterish
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uncleanness to mix with them, and to pollute them, then pure Gold, and no other imperfect metal is ge∣nerated: and in this way onely I conceive, that the pure primum ens auri, is to be had liquid, and not o∣therwise. Another way there seems to be of the ge∣neration of Gold, and that is when the mercurial and sulphureous steams, either before, or at their conjun∣ction, are commixt with some impurities, or meet with an impure matrix, or both; then this liquor be∣ing the first ens of Gold, cannot be had; but yet that impure substance containing in it the true seeds and principles of Gold, will in time work it self through the degrees of the imperfect metals into Gold, as Na∣ture's ultimate and finite end; and therefore in some respects (though perhaps not to be found liquid) con∣tains in it the primum ens auri, which I wish may be noted.
For it is the unanimous consent of all the Adeptists (as we have sufficiently proved before, where we shewed the vegetability of Metals) that Natures in∣tent was to bring all metals to the perfection of Gold, if she had not been hindered by the adventition and mixture of extraneous matter; and so that metals do not specifically differ one from another (as Erastus and many other Authors, ignorant of, and unexperienced in the true manner and order of Natures way of pro∣ducing of Metals) but onely gradually, some of them standing in an intermediate way, and wanting the due height of concoction and maturation. For as Petrus Bonus Ferrariensis saith, Ad aurum reliqua metallae ordinantur tanquam ad finem: For the seed of all Me∣tals are but specifically of one nature: for as Trev•∣san saith, Nature hath nothing in the bowels of the
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Earth, whereof it may generate Metals, but onely a mercurial substance, in which is included its quick∣ning sulphur, as its agent. And there is Sulphur and Mercury, equally perfect in the rest of the Metals, as well as in Gold; onely it is in the imperfect Metals infected, or contaminated with terrestrial faeculency, or combustible Sulphur, which are extraneous and adventitious unto it, and not of its homogeneous and constitutive principles. For the Metals become more pure, or impure according to the wombs where they are produced; a pure matrix yields a pure metal; and so on the contrary, for Nature always aims at the most perfect work, though sometimes by accident she may be hindered; and perfection in the inferiour Me∣tals is attained, when either by Nature or Art, they are brought into Gold; the one of which all experi∣enced Miners know, the demonstration of the other remains with the Adeptists. And to this purpose we may take serious notice of another passage in Paracel∣sus,* who saith;

Primo sciendum est, metallum quod∣vis, &c. First we are to know that every Metal, as long as yet it lies hid in its first being, or ens, hath its peculiar stars. So Gold hath the star of the Sun, Silver hath the star of the Moon, &c. But so soon as they are come unto their perfection, and are coagulated into a fixt metallick body, their stars do recede from every one of them, and leaves its body dead. From whence it follows, that all their bodies are from thenceforth dead, and inefficacious; and the invin∣cible star of the Metals doth overcome them all, and convert them into its nature, and make them all so to be Astral.
Whereby we may perceive that when the Ore of Lead is from its liquid and soft substance,
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coagulated into an hard metallick body, then the star of Saturn doth leave it, and so of the rest; but it must be understood, that when the star of an imperfect Metal hath left it hardned, that yet the star of ☉ or ☽ may operate in it to a greater perfection.
I may add to this purpose what Trevisan saith,* That vulgar bodies, to wit, Metals perfected by Na∣ture alone in the Mines, are dead, that they cannot bring imperfect bodies to perfection. So that thereby it is granted, that before they were perfected in the Mines, they had life and vegetability. And Basilius saith, that therefore all things are found more perfect∣ly in the star of the Sun, then in the rest of the Me∣tals, if it be brought to its maturity by the benefit of the fire.

2. We may note,* whether this primum ens auri, in its liquid form, be to be had or not: and that this Au∣thor doth affirm, saying; And although we cannot so well take these prima entia, as we have written; or have them in the same essence, as we have de∣monstrated before; nevertheless that thing is notwith∣standing possible unto us: for if we know where a Mine of Gold lies hid, we shall also find its primum ens there, if we shall come before its perfection. And to make the thing more feasible, he addeth the signs how we may know when it is in primo ente, saying:

So verily while it is yet in its first being, it maketh the Trees fruitful, and the Earth fertile, it renova∣teth old Trees that of twenty years have brought forth no fruit. For when the first being of Gold hath ta∣ken hold upon them, or their roots, they begin again to live and flourish as before. And a little after he saith; But where flames, or scintillations have been
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seen; it is to be judged, and noted, that a Metal is then made ex primo ente.
And to confirm this in another place, speaking of coruscations, or scintilla∣tions seen in the night; which he saith
are certain signs of a latent Metal,* that is not yet come to perfect maturity; but as yet in its first being. And that further it is to be known, that as long as those efful∣gescences or glimmerings appear, whether great or little, whether of this or that colour; that then that Metal is not yet perfect and ripe in its Mine, but as yet is in its first being, no otherwise then the sperm of a man in the matrix of a woman. Also he con∣cludeth that Gold doth grow ex primo ente auri,* from the first being of Gold, to such a form from its be∣ginning of Gold, that in touch it is like to red Wa∣ter, and is moved and exalted like Gold.
3.
And the more to illustrate this, we may call to mind what we have in this Chapter spoken of Ele∣mentalish Gold,*that the steams of Gold may be had in divers Earths and Minerals; as Paracelsus confes∣seth,

it may be drawn forth of Marchasites, Granates, Cachimies, red Talk, Lazure, and the like, by the degree of sublimation. And further saith: But it is to be noted of this primum ens, that it is a fugaci∣ous spirit, as yet consisting in volatility, as an Infant lies hid in the womb of the woman; and is some∣times likened to liquor, sometimes to Alcool, or Atoms.
*And for the obtaining of this volatile spirit, he gi∣veth this caution.

Whosoever therefore goeth about to get and separate the primum ens of every such like body, doth stand in need of much experience, and knowledge in the Spagyrick Science.
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2. We may now consider whether this primum ens auri may be had in an hard and coagulated form or not. And it appeareth plainly that it may; for the Philo∣sophers that sought after that great secret of Nature and Art, the Physical Tincture, or Grand Elixir, do certainly affirm it. And they, though they writ dark∣ly, yet it was truly that there is such a metallick sub∣ject that hath in it the seminal principles of Gold and Silver, in vegetability, which was the onely true sub∣stance forth of which they accomplished their great work, both as to transmutation, and the universal me∣dicine. And to prove this, we shall quote some few pertinent particulars from unquestionable Authors. And first that learned Author of the Rosary of Philoso∣phers,* saith thus,

Tale sulphur non reperitur supra ter∣ram, nisi in quantum existit in ist is corporibus, sole & luna, & in alio quidem est illud, quod nulii dicitur, nisi ex parte Dei sibi reveletur. Such a Sulphur is not found above the earth, but in as much as it exists in those two bodies of Gold and Silver; and truly it is in another body, which is declared to no man, ex∣cept God upon his part may reveal it unto him.
From whence we may note, that this Sulphur they speak of, is not a combustible Sulphur; for their ma∣xim is, that no combustible matter enters their work, but that vivifying and incombustible sulphur that is. Natures true fire and agent, which is hid in the me∣tallick Mercury, and is to be found most perfect in Gold and Silver.* And that it is also found in ano∣ther subject, which none will openly declare; and this is it that is so carefully to be sought after. Agree∣able to this is that saying:
Datur in rerum natura corpus metallicum quoddam, facilis solutionis, facilis∣que
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putrefactionis; si ejus praeparationem nosti, felix medicus eris, totis conatibus, in eo votum tuum dirige. There is a certain metallick body in the Nature of things, that is of an easie solution and putrefaction; if thou knowest the preparation of it, thou art an hap∣py Physician, direct thy desire with thy whole en∣deavours in this thing.*Basilius saith, having spoken of common Gold, Those that dive deeper in this Art, will meet in the same place with a more easie and better known matter, which almost was named and set down, of an effectual quality. And after he saith, In this known and despicable matter and mi∣neral substance, is found a Sulphur and Tincture more effectual, and more worthy then the best Gold can afford which is fluid and open, and its mercurial spirit also; and its mystical salt is free, and open, whose virtues may with less pains in a visible man∣ner be drawn from it.
This is a very remarkable passage, and worthy to be seriously weighed and considered of.
*I shall onely add another Testimony, which is this;

Materia nostra non est mercurius quilibet, sed ille circa quem natura suas primas operationes incepit, & eas primas operationes determinavit ad naturam metallicam, sed imperfecte r•m illam reliquit. Non est res plane perfecta, nec penitus imperfecta. Sed ipsa est res media inter corpora perfecta, & imperfecta. Our matter is not any sort of Mercury, but that about which Nature hath begun her first operations, and hath determinated those first operations unto a me∣tallick nature, but hath left the same thing imperfect∣ly. •t is a thing not plainly perfect, nor altogether im∣perfect: But it is a middle thing, betwixt bodies that are perfect and imperfect.
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To these we shall add what Rhumelius saith,* where he speaketh of the vertues of his Medicine, which he calleth, Aurum Vitae.

The matter forth of which it is prepared, is a pure shining Mineral; which in its first coagulation is found red, and was to be had in the Gold-mine hills of Hungaria and Siebenburg, and in the terra rubea, the terra Adamita, and the red Lion, the Electrum immaturum, the primum Ens Solis, the Axungia Solis, or the goldish Saturn of the Philoso∣phers.
Further he saith,

I prepare mine aurum potabile two manner of ways; the one forth of perfect Gold, that is to say, common and perfect fine Gold: the other ex auro imperfecto,*vel è radice solis, vel primo ente solis, and are both potable; and therefore may not unfitly be called Aurum potabile. My Tincture (he saith) of Sol, is an extraction as well forth of a Rubie-coloured, red, through-shining, or transpa∣rent, golden Ore; as also from several other sorts of Metals and Minerals, wherein the Sulphur and Tin∣cture of Sol (as Frater Basilius remembereth) even as well as in Gold, doth stay and inhere.
Lastly, He saith

it is found by true experience, and the sentence of all Philosophers, that the true au∣rum potabile of the Philosophers,* is impossible to be had forth of perfect Gold: because the Astra do for∣sake Gold, when it is perfect and coagulated into an hard body, which they do not, while they lie in primo ente. Therefore that aurum potabile that is had ex primo ente, is far more perfect, more excellent, and more operative, then that which is made forth of the Metal it self.
I may perhaps be condemned, and derided for quo∣ting
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those Authors, and urging this point so far, espe∣cially with those that judge every thing a Chimaera that they themselves know, or understand not. But let such know, that I onely write to the ingenious and in∣quisitive persons, that pursue this Mineral knowledge; and for the censure of the rest, I neither care for, nor regard.

And all that I would from hence mind the diligent searchers of Mines and Minerals of, is carefully to in∣quire and search for what sort of Minerals may be found, that are either red, or transparent, or both; besides the Ore of Sulphur (that some Authors say is red) and of Argent vive, that all knowing Mi∣ners understand to be of that colour; and Quercitan mentioneth some Cinnabar that is found red and transparent; for doubtless besides these, there are others that are red, and some transparent; which is the chief matter I would have inquired after.

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CHAP. IX. Of the sorts of common Gold, as they are produ∣ced by Nature, and in what manner they are severally found.
THere are two sorts of Gold produced by Na∣ture. 1. That which is called Native Gold, that is statim suum, pure, and unmixt with any hete∣rogeneous matter, which the Germans call Gedygen Goldt. 2. That which is decocted, or melted with the •orce of fire forth of several matters where∣in it lies, which is commonly called refined or puri∣fied Gold.

That Gold that is Native, and found pure, unmix∣ed, or that needs no refining; is found, according to Eucelius and Rulandus,* four ways: and that the Spa∣niards call Palacas. 1. In Rivers, as in Tagus, Albis, and Sala, which they call Wash-Gold. And Mun∣ster saith,

That there is much more pure Gold found, then mixed with Earth or Stones, as these Rivers wit∣ness, Ganges in India, Pactolus in Lydia, Hebrus in Thrace, Tagus in Spain, Padus in Italy, Albis & Rhe∣nus in Germany.* And Strabo tells us, That Gold is not onely digged forth of the Pits, or Mines, but also the Rivers and Torrents do afford a Golden sand; and that by digging of Pits, divers other Artifices, and washing the sand, they get much Gold; and that more did get Gold this way then by Mining. And that amongst the sparks or crums of Gold, there are sometimes found clods, or masses of Gold of the
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weight of half a pound, that need little purifying, which they call Palas, quae sunt massulae auri. 2. Na∣tive and pure Gold is found in the Mountains of A∣rabia. 3. In Mines, or Pits, partly alone, partly its little sparks do as it were cleave to a certain white kind of stone, which in the German Tongue is called Quartz; of which there was store at Cottenheyden. 4. In the heads of fishes, which we call Florellas, which some do account to be the Burn, or Beck-Trout.
Of th•se we shall speak in order more at large, from some approved Authors.
1. And first of that which is native and pure, Apy∣ron, not having tried the fire; of which the Honoura∣ble person Mr. Boyle gives us this account.*

But that is nothing to what our Acosta subjoyns, which is in∣deed very memorable; namely, that of the morsels of native and pure Gold, which we lately heard him mentioning, he had now and then seen some that weighed many pounds.
To which I shall add, that I my self have seen a lump of Ore not long since digged up, in whose stony part there grew, almost like Trees, divers parcels though not of Gold, yet of (what perhaps Mineralists will more wonder at) ano∣ther Metal which seemed to be very pure, or un∣mixt with any heterogeneous substances, and were some of them as big as my finger,* if not bigger. But let us hear Acosta himself, who saith.
They draw Gold in those parts, after three sorts; or at least I have seen all three used: For either they find Gold in grains, in powder, or in stones. They do call Gold in grains, small morsels of Gold, which they find whole, without mixture of any other Metal, which hath no need of melting or refining in the fire;
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and they call them Pippins, for that commonly they are like to Pippins, or seeds of Melons, or Pumpions: and that whereof Iob speaketh,*leve illius aurum, though sometimes there be greater, and such as I have seen weighed many pounds. It is the excel∣lency of this Metal alone (as Plinie affirms) to be found thus pure and perfect.*
To this purpose I my self have seen some grain or sand-gold, that a Gentle∣man sent forth of Guinea, some twenty years ago, to his Sister for a token, that was pure native Gold, and had not felt the force of fire; many of the grains as big as the ordinary pippin of an Apple, and some smaller; and one morsel half as long as my little fin∣ger, and as thick.
Peter Martyr, a person neither suspected to be guil∣ty of ignorance nor falsity, in naming some Rivers in the Indies saith:*

In the sands of all these Rivers is found great plenty of Gold, which the Inhabitants of the same Island which were with us, gathered in this manner: making holes in the sand with their hands, a cubit deep; and taking up sand with their left hands from the bottom of the same, they picked out grains of Gold with their right hands, without any more Art or cunning; and so delivered it to our men, who affirm that many of them thus gathered, were as big as Tares or Vetches. And I my self saw a mass of rude Gold (that is to say, such as was never molten) like unto such stones as are found in the bottom of Rivers, weighing nine ounces, which Hoieda him∣self found.* And further he saith, The Admiral de∣clared, that if they would bring Gold, they should have whatsoever they would ask. Forthwith turn∣ing their backs, and running to the Shore of the next
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River, they returned in short time, bringing with them their hands full of Gold. Amongst all other there came an old man, bringing with him two Pe∣ble stones of Gold, weighing an ounce, desiring to have a Bell for the same. And a little after he saith, Beside this old man, there came also divers other, bringing with them Peble-stones of Gold, weighing ten or twelve drachms, and feared not to confess, that in the place where they gathered that Gold, there were found sometimes stones of Gold, as big as the head of a child.* He further saith, There was a cer∣tain King, which gave them a mass of rude Gold as big as a mans fist, weighing twenty ounces. This Gold was not found in the bank of this River, but in an heap of drie Earth, like unto the stone called Tophus, which is soon resolved into sand. This mass of Gold I my self saw in Castile, &c.
Again, he saith of another place:
As the Miners digged the superficial,* or uppermost part of the Earth of the Mines, during for the space fo six miles; and in di∣vers places sifted the same on the drie Land, they found such plenty of Gold, that every hired Labou∣rer could easily find every day the weight of three drachms.
We shall add but one instance more from this Au∣thor, which though it may seem incredible, yet we shall leave the censure to others.

These regions (he saith,* meaning Hispaniola) are very large; in the which, in many places, here and there are found sometimes, even in the upper crust of the Earth; and sometimes among the stones, certain round pieces or plates of Gold, sometimes of small quantity, and in some places of great weight: Insomuch that
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there hath been found round pieces of three hundred pound weight, and one of three thousand three hun∣dred and ten pound weight, which was sent whole to the King, in that Ship in the which the Governour Boadilla was coming home into Spain; which Ship was cast away.*
And this Gonzales Ferdinandus Oviedus seemeth to confirm, saying thus: Sometimes there are found grains of Gold, of great quantity, and great weight above the Earth, and sometimes under. And the greatest of all other that was found to this day in the Island, was that which was lost in the Sea, about the Island Beata, which weighed three thousand two hundred Castellanes of Gold.
2. For pure native Gold being found in Arabia, I find nothing asserted of the places, or manner how it is found, and therefore shall pass on to the next.

3. Besides this pure native Gold found in Rivers, Sands, or Earths, there is sometimes some found pure digged forth of the Mines, that needs little or no force of fire, or refining; and sometimes it lies inter∣spersed in the clefts of the stones, like thin plates, or spangles, or like threds or hairs, or the small and ten∣der sprigs of Plants and Herbs, which are usually cal∣led metallorum efflorescentiae, the flowers of Metals; but most commonly mixed with Earth, Stones, Mar∣chasites, or other Minerals and Metals; of which we shall speak promiscuously, as they occur to our me∣mory, without regard of any strict order.

Rulandus reckons these in general:*

1.
Out of a Fire-stone of an ash-colour, and forth of Galena, or Silver Ore.

2.
Out of a purple-coloured Earth so tempered with the vapour and steam of the Earth, that it is very
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fruitful of Gold;* from which in the Furnace Gold is drawn in many places.

3.
Out of •Chrysocolla, natural Borax or green Earth; and this he saith is digged up in Hungary, Burgundy, and at Goldtberg in Silesia, from whence Gold is drawn.

4.
Out of the Caeruleum or Lazure, in which sometimes Gold is contained.

More particularly he tells us: 1. That Gold is found in the Carpathian Mountain, quod statime est suum, pure and perfect.

2.
Pure Gold digged up in the same Mountain in Iron-stone.

3. In the same Mountain in a white hard flint.

4.
In the same Mountain out of the stone called Lapis Armenius.

5.
That it is found mixed with other Ores, as of Copper, Silver, and the like.

But now we shall give more full testimonies of these sorts.

*1. Mr. Boyle relateth these two Observations. The first thus.

I remember (he saith) that a very skill∣ful and credible person affirmed to me, that being in the Hungarian Mines, he had the good fortune to see a Mineral that was there digged up; wherein pieces of Gold of the length, and also almost of the bigness of a humane finger, grew in the Ore, as if they had been parts and branches of Trees. Secondly, He saith, And I have my self seen a lump of a whitish Mineral that was brought as a rarity to a great, and knowing Prince; wherein there grew here and there in the stone, which looked like a kind of a Sparr, divers little lumps of fine Gold (for such I was assured
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that trial had manifested it to be) some of them seem∣ing to be about the bigness of Pease.
2. Besides what we have before proved concern∣ing the vegetability of Metals in general, this from so honourable, and experienced a man as Mr. Boyle doth confirm it very much, nay even to the growth and increase of Gold: to which therefore we shall add more testimonies. And I my self have likewise seen and handled a piece of whitish Metal sent to a great person, (of which I yet retain a small piece) which being fluxed, was most pure Gold. The Coat in which it was contained, was like white Marble, or our white Plaster Ore, or Stone; and the Metal grew in it like a thin crisped Plate, or like many threds joyn∣ed close together; and some of it like two twisted threds one with another, and might have with a little crushing of the stone, been separated from it.

And further to prove this germination and sprouting of Metals like Vegetables,* even of Gold. Rulandus tells us, That in the exteriour Pannonia thin leaves, and sparks of most pure Gold were found in a white and hard stone. And Athanasius Kirche∣rus gives us the like answer to this very question; from those Mine-masters, to whom he had sent, from Schem∣nitz, to his second Query concerning the efflore∣scence of Metals,* he hath this answer. 'That some∣times in the Mines do occur Crystals wrapt about with most tender silver threds like hairs, and the rest like.

The former years there was found a pure grain of silver in lapide fatuo, in a fool-stone (in the Ger∣man Tongue Taubenstein) in a certain white mat∣ter like Chalk, which is called lapidea medulla, stone∣marrow, as though it had been there laid up on pur∣pose,
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and weighed two pounds.
Again to the same question from Herrengrundt in Hungaria, from Iohn Schapelman• he receives this answer.
There are sometimes found in this Mine, the flowring that are Cupreous, of pure Copper, even as flowers and herbs grow above the Earth.* Thirdly, to this que∣stion he hath this answer from George Schuiz: That in the Silver Mines there are often found silver flow∣erings, where the bright Silver thrusts forth it self in form of a thred, or hair, out of the Metallick stones. And that there are found shavings (ramenta) of pure silver, the thickness of a finger, though black, and as it were of a leaden colour, &c.
Lastly, Me∣morable is that passage from Father Andrew Schaffer, in these words.
I send here a Mineral altogether precious, seeing any thing like, more rare is not to be found. Where you may see pure Silver flowring into its threds; that which shineth yellow, is most pure gold; that which is blackish, is silver mixed with gold.
*These are memorable proofs of the Vegetability of Metals, and may make us give the more credit to the Story of Alexander ab Alexandro, that in Germany there were Vines that brought forth little branches, and whitish leaves, of pure Gold, which was given to Kings and great Captains, together with the sprig or branch of the Vine, with a chinked bark.

*3. We shall now shew some other substances wherein Gold is found, and by the force of fire drawn forth, and separated from them. Kircher tells us, that in the Hungarian Mines, there was an Ore found that contained Copper, Silver, and Gold: as also a silver Marchasite, which had mixed with it gold. Also shi∣ning
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Lead Ore, or Plumbago, which contained Gold and silver; that likewise there was a Mine of Antimo∣ny that held in it some Gold.* The learned Wormius tells us, that 1644. the noble Iohn Sigfridus being general Overseer of Metallick matters, found a Mine of Gold, the Ore being black and like Talk, shining with frequent grains; which when he had tried, an hundred weight of the Ore yielded thirty eight marks of pure Gold. That a mass of another Vein 1646. did, being purified, yield six drachms of pure Gold, contained in one pound. This Ore shined with lesser grains then the former, and more tending to redness. Likewise that there were other Ores brought from the same place, that were like Talk, and pregnant with frequent granates, which many thought, did abound with Gold, &c. And although before I had omitted it,* I shall here insert what Diodorus Siculus delivers of the Arabian gold; who saith, There is Gold digged up in Arabia, which is not melted with the fire, as is accustomed amongst others. But as soon as ever it is digged up, it is found like to Chesnuts, and is of so lucid a colour, that it makes the precious stones in∣cluded by Artificers in Gold,* most •plendent. And that in that part of Egypt that lieth towards Aethiopia and Arabia, there are places that are very fertile of Metals; and from whence with great cost and labour they draw forth Gold, from a most pure white shi∣ning Marble.

But of this we shall say no more but refer it to the next Chapter.

4. But for Gold found in the heads of Fl•rella's or Beck-trouts, we find little in particular, but onely that they affirm it in general. And Kircher tells us, that
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Ficus Mirandulanus (but he quotes not the place) rela∣teth,

That in his time gold was found in the stomach of Partridges;* and addeth his reason, that it was no marvel, for that Hens, Partridges, Ducks, and the like, do much desire metallick bodies; and there∣fore finding the raments or small shavings of Gold commixt with the sand, do swallow them; which after by the heat of the stomach do flow into one mass, which is a rational conjecture. And saith, that they report that Goats that are called Ibices were seen, whose teeth were spred over with a gol∣den colour, especially in that part with which they did pluck up the grass; which without doubt did happen from the tincture of Gold-bearing spirits, wherewith the grass was imbued. And also tells us, that Albertus relateth that Gold was found in an hu∣mane scull; which if it were truth, happened from no other cause then the steams of gold, when melted do arise, and no otherwise then quick-silver was coagulated in the brain. A reason I confess more probable then what Sendivogius and others have gi∣ven of it.*
And I my self can affirm by experience and sight, that here in these Northern parts, where Sheep are bred upon barren mountains and hills (like∣ly enough to contain metallick Ores) that their teeth are often (if old) at the roots of them, covered with a thin tincture of a very bright shining and golden colour.* And I had some years since brought me by a friend two or three of the molares or grinding teeth of an old Cow bred upon such barren hills, and kil∣led for Beef, which near the roots were covered with a crust thicker then our common Groat, with a fine shining gold-coloured substance, which for the rarity
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of it I keep by me, and did not scrape it off to trie if it contained any metalline matter. Which doubtless had gathered there, by the steams either of golden Marchasites, Copper Ore, or Gold it self, while yet in primo ente. Of which I hope to enquire more, that I may be able to make a trial of it, and thereby to sa∣tisfie my self and others, whether it contain Metal or nor; for the Proverb is true, All is not Gold that glisters.
CHAP. X. Further of the Stones, Rocks, and Flints of Gold, and the striking passages wherein it is found: as also of the several sorts of it mentioned in Scripture, and elsewhere.
THe reason why I am so large in this particular is, to mind all ingenious Mineralists to make a more diligent search how all Ores lie, and in what wombs, coats, or substances, then hitherto hath been used; and especially about the Ore of Gold: and to this end we shall transcribe what we find most mate∣rial to this purpose.

And in the first place we shall give the Reader an account of what Basilius Valentinus hath discovered in this particular; a person of vast experience in these matters,* who writeth thus.

This noble gold-stone and Ore is sometimes mixed, and on its outside there sticketh some obscure and dark matter, having an∣nexed
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to it some slates and other spermatick matter, which detracts from the goodness of its own nature. And though the Creator hath indued it with great virtues, yet doth it humble it self, and suffers it self to be found in despicable Mineral stones, where it loseth much of its tincture; as is apparent by the Touch-stone, where the mixture of Copper, Silver, Tin, and others, is seen; all these mixed impurities can be separated from it with artificial manuals; and with little ado it may be brought into a perfect state. Gold Ores naturally are wrought thus; that the Gold stands in it close, compact, firm, and good; which is found sometimes in the cross passages. Its fixedness is found in the deepness under ground, where it hath its greatest power; and it is found also sometimes in a speckled Jaspis, full of eyes, and mix∣ed with flints in its passages; where many times Vi∣triol flint is found abundantly, which Vitriol is the best among all other sorts of Vitriol. The Hunga∣rian Vitriol hath the precedence before all the rest, which is sufficiently known in their proofs, and exa∣mens, as may be demonstrated to the eye. In its passages are found sometimes fluxes of several co∣lours, which are interlined with gold, and must be forced with fire. To that purpose it is requisite that it be dealt withal with such fire, as you heard in the first part: commonly Zwitters and Zirn stones are such, which must be stamped, and beaten, and drawn to a narrowness, and fined.

Gold is wrought also in standing passages, and on level ground; the Ores and such passages are yel∣lowish, rocky, and of a iron shot-sand in clifts, as it is on-grown compactly. And generally it is found
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near Flint works, sometimes it is found in a Flint, or in a liver-coloured Jaspis, sometimes in white pe∣bles, that gold that is in it is of a white colour, like silver, or in white Copper Ore, where it sticketh hoary and rugged: It is found also in brittle lime∣stones, where it stands curled with black specks un∣sprinkled, is granulated like drops found in the sub∣tilest firm stones, spotted with iron-molds, or spots; and are protruded in fair yellow flowers, and are a black exhalation thrust forth. It is found also in streaked slate-work in pure passages, mixed with a blue horn-stone, and slate; in flinty glittering passages it is found hoary, and compactly wrought. There are found also flat Marble floats, wherein in all your clifts is wrought inherent gold, mixed with green grit, and iron spots. Sometimes it is found also in square iron shots, or porous marble Marchasites, but for the most part in grits. Sometimes gold Ore is found also compact, and firm, in black passages. Some gold Ores and gold passages are found also to be of Minerals, and of Vitriol; and Miners in Hun∣gary especially can discourse of it, because gold Ore is found in that manner in those parts.

These seem to me to be excellent discoveries and directions to find out the Ore of this Metal; and though the terms seem harsh and difficult, our English not so properly suiting the German Tongue, especi∣ally about this subject; yet doubtless may be familiar to experienced Miners, & artifici in sua arte creden∣dum est.

Acosta likewise tells us,*

Gold is commonly found mixt with Silver or with Copper, but that which is mixed with Silver, is commonly of fewer Carats
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then that which is mixed with Copper. If there be a fifth part of silver,*Pliny saith, it is then properly cal∣led Electrum, which hath the property to shine more at the light of the fire, then fine gold, or fine silver. That which is incorporate with copper, is common∣ly of a higher value.
*Franciscus Calceolarius tells us, that in his Musaeum he had three sorts of the Ore of Gold.

1. One brought forth of Pannonia, in which there was a white colour, like silver.
2. Another arising with silver, forth of a stone heavy enough, of much what an ash colour, brought from the Mines of Bohemia.
3. An Ore flowing forth of a stone of a very red colour, in which was seen Copper growing, shining with an inset colour from the same Mines.
*Agreeable to what is here related may be •ound in Agricola, to whom I refer the Reader: and onely shall add a passage or two more from Basilius, who saith:*

To distinguish Metals by colours, is a curious skill, as red-gold-glass, mine-green, black Ore; however their working is not so exactly known that way.
And a little after he saith:

Hither belong all mixt Ores, which at separating are parted asunder, and not before, as the custom is. As in Hungary there is had e∣very where gold-silver (that is, in it there is gold) which in its colour and ponderosity is pure, hath lost nothing, and is still in its working quality, and if it had not been interrupted, and digged up unseasona∣bly, then the silver would have been turned into pure gold.
*Lazarus Er•ker, that was chief Mine•master to
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Maximilian the Emperour, tells us;

That Gold is found in a white stone like marble, the Germans call it Quartz; as also in a blue and yellow horn-stone: likewise in a blue slate, iron, slats, yellow and of a subtile flaming; and sometimes in corn, tin, and iron-stone.
And once more Paracelsus tells us,* (speaking of the separating of Metals forth of their Ores, and one from another:)

These sorts of Ores sometimes will con∣tain more then one Metal; as it often happens, that Copper and Silver, Copper and Gold, Lead and Sil∣ver, Tin and Silver, &c. may be found in one Mineral.
Now for the gradual differences of Gold, they may be, and doubtless are many; for in fineness and purity there may be much disagreement; and therefore Ba∣silius offers us a notable passage,* thus.

And take notice that Nature loveth to keep her own ways or∣derly, and keeps together two, and sometimes three sorts of Ores in their ascension and descension, whereby she intimateth a way unto the after-work; but men in their fansies think upon other means, though to no purpose. View all the Mines which are in Europe, you will find no other Ores but im∣pure ones, that is, a mixture of them; for their Na∣ture maketh them so, as much as ever I could learn. If you can shew me the contrary, I will assent un∣to it.
And again he saith;*

Who could tell what gold and silver were, if they were not known in their perfection; for when they are perfect it appeareth, when they have their colour, their weight, their mal∣leableness, their flux and hardness. And this per∣fect
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Metal Nature hath produced compactly and purely: for such perfect, pure, and compact gold is found in Hungary, in the white marble, which pre∣sently may be broken: as also silver and copper. The difference betwixt the perfect and pure is, because Metals are not pure before they are perfect, and so there may be a perfect Ore which is not pure, which defect is found in many of our Metals, which come to their perfection as soon as in any other Foreign parts, but in their perfect purity they are defective sometimes.
And this we commend to the Reader to be seriously considered of.
Now from hence we may gather, that even one sort of gold, as it is gold, may be more fine and pure then another. And the Scripture doth shew us, that in those days gold was found to be, and esteemed, one sort better and purer then another; of which we shall now speak something largely for diversion sake, and to stir up all ingenious spirits to a more narrow scrutiny after these curiosities.

1. And first it mentioneth the gold found in the Land of Havillah,* and saith; And the gold of that is Zahab to'b, that is good: intimating plainly that there was other gold that was worse, and not so good. But where that gold was found, is something doubt∣ful; though Tremellius maketh Pishon there to be the River Tygris that runneth all along the Inland into the Sinus Persicus,* and takes it to be the Country of the Susians in the edge of Persia, and calleth it aurum praestans, that is excellent gold, and the Vulgar Latine calls it aurum optimum. And as to the place, Pisca∣tor doth agree; which I leave to others to be disputed of. Castalio calls it aurum proba•issimum; but that it
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should be the best, agreeth not exactly with the He∣brew word to'b, which implieth not the superlative de∣gree, and therefore the Septuagint renders it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, good gold. And Luther renders it, that is pre∣cious gold. And so do the French and Italian Bibles translate it good gold, not the best.

2. Though Zahab be the primitive word, the He∣brews most commonly use for Gold; and that some Lexicons take it to be meant of raw and unwrought Gold, yet sometimes they add some other word or Adjective unto it, that doth specifie some notable de∣gree of the goodness of it, or some other quality: and in many places Sagur of the Verb Sagar clausit, which Montanus where the Text speaketh of Solomons cover∣ing the Oracle,* he saith, auro concluso, or purissimo; but Tremellius (whose reason for this is the likest in this place) gives it; auro asservato, meaning the gold that David had preserved for that purpose of building the Temple; and it is not likely that David for a work of that nature, would not have kept any Gold, but that which was most pure; and in this sense that Tremellius gives, I find no place to contradict it.

3. They use the word Kaethem,* which commonly signifieth a mass of bright and shining Gold, from the word Katham emicuit, it hath shined, or been bright; and to this they add Tahur from the Verb Taher mun∣dus fuit, and this signifieth a mass of pure and clean Gold, and was most usually reckoned amongst their best sorts of Gold.

4. They use the word Phas or 1. Pas from the Verb Pasas,*deauratus est, it is covered over with Gold, and that very pure; for it is said: And the King made a Throne of Ivory, and covered it over. 2. Mepasas,
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that is with pure Gold; and sometimes it is taken for that pretious stone that is called Topazion.* And it is not unlike but that it was brought from a place of that name, for it is said; That silver spred into plates, was brought from Tha•sis, and Gold from Uphaz. And again,*Then I lift up mine eyes, and looked, and be∣hold, a certain man cloathed in linen, whose loyns were girded with fine gold of Uphaz. Where the word Kaethem is used, as coming from that place called U∣phaz; and Arias Montanus renders it, in massa auri obrizi.* But it is plain that Uphaz was the proper name of a place, and not to be taken adjectively; and is thought to be the same with Ophir, of which we shall say more presently.

*5. We may observe that it is probable that in the time of Iob, Gold was gotten forth of the Earth, or Rocks, or separated from the sand. For he saith, as Piscator renders it, and Tremellius seems so to expound it;* 'Surely there is a vein for silver, and a place for Gold where they find it: and it (the Earth) hath dust of Gold.

6. But the Gold that was known in the days of King Solomon, that had the chiefest commendation, was that which was brought from Ophir, or Uphaz; for it is taken by all the Learned, that they were both one place. And this is in divers places of all other most commended.* For Iob preferring wisdom before all earthly things, saith it shall not be compa∣red with Kaethem Ophir, naming that sort of Gold that was accounted the most excellent and pure above all other, nor it shall not come in competition with Kaethem tahur,* the mass of the purest Gold. And Da∣vid setting forth the glory of Christs Kingdom and
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the Church under the person of a Queen, saith; Upon thy right hand did stand the Queen in Gold of Ophir, Kaethem Ophir, in massa auri Ophir, as that sort of Gold that was most pure and excellent in esteem in those days. And that this gold was fetched by Hiram from O∣phir, these places do testifie. Then went Solomon to Ezi∣on-Geber,*and to Eloth at the Sea side, in the land of E∣dom. And Huram sent him by the hands of his servants, ships and servants that had knowledge of the sea; and they went with the servants of Solomon to Ophir, and took thence four hundred and fifty talents of gold, and brought it to King Solomon.*For the Kings ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing Gold and Silver, Ivory, and Apes, and Peacocks. Now the great que∣stion being amongst the Learned, where this Ophir or Uphaz was, from whence was brought the most pure Gold that was known in the days of Solomon; Sir Walter Rawleigh,* a person of profound judgment, and great learning, hath extreamly laboured to prove that it was not from Peru in the West Indies, but brought from an Island in the East Indies, called by the name of Ophir; and to make this good he hath strained all possible or probable arguments to assert it. And so hath Iosephus Acosta, and many others.

But notwithstanding the authority of such learned persons, I am of an opinion that the•r arguments are not of such force but that they may be easily answered, as having no other ground but probability and conje∣cture; but we have no time to bestow that way, but shall lay down that proof that may demonstrate that the land of Ophir or Uphaz was the two Peru's now known to Europe: For that text is so plain, that no
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reasonings can be able to overthrow it.* For it is said in the text; And the gold was the gold of Peruaim. And all men know that the Hebrews put a-im in the dual number, as Peru being the singular number, when a im is added to it in the dual, it makes Peruaim. Which must of necessity be the name of a place or Country. Which Epithete they could not have given to their best and purest gold, if there had no such Country been known to the Iews in the time of Solomon; and indeed could be no other then the two Peru's now known to the Europeans. And the Septuagint renders it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which in a manner is the same. And the French Bible, Et l' er estoit or de Pharuaim, which agreeth with the Hebrew. And Tremellius renders it, Aurum autem ipsum erat aurum Paruaimorum: and to the same pur∣pose the Italian Bible saith, Et l' oro, era oro di Parua∣rim, as though it were the Gold of the people of the Country so called, which amounteth to the same pur∣pose. And Luther calls it Das Goldt war Par∣waym Goldt.* And therefore an Author of great learning and credit, saith;

Terra igitur illa, ex qua tanta optimi auri copia Solomoni advecta fuit, & ad alias gentes asportata, jam tum Paruaim dicta fuit, quam hodie Peru vocamus: quae ad Europaei orbis noti∣tiam & Mercimoniorum usum Christophori Columbi sagacissima pertinacia anno supra millesimum quadrin∣gentesimum nonagesimo secundo traducta, Hebraeis au∣tem veteribus fuit exploratissima. Verba Ariae Monta∣ni in libro Phaleg, id est, de gentium sedibus & situ orbis ita habent. Dictio Paruaim iis qui vel tantum sciunt Hebraice legere, duas regiones olim Peru di∣ctas clare demonstrat, unam quidem, quae eodem voca∣bulo hodierno etiam die Peru dicitur, alteram vero
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quae nova Hispania à navigantibus est appellata. Ejus autem regionis aurum purissimum atque in maximo pretio apud omnes gentes fuisse constat. Atque inter∣pres quidem vulga•us vel ob ignotam sibi regionem, vel potius in ejus, quod illa regio exhibebat, auri lau∣dem (cum in Hebraeo ita scriptum legatur: & aurum illud aurum Peru & Peru: nam Peru in numero duali Paruaim dicitur) convertit: & aurum erat proba∣tissimum. Quocirca quicquid auri inter alias gentes priscis illis seculis in usu fuit, id fere totum ex illius terrae cavernis elicitum esse existimamus, &c.
And thus much by way of digression for the curious to con∣sider of.
7. We shall not insist upon that place in the Reve∣lation,* where it is said, And the City was pure gold, like unto clear glass. And the street of the City was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. Because it is a pro∣phetical place, and also that it was but like unto, or as it were transparent glass, not that the gold was re∣ally transparent; of which it may be doubted whether any such gold were ever existent, either by Art or Nature.

Besides these foregoing sorts mentioned forth of the Scripture, we find several sorts of gold gradually di∣stinguished, according to the Regions from whence they are brought, as the Arabian, Spanish, Hungarian, and German gold, which all differ one from another in the degrees of goodness or pureness. And the pu∣rest that we have in these days (that I know of) is the sand-gold brought from Guinea, and some other pla∣ces, which is so near pure, and unmixt with any o∣ther Metals, that the Artificers that beat, or make leaf-gold, and those that draw gold into small Wire,
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or fine threds, do commonly buy it, because it will serve their turns, without using the Aqua separatoria; and so they do the old gold coined by Edward the Third, because it hath in it the least alloy of Silver or Copper; and the purest Gold that I have ever seen, was a piece of Roman Gold, stamped with the image and name of Nero, which was as soft, and would have cut as easily as Lead.

And the goodness of Gold is commonly esteemed according to the number of Carats, of which there ordinarily are 24. though Paracelsus makes them 36.* For Acosta tells us,

The most famous Gold is that of Caranana in Peru, and of Valdivia in Chille, for that it riseth with his alloy and perfection, which is twenty three Carats and an half, and sometimes more. They make account likewise of the Gold of Veragua to be very fine. They bring much Gold to Mexico from the Philippines, and China, but com∣monly it is weak and of base alloy.
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CHAP. XI. Of the descriptions of common Gold according to some Authors, and of the properties thereof: as also of some wayes of beating, sifting, and wash∣ing the Ore thereof.
BAcon doth describe,* or define Gold thus; Aurum est corpus perfectum, &c.

Gold is a perfect body generated of Argent vive, pure, fixed, clear, red, and of a clean sulphur, fixed, red, not burning, and hath no defect.*Rulandus thus; Gold is the most tem∣perate Metal of all other, yellow, shining, ponde∣rous, equally digested in the belly of the Earth, very long washed with Mineral Water; consisting of a pure Argent vive, fixed, clear, red; and of a clean sulphur, fixed, red, not burning. In brief, it is the subtile substance of Argent vive.
Libanus gives it thus;*

Gold is a perfect Metal fra∣med of a most mature, and most pure Mercury, by the virtue of a most excellent sulphur, and together with it brought into a most tenacious, and the best commixtion, and adorned with a citrine tincture.
Wormius thus,*

Gold is the most pure, and most perfect of all Metals, consisting of a most pure Mer∣cury, most perfectly concocted, and of a red sulphur most excellent, and most fixed, being exactly min∣gled and united together: sustaining all the trials of the fire, and of Aqua fortis, most heavy; and above all other Metals extensible, or to be beaten forth, shining with a yellowish colour.
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And these are sufficient, that from hence we may gather some of its chiefest properties.

1. Therefore of all other Metals it is most perfect∣ly maturated and decocted by Nature, and is of the most equal temper:* for as Trevisan tells us, Quare in auro sunt quatuor elementa in aequali & anatica pro∣portione coadunata. Therefore the four Elements are in Gold, joyned together in an equal and anatical proportion. But yet taking his supposition that gold is generated of the four Elements, we are not to un∣derstand this equality of proportion in respect of their equal quantities, but anatical proportion in re∣gard of qualities.

2. Of all other Metals, Gold hath the least portion of external or separable sulphur (for that it hath some, appears by the authority of Paracelsus and Helmont; the latter of which tell us, That external sulphur is not possible to be separated by Nature, but by one constructive liquor) and therefore is in that regard accounted more perfect then any of the rest.

3. Gold is more dense and compacted then any other of the Metals, that is, it is less porous then any of the rest, being so closely joyned per minima, that little or none of the air, or globuli aetherei (as Cartesius calls them) can lodge within its particles. And this is the cause of two other of its properties; to wit, its heaviness, and power of extension; both of which are far beyond either of those qualities in other Metals.

4. It indureth not onely all the force of our com∣mon fire, but if we may give credit to Writers of sufficient authority, they do inform us that in the grea∣test torture of the fire, it loseth nothing of its sub∣stance or weight, but rather gaineth; for so doth
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Wormius tell us in the place above-cited. And it will not onely indure the trial per cineritium, or test∣ing with Lead (which silver will also abide without wasting) but also the probat of Aqua fortis, the ce∣mentum regale by Antimony, and that which Artifi∣cers call Quartation. All which do sufficiently de∣clare all those perfections and excellencies that Au∣thors have attributed unto it.

As for the beating, grinding, sifting, and washing of Ores in general from their earthy filthiness and su∣perfluities, Georgius Agricola hath written very large∣ly and learnedly,* more then any other Author that I know of. And I could wish that some person that hath ability and leisure, would translate it into English; for it might be very serviceable to our com∣mon Miners, that in that particular have little to di∣rect them, but what they learn one from another. But we shall onely here note some few particulars of beat∣ing or washing of gold Ore, from two or three Au∣thors of Credit. For Agricola tells us,

Seeing that Nature doth for the most part bring forth Metals im∣pure, and mixed with earth, concrete juices, and stones; it is necessary, as far as can be possible, to separate those things from the Metallick veins, be∣fore they be fluxed or molten.
1. Acosta tells us,*

Gold in stone is a vein of gold that groweth or ingendreth within the stone, or flint, as I have seen in the Mines of Curuma within the go∣vernment of Salines, very great stones pierced and intermixed with gold; others that were half gold and half stone. The gold which groweth in this manner, is found in Pits or Mines, which have their Veins like to the silver Mines, but it is very hard to
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draw it forth. And a little after: They refine pow∣dered gold in basons, washing it in many waters, un∣til the sand falls from it, and the gold as most heavy remaineth in the bottom. They refine it likewise with Quicksilver and Strong-water, for that the Al∣lom whereof they make this water, hath the ver∣tue to separate gold from dross, or from other Metals.
*2. Diodorus Siculus tells us a strange story both of the getting of gold Ore, as also of its preparing by beating, grinding, and washing, which for brevity sake, we shall onely give in the English.

In the bor∣ders of Egypt that joyn to Ethiopia and Arabia, there are places very fertile of Metals; Forth of which with much labour and expence, Gold is drawn. For the black earth by nature hath passages, and veins of most white marble, which shineth above all brightness. And a little after, he saith, That almost infinite thousands of men do dig forth with iron in∣struments, the more soft rock, and which is broken with indifferent labour. He that discovereth the Veins of gold, goeth before the Workmen, shewing what places they are to dig. They cleave the stony marble being shewed, by the strength of strong bo∣dies, not by Art, but by great force with iron wedges. But they drive shafts or passages not streight, but that way which Nature leadeth, by the gold in the shining marble. But when by reason of the divers bendings, and turnings, they are darkned in their passages, the Workmen carrying lights before them, the rocks by great force being cut in pieces, they carry up, and cast upon the ground. Others cut them so casten into very small pieces, others carry
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them away. The pieces taken from these Workmen being cut to a certain measure, they beat in stone Vessels with a pestle or hammer of Iron, unto the smallness of Millet seeds. They then being cast into Mills, are grinded unto the very fineness of meal. Then the Workmen taking it ground, do put it upon broad Tables a little declining, and again beat, or rub the Marble, water being cast upon it: By that means the earth being washed away, the gold by its gravity doth remain upon the Tables. This they often iterating, they rub the Gold with their hands. Then with thin and porous sponges, they press forth the soft earth, until it be made like unto golden sand. Lastly, other Workmen do put it by weight and measure into earthen pots; and do superadd in a certain measure, Lead, Sea-weed, or Tange, and Bran of Barley. These things compounded in a certain proportion, they diligently lome or daub up the pots with clay, or lute. Furthermore, being decocted five whole days and nights in a Furnace, pure Gold is onely found in the Vessel, the other things being wasted, the former weight being little diminished.
I have the rather delivered this at large, because it is a very remarkable passage, and perhaps not taken no∣tice of by many Readers, and may be of some consi∣derable use to an ingenious Mineralist.
3. Gonzalus Ferdinandus Oviedus relateth two notable ways both of their finding of Gold at the In∣dies,* and of the washing and purifying of it: and that not by hear-say, but upon his own experience; some of which we shall transcribe, because I believe the Book is not very common. Who saith,

This particular of the Mines of Gold, is a thing greatly to
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be noted, and I may much better speak of it then a∣ny other man, forasmuch as there are now twelve years past since I served in the place of Surveyor of the Melting-shops pertaining to the Gold Mines of the Firm Land, and was the Governour of the Mines of the Catholick King Don Ferdinando; after whose departure from this life, I served long in the same room in the name of your Catholick Majestie. By reason whereof, I have had great occasion to know how Gold is found and wrought out of the Mines, &c. And a little after he saith: The man∣ner how Gold is gathered, is this, either of such as is found in Zanana; that is to say, in the Plains and Rivers of the Champian Countrey being without Trees, whether the earth be with grass or without; or of such as is sometimes found on the Land without the Rivers, in places where Trees grow; so that to come by the same, it shall be requisite to cut down many, and great Trees. But after which soever of these manners it be found, either in the Rivers or Breaches of Waters, or else in the Earth; I will shew how it is found in both these places, and how it is separate, and purged. Therefore when the Mine or Vein is discovered, this chanceth by searching and proving in such places, as by certain signs and tokens do appear to skilful men, apt for the generation of Gold, and to hold Gold. And when they have found it, they follow the Mine, and labour it, whether it be in the River or the Plain, as I have said. And if it be found on the Plain, first they make the place ve∣ry clean where they intend to dig, then they dig eight or ten foot in length, and as much in bredth; but they go no deeper then a span or two, or more, as
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shall seem best to the Master of the Mine, digging equally; then they wash all the earth which they have taken out of the said space, and if herein they find any Gold, they follow it, and if not they dig a span deeper, and wash the earth as they did before: and if then also they find nothing, they continue in digging and washing the earth, as before, until they come to the hard rock or stone: and if in fine they find no Gold there, they follow no further to seek Gold in that place, but go to another part. And it is to be understood, that when they have found the Mine, they follow it in digging in the same measure in level and depth, until they have made an end of all the Mine which that place containeth, if it appear to be rich.
Their manner of washing he thus describes,

And when they have digged forth the Mine, they fill cer∣tain Trays with that earth, which other Indians have the charge immediately to receive at their hands, and to carry those Trays of Earth to the Water where it may be washed: yet do not they that bring it wash it, but deliver it to other, putting it out of their own Trays into others, which they have ready in their hands to receive it. These Washers for the most part are Indian women, because this work is of less pain and travel then any other. These wo∣men when they wash, are accustomed to sit by the water-side with their legs in the water even up to the knees, or less, as the place serveth their purpose; and thus holding the Trays in their hands by the han∣dles thereof, and putting the same into the Water, they move them round about, after the manner of sifting, with a certain aptness; in such sort that there
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entereth no more water into the Trays then ser∣veth their turns; and with the self-same apt moving of their Trays in the water, they ever avoid the foul water with the earth out of the one side of the Vessel, and receive in clean water on the other side thereof: so that by this means, by little and little, the water washeth the earth as the lighter substance off the Trays, and the gold as the heavier matter resteth in the bottom of the same, being round and hollow in the middle, like unto a Barbers Basin. And when all the earth is avoided, and the gold gathered toge∣ther in the bottom of the Tray, they put it apart, and return to take more earth, which they wash conti∣nually, as before. So that to conclude, there are in all five persons ordinarily assigned to every Tray of Washers.
I have been the more tedious upon this subject, because I judged it very material and profitable; but now we shall come to some higher questions concer∣ning Gold, and so leave it.

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CHAP. XII. What may be thought of common Gold; whether it be an ingredient into the Philosophers Tincture, or not? What may be said of Aurum pota∣bile, or the Tincture of Gold; and what of the white body when the Tincture is taken from it; and something of the Alcahest.
I Very well understand that I shall undergo no small censure, for taking upon me to intermeddle with such abstruse matters as I have proposed in this Cha∣pter. And some may deem that it is my ambition to be thought or esteemed an Adeptist; or at least to speak my self so highly knowing in these Arcana's, that thereby I may draw some to make suit unto me for further unveiling of these secrets. To which I shall say little, but onely this, that my Motto hath long been, and is, Qui bene latuit, bene vixit; and however they may censure, I shall easily pass by it, and answer with that of Paracelsus, Alterius non sit, qui suus esse potest: and shall modestly tell them, that it is above 35 years since I first learned a course of common Chymistry under old Iohannes Huniades; and have ever since at times and seasons been im∣ployed therein; and have been and am a continual reader of and studier in the best Authors that have written in mystical Philosophy; and therefore let none be too censorious of what I know, or what I know not, in this abstruse Science, but weigh the
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Authorities and Reasons that I lay down, and accor∣dingly judge of what I write.

1. For those that are seeking the grand secret in Animals or Vegetables, or in any thing that they pro∣duce, or that proceeds from them, or in any Minerals or Metals, except in ☉, ☽, and Mercury, we shall pass them by, as looking at those as things that are too far removed from the intention of the Philosophers: who if they did mention them, it was onely by way of similitude,* as Bacon tells us; Quare admirandum est, quod aliquis prudens suam fundat intentionem su∣per animalia, sive vegetabilia, quae valde sunt remota, cum inveniantur mineralia sa•is propinqua. Nec cre∣dendum est omnino, quod aliquis Philosophorum posue∣rit artem in praedictis remotis, nisi similitudinarie.

But those that think they come nearest the mark, do fix upon the noblest of Metals, to wit, Gold; ta∣king that of Augurellus for a truth, (which is so in∣deed, if rightly understood) In auro, semina sunt auri, & ut ignis est principium ignificandi, sic aurum aurifi∣candi; and finding the Masters do call the Gold that they use in the first work (for we speak not here of fermentation) their Gold not aurum vulgi, they there∣fore commonly pitch upon pure Gold, such as is much sand gold, or as the Germans call it, Wash gold, that hath not been melted in the fire; and this many of the wiser sort do take to be living gold, strengthened by that subtile assertion of Sendivogius, who saith, Scito enim metallorum vitam esse ignem,*dum adhuc in suis mineris sunt, & mortem etiam ignem fusionis vi∣delicet. And if to this they add what Trevisan hath written in that learned and abstruse Epistle of his to Thomas of Bononia, it would in a manner convince an
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understanding person, to believe that common gold being decocted in their menstruum, would communi∣cate its vertue to their water, by which the whole ma∣gistery might be perfected; but it is good to be wary, latet anguis in herba: and therefore the learned May∣erus gives us this caution, ut perspicuus apparet, ita pro∣fundus delitescit.

And I shall crave pardon of those that are learned in this point, if I do not adhere to this opinion; for though I may confess that Gold by fusion in the force of fire, is thereby dead, yet my question is, that it was dead before; and so after fusion that may be more amply praedicated of it, though it was truly dead be∣fore, as when a man is slain by a mortal wound, he may be said to be dead, when he is absolutely cold, and no motion of life in him; and much more he might be said to be dead when his body (like the cu∣stom of the Romans) is burned.

And to confirm that Gold and other particular Me∣tals are dead when they are coagulated into an hard and fixt metallick body, we shall give sufficient autho∣rity.

And first, Basilius Valentinus (a man of unquestio∣nable verity and experience) tells us thus.*

In the first place be informed, that our Gold (so much spo∣ken of hitherto) must never be taken for such Gold by any of our Disciples, which hath been melted and fully digested by Nature; for herein such errour is committed, that men dilapidate all that they have, and lose both the end and beginning of all their Works.
From this it clearly appeareth, that not onely gold that hath been melted, is excluded from the beginning
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of their Work, but also gold that hath been fully di∣gested by Nature; for who can expect life from a dead thing?

To this we may add that signal passage of Paracel∣sus, quoted by us once or twice before,* though not this very purpose, who saith:

Primo sciendum est, metal∣lum quodvis, quamdiu in primo ente adhuc latet con∣ditum, peculiaria sua Astra habere. Ita aurum ha∣bet astra Solis: Argentum astra Lunae, &c. Quam-primum autem ad suam perfectionem venerunt, & in fixum metallicum corpus coagulantur, ab illorum quo∣libet sua astra recedunt, & corpus suum relinquunt mortuum. And a little after he tells us; Et una in∣telligendum, ad utrinsque tincturae, rubrae scilicet & albae, praeparationem initio non corpus auri vel Lunae, sed primum ens auri vel Lunae assumi debere. Si enim in principio error committatur, de opera & la∣bore omni actum erit.
From whence it is not onely plain, that gold when coagulated into a metallick body, is dead; but also that it is in vain to take it in the beginning of the Work.

*Trevisan tells us the same thing, saying;

Corpora vulgaria, per naturam solam in mineris absoluta, sunt mortua, ut imperfect a perficere nequeunt, &c.
*And the learned Combachius in his Translation of Nuysement, tells us this certain rule.

Prudentes & na∣si emunctioris homines, ex radice opera sua incipiunt, & non ex ramis: Eligentes, ut doctissimus Bacon ait, rem, super quam natura tantum primas operationes incepit, per unionem & mixtionem proportionatam puri & vivi Mercurii, cum simili sulphure in massam solidam congelati.
And this is a clear point which
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Bacon further explaineth thus;* shewing how they are excused from taking gold to the composition of the red, or silver to the white.
Cum inveniamus rem, vel corpus aliquod, ex tam mundo, vel mundiore sul∣phure, & argento vivo, super quod natura parum, vel minimum est operata. And after, Eligenda est ergo materia, in qua est argentum vivum mundum, purum, clarum, album & rubeum, non ad complementum per∣ductum, sed commixtum aequaliter & proportionabili∣ter, per modum debitum cum sulphure tali, & in massam solidam congelata.
And to this agreeth the saying of Paracelsus,* speak∣ing of the sulphur of Gold.

Hoc sulphur, si quale in aurifera arbore, & ad hujus radicem in montibus est, Alchymistae invenire & adipisci possent, esset certe, de quo effuse gauderent.
From all which it is manifest that common Gold as it is perfected by Nature, and digested to the height of maturity, though it have never been melted, nor felt the force of the fire; yet in respect of the Philo∣sophers first work, is but dead, and wants the princi∣ples of life and vegetability, that necessarily is requi∣red to their purpose; and that there is another gold not vulgarly known for such, in which Nature hath but wrought her first operations, which above all other they persuade to seek after, and to take. There∣fore we will conclude this (because we have spoken more largely where we treated of Gold according to the mystical Authors) with the advice of Iohannes Spagnetus,* who saith,

Now those bodies must be taken which are of an unspotted, and incorrupt vir∣ginity, such as have life and spirits in them, not ex∣tinct as those that are handled of the vulgar; for
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who can expect life from dead things? and those are called corrupt, which have suffered copulation; those dead and extinct, which (by the enforcements of the chief Tyrant of the World) have poured out their soul with their blood by martyrdom.
2. In the next place many do imagine and urge, that though common Gold be dead, as Nature hath produced it; yet it is to be revised by Art, and that herein lies the great difficulty and mystery of their so∣lution, and the bringing of it back to its first matter. Of this there is enough said to encourage this opi∣nion.

We shall be a little large in handling this, because it is a deep and mysterious point. And in the first place, we shall find all the Philosophers as it were unanimously agreeing, that the transmutation of Me∣tals is impossible, unless they be reduced in materiam suam primam: which we shall take to be granted as a certain truth, but all the difficulty lies in the true un∣derstanding of the Philosophers meaning, who never speak more truly then when darkly; nor never more equivocally (if not falsly) when they speak plainly. Some understand this reduction of them into their first matter, to be taken to be brought to pass in pro∣jection; of which we shall say nothing. Others, that it is to be understood of their first matter, that it must be by solution reduced into its first principles, of which it was constituted; and this in a sober and limi∣ted sense we shall allow of, and inquire what first matter it is that they must be reduced into; and that cannot be understood truly and properly of the first matter of Metals,* for that is vapour. For Sendivo∣gius tells us;

Sciant ergo doctinae filli sperma metal∣lorum
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diversum non esse à spermate rerum omnium, scilicet vaporem humidum; ideo frustra quaerunt ar∣tistae metallorum reductionem in materiam primam, quae tantum vapor. Philosophi non talem intellexerunt materiam primam, sed tantum materiam secundam.
So that rationally it must be thought to be that which is the next and proxime matter of Metals, which Tre∣visan excellently describeth thus:*
Glorientur Alchy∣mistae utut volent, nunquam formas transmutabunt metallorum, nisi per ipsorum in primam materiam reductionem: hoc ipsum habent omnes libri qui de forma tractant metallica. Verum ut intelligatur quid sibi velit in primam reductio materiam, apprime sci∣endum, materiam esse primam, rem ipsam in quam immediate proximeque specifica forma introducitur, uti prima hominis materia, est utrumque viri seminis & mulieris.
So that it being granted that there is a necessity of reducing the Metals into their first, which was the next matter into which the specifick form is introduced, and those that suppose natural gold, though having not felt the fire, is to be reduced into this proxime matter, which they suppose to be done by their solution; which is accounted so hard and difficult: we shall now examine whether common gold can be reduced into this proxime or first matter, which we suppose simply impossible.
And first, whereas they alledge that their solution is so extream hard and difficult, we shall oppose the authority of Sendivogius,* who saith;

Et hoc vobis dico, quod opus est rem quaerere aliquam, quae occulta est, ex qua fit (miro modo) talis humiditas, quae au∣rum sine violentia seu stropitu solvit, imo ita suaviter & naturaliter, sicuti glacies aquae calidae beneficio li∣quescit,
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si hoc invenistis, habetis rem, ex qua aurum à natura productum est: & quamvis omnia metalla, & res emnes ex illa ortum habeant, nil tamen ita amicatur ei, sicut aurum, nam aliis rebus adhaeret impuritas, auro autem nulla, propterea instar matri est ipsi.
From whence I shall commend these considerations unto the studious Reader.
1. That this matter forth of which is drawn their great solvent, is a thing that is occult and hid, which humidity is made forth of it in a wonderful manner.
2. That this Water doth dissolve Gold without violence or noise, as pleasantly and naturally as Ice is melted in warm water; so that the water once had, the dissolution is easie; and therefore what difficulty soever they speak of in their solution, must be under∣stood of the preparing and attaining of this solvent, and not in regard of the solution of Gold in it.
3. I shall commend it to be inquired of by all cu∣rious persons, whether this Gold that is so easily dis∣solved in it be common Gold, or that of the Philoso∣phers; because I cannot determine it here, for reasons not fit to be divulged.
4. Especially to mark that this water is that from which Gold by Nature is produced; so that there is a subject to be had, from whence Gold by Nature is produced, forth of which this their solvent is made and prepared; which is a clearer hint then I know that any other Author hath ever given; and therefore I wish every true Artist to consider, and ponder of it well; for this is the Key of all their secrets, and onely can open the door into the Philosophers Ro∣sary.
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5. To note, that whereas he saith, That although all Metals, and all things have their off-spring from this water, yet nothing is so amicable unto it as Gold, because other things have impurities, but that Gold hath none, which must be taken with a grain of salt; for there is no natural or common Gold but it hath some impurity; and in what respect all Metals, and all things have their rise from it, must be carefully consi∣dered, calling to mind that this Author (as well as others) useth contradictions in his Writings, and tells us that the Rose is not found without its prickles.
To this of Sendivogius we shall subjoyn that of Helmont:*

Summus autem atque felicissimus salium est, qui ultimam puritatis & subtilitatis metam in natura attigit, cuncta pervadit, solusque agendo manet im∣mutabilis, quaeque alia pro lubitu, prompta resolvit obedientia, rebellemque omnem materiam, non secus atque aqua calida nivem liquat, & volatizat.
And in another place he saith:*
Quae longe clarius per Adeptos demonstrari possunt. Quibus scilicet unicus & idem liquor Alkahest, omnia totius universi corpo∣ra tangibilia perfecte reducit in vitam eorundem pri∣mam, absque ulla sui mutatione, viriumque diminu∣tione. A solo autem suo compari, subter jugum tra∣hitur, atque permutatur.
From whence we may observe: 1. That this li∣quor must in all probability be the same specifically with that solvent of Sendivogius, because they work the same effects, of which we shall say mare anon.

2.We are to note that the subject out of which this great liquor or solvent is drawn, is a Salt, and that the chiefest, and most happy of Salts. But I should caution every learned Artist, or Searcher of these se∣crets,
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to take care that he mistake not (as many that thought themselves learned, and of piercing wits, have been) who, misled by many passages in the Philoso∣phers Writings, have been drawn forth to rome after some universal or catholick Salt, gotten forth of the beams of the Sun, Air, or some Earths, or carried af∣ter the fansie of some other more common and vulgar Salts; but shall wish them to remember a saying often reiterated by the Philosophers, which is this; Qui habet Sal metallorum, habet lapis antiquorum; a sen∣tence of few words, but of a vast depth, rightly to un∣derstand and find the true meaning of; and which some that I have known that have many years read and studied the Philosophers books, never could rightly dive into. But verbum sat sapienti.

3. That this liquor of Helmont•, like the other, did perfectly reduce, or dissolve all tangible bodies of the Universe (of which common Gold is one) into their first life, as easily as Snow is volatized and melted in warm water, without any mutation or diminution of its own strength, but remained immutable.

4. But that it was drawn under the yoke, and throughly changed by its onely compeer; which what that is, we shall plainly tell the Reader in general, that it is the Philosophers incombustible sulphur, fixed grain, or first agent, which we hope no man will think that we should particularly name. The seal of Hermes ought not to be broken.

Though these two places of these Authors are suffi∣ciently concordant, as to the easiness of the radical dis∣solution of bodies by this liquor once had, and obtain∣ed; yet we shall give them another hint from this great Adeptist Helmont, that seems disagreeing to
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what hath been said, in regard of the difficulty of dis∣solving some bodies, and yet make it appear that they are reconcileable; for though the Philosophers spoke often darkly, yet they spoke truly; and how disso∣nant soever they seemed in words, notwithstanding there was a perfect Harmony in their meanings: And thus Helmont speaketh concerning metallick Mercury;*

Siquidem in mercurio deprehendi quoddam sulphur externum, originale metalli labem continens. Quae quia originalis, ideo & difficulter ab eo tollitur. Qua tandem nihilominus per artem separata, aiunt periti, mericurium superfluo sulphure, & humido superfluo mundatum.
From whence it is manifest how hard and difficult it is to separate the external sulphur from metallick Mercury, because they were originally con∣joyned, but that nevertheless by Art they may be se∣parated. And such an Artist he calls Peritus, which doth manifest in part, that the difficulty lies chiefly in preparing and obtaining the solvent, and not in sepa∣rating the sulphur from the metallick Mercury, when the liquor is once had. For where he is speaking of the Ludus, he saith; Est autem hoc opus longe diffi∣cillimum, non quidem quoad praeparationem Ludi; sed ipsius Alkahest. By which it is plain beyond ex∣ception, that the preparing of this great solvent, is of all other far most difficult, and not in dissolving any other bodies by it when it is once had: and therefore in another place, speaking of the Alkahest, he saith it is taediosissimae praeparationis.
The next thing concerning this question in hand, is first one place in Sendivogius that seemeth to fa∣vour this Opinion, that common Gold is to be used in the first Work, and that is where Sendivogius saith:
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Lapis Philosophorum seu tinctur•,* nihil allud est, quam aurum in supremum digestum, nam aurum vul∣gi est sicuti herba sine semine, quando maturescit pro∣ducit semen, sic aurum quando maturescit, dat simen seu Tincturam.
By which any one would think that vulgar Gold ought to be taken in the beginning, and so long concocted and digested until it be ripened, and then it yields seed or the Tincture. But if we consi∣der more narrowly we may observe, that though it be true that common Gold must be ripened, ere it yield the golden seed or tincture by which other Gold may be produced, and inferiour or imperfect Metals be changed into the nature of Gold; yet the question is still, whether common Gold be onely ripened by being joyned in fermentation with the Philosophers sulphur first had and prepared, that doth maturate and ripen it, or not; for it is known that the Philosophers sulphur being prepared, is universal and catholick, and would work upon Vegetables or Animals, as well as Metals; and is only determined and specificated by that Metal that is joyned with it in fermentation, thereby causing it to transmute others into its own specifical nature; and therefore it is credibly written of Kelley, that he transmuted Gold into Quicksilver; and this was it that made Lully cry out and say, Is Nature also retrograde? But to confirm this, let us give some Authorities.
*Spagnetus telling the qualities of the Planet Mercu∣ry, concludeth thus;

The like this uncertain Elixir worketh, for that being tied to no proper quality, it embraceth the quality, and disposition of the thing wherewith it is mixed, and wonderfully multiplieth the virtues and qualities thereof.

Petrus, Iohannes Faber,* who (as is credibly thought, and may be known in part by some of his last Wri∣tings) became a Master of the grand Secret, speaks (in this point) thus plainly and roundly.

Omnes fere Philosophi Spagyrici asserunt fontem Chymicorum seu Mercurium Philosophorum perfici non posse sine au∣ro vel argento: sed aurum illud, non est aurum vulgi, nec argentum illud est argenium vulgi: Sed est quid aliud, à fonte ipso non alienum nec extrinsecum; imo est aurum & argenium in ipsis visceribus ipsius font is enatum: Et est pars fixa ipsius fontis, quae cum in du∣plici sit differentia, rubea & alba; rubea quae est, au∣rum est Philosophorum, & quae alba est, argentum est eorundem; verissimum est sine auro illo & argento, fontem Chymicum perfici non posse.
And a little after he saith,*

De auro autem vulgi nullo pacto hoc est censendum, quia quamvis in fer∣mentatione lapidis nostri, sit necessarium ut determi∣netur lapis ad perfectionem metallorum: non tamen determinat perfectionem lapidis, imo contra lapis no∣ster terminat ac perficit aurum vulgi, sine ipso enim lapide, aurum vulgi mortuum omnino est, ac sterile & infoecundum; cum lapide vero connexum, fit vi∣vum & foecundum, communicans suas perfectiones & dotes: unde perficitur aurum vulgi ab ipso lapide, non è contra, ab auro perficitur lapis.
The last we shall add to this particular, is the testi∣mony of learned Mayerus, who saith:

Nihilominus Philosophi affirmant, ut in igne ignificandi principium extat, sic in auro aurificandi: verum tinctura quaeri∣tur, cujus medio aurum fiat. Haec indaganda est in suis propriis principiis, non in alienis: nam si ignis ignem producat, pyrus pyrum, eguus eguum, tum plum∣bum

& non argentum, aurum aurum, & non tincturam generabit: Ad haec aurum Philosophis plumbum, pro∣prium est, quod non negant pro fermento in fine operis lapidi aurifico adjici debere, sed necessario requiri quo{que} asserunt. Cum fermentum ducat fermentatum in sui naturam, sine quo tota compositio ad perfectionem nun∣quam rediret.
*By this may be clearly opened that of Augurellus, which so many have mistaken, and so few rightly un∣derstood; to wit,

*Hordea cui cordi demum serit hordea: ne tu
Nunc aliunde pares auri primordia, in auro
Semina sunt auri, quamvis abstrusa recedant
Longius, & multo nobis quaerenda labore.
Besides what we have already said, we shall now shew two irrefragable arguments that common Gold, whether having felt the force of the fire, or not, is no ingredient in the first work for the Philosophers tin∣cture.

*1. And first Helmont lays it down for a firm ground of truth (which also all knowing Mineralists under∣stand to be a certain verity) thus: Quia prout nullum sulphur, (id est, externum sulphur) est metallum: ita omnis mercurius metallicus, est verum metallum. And then speaking of Copper after the external sulphur be separated from it, he saith;

In propositis autem cupri terminis, contemplare internum illud, quod in albo, anonymo, ac mercuriali metallo, corpus fixat, sive coa∣gulat, efficitque sub malleo ductile: cum alias mercu∣rius absque sulphure nunquam in metallum coagulari possit.
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And after, where he is speaking of metallick Mer∣cury, which containeth its combustible and insepara∣ble sulphur within it,* he saith;

Si non vidissem argen∣tum vivum eludere quamcunque artificum operam, adeo quod aut totum avolet adhuc integrum, aut totum in igne permaneat, atque utrolibet modo, servet impermutabilem sui ac primitivam identitatem, i∣dentitatisque homogeneitatem anaticam: dicerem artem non esse veram, quae vera est, sine men∣dacio, atque longe verissima. Adeo ut quod supra est, est sicut quod est infra, & vicissim. Ignaros ergo se rei metallicae produnt, quotquot docent praefatas mer∣curii aurique metamorphoses.
And further;

Imo licet aurum radicaliter in partes heterogeneas, salem scilicet, sulphur, ac mercurium se pateretur sequestrari (quod nullatenus naturae, nisi per unicum liquorem constructivum, est possibile) Istud tamen in mercurii homogeneitate, est naturae & arti impossibile. Quippe qui auro est simplicior, majori anaticaque identitate constructus.
From whence we may observe; 1. That metal∣lick Mercury doth either altogether abide in the fire, or altogether flie from, and both ways remains im∣mutable. And this Helmont had seen in experi∣ence.

2. That they are ignorant of the nature of Metals, that teach the change of Mercury or Gold.

3. That Gold may be radically separated into Salt, Sulphur, and Mercury; but not possible to Nature to be done but by one onely constructive liquor.

4. But lastly, That this in the homogeneity of Mercury, is impossible to Nature, and Art. And in another place he tells us:

Aqua itaque, est interno metal∣lorum
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Mecurio simillima,* qui cum omni prorsus me∣tallici sulphuris labe, jam est exutus, tam sibi unde∣quaque indissolubili nexu cohaeret, ut radicaliter om∣nem divisionem, arte aut natura possibilem, re∣spuat.
And further he saith;

Mercurius ergo originali labe mundatus, atque virgo, non sinit se amplius à sul∣phuribus, aut seminibus apprehendi, quin baec confe∣stim consumat, ac velut conficiat, excepto suo compari. Sunt namque alia sublunaria, nimis debilia, ut tanti mercurium, subigant, penetrent, commutent, aut de∣foedent.
*And further saith;

Mercurius ergo de mercurio vel in mercurio, sospes manet, tam ignibus, quam li∣quore acri. Alioqui si corrosiva, illum mercurium attingeret, forte multorum labor compesaretur. Quip∣pe tota radix, transmutationum est in sulphure. Vid. Tria prim. p. 408.
So that the force of the Arguments lies thus: That though metallick Mercury by composition, and mar∣riage with metallick Sulphurs, be made a Metal, and this may be destroyed by reason of the duality of its sulphur; yet the mercury of that Metal is not to be destroyed. And if the mercury of Metals when se∣parated from its external sulphur, be not to be chan∣ged either by Art or Nature, but onely by its com∣peer, which is the Tincture already prepared, then it must necessarily follow, that common Gold cannot be an ingredient in the work of the Elixir before fer∣mentation; which was the thing we undertook to prove. Nay further, either the Art of transmutation of Metals is false, or else metallick mercury is in∣divisible, for if it were divisible, it would be utterly
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unfit for the work in the particular of projection.

And if they suppose that the A•kahest, constructive liquor, or universal menstruum, which we grant is able to separate the external sulphur from Metals; nay, even from Gold it self, were able to divide, change or overcome metallick Mercury, when separated from its external sulphur, they flatly argue against the plain assertion of our Author Helmont, who denies it to be possible either by Art or Nature. And it is the unanimous affirmation of all the Masters, that in their first work, their Water is the Patient, and their fixed grain, or Sulphur their Agent, that doth work upon it, overcome, and coagulate it.

And if they urge the Authority of Paracelsus and Helmont,* the former of which saith: Auro enim qua∣tenus aurum est, corrosivum praestat, & citra corrosivum mortuum est.* And the latter saith, Sensi ergo, aurum absque corrosivo suo proprio, esse mortuum: mortuum inquam, nisi radicaliter à suo corrosivo penetretur. Supposing by this, that Gold though dead, as it is dig∣ged forth of the earth, or melted in fire, doth yet be∣come alive, and quickned by it its proper corrosive, or their menstruum, so that it thereby hath gotten a vegetative and generative power, and therefore is most fit for the first work. In which opinion they may be confirmed by many good Authors, if they be understood according to the letter. But they must excuse us if we be not of their judgment, for we shall easily grant that Gold is shut up and dead in respect of yielding any remedies to cure diseases withal, ex∣cept it be opened and loosed with their onely constru∣ctive liquor, which separates its sulphur▪ and salt, in which doth lie the medical virtue (as we shall shew
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more at large anon) but notwithstanding the mercu∣rial part of it remains indivisible, and cannot be chan∣ged by the power of that liquor, nor by no sublunary except its compeer. But take a full answer from the said Authors, who (whatsoever any may think) did not in so main a point contradict themselves, but did harmoniously agree.

*For Helmont tells us;

Profecto, metallica corpora, juxta suos mercurios clausa sunt sigillo anaticae homo∣geneitatis aequaliter: Sed sulphura eorum nequaquam nobis indignata, colloquia praebent, modo familiaria reddantur.
And further he saith,

Attamen mercurius illius metalli manet indestuctibilis. Hinc Paracelsus in vexatione praefata: etsi metallum destraxeris decies millies: attamen à destructionibus semper resurget longe perfectius.* Et in Archidoxis lib. de separat. elementorum cap. de Metallis unumquodque Elemento∣rum in specie olci destructionis metallicae, potest reduci iterum, in metallum album, pristinum & malleabile, excepto elemento ignis, quod tincturam sive sulphur continet.
From whence we may note, 1. That all Metals in respect of their Mercuries are equally shut up and sea∣led with the seal of anatical homogeneity; so that their Mercuries do yield us no Medicines, however wrought upon by their constructive liquors, but their Salts and Sulphurs do hearken unto us, if rendred fa∣miliar, and separated with that grand and universal solvent.

2. That the Mercury of those Metals remains in∣destructible, and not to be changed from a metallick form, or precipitated; but if they be never so oft de∣stroyed,
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they will arise more perfect then before.

3. And that the Sulphurs and Salts (in which onely consists the Medical virtue) may (but doubtless not without their great solvent) be separated from their Mercurial bodies, which all remain white after their Sulphurs and Salts be separated from them; which white bodies may again be reduced into Anonymous Metals: of which Paracelsus saith thus much.*Tan∣dem ascendent obscuri duo colores, unus albus, alter ve∣ro juxta metalli naturam, & conditionem. And after again, Album vero si reduxeris, habebis inde mallea∣bile corpus album & metallicum, quod cognosci ne∣quit sub qua specie contineatur.

From whence note, 1. That he there nameth wa∣ter wherein the Metals must be dissolved and putrefied, but according to his usual custom doth tacitely omit to declare what kind of water it should be; when doubtless according to Helmont, and truth it self, it was their constructive liquor or Alkahest; for nothing else would radically dissolve Metals, and that not without a praevious digestion or putrefaction.* For Helmont tell us,

In aliis vero liquorum activitatibus, corpus nunquam potest se radicaliter commiscere liquori sol∣venti. Ideoque corroditur quidem, at non solvitur intime, uti ad transformationem formalem alioqui, re∣quiritur.
And a little after,

Itaque terreum corpus, sive dissol∣vatur per corrosivum, sive non, pristinum suum esse servat. Eo quod istud dissolvens non peneiret dissolu∣tum, in radicali vinculo connexionis. Quod tamen in transmutandis essentialibus, est per necessarium. Discant ergo Chymia Tyrones, quod corpora non re∣solvantur per corrosivorum calcinationes. Licet etiam
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saepe repetitas: nisi intercurrat fermentalis impressio, per putrefactionem, quae praecedit quamlibet radicalem solutionem.
2. That the mercury of the Metals, as well as their Salts and Sulphurs, are brought over the helm, and that the white may be reduced into a metallick malleable white body, which cannot be known under what spe∣cies it falleth.

3. That in these Salts or Sulphurs the medical vir∣tue lies hid, and that they are coloured according to the several Metals from whence they proceed. As thus:

Ex Sole vel auro spadiceum, ex Luna lazurium, ex Marte rubeum & valde obscurum, ex Mercurio al∣bum, ex Saturno lividum atque plumbeum, ex Venere viride prorsus, ex Iove flavum.
And these in the bottom, the ☿ being at the top.
*2. The second Argument that I shall use, ariseth from that immovable Axiom that the Adeptists have laid down, and is so strongly, and pertinently prose∣cuted by Helmont: which is that:

Facilius est aurum construere,* quam destruere: Also quod sit longe faci∣lius, aurum ex non auro construere, quam aurum na∣turale destruere.*And another saith; Qui aurum scit destruere, ita quod amplius non sit aurum, is ad maximum arcanum pervenit.*And another saith, Qui auri destructionem ignorat, constructi••em ejus ex cursu naturae necessario habet ignorare. Facilius itaque est aurum construere quam destruere.
To these add that of Geber:*
Attentaverunt forte, quod sit fortis compositionis, sed quam fortis compositionis sit, non attentaverunt.
We shall onely urge Helmonts conclusion from the two former, and leave the mystery and seeming contradictions in
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the rest, because we intend but that onely point, and he concludeth thus.*
Quotquot ergo promittunt auri vel mercurii separationes, nec tamen aurum peculiosa quantitate construere sciunt, cum nesciant, quod est longe facilius, credant etiam se nescire, quod longe est adhuc difficilius. Ideo Bacon, inquirens primam artis materiam, perque omnia mundi corpora discur∣rens, negat aurum & argentum, esse materiam ar∣tis: eo quod sit plane impossibilis eorundem reductio in sulphur & argentum vivum,* unde fiat filius ignis tantus in amore Philosophorum.
And so finally ur∣geth that, That either the Adeptists do lie and are de∣ceived, or themselves the young Writers in Chymistry.
So we shall close this point (wherein we have been so tedious) with a few Authorities of the best Philo∣sophers.

1. And first that of the learned Author of the Tractatus aureus;* who saith,

Verum benevolus lector informatus sit, quod metalla, utpote aurum & argen∣tum, in forma sua metallica, materia nostri lapidis non fuit: medium autem sunt inter nostram materiam, & perfecta metalla, quemadmodum nostra materia medium est inter illa, & magnum nostrum lapidem.
2. To the same purpose is that of Lully,* who saith,

Et ideo bonus artista capit metalla pro mediis in opere magisterii, & specialiter solem & lunam.* Ideo, quia illa duo venerunt in co•qualitate temperata, & mul∣tum depurata de sulphuris & argenti vivisubstantia, cocta pura, & bene digesta ingenio naturae, ad quam proportionem Artista in vanum se vexaret, si à prin∣cipiis naturalibus, sine realibus mediis pro intentione faciendi velit incipere.*
To which add what is quo∣ted forth of his Codicil: where he saith,
Sine illis
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duobus, auro & argento-videlicet, ars ista perfecta fieri nequit, quam hac in re purissima sulphuris sub∣stantia sit, quam natura plenarie purificavit: ad quam purificationem perveniendi ars multo est debi∣lior, quam natura, ad quam tamen pervenire nequit, etiamsi in eo maxumopere desudet.
*3. This also is a most remarkable passage:

Ex hoc patet, quod aurum Philosophorum, non est aurum vul∣gi, nec in colore, nec in substantia.
So that if not ei∣ther in colour of substance, it must be another thing; which is to be noted.
*4. That of Trevisan is carefully to be weighed and considered; who after he hath persuaded us to leave Alloms, Vitriols, Salts, and the like; and Animals, and all that proceeds from them; and all Minerals, and the Metals alone. For although from them there be an entrance, and that their matter ought to be com∣pounded of Argent vive, as all Philosophers affirm; and that this is no where else to be found but in the Metals, as appeareth by many testimonies there cited; and that by them all, it is affirmed that Metals are no∣thing else but Argent vive, congealed by gradual de∣coctions; yet he concludeth thus:

Hic non obstanti∣bus omnibus affirmativis rationibus, ipsa (scilicet me∣talla) non sunt lapis noster, dum in forma sunt me∣tallica: nam impossibile est unam & eandem materiam habere duas formas.
From whence, if it be a truth that Helmont holdeth forth, That metallick Mercury, can be changed by no sublunary Agent, except its compeer, but that still it will remain a Metal not to be altered from that state either by Art or Nature: then seeing that it immortally and immutably remains in its metallick form, except changed by its compeer,
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which we assert to be the tincture already prepared, then of necessity it cannot be an ingredient in the first work, which was that we undertook to make good.
5. I shall onely give two Authorities in this parti∣cular,* and so conclude.

One is this by Iohannes Me∣hung; who saith, Aurum itaque ex mineralibus op∣timum esse mihi haud ignotum est: nihilominus tamen neque in forma, neque materia, ad perfectionem suam transgrediendam, ullam aliquam habet efficaciam. Nullam siquidem majorem operationem habet, ut am∣plius aliquid, quam seipsum, perficiat, qualem qualem etiam artem homo huic adhibeat. Si quis enim affir∣mare conaretur, quod reserandum, & in argentum vi∣vum redigendum illud esset, is hac in re plus justo stultesceret, cum ex auro nihil amplius, quam quod in eo est elicere possit. And a little after: Imo adhuc amplius affirmo, quod destruere, conficiendi auri, mi∣nime via sit.
The other for brevity sake I com∣mend to be considered of by the Reader, where he may find it at large in the Via Veritatis unicae, in the Musaeum Hermeticum, p. 266, 267.
Now what clear light I have brought in this parti∣cular to the dark places in Paracelsus, Helmont, and the rest, will be known unto those that have thorowly studied their Writings, and do solidly understand them. And I hope that divine Providence will be pleased to open these Mysteries to the meek and low∣ly, and keep them still veiled from the proud and wicked.

2. The next thing we proposed to handle, is con∣cerning Aurum potabile and the Tincture of Gold; which may be much cleared by what we have here spoken in this Chapter, and by some things that we
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have before mentioned, though upon another occa∣sion. But to open it more largely, we shall draw some particulars from what hath been spoken, and add some more weighty considerations.

*1. Angelus Sala, a laborious, learned and honest Chymist, writ a Treatise of common Gold, therein la∣bouring strenously to prove that it cannot by Art be brought into such a condition, as may be properly said to be potable, in either of those acceptations; as either Oyl or Water, which of themselves are liquid, nor as Salts, which though of themselves neither li∣quid nor potable, yet infused in any moist and liquid substance, will then become potable. But this he meaneth, that though its body may be divided into such small atoms, or particles, that mixed with wine or some other liquor, and so give it another colour, or a new tincture, yet that it is not thereby radically dissol∣ved, but may again be reduced into the metallick form of Gold, of which he giveth many clear and learned instances. Thus far this Author (according to what he knew) hath said right, and so much is con∣firmed by Helmont,* who not onely granteth that com∣mon gold may be reduced into a light-red coloured oyl, but also teacheth the open and plain process thereof. Yet after all concludeth that it is reducible into metallick Gold again, in these words:

Est enim summe levigatum, imo & durum, solidum, malleabile, ac fixissimum corpus, quod jam in naturam versum videtur. At sane mentitus ille liquor, in pristinum auri pondus, & corpus, facile redigitur. And again, Etenim post quam scivi corpora denodare,* per consen∣tanea suis principiis radicalibus•: tum primum coepi, cum salutari taedio, irridere, stolidas credulitates meas,
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quibus olim aurum dissolvi: ejus tamen potabili succo minus profec•, quam simplicis alicujus decocto. De∣inceps vero potui aurum dissolvere, butyri, resinae, at∣que vitrioli facie ludere. At nusquam inveni vir∣tutes auro tributas, eo quod nostris sic etiam fermentis reluctaretur.
And in some other places he hath things to the same purpose; from whence we shall commend these particulars to be noted.
1. That common Gold may by vulgar Chymistry be brought into the form of a light red-coloured oyl, but that not profitable at all in medicinal vertue, and may easily be again reduced into the fixt and mallea∣ble body of Gold; and thus far onely Sala was expe∣rienced in, and in this respect onely his Arguments are good and conclusive.

2. But that notwithstanding Gold and other Me∣tals may be dissolved per consentanea suis principiis ra∣dicalibus, which thing was unknown unto Sala; and therefore we may very well take notice, that conclu∣sions drawn from the experience of one man, nay of many, will not necessarily infer a general rule: for Helmont was once ignorant of this liquor that was consentaneous to the radical, proper principles of Gold; and therefore for him then to have concluded generally that there was no such liquor as would ra∣dically dissolve Gold, had been false, since he knew it afterwards: and what a thousand knows not, one that is none of them may know.

2. We have in this Chapter before sufficiently shewed that the colour, tincture, or sulphur of com∣mon Gold, may be by Art separated from its body, afterwards remaining white, and an Anonymous Me∣tal, and not to be destroyed by Art or Nature. But
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that we may make it clear beyond all exception, we shall add some further proofs. H•lmont tells us, speak∣ing of his Arcanum Coralinum, which is common Quick-silver fixed by the liquor Alkahest:*

N•n e∣tiam auri color, sulphur, aut tinctura alvum subdu∣cunt.
By which he clearly grants that the colour, sulphur, or tincture of Gold may be separated from it; but that it doth not loose the belly, or purge as the Ar∣canum Coralinum doth. And in another place he saith,*
Quod aurum quidem sit• corporum constantissi∣mum i•igne, sed suae constantiam separationis mutua• à mercurio: adeo si sulphur ejus includat dualitatem heterogeneam; id mercurium minime attingit. Ad∣mitto quidem, quod mercurius per compositionem trans∣mutationis, & maritationem sulphurum metallico∣rum, fiat metallum, & hoc sit destructibile ratione dualitatis sui sulphuris: Attamen merourius illius me∣talli manet indestructibilis.
From whence he im∣plieth plainly, That common Gold and other Metals have in them an heterogeneous duality, in regard of their external sulphurs, and that this may be separa∣ted, or in respect of it the Metal may be destroyed, yet that the Mercury of that Metal is indestructible. And again,* which may be is quoted before:
Unum∣quodque elementorum in specie olei destructionis me∣tallicae, potest reduci iterum in metallum album pristi∣num, & malleabile excepto elemento ignis, quod tin∣cturam sive sulphur continet.
Of which we have spoken largely before. And again to repeat some∣what, he saith:
Imo licet aurum radicaliter in partes heterogeneas, salem scilicet, sulphur, ac mercurium se pateretur sequestrari (quod nullatenus naturae, nisi per unicum liquorem constructivum est possibile) Illud ta∣men
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in mercurii homogeneitate, & naturae & arti im∣possibile. Quia in mercurio non est reperibilis di∣versitas, qualis alioqui in tinctu•a auri hujusque al∣bedine.
From whence it is most manifest that the sulphur or tincture of common Gold may be sepa∣rated by that onely one constructive liquor; bu• that the remaining body of the metallick Mercury (which is truly a Metal, though anonymous, and not to be known under what species it falls) is impo••ible either to Art or Nature to be divided or separated. And this he hath plainly shewed of Copper; where he declareth,
Non est ergo ignis veneris spiritus vitrioli, utcunque exquisite rectificatus: sed ignis ille est, sul∣phur cupri volatile, in forma olei viridis, melle dul∣cius, & à corpore mercuriali sui cupri plane separa∣tum. Residuum autem cuprum manet album, nec unquam viridescens per aeruginem, ut neque amplius ex numero septem metallorum. Quia evasit notum atque anonymum metallum: non potest autem haberi ignis veneris, nisi cum plenaria: cupri destructione corporisque mercurialis ipsius veneris vola•ilizatione. Quod quantumcunque sit volatile,* in forma olei: faci∣li tamen negotio, postmodum iterum reducitur in me∣tallum album ignotum, atque sub malleo extensibile. Sed ignis sive sulphur veneris, non item amplius redu∣citur in metallum per se.
Which is a clear demon∣stration, not onely that the sulphurs or tinctures of Metals are by Art•to be separated from them, but (excepting the manifesting of the matter and manner of the preparing of the Alkahest, which he and all o∣ther Adeptists are bound to conceal) also the way of separating them, and the qualities both of those sulphurs and their mercurial parts are shewed. A
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point of high concernment rightly to be weighed and understood; and it is no great marvel that so many frivolous, and ignorant disputes have been, and are about Aurum potabile, or the tincture of Gold, which can never be truly resolved but by him that knoweth,* and is possessor of that universal solvent. Thus much more we shall onely add in this particular; where he faith:
Quoties namque à merucriis sales, & sulphura distinxi, admiratus sum illorum ignaviam, horumque vero principiorum dignitates.
Where again he de∣clareth that the Salts and Sulphurs of Metals are to be divided from their Mercuries; and that the Mercu∣ries of Metals in medical virtue (for we have shewed by his authority before, that the mercuries of Metals are all equally shut up with the seal of anatical homo∣geneity, and yield no medical vertue at all, but that their sulphurs do hearken unto us, if rendred familiar) but did wonder at the efficacy of their Salts and Sul∣phurs. And from this root doth spring and arise those medicaments prepared by the Alkahest (but not other∣wise to be had) that Paracelsus called Hematina:* of which Helmont saith he had taught that which was sufficient, and therefore concludeth thus; Quapropter ejusmodi Hematina admirandas in re medica operatio∣nes perficiunt. Sensi ergo Hematina Solis & Lunae, quod etiamsi ex puritate sui balsami comfortarent: ta∣men aliquid alieni in se continere, respectu nostri. From whence we may note, that these Hematine medicines may be had forth of Gold and Silver; but not without the help of their constructive liquor, or universal sol∣vent: and therefore (as he saith elsewhere) are not ordained for remedies for the Poor; and that scarce one Artist of a thousand, can rightly get these rare
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and excellent medicines contained in their Salts and Sulphurs, separated from their Mercuries, which con∣tain no medical efficacy at all.
3. From hence may be resolved that great que∣stion, whether common Gold may be made so pota∣ble, as never to be reduced again into a metallick bo∣dy? To which we say that it plainly appeareth both by this Author and Paracelsus, that common Gold and Silver may by their great solvent be brought into an oylie substance or liquor, in two forms or colours; the Salts and Sulphurs of them according to the Metals from whence they were taken, of divers colours (which hath been shewed before) but the Mercuries of all the Metals in a white form or colour, which by it self may be reduced into a malleable and metallick body, but their salts and sulphurs never. For as no external metallick sulphur is a Metal, so every metal∣lick Mercury is really a Metal. So that if they mean by aurum potabile, or any other Metal, the whole sub∣stance brought into a potable liquor, and never again to be reduced into a metallick body, notwithstanding the Arguments of ten thousand to the contrary, we positively affirm with the Adeptists, that the mercurial part of it is always reducible into a Metal, and remains immortal and immutable, never to be divided or changed, but by its compeer. But if they mean by au∣rum potabile, or the tincture of Gold, the external sul∣phur (which containeth its salt) separated from its re∣maining white mercurial body (in which is contained its internal and inseparable sulphur, agent, or verus ignis naturae) then we absolutely affirm, that it may be brought into a condition of potability, at least like salts to be dissolved in liquors, and that it is never pos∣sible
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either to Art or Nature, to reduce that sulphur or salt into a metallick body again; and this when the Philosophers speak of aurum potabile drawn forth of common Gold, is that onely which in that respect they truly understand, and the onely end they aim at. To confirm which take these particulars; for Helmont saith,*

Sensi quoque, remedia mineralia, in salis na∣turam mutata (non intelligo, quae per adjunctum con∣diuntur salem) secum gestare, sua semina, in gradum tamen exaltata. Quibus etsi totum metallum resol∣vatur in alienam dispositionem (quae est magisterii) attamen quia exin mox mercurius currens elicitur: quicquid salis resolubilis naturam vere assumpsit, non est mercurius, sive metalli interior, & immutabilis nucleus, sed sal•em sulphur ejus.
From whence it is apparent, that mineral Medicines changed into the nature of Salt, do bear their seminal efficacy but in an exalted degree; he doth not mean by the adjoyning of salts unto them, but of their own interior and sepa∣rable salt and sulphur. And that by this their solvent the whole Metal is brought into another disposition, (which he calls a magistery) from whence the mer∣curial part being separated, that dissoluble salt is not the internal and immutable kernel of the Metal, but onely its sulphur. Therefore as he tells us in another place,* A magistery is the total substance of a thing reduced into its primitive juice, in which retroition of solution, the heterogeneous juices are separated on their own accord, for the most part with divers bot∣toms, swimming in course one above another, one chief remaining, or falling to the bottom, famous in diversity containing the seminal entity. And this way of preparing is unknown to the vulgar Chymists, be∣cause
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not to be performed, but by the liquor Alkahest, and such a magistery is aurum potabile, which when the Gold is dissolved by their liquor, Paracelsus tells us, that that which is white swimmeth above, and is the mercurial part that may be reduced into a white anonymous Metal,* and that the Quintessence in which is the Medical vertue, remaineth in the bottom. And of this way of preparing, take Helmonts caution in these words;
Haec medendi pars, solertem requirit, ac gnarum naturae Secretarium. Quia in illa parte, amplissimae medicaminum opes, & deaurata glaurae suppellex invenitur.
To which I shall onely subjoyn what that learned and laborious Chymist Ioachimus Polemann hath taken notice of,* in relation to Paracel∣sus process of preparing aurum potabile, or the tin∣cture of Gold, by the spirit of Wine; which is thus:
Quain re (speaking that the Alkahest is of the nature of an Alcali) tanto magis me confirmavit annotatio Philosophi nostri (id est Helmontii) quam propria ma∣nu in ma•gine Chiru•giae magnae Paracelsi, p. 202. in folio juxta praeparationem tincturae auri scripsit: ubi Paracelsus docet, si super calcem auri alcool vini af∣fundatur, tunc animam auri extractma iri. Hac occa∣sione annotatio Philosophi nostri haec fuit. Nisi sal circulatum insit spiritui vini, tinctura ex au•o non transit in eum.
And so enough of this particular.
4. The Philosophers often make mention of another sort of aurum potabile, or the tincture of Gold, which is not drawn forth of common Gold, but forth of ano∣ther subject; and this we touched where we spake of Astralish Gold, and shall here again mention it more at full. Those that will take the pains seriously to consider what Paracelsus hath written concerning
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the Primum ens auri, in his Book of Renovation and Restauration, and in divers other places, may (if they can understand that dark and subtile Author) find much satisfaction in this particular; to which we re∣fer the studious and curious searcher of the Secrets of Nature.

In the next place take what Rhumelius, a learned German Author,* and one who doubtless was Master of the universal solvent, saith to this purpose: That all particulars whereby to obtain aurum potabile, or the tincture of Gold, are in vain, and fruitless, except by the universal solvent. And he further saith, Out of this spiritual like matter, from whence the begin∣nings of Gold do grow, or arise, may aurum potabile be made, that is of more efficacy, and better then forth of common Gold it self.* Again, That aurum potabile may be made forth of the Primum ens vel ex auro im∣perfecto, vel è radice solis; that is, more perfect, more efficacious, and better then that which is made forth of common Gold it self.* Again he saith, That he did prepare two sorts of aurum potabile one forth of perfect Gold, that is, common, and perfect, fine Gold. The other è radice solis, or forth of unripe and imper∣fect Gold. Sometimes they call their Elixir aurum potabile, because it will cure the most diseases that are curable; and that it is sprung from that root which was of a golden nature, and many things to the same purpose.* For so Paracelsus having taught the com∣position of their great tincture, he saith; Ex hoc enim (ex electro minerali immàturo scilicet) fonte scatet verum aurum potabile, nec melius alibi reperiri potest. And a little before, Dico tibi autem in veritate, nul∣lum melius fundamentum esse medicinae totius,*quam
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in Electro latet. And further: Sed in nostro dicto Electro praeparato, tanta virtus latet homines curandi, ut certior, & praestantior medicina in toto mundo, non p•ssit reperiri. And of this, thus Helmont. Inprimis tinctura Lili, ab Electro minerali immaturo in vinum vitae redacta, cujus una pars metallus primus: altera vero membrorum essentia. Arcan. Paracelsi, p. 790.

5. Now we come to the last member of this tedi∣ous Chapter concerning the universal solvent, by Pa∣racelsus first, and after by Helmont called Alkahest; about which we shall be brief. For we intend not here to speak either of the subject forth of which it is prepared (which is one of the Adeptists greatest se∣crets, nay indeed the onely thing that they have most laboured to veil and conceal, all other points of their great work being for the most part plainly opened, either by one of them or another, in one manner or another, in one place or another▪ nor of its prepa∣ration, which Helmont saith is most tedious, nor of its manifold names, and Epithetes, nor of the innume∣rable virtues of it in general, because (if it please di∣vine Providence to grant us health and life) we have something in a readiness to all those purposes, that may come to publick view hereafter, if we can judge the World worthy of it. Onely here we shall say, that the Alkahest of Paracelsus and Helmont is the same specifically with that universal solvent or men∣struum of Sendivogius, Lully and the ancient Philoso∣phers, though many may stumble at the bold assertion, and others carp, contradict, or condemn us. For we conceive we have in part sufficiently evinced that they are parallel, by what we have said in comparing the effects of Helmont's Alkahest with the Chalybeate
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water of Sendivogius, that they both would as easily dissolve and volatilize the body of Gold, as Ice or Snow is melted in warm water; which they could not perform, if they were not both of the same speci∣fick nature in their effects, and operations. To which we shall onely add one or two Authorities more, and urge the conclusions that may be drawn from them. The first is that of Helmont,* where speaking of the Arcanum Corallinum, which is prepared by drawing of the Alkahest from common vendible Quick-silver, which is done in one quarter of an hour: and there he quoteth Raymund Lully, who, his friends, and the King being present, did coagulate Quicksilver, and none knew the manner except the King. And saith, In qua coagulatione istud est singulare. Quod liquor Alkahest, idem in numero, pondere & activitate tantum valet millesima actione, quantum prima. Quia agit sine reactione patientis. And then telleth that it is to be made into small powder, without any remaining part of the liquor. And to be distilled five times with the water drawn from the whites of Eggs, and then it is made red as Coral, and then concludeth, and saith; Iste pulvis dulcis est, sixus ferens omnem follium ignem, nec perit in plumbi examine. Spoliatur tamen virtute medica, dum in album metallum reducitur. To this we shall joyn the place in Lully hinted at by Helmont,* who saith; Et pro certo, in praesentia, & voluntate certorum sociorum argentum vivum vulgare congela∣vimus, per suum menstruale, & alias uni de sociis no∣stris, in cujus eramus socie•ate expresse, quasi ad duas Leucas prope Neapolim, in quo loco in p•aesentia Phy∣sici regis, & unius fratris de sancto Io. de Rhodis, & Bernardi de la Bret, & aliorum, congelari fecimus ar∣gentum
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vivum per suam menstrualem naturam. Et quamvis hoc vidissent, & manifeste palpassent, tamen non potuerunt scire quid esset, nisi simpliciter solummo∣do rustico more, regia majestate salva. Etsi realiter & Philosophice cognoscere potuissent per speculationem intellectivae virtutis dictum menstruale ac suas virtu∣tes, artem ac scientiam absque dubio habuissent, prout dicti socii, qui per nos multum bene intellexerunt mani∣feste, & habuerunt. Et tunc argentum vivum vulgare dimisissent ad creandum lapidem, & ad exuberandam suam humiditatem, & ideo nos cogit ratio, quodigno∣ranti habeamus illud celare. From all which we may take these most remarkable observations. 1. That this coagulating common Quick-silver by two such grand Masters as were Lully and Helmont, was no vulgar knack, but a true Philosophical work, else it had been unworthy the naming by two such serious and learned persons.

2. That Helmont would never have hinted at Ray∣mund Lully's coagulating common Quick-silver, but onely that it was to shew that their menstruum was spe∣cifically the same in effect and operation, otherwise he would not by his knowledge of the Alkahest have numbred himself amongst the Adeptists, as he saith; which is more clearly demonstrated by the Adeptists, & mecum norint Adepti, but that the knowledge and possession of this liquor, is the onely key, and the most noble of all their secrets.

3. We may here from Helmont note the excellency of this liquor, that it still remained the same in num∣ber, weight, and activity, and was as prevalent in the thousand operation, as in the first: which is an admi∣rable and stupendious quality.

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4. We may observe the great energie and penetra∣tiveness of this liquor, that in so short a time as a quarter of an hour, could so perfectly fix, and coagu∣late Quick silver.

5. It is as clear as the light of the Sun at noon-day, that this that Lully calls a menstrual humour, was of the same specifick nature with the liquor Alkahest of Helmont, because they both produced the same real effects in fixing and coagulating common Mercury.

6. But the main thing above all the rest, that we are here to take notice of is, That whosoever is the Master, and Owner of this most precious liquor, hath the gates open to the Treasure of Treasures, even to the attainment of the great Elixir, or the Philosophers Tincture: for Lully tells us faithfully and truly, that if the standers by had known this menstrual liquor really and philosophically by the speculation of an in∣tellective power, and its virtues, they had known without doubt, and had had the Art and Science it self.

7. And therefore because this is the onely key that opens the Rosary of the Philosophers, they are bound in all reason to hide and conceal it from the ignorant and unworthy.

8. That those that know this will dismiss common Mercury from creating the Stone, or exuberating its humidity; so that common Mercury is no ingredient (as many do too vainly and stiffly maintain) in the composition of the great Elixir.

9. We may observe from Helmont, That this powder of common Quick-silver, when coagulated by the Alkahest, is sixt and endures all the blasts of the bellows, neither doth perish in the trial of Lead; and
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therefore hath as great a fixation and perfection as silver; which is most seriously to be weighed and con∣sidered.

10. We may from hence note, That in the coagu∣lating of common Quick-silver by the Alkahest, the Atomes of the homogenous Mercury, are brought more close together and joyned per minima, then they were before; and the external and combustible Sul∣phur, which is less or more in all common Quick-sil∣ver, and in which is the medical virtue, is, by the ra∣dical piercing of the Alkahest the smallest particles of the Mercury protruded, and extroverted, which Sul∣phur is without question burned or separated, in flu∣•ing down the fixed and coagulated Mercury into a white Metal, and so of necessity must thereby lose its medical virtue.

We might here also say something of that which they call Horizontal Gold, but a more fit place to handle it will be where we write of common Quick-silver: onely here we shall say a word or two concer∣ning the compeer of their Alkahest,* for Helmont saith, speaking of that great liquor, and its virtues:

Quibus scilecet unicus & idem liquor Alkahest, omnia totius universi corpora tangibilia, perfecte reducit in vitam eorundem primam, absque ulla sui mutatione, virium∣que diminutione. A solo autem suo compari, subter jugum trahitur, atque permutatur.
From whence we may note these two things, 1. That its general virtue is to reduce all tangible bo∣dies of the whole Universe into their first life, without the mutation of it self, or the diminution of its virtues, which is high and wonderful.

2. But that it is brought under the yoke, and
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throughly changed, onely by its compeer; and the question is, what that compeer is? To which we an∣swer, that as the Alkahest is the key to the knowledge of the Philosophers great work, and is an ingredient into it; so that which they call their earth, fire, sul∣phur, agent, king, or male, is that which doth coagu∣late, work upon, subjugate, and change this their wa∣ter into that which they call their ripened or exubera∣ted sulphur,* or tincture, before it be fermented; and this is confirmed by Sendivogius, who saith:

Primum resolvetur terra in aquam, quae mercurius Philoso∣phorum dicitur, & illa aqua resolvit illa corpora So∣lis & Lunae, & consumit ea, ut non remaneat nisi pars decima cum una parte:* & hoc erit humidum radicale metallicum. And Trevisan saith: Nulla aqua natu∣rali reductione speciem metallicam dissolvit, nisi illa quae permanet cum specie metalli in materia, & forma, & quam metalla ipsa possunt recongelare.
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CHAP. XIII. Of the description of Silver, and the several ways that the Ore of it is gotten; and of its Mines, conditions, and striking passages.
NExt in goodness to Gold, Silver by all Authors is most esteemed,* and of it Basilius saith thus.

Sil∣ver Ore is wrought in its own stone, of a perfect na∣ture, and most noble earth, and of a fixt clear sul∣phur, salt, and mercury; which with a mixture doth joyn in a fixt and firm uniting, and appeareth of a de∣gree lower then the Gold is, and is the best Metal next to Gold; and in the fining of it loseth very lit∣tle, and is separated per se, or with other Metals joyn∣ed in the fire.*
And of it Acosta speaks thus.
And first I will say that the reason why they give Silver the second place among all other Metals, is, for that it approacheth nearer to Gold then any other, be∣cause it is more durable, and less indamaged by the fire, and more malleable then any other: yea, it passeth Gold in brightness, beauty, and sound; the which is clear and agreeable; for the colour is more conformable and resembling the light, and the sound more piercing, more lively, and more delicate.
And the description of this Metal,*Bacon, according to the Ancients, gives thus.
Silver is a clean body, pure, almost perfect, procreated of Argent vive pure, almost fixed, clear and white, and of such a kind of sulphur, and to it is awanting a little fixation and colour,* with weight. Pollius thus. Silver is a
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Metal consisting of a white tincture, and Mercury well concocted, and constantly coagulated.
The most of the Ancients do in their descriptions agree with this of Bacons, and therefore needless here to re∣peat more of them.* The learned Wormius gives this description of it.
This perfect Metal is next unto Gold, consisting of Mercury, and Sulphur almost fixt, extensible like unto Gold, but in weight lighter then it, as also then Lead, bearing the force of the fire. They gather that it doth participate more of Mercury then of Sulphur, as well by the colour, as the liquefaction. But an indication of Sulphur, the vehemency of the odour of Sulphur, when it is flu∣xed and refined, to be perceived by the nostrils. But that it doth not reach the fixedness of Gold, is mani∣fest from this, that in caemen•o Regali, and Antimony and Sulphur, something of it doth perish, and is burned, when by fusion they are mixed together. And also when it is touched with Aqua fortis, or stained with their vapours, it emits a rust of a blue colour.
And these may seem sufficient for describing the nature and conditions of Silver, we shall onely add what Paracelsus saith to this particular;* who, though he may be disesteemed with many, yet is the account that he giveth of it, as good as the best Author we have read; which stands thus.

Silver is generated of a white Sulphur, Salt, and Mercury; which being prepared most subtily, and made diaphanous, are ren∣dred of a fixed nature; that is to say, they are fixed of their proper nature next unto Gold, abiding in the test by Lead, or per cineritium: but not in Antimo∣ny, the caementum Regale, nor in the Quartation.
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All which passages do fully shew the qualities and properties of this noble Metal, so that we need not sum up the particulars.
1. Now we shall proceed to declare from the best Authors, how the Ore of Silver lies in its passages in the bowels of the Earth, the manner of its Coats, Ma∣trixes, or Coverings: for though some little may be gathered in small grains in the Rivers, and their muds and sands washed by the force of waters forth of the tops or sides of the Mountains, yet is that so seldom found, and in such small quantities, that Authors do write but very little thereof, and we have not attain∣ed the sight of any of it, and therefore shall pass it by. And as for our own Nation of Great Britain, we have not had the fortune to obtain any Ore of Silver (that we might justly call a Royal Mine, not to speak that all Lead Ore contains some silver in it) except some three sorts, two of which were pretty rich in silver, as containing about sixty six pound in a tun, and was found in a blewish-grey stone, in some places inter∣mixt with white spar, and the silver mixt with some Lead, appearing like white and bright grains, as small almost as Needle points. The third which contained about twenty seven pound in a tun, was like that which Authors call Galena, or the hardest sort of Lead Ore. And these are all that of our own experience we can inform the Reader of; and therefore shall pass to what others deliver to the same purpose.

2. The diligent Observer Iosephus Acosta gives us this account very worthy to be regarded.*

The Mines of Silver are commonly found in Mountains, and high Rocks very desart, although they have been some∣times found in Plains, and Champaigns. There are
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two different kinds, the one they call stragling, the other fixed and setled. The stragling, are pieces of Metal found in certain places, the which drawn a∣way there is no more found. But the fixed veins are those which have a continuance in depth and length, like to great branches and arms of Trees; and when they find any one of them, they commonly find ma∣ny in the same place.* And further saith, The chief places of the Indies from whence they draw Silver, are New-Spain, and Peru; but the Mines of Peru far surpass the rest: and amongst all others of the World, those of Potozi. And speaking of the Mountain Potozi,* he saith: The ground and soil of this Mountain is dry, cold, and very unpleasant; yea altogether barren, which neither ingenders, nor brings forth any fruit, grass, nor grain; it is natu∣rally inhabitable, for the intemperature of the hea∣ven, and the barrenness of the earth.*
He noteth a∣nother very remarkable passage, which I cannot but commend to the Reader; and is this:
They say of the rich vein, the first that was discovered, that the Metal lay above the ground the height of a lance, like unto Rocks, raising the superficies of the earth, like unto a crest of three hundred foot long, and thir∣teen foot broad, and that this remained bare and uncovered by the deluge. This Vein having resist∣ed the violence and force of the Water, as the har∣dest part: The Metal was so rich as it was half Sil∣ver, and this Vein continued in his bounty fifty or threescore stades, which is the height of a man, and then it failed.
*3. Take this passage of Pliny, Englished by the same Acosta.

They find Silver almost in all Provin∣ces,
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but that of Spain is the best, which grows and ingenders in a barren soil, upon Mountains and Rocks. It is a certain and infallible thing, that in places where they have once discovered any of these Veins, there are others not far off, which is likewise found in all other Metals, and for this the Greeks in my opinion called them Metals.
4. Basilius Valentinus thus describeth the growing and lying of Silver in its Clifts,* Rocks, Stones, Earth, and such like other Coats or Coverings.

Because nothing is so fixt, next Gold, then Silver is in its per∣fection; and is the reason why Silver-passages are accompanied with white fluxes and mineral veins; next thereunto are such passages, in which are gene∣rated red mineral Sulphur, and red yellow juyces of the noble Gold. Silver metalline Ore is wrought many times in a red goldi•hness, and cometh forth better then the other; a proof whereof may be had, if well ordered. White-gold Ore is naturally thus tinged of white-copper glass, which cause such Ores and passages, by reason of the food of their perfect Minerals; and with the Glass Ore black fumes are exhaled, and feed upon Wismuth, Lead, and Tin Ore, wherein Minerals that strike upon the Lunar passages are greedily refreshed: thus groweth the firmest and compactest Silver Ore of its pure, proper, and unmixed Stone. They carry and produce also, not onely mixed chambers, and Mine-chests, but also several hard and sturdy mixed Ores in whole Flint∣works, and other Copper-flowers, yellow and black Ore, and are found different in their nature, form, and tincture; so that the one is more hard, sturdy, slaty, broader, narrower, whiter, blewer in its co∣lours
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thus qualified, and natural in its end, middle, and beginning. This is the reason why these Sil∣ver fruits and Ores are found differing in their co∣lours and forms; the one being more compact, fairer, and of a better gloss then the other. Some∣times there is found in such a Vein or Passage, firm and compact Gold, Silver, and Copper; so it is found sometimes at Krenach. There are found and seen also in a certain Vein and Passage in mixed Lime-stones, Lead, Iron, and Copper Ore in one union and juncture. And in one Mine is found Copper Ore, in another is found Silver Ore, and in another Mine is found an Iron stone. Some silver passages are found also in their natural Zachstones, which either are in the hanging or lying ones. Sil∣ver passages shew themselves also with blue gritty flowers, in hollowed fluxes, in sprinkled marbles, and carry flint-works of several colours; and these passages and clifts are full of pleasant silver-co∣lours, of yellow and green, of a colour of Goslings; the more they are mingled with such colours, the more they have wrought. there are some silver passages and veins which carry three distinct colours, after the manner of a Rainbow; where the one co∣lour worketh in nature either more closely, or more mildly then the other, in a curious order; and the one may be discerned before the other in their pas∣sing strokes, and shootings, together with their cham∣ber colours and floats, as they fell severally, and apart in each Mine-Ore.*
5. Athanasius Kircherus also gives us to under∣stand of several sorts of Silver Ores found in the seve∣ral Mines of Hungaria; from whence he had respon∣sions
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to his questions sent to inquire about metallick bodies and minerals, some of which held onely Silver, some Gold and Silver, some Gold, Silver and Cop∣per, and some of other sorts; which may be of singu∣lar use to a diligent searcher after mineral knowledge, which would be over-tedious for us to transcribe, and therefore we leave them.

6. Wormius hath some things in this particular worthy to be noted,* where he sheweth what silver Ores he had, and in what Coats they were contained; for he saith:

1. A white Marble, in which did inhere silver of its own colour and red.
2. A white Marble, in which was mixed onely sil∣ver of its own colour.
3. A white Marble, containing Galena in it, yield∣ing Silver.
4. An Ash-coloured Marble containing silver.
5. And also another of the same kind.
6. A blue one containing silver.
7. A kind of flint, which they call Quartz, which containeth silver of its own colour, and lead.
8. A black Marble, which being polished sheweth like the Touch-stone, to which also certain veins of Iron do grow. This is pregnant with silver, so that when it is polished, streaks and lines of silver are fre∣quently seen in it.
9. That also there is found in the Groves or Pits of Norway, a certain Mineral of Silver ash-coloured, which is tinged in a certain part of it with a yellow colour, and almost an Iron colour, that it is suspected to hold something of Iron.
10. That he had a Mineral of silver, fruitful e∣nough
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from Sneberg, which the Germans call Rot∣gylden ertz.
*11. He tells us, That from the Church of Heerre∣stad, about four Norway miles, at the top of a certain Mountain, there are found certain kinds of Earths, in which the sparks of silver do shine sometimes less, sometimes greater, as also to be seen in the form of most tender, or small hairs. To which is adjoyning a vein of pure silver of a foot broad; from whence they brought away a piece cut with a hatchet of a pound weight.
From all which I shall onely commend these two particulars to all diligent and inquisitive Artists.

1. That seeing we have in England so many seve∣ral places where store of Lead Ores are gotten, and those Ores also of many several sorts and kinds, that it might prove worth the cost and labour, to have some small quantities of them (especially those that are most likely to contain silver) to be tested and tried per Cineritium, to see what they hold.
2. That whereas often the Miners find divers other sorts of Ores and Minerals, which because they yield no Lead, are commonly thrown away and not regar∣ded; that these also might be tried to see what they hold; for it is often usual the better is cast away, and the worser kept.
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CHAP. XIV. Of Silver found pure by Nature, that needs no refining by Fire. And of those sorts that must be purified, their Colours, Mixture, and seve∣ral Coats wherein they lie.
WE have in the third Chapter, where we spoke of the growth and vegetability of Metals, shewed that much silver is found pure by Nature, and that needs no refining by the Fire, but is (as they di∣stinctly and properly call it) statim suum, which though we have seen now of it our selves (though we have strained our abilities, and the interest of friends to pro∣cure some of it) yet we are assured from other persons of sufficient veracity who have seen and handled some of it; and that it is often so found, we shall now prove.

1. Sebastianus Munster, a person of good credit, [ 1] especially concerning what he wrote of his own Country of Germany,* which is also almost word by word related by Georgius Agricola, who wrote about the same time, and is also recited, and credited by the learned Wormius, gives us a most remarkable passage to this purpose. He declareth that (contrary to the opinion of the Ancients) Silver is found pure in divers places of Germany, as at Schneberg, Anneberg, Gair, and in the Valley of Ioachim and Abertham, near the Mountains of Bohemia.

Also in the Hill Vosagus in Lotharingia in the Valley Liberia; and two especially, one at Schneberg called George, the other at Abertham called Laurence and Theodorick; from whence a huge
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treasure of pure silver is digged. And that forth of the Mine called George at Schneberg there was a great Mass digged, which when Albert Prince of Saxony descending into the Grove, or Pit, with his followers, had used for a Table, he is reported to have said, Frederick the Emperour is Great, and rich, but yet he hath not such a table as this. Agri∣cola relating the same story tells us,* that none of those that remembred that famous Mass hath recorded its weight, which doubtless (he saith) was of many Ta∣lents. And Wormius reciting the same thing,* saith: It was thought that this Mass was of many Talents weight. And subjoyneth: That the King of Den∣mark, Christian the IV. had a Mass not much less, digged forth of the Mines of Norway, esteemed to be five Talents weight. And that in the Grove, or Pit called Divine Benediction, there was found a Mass of pure Silver, in the Year 1629. the seventh of May, in weight 130 Marks. And further, Munster saith; Another grand Mass weighing ten Attick Ta∣lents, was digged forth of the Mines in the Valley of Ioachim, out of the Grove called Stella, and Sulcera or Suicera: which Agricola confirms, as but lately digged up in his time.* And Munster again saith: And that many Masses or pieces of pure Silver were digged up at Abertham, forth of the Grove Theodorick, some weighing one, some two Attick Talents. And Agricola saith, And that many Masses digged forth of the Grove Theodorick at Abertham of the weight of two Talents, or of one: which must needs be a Truth, being established by the mouth of two or three such credible witnesses as these Authors, and one of them an ocular wit∣ness too.
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2. To this very purpose these Authors tell us fur∣ther; [ 2] For Munster saith,

And that many pieces, some greater, some lesser, were found in the clifts of the stones, or adhering unto them, or to the Marble. And that nature doth figure pure silver into the form of Trees, Rods, Twigs, or Hairs.
And we shall here take that eminent and pleasant relation of Wormius; who saith:
That (amongst others which we shall nominate hereafter) he had an elegant, and excel∣lent Mass of silver that was statim sui, from the gift of the Lord Stenon Beck, the Kings Treasurer, which weighed twelve ounces, that did imitate a Vine, with branches variously spred abroad. For divers little boughs did arise from the broad root, being full of fibres, which according to the rise did shew more thick truncks, which were writhen variously amongst themselves, and did embrace one another, until they did end in boughs and fibres, or small twigs; and so goeth on in that pleasant description, which for brevity we omit, and concludeth; That it was in∣fected with a leaden colour, which with a slight fri∣ction would go away, and leave the Metal clean and neat.
3. Agricola tells us:

That in the cavities of the [ 3] stones are found masses of pure silver,* as also little pieces severed from the Rocks, Stones, or Marbles, or cleaving unto them, or else most slender leaves of the silver do embrace them: or like Gravel, Sand, or small Grit, is mixed with the earth. And also Nature doth form or figure pure silver into the shape sometimes of trees, sometimes of little twigs, some∣times of hairs: after which manner it is often found most white with flaws, like flakes of Snow, which
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do wholly consist of the least threads of silver, which sometimes outwardly we see tinged with a golden or other colour.
That also is very singular which was sent forth of Hungary unto Kircher,* and thus de∣scribed. I send you here a Mineral altogether precious, seeing any thing more rare may not be found at this time; where you may see the pure silver flowring forth into its filaments, or little threads; that which shineth yellow is most pure gold, that which is of a blackish co∣lour is silver mixt with gold. And though he do not tell its weight, nor quantity, yet it seems to have been no very small piece, but is a wonderful and rare evidence of the vegetation of this Metal. Rulandus doth tell us the very same things of the growing of sil∣ver in divers figures, which we have before quoted. And also Eucelius in the very same words adding,* that he had seen an whole Fish, a Serpent, a Scorpion, &c. so formed in the bowels of the Earth, of such pure silver, which the Germans call Gedygen Sil∣ber.
[ 4] *4. We shall now shew the several sorts of pure sil∣ver, so produced by Nature, that Wormius had in his Musaeum, and were of less weight and bigness then some of those formerly mentioned.

1. He had a piece of pure native silver equalling 3 ounces in weight, which appeared to have been greater by far, because the two sides which were large, had had some parts taken from them, because the foot∣steps of the Ax or Hatchet, rendring the two sides plain and equal, did fully shew it. When otherwise the remaining body of the Mass, approaching to a form of triangle, was rough, and unequal in its fi∣gure.
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2. Another piece he had that was branched, spread∣ing it self like unto boughs, or twigs, after a certain manner resembling a Vine, abounding with the won∣derful twistings of leaves and young twigs, drawing with it little parts of the lapis specularis, or that we call Muscovy Glass, from which it did grow or arise, shew∣ing its roots wonderfully wrapped or twisted toge∣ther, and that it did almost equal two ounces in weight, and had it from the Mines of Norway.
3. Rudiments of the same he had in another lapis specularis, which (he saith) without doubt was from the same Vein, but not abounding with such plenty as the former Mass.
4. He had another forked piece, resembling the figure of an Harts horn, to wit, pure, without any mixture of stone, or other thing; branched elegantly, and near the ends adorned with its branches and small twigs.
5. Another he had resembling an hook crooked, sharpned at both ends, of a white silver colour, some∣thing yellowish like Oker, it sticketh together in notches, plainly in its other part it was like a crooked Tooth-picker, such as by Art Workmen are wont to fashion of silver or gold, in the other part like unto a Crows bill.
6. Another piece he had crisped, resembling the shrub Southernwood, thick set with little twigs leaning one to another.
7. He had another piece that was rough, and en∣dowed with divers extuberances on the one side, as though infected with Oker, on the other shewing in it certain most elegant Amethystine flowers, like gems.
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8. Another piece he had like thin leaves growing to a stone (to wit) an ash-coloured marble, which sticketh to the plate or leaf, and sometimes as it were pierceth it through.
9. He had a capillary or hairy piece of two sorts, one crisped and writhen together, the other consist∣ing of more thick hairs, most subtile, plain, and most like to Spider Webs.
10. Besides these enumerated kinds of pure silver statim sui, he had various elegant particles, which commonly they call Gaud-stein, in some of which Amethysts, in some Crystals are seen. Some do shew a Dragon fighting with a Lion, some the twisted locks of hair, some trees, some shrubs, and infinite sports of Nature, &c. And these are sufficient not onely to shew that Silver is found pure by nature, without mixture of any other Heterogeneous sub∣stances, but also may further illustrate the growth and vegetability of this Metal
Now we are to handle those several sorts of silver Ore that is not pure of it self, but stands in need of refining, purging, or decocting by the fire to bring it to the perfection of silver, of which there are two sorts: I. Those that are mixt with other Metals. 2. And those Ores that yield no other Metal but silver.

[ 1] 1. Argentum rude, is that Ore that is digged forth of the earth,* and hath mixt with it some stones, earth, or other Mineral stuff, which must be separated from it, before it become a pure Metal. Or as Agricola defines it in Bermanno, which is truly silver, but dif∣fereth in colour; and ere it attain that colour of sil∣ver, requireth decoction by the fire; and some of
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these are mixt with other Metals, of which we have spoken something before, and shall now add a little more.

1. Wormius tells us that he had vena Aeris rude argentum continens, that this was of a golden colour, shewing purple, and red spots of raw silver, having something of the rock mingled with it, in the figure of a rude mass, of a golden fire-stone, or marcasite; or in a more dilute colour, in an ash-coloured stone, having no purple spots mixt with it.

2. A black Copper Ore containing silver in it, ponderous, and smooth, tending to whiteness, by that most often betraying that which was lodged in it.

3. An Ore of iron holding silver in it, being blackish, and in certain places covered over with an iron co∣lour; but when broken, shining fairly, with almost a silver colour, and is of an unequal colour, shewing various protuberances.

4. Galena containing silver of a leaden colour, shi∣ning, and friable, that knocked with iron doth easily fly asunder. Some of them do contain silver invisi∣bly, some of them have leaves and thin plates, that are thick enough.

5. Sparks of silver is joyned to Talck, and is either mingled with more minute grains, or adheres unto it in the manner of leaves or plates.

2. Now of rude silver, though this be of divers [ 2] colours externally,* as of a leaden colour, an ash co∣lour, black, white, red, purple, liver colour, and yel∣low: yet notwithstanding within it hath its genuine colour, which doth shine and appear when it is broken with the hand stroak of a stone or hammer. And in this kind that is accounted the best, when forth of an
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hundred pound weight,* ninety pounds or more of pure silver is drawn, as was often found in the Kings Mount of Norway.*Rulandus reckons, though not this precise number, yet he enumerates divers sorts, of some of which we shall now speak. To which Agricola doth accord; from whence in likelyhood Wor∣mius had it.

*1. The first place is given (saith Wormius) to the rude Ore of silver, which is of its own colour, called by the Germans Gediegen Silber ertz, of an hun∣dred pound weight, of which more then ninety pounds are made of pure silver. Of which (he saith) he had one piece excelling the rest in weight half a pound, having divers inequalities and protuberances, shining with a silver colour, and of one part having something of purple coloured raw silver admixed: which Christian the IV. with his own hand drew forth of the Mine or Pit.

2. The next that succeeds is crude silver Ore, of a leaden colour, which the Germans call Glas ertz; which appellation (he saith) Agricola doth not un∣worthily carp at, when plainly it hath no affinity with Glass, but doth emulate Lead, or Plumbago in co∣lour, being a little more obscure; so that by the sight of the eye, no man ignorant of metallick affairs, can discern it, though in nature they much differ. For Plumbago or Galena is composed of Lead and Stone; but rude silver Ore of a leaden colour, comprehends little earth and much silver. Plumbago in the Mortar is reduced with the Pestle into Powder; but this rude Ore will be dilated, or extended. Plumbago smitten with a hammer, or pressed with the teeth, or cut with a knife doth break, or leap asunder; but this silver
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Ore will be dilated, and spred abroad. Although sometimes this Ore is found hard, which is onely •ried by the Touch-stone, and useth to be of a more dilute colour, and is found in divers and sundry forms.

3. The third is crude silver Ore that is black, called Swartz Silber ertz, and is a blackish stone, shining with frequent sparks of pure silver, and seem∣eth rather to have obtained a grey then a black colour. He saith he hath also a black silver Ore, to which is mixed in thin leaves pure silver, joyned with fire-stone, and silver of a leaden colour.

4. The next is crude silver Ore of an ash colour, called Graw ertz; and sometimes this aboundeth with much pure silver, sometimes it containeth little. Sometimes it shineth forth of an ash coloured stone like most small grains: of which he saith that he had two little stones, which being held to the fire did seem to sweat forth silver, and therefore was called of some, the Vegetable Moon. And that Matthesius Sermone 3. Sareptae, did call it Russ-gesprossen Silber, that is, sprouting Silver, because that being thrown into the fire, it doth shed forth pure granulated silver, like Hemp or Poppy seed. The other of the little stones that he had of this sort of Ore did contain red silver, inclining to purple. And there was that had a fire-stone joyned unto it.

5. He had raw-yellow silver Ore,* of an earthly and porous substance, to which some Galena was admixed, shewing a colour like Oker, more soft then other sorts of Ore contained in stones. And so saith that he omitteth Ores of a red, purple, and other co∣lours, because he was not possessor of them. And al∣most to this purpose the Author of the Musaeum Vero∣nense
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acknowledgeth that he had seen some such sorts, which were needless here to relate.

In the next place we shall shew what sorts of sil∣ver Ores, that are raw and crude, the experienced Rulandus doth reckon up.* For he saith that of those Ores of silver that stand in need of purifying by the fire, there were found several sorts in their Mines, some of a white, red, leaden, black, purple, ash co∣lour, and the like; of all which he reckoneth many sorts, some of which we shall here transcribe, to sa∣tisfie the curious inquirer, because (he saith) that six of these sorts were known to the German Miners.

[ 1] I. And first, he reckons silver Ore of a white co∣lour, and that of these several sorts.*

1. White silver Ore that was glebous, or cloddy, found at Sneberg, which might be cut with a knife, or bearen with an hammer.
2. White silver Ore in a most white Marble, found at Anneberg, and also found there Ore of that colour, like hairs, or wrapped together like a lock of many small hairs; and also that which was most white, like flakes of most small silver threds, and other crisped to∣gether, in a crumbling earth of a light red colour.
3. That of this sort of Ore there was some found in a yellow clayish earth, as also in a most white flint, and in red spar (or that we call fluores) that was trans∣parent, at Marieberg in an hard ash coloured stone; also thin plates of white silver in a fattish stone, as also thin plates or leaves at Marieberg in an hard ash∣coloured stone.
[ 2] II. Silver Ore of a leaden colour, that must be pu∣rified by the fire, he enumerateth these sorts.

1. Of this colour that might easily be cloven with a knife, or beaten forth with an hammer.
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2. Of this colour in a most hard white fire-stone, also in fire-stones that were joyned together,* and four-square.
3. Of this colour in white spar, that was of six angles, likewise in purple-coloured spar, that was pel∣lucid, and quadrangular.
III. Silver Ore of an ash colour or grey was found [ 3] at Anneberg in metallick Cadmia, or Copper Ore, as also in a mass, and in white flint.

IV. Silver Ore that is black, in which sometimes [ 4] shineth silver Ore of a leaden colour, sometimes also it containeth little sparks of red silver Ore, and some∣times sparks of white Ore; and by how much more it containeth greater plenty of those sparks, by so much it yieldeth more silver when it is excocted. But if it be barren, and void of metallick matter (as it is sometimes) it is to be accounted meerly black earth.

V. Ore of this sort that is yellow, is found:

1. In yellow earth like hairs. [ 5]
2. Fire-stones like to a purple colour, to which do adhere little grains of a leaden colour.
3. Ore of this sort found at Marieberg like to a transparent horn, which holden to a candle doth dis∣solve or melt.
4. Of an iron colour,* which smitten with an ham∣mer, doth shine or sparkle, and is not known by its species, but by the fire.
VI. Silver Ore of a blue colour. [ 6]

1. That which containeth in it self in the middle, as though it were marrow, crude red silver Ore.
2. Mixed with white cloddy silver Ore, of a leaden colour.
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3. Ore found at Anneberg of a green colour, dig∣ged forth of the Vein called the Celestial Army; as al∣so Ore of a purple colour in the same Vein.
[ 7] VII. Now we come to the last that we shall men∣tion, to wit, crude silver Ore that is of a red colour, which the Germans call Roth gulden ertz. And he saith it appeareth to be some kind of Carbuncle, but that a Carbuncle doth shine more vehemently, but this kind of silver Ore more faintly. And that it was found in the Mines, in the Valleys, and also in other places, and that in divers manners, but especially three ways.

1. The first was bright with a certain blackness.
2. Certain small pieces like sparks do embrace some sort of its rock.
3. Thirdly the solid masses of it do cleave and ad∣here to the stones, and that sometimes simply, or af∣ter a simple manner. On the contrary, sometimes for the other part of it, which hangeth forth in a Point or Pyramis, rounded as a Top, it imbraceth some other matter then the Vein containeth: and that in a four-square form like a Die, sometime in a sexangular form as a Diamond; commonly it consisteth of many, and unequal angles as the Iris. Thus doth Nature exer∣cise Geometrie in the bowels of the Earth, by a won∣derful workmanship.
Lastly, The same crude red Ore of silver is found interspersed with caeruleum, or native blue, after a beautiful manner: so that Nature seeming to be weary in perfecting of Metals, doth recreate and de∣light her self with such colours, which Art with its greatest endeavours cannot attain unto. And these sorts of Ores were (as most of others) utterly un∣known
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to Dioscorides, yea to Pliny and all the An∣cients.

Of this and the preceding sorts,* that diligent Mi∣neralist, Georgius Agricola, give us an account to this purpose. But (saith he) the unwrought, or crude Ore of silver that is red; if it be soft, it yields not much, or altogether none at all in goodness to the crude Ore of Silver that is of a leaden colour. But if it be hard, as in the plentifulness of silver it is overcome of the other Ore of a leaden colour, so it far excels it in most excellent beautifulness; especially when it is interspersed lightly with caeruleum, or natural blue: or hath the greatest similitude to the translucid gem the Carbuncle. For it is no doubt but that it hath grown of the matter of a perspicuous stone, mixed with the juice of that from whence silver was after to be produced. Therefore it is not onely like to the Carbuncle in colour, but also with a transparent faci∣lity. But notwithstanding they differ betwixt them∣selves, for the Carbuncles for the most part do shine more fully, and this more weakly. The Carbuncles cannot be filed, but this will be wounded with the file. The Carbuncles either do not at all, or very slowly feel the fire; but this put into the fire, doth dissolve, and is made liquid. This Ore doth vary in figure no otherwise then the crude Ore of silver of a leaden colour, but more often is angular, and some∣times square as a Die, sometimes six-angled as Cry∣stal, and sometimes it hath many angles. Also its most thin plates or leaves do adhere to the Rocks and stones. But that silver Ore that is pellucid, is like to the Carbuncle; that which is not pellucid, is like Rubrica, or Ruddle, and doth much vary in colour.
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That which is most like to mean Ruddle, was digged up at Sneberg, forth of that Grove or Pit that hath the name of Levites. And (he saith) certain old men have affirmed to us with all asseveration possible, the Mine called George, besides other kinds of crude silver Ore, had yielded great store of this sort. But crude silver Ore that is of a red colour, sometimes contains in it Gold; and such (he saith) is digged up in the Mountain called Carpatum, at Baccantium and Cremni∣tium: and was digged forth of the Grove in the Val∣ley of Ioachim, that is called Rich Barbary. That ob∣scure sort which may be dilated with the stroke of the hammer, doth more abound with silver, then that which is transparent, that being smitten with the ham∣mer, doth flie asunder.

*Rulandus proceeds, and of the red Ore of silver that is pellucid, he gives these sorts:

1. That which was glebous or cloddy, like unto the Carbuncle imitating the Amethyst.
2. Like unto the Carbuncle, having six, seven, or eight angles, erected in the form of a Bean, found in a fire-stone of an ash colour, and in native yellow sul∣phur.
3. Like the prickles of an earth Hedg-hog, in me∣tallick Cadmia or Copper Ore, which hath the form of a Brain.
4. Little masses which appear most purely, as though compounded or Rubies.
5. Masses compacted as it were of pellucid orien∣tal Granates.
Of the sorts of red silver Ore not pellucid, he rec∣koneth these:

1. Bloud-red, of seven angles, called red golden Ore.
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2. Glebous or cloddy found in a white metallick Marble.
3. Glebous in a fire-stone of a golden colour, like unto native Minium or Cinnober.
4. Found in six•angled spar, like to the external coat of a Chesnut.
5. Found in an ash coloured stone.
6. Found adhering to the Rock.
7. That which was something whitish.
8. Found in a white soft stone.
9. In a fire-stone of an ash colour.
10. Found in Galena inani, which the Germans call Blend; and our Miners in the North, Blue Blin∣dake.
11. Another sort that contained Gold in it.
12. That which was red, inclining to black∣ness.
13. That which was of a Liver colour.
From all this that hath been spoken concerning the crude Ores of silver, especially those of a red colour, we shall commend these ensuing particulars to be con∣sidered of by the Learned and Ingenious.

1. We should heartily desire that the learned Mi∣neralists [ 1] may be pleased to compare what is here quo∣ted from these Authors, with what several sorts of crude silver Ore they have seen, or known, or may have in their Repositories, that this so material a point may be more manifest, and that they would not dis∣dain to communicate it unto others, for the general improvement of this part of Mineral knowledge.

2. We would intreat all noble and generous spi∣rits [ 2] that affect this kind of Learning, and have interest and abilities, to trie if the several sorts of Ores of this
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kind, that are to be had in Germany, (where they most abound) may in some small parcels be procured, thereby to examine how far the credit of these Authors may be relyed upon.

[ 3] 3. We intreat all Bermen, Over-seers of Mines, or other ingenious persons imployed about such Works in his Majesties Dominions, to take serious notice of all sorts of Ores that may be met withal, to see if any such sorts, as these before mentioned, may be found, or come by, that exact trials may be made of them.

[ 4] 4. Besides the two Authors Agricola and Rulandus, persons experienced in what they writ, there are some others that do testifie that Ore is found red, and also transparent. As Iohannes Rhumelius (whom I have quoted before, though not to this very purpose) doth confess in these words:* That his Tinctura Solis was made forth of a Rubie-coloured, red, thorough-shi∣ning, or transparent, bright golden Ore, &c. And that his Aurum vitae was prepared forth of a certain,* pure, splendent, or shining Mineral; which in its first coagulation, was found of a red colour. Also that learned Author (whosoever he was) that writ the Cheiragogia Heliana doth quote Paracelsus,* and to this purpose he saith; The Helvetian Doctor, in libro Thesauri Thesaurorum, writing of Minerals, saith thus; Nature doth produce a Mineral in the bowels of the Earth, of which there are two sorts which are to be found in many places and coasts of Europe. But the best is in the figure of the greater World, in the rising of the Star of the Sphere of the Sun: The other in the Sotherine Star, which is in its first flower, produ∣ced from the Star, of the gum of the Earth; and that
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which in its first coagulation is found red, in which the flowers and colours of all Minerals do lie hid. Of which words of Parac•lsus, the aforesaid Author saith thus. Which words literally taken, do seem to be understood of the Ore of Gold and Mercury; because Theophrastus doth attribute to Argent vive, as to the Mother of Metals (as also the great Phraedro) all the colours of Minerals, as in the Book of the Generation of things in his Metamorphosis is to be seen. Al∣though they are not a wanting, who do accommodate very stiffly this Mineral to the red translucid Ore of silver (called by the Germans Rotguldig ertz.) But I (he saith) should rather think that it doth agree to another certain kind of Mineral, that is truly fruit∣ful of Gold, but notwithstanding is not Gold. From whence we may note these things.

1. That there were in the time of Paracelsus, two sorts of Minerals to be found in divers places of Europe, that in their first coagulation were found red, in which lay all the flowers, and colours of Minerals; but he doth not speak that they were transparent, nor is it ve∣ry easie to conjecture what kind of Minerals they were, and therefore we shall leave the search of them to all curious inquirers.
2. That many thought that these were the red Ore of silver, by which he plainly grants that there was a red Ore of silver, to be found and had, but thinks it not the same that Paracelsus meant or intended.
3. But conceives the Mineral that Paracelsus inten∣ded, was an Ore that was fertile of gold, but not gold; which for some weighty reasons we shall not here de∣termine, but leave it to be discussed by others.* And the learned Arthur Dee (who in his younger years
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had with his own eyes often seen the truth of the Art by projection made by his Father and Sir Edward Kelley) tells us that their matter was taken from a cer∣tain mineral mass, coagulated, lucid, red, and ponde∣rous, being perfect metal in the nearest power, con∣taining in it self vive-spermatick sulphur, and vive im∣mature Mercury, multiplicable in it self. Of which [ 5] sufficient is said to those that understand.
5. To illustrate this more amply, I find in such Authors as I have met withal, that treat of mineral matters, that there are three sorts of Ores that are found in the bowels of the earth, that are red, or yel∣lowish, and transparent.

1. This mentioned by Agricola and Rulandus, that did contain silver in it, and therefore by them ranked in the number of silver Ores.*
2. I find that Rulandus tells us, that at Dresda divers sorts of Sulphur were excocted forth of certain fire∣stones, whereof some were of the colour of crude sil∣ver Ore, red, and pellucid; some other, like native Cinnober,* red, and transparent. And Eucelius speak∣ing of native vive sulphur, of all other sorts commends that most that was translucid, resplendent, and flou∣rishing.* And the very same is confirmed by Caesalpi∣nus. And the learned Wormius tells us, that he had a piece of native sulphur, weighing scarce a drachm, that was exceeding elegant, and was pellucid like Cry∣stal, and of a golden colour, plainly like to that which the Author of the Musaeum Calceolarium calls Vive sul∣phur, digged forth of the gold Mines of Peru; which did imitate most pure Gold, in a full yellow colour, and so transparent that it might be assimilated to Glass.*
3. Iosephus Quercetanus speaking of native Cin∣nober,
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tells us: That Nature did bring forth in cer∣tain gold Mines in Hungary, a certain kind of mineral Cinnober most ponderous, and of a far more red co∣lour then artificial Cinnober. And that it was so far transparent, and thorough-bright, that it was of no less price and esteem then Gold it self. And this sort, (though I have used mine ultimate endeavours) I ne∣ver yet could procure nor see any, though I am infor∣med by a learned German Physician, that there is of it in some places of his Country, but rarely to be had.

These sorts (if to be met withal, which I fear can∣not be but with difficulty and much diligence) may doubtlesly be indifferent easily distinguished one from another. 1. For the Ore of native sulphur, though transparent, seems not to be so highly red as the other. 2. But rather yellowish; and again, it containeth nei∣ther Quick-silver, nor any other Metal, as the other do, the one containing Quick-silver, and the other Silver. And also the combustibleness and strong smell of this Sulphur doth difference it from both the other; the red transparent Ore of Silver, being (I suppose) neither so inflamable, nor of so strong a smell; and the native Cinnober will hardly burn, and scents very little of Brimstone. 2. The transparent Ore of native Cinnober will (as I imagine) with an easie fire yield Quick-silver, which the other Ore of Silver will not.

6. The last thing we shall observe is, that whereas [ 6] Agricola and Rulandus do tell us that some of this tran∣sparent silver ore,* that is red, is often found formed ve∣ry like unto Carbuncles, which (I suppose) they mean of Rubies or Granates (that which they call a Car∣buncle, being nothing but the greatest and purest sort
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of Rubies) and that these metalline Carbuncles (as they call them) differ from the other, in that they are of less lustre, more soft, and will yield to the file, and dissolve in the fire, it may be a reasonable conjecture, here fit to be proposed to the Learned to enquire af∣ter; whether these be not of that kind that Paracelsus calleth Granates,* that did contain some Metal; of which he saith thus much.

Besides these there is a∣nother peculiar Metal, which is found in Rivers and Ponds or Fens, in the form of a grain, like a greater or less Bean. It of it self is to be melted, or fluxed, and may be hammered, but not to the aptitude of in∣struments. This is of no great use, neither is its pro∣priety known, what it may contain. And if herein Alchymy discover nothing, it will not easily appear what at last it may be. It sustaineth many adultera∣tions of Silver and Gold, which do pierce into it, as into Copper or Lead. And further giveth us this note. Furthermore also some Granates are perspi∣cuous in the form of Crystal, in which Silver and Gold do lie hid.
Here he seemeth plainly to inti∣mate, that these which he nameth Granates, did con∣tain an Anonymous Metal, that was neither silver nor gold; neither doth he mention that these were per∣spicuous or transparent, but that there were other sorts that were perspicuous, and in form of Crystal, in which were contained silver and gold: which in probability were such as Agricola and Rulandus do describe; and that he did not understand it of the Granates that are gems, and doubtless contain little o• no Metal in them. And thus much for curious En∣quirers.
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CHAP. XV. How they refine Silver Ore at the Indies, and of some other such things.
BEcause the Natural and Moral History of the In∣dies written by that learned and experienced Spaniard, is not in the hands of many, I shall there∣fore transcribe some particulars that may be of very good use to an ingenious Mineralist, as followeth, where he saith thus:*

The Veins, as I have said, where they find silver, runs betwixt two Rocks, which they call the Chase, whereof the one is com∣monly as hard as flint, and the other soft and easie to break. This Metal is not always equal and of the same bounty; for you shall find in one and the same Vein, one sort of Metal very rich, which they call Cacilla, or Tacana, from which they draw much sil∣ver; and another is poor, from whence they draw little. The most rich Metal of this Mountain, is of the colour of Amber, and the next is that which in∣clines to black. There is other somewhat red, and other of the colour of ashes: finally of divers and sundry colours, which seem to such as know them not, to be stones of no value: But the Miners do pre∣sently know their quality and perfection, by certain signs and small veins they find in them. They carry all this Metal they draw out of these Mines upon Indian Sheep, which serve them as Asses to carry it to the Mills; the richest Metal is refined by melting in those small furnaces which they call Guayra's, for
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that is most leady, by reason whereof it is most sub∣ject to melt; and for the better melting thereof, the Indians cast in a matter they call Soroche, which is a Metal full of Lead. The Metal being in these fur∣naces, the filth and earthy dross, through the force of the fire, remains in the bottom, and the Silver and Lead melt; so as the Silver swims upon the Lead, unt•l it be purified; then after they refine the Silver many times, after this manner of melting.
And a little after he saith.
At this day the most usual manner of refining in Potozi,* is by Quick-silver; as also in the Mines of Cacatecas, and others of New-Spain. Then after, having related the manner of their get∣ting and purifying of Quick silver, he sheweth how with it they refine silver Ore after this manner. We must understand (he saith) there are divers sorts of Metals, for some yield much Silver, and waste little Quick-silver; others consume much Quick-silver, and yield little Silver; and there are others which consume much Quick-silver, and yield much Sil∣ver; and others that consume little Quick-silver, and also yield little Silver: and as men encounter in these matters, so they grow rich or poor in their traf∣fique. Although commonly the rich Metal yields much Silver, and consumes much Quick-silver; and likewise that which is poor yields little Silver, and consumes as little Mercury. They first beat and grind the Metal very small with Hammers and other instruments, which beat this Stone like unto Tan∣mills; and being well beaten, they searce it in a Copper searce, making the powder as small and fine, as if it were Horse-hair. These searces be∣ing well fitted, do sift thirty quintals in a day and a
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night; then they put the powder of the Metal into the Vessels upon Furnaces; where as they anoint it and mortifie it with brine, putting to every fifty quintals of Powder, five quintals of Salt. And this they do, for that the Salt separates the earth, and filth, to the end the Quick-silver may the more easily draw the silver unto it. After they put Quick-silver into a piece of Holland, and press it out upon the Metal, which goes forth like a dew, always stirring and turning the Metal, to the end it may be well in∣corporate. Before the invention of these Furnaces of fire, they did often mingle their Metal with Quick-silver in great Troughs, letting it setle some days, and did then mix it, and stir it again, until they thought all the Quick-silver was well incorpo∣rate with the silver, the which continued twenty days and more, and at the least nine days. Since they discovered (as the desire to get is diligent) that to shorten the time, fire did much help; to incorpo∣rate Silver with Quick-silver the sooner, they inven∣ted these Furnaces, whereon they set Vessels to put in their Metal, with salt and quick-silver; and un∣derneath they put fire by little and little, in Furnaces made for the same purpose; so as in five or six days the quick-silver is incorporate with the silver. And when they find that the Mercury hath done his part, and assembled all the silver, leaving nothing behind, but is well imbrued as a Sponge doth Water, dividing it from the Earth, Lead, and Copper, with the which it is engendred. Then afterwards they separate it likewise from the quick-silver, the which they do in this sort; they put the Metal in Caldrons, and Ves∣sels full of Water, where with certain Wheels they
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turn the Metal round about, as if they should make Mustard, and so the earth and dross goes from the Metal, with the Water that runs away: The silver and quick-silver, as most ponderous, remaining in the bottom, the Metal which remains, is like unto Sand: Then they take it out, and wash it again in great Platters of Wood, or Keelers full of Water; still drawing the earth from it, until they leave the silver and quick-silver well cleansed.* There slips away also some small portion of silver and quick-silver, with the earth and dross, which they call washings; the which they after wash again, and draw out the remainder. When the silver and quick-silver are cleansed, and begin to shine, and that there remains no earth, they put all the Metal into a cloth, which they strain out very forcibly, so as all the quick-silver passeth out, being not incorporate with the silver, and the rest remains as a loaf of silver, like to a mark of Almonds pressed to draw oyl. And being thus pressed, the remainder contains but the sixth part in Silver, and five in Mercury. So as if there remain a mark of threescore pounds, ten are of Silver, and fifty of Mercury. Of these Marks they make Pins (as they call them) like Pine Apples, or Sugar loafs, hollow within, the which they com∣monly make of a hundred pound weight. Then to separate the silver from the quick-silver, they put it into a violent fire, which they cover with an earthen vessel like to the mold of a Sugar loaf, or unto a Ca∣puchin or Hood, the which they cover with coals, and set fire unto it, whereby the quick-silver exhales in smoke, the which striking against the Capuchin of earth, it thickens and distils, like unto the smoke of a
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pot covered, and by a pipe like unto a limbeck they receive the quick-silver which distills, the silver re∣maining without changing the form, but in weight is diminished five parts of that it was, and is spungeous; which is worthy the observation. Of two of these loaves, they make one bar of silver, in weight 65 or 66 marks; and in this sort they carry it to the touch, custom and mark. Silver drawn with Mercury is so fine, that it never abates of two thousand three hundred and fourscore of alloy; and it is so excellent, that the Workmen are inforced to allay it, putting some mixture to it, as they do likewise in their Mints where as their money is stampt.
In the next Chapter he sheweth the manner of their making of Assays,* which he describeth thus:

To give the alloy to every piece, they carry the bars of silver unto the Assay-master, who gives to every one his number; for that they carry many at once, he cuts a small piece of every one, the which he weighs justly, and puts them into a Cruset, which is a small vessel made of burnt bones beaten: after he placeth every crucible in his order in the Furnace, giving them a violent fire; then the Metal melteth, and that which is Lead goes into smoak, and the Copper and Tin dissolves, the Silver remaining most fine, of the colour of fire. It is a strange thing, that being thus refined, although it be liquid and molten, yet it never spills, were the mouth of the crucible turned downwards; but it remaineth •ixed, without the loss of a drop. The Assay-master knoweth by the colour, and other signs, when it is refined; then doth he draw the crucibles from the
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fire, and weighs every piece curiously, observing what every one wants of his weight; for that which is of high alloy wastes but little, and that which is baser diminisheth much; and according to the waste he sees what alloy he bears, according to the which he marks every bar punctually. Their ballance and weights are so delicate, and their grains so small, as they cannot take them up with the hand, but with a small pair of Pincers: and this trial they make by Candle-light, that no air might move the ballance. For of this little the price of the whole bar depen∣deth.
Now though this way of the refining of silver Ore by quick silver cannot, in great quantities, be practi∣sed in Europe, by reason of the scarceness, and high price of quick-silver: yet in these passages of Acosta, there are many things worthy of a deep remark, and may by diligent and ingenious persons be promoted to great advantages, both in regard of severing the dross, and baser Ores from the more noble; and also in relation to the Art of testing or Assaying of Metals, which wants much of that perfection, that careful skill and observation may bring it to.

But however the way of separating silver from ba∣ser Ores by quick-silver in small quantities, we have found very effectual, and cannot but commend it (if performed by a knowing and careful Artist) as the most certain way of probation of Metals, that we have known, and in some respects excelling that by Lead, the Test, and Fire. Which way of separating the no∣bler Metals from the baser, and one from another, was well known unto that learned and experienced Philo∣sopher and Chymist,*Paracelsus, who very curtly and
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acutely (according to his accustomed manner) doth mention the several ways of purifying several Ores by means of quick-silver, giving therein exquisite Rules, and excellent cautions, to which I commend the cu∣rious and inquisitive Artist, the mystery of which, trial and diligence may find out.

But the way of separating Silver from Lead in great quantities, so as to save the greatest part of the Lead, hath been little known or practised in England, that I could ever understand, saving by one experienced person that had been in Holland, and seen it done there; and did affirm that they could separate the Sil∣ver from the Lead, and in a Tun not lose above two hundred weight of the Lead: and that if it held above 5 l. a Tun, they would separate it with the charge of fifty shillings, and make gain by it; and to that end they bought much of our English Lead, and did re∣fine it, and so make a gain of it. And he made me a pattern of the Furnace and Vessel, such as they used, which (to me) seemed a feasible and rational way.

Lastly, The whole company of common Chymists do tell us great stories of Argentum potabile, and other medicines drawn forth of this Metal, which they cry up to be excellent remedies for the Epilepsie, and other nervous distempers: but they must pardon me if I give no credit to their hyperbolizing fansies; for I dare affirm that they are nothing but vain and ignorant brags, and will perform no more then the small fila∣ments or powder of Silver laminated, which (indeed) is nothing at all, except prepared by the universal sol∣vent, or Alkahest, as was that blue or azure coloured tincture or oyl, containing the saline and sulphureous part of the Metal, the mercurial and indestructible
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part being left behind untouched,* which Paracelsus mentioneth. And the reason of this my so positive assertion, I shall give from the experience of that lear∣ned Chymist Van Helmont, which may bear credit against a thousand of the others; who tells us, That the bodies of Gold and Silver are so closely shut, that for the most part they elude the whole endeavours of Artists (especially those that have not the fore-men∣tioned key of the Alkahest to open them) so as when they think they are most of all opened, they have re∣mitted nothing at all of their former bars or clausure. And that quick-silver, although it seem a tremulous and open body, yet notwithstanding nothing in the whole order of Nature, is more closely shut up then it; and therefore few of a thousand Artificers obtain effe∣ctual remedies forth of Gold, Silver, or Mercury; but the other four do more easily and freely obey the de∣sires of Operators.* And further he saith, That metallick bodies in respect of their Mercuries, are all equally shut up, with the seal of anatical homogeneity; but that their sulphurs afford us acquaintance and help, if they be rendred familiar. And therefore conclu∣deth thus:*Quoties namque à mercuriis, sales & sul∣phura distinxt, admiratus sum illorum ignaviam, ho∣rumque vero principiorum dignitates.

So we have finished this tedious discourse of these two noble and perfect Metals of Gold and Silver, and shall now descend to the other, that are called (in comparison of these) imperfect; of which two are compact and hard, of which we shall now treat: and first of Copper.

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CHAP. XVI. Of the descriptions of Copper, of its Ore, Stone, Operation, and striking Passages.
AES,* or Copper (which was so called from the Isle of Cyprus, where it was first gotten in great plenty) is a metallick body, participating of a fuscous or darkish redness, being ignible, and fusible, and is as the mean betwixt Gold and Silver; and is generated of Argent vive, impure, not fixt, earthy, burning, red, not clear, and of such a sulphur, it wants fixation, purity, and weight.

And Casalpinus tells us:* That Copper doth in co∣lour imitate Gold; for if its redness be a little dilu∣ted, it becomes Aurichalcum, most like to Gold. And that it imitates Silver in its tractable substance, and •lowness of fusion; for it requireth ignition before it be melted. But it differs from both, because it doth not bear the trial of fires (as they do) but is univer∣sally burnt; from whence it is noted to contain much of combustible exhalation, for above the rest of the Metals it yieldeth a sulphureous smell and flame. Be∣sides, being madefied, it doth most easily contract a rust, which is called Aerugo, of a green colour.

Now for its manner of lying in the Earth its Stones,* and passages, we shall give it from Basilius Valenti∣nus, a person of great experience in these matters; which though it be large and something obscure, yet we shall transcribe for the benefit of all diligent and laborious Mineralists; and is thus.

Copper Ore
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is wrought in its own and proper stone, of good pure Salt, and over-hot-burning sulphur, through an heavenly impression into all its parts, tinged red thoroughout, not quite freed from a superfluous hu∣midity, in an affinity with iron; because their dwel∣lings, or houses, are set one by another, and is the reason why the one may easily be transmuted into the other.

This metalline Ore is much wrought in slat float∣works, which are green flinty; many times it ap∣peareth in a red or brown form, and is seen also like lime-stone, in black, and yellow slat-works, like un∣to Coals, in green flinty passages, in a twofold man∣ner, either current, or in the manner of a float. Sometimes it is red and brown, mixed with a green colour: some are of a lazure colour, some of a Cop∣per-glass, flinty, and iron shot, or of a white food. The Copper Ore in its passages, is sometimes rich of Gold and of Silver; as it is accompanied with curious Zach-stones, and inclosed with passable stones, if so be that other Metals and Minerals do not intrench upon them, which corrode and con∣sume them. And Copper Ore is a slat-work also, mixed with foliated Earth, and the mercurial Cop∣per is hardly brought out of it, at, or in an ordinary melting, affords store of iron, and unripe Copper∣food, which rub very much the Copper in roasting, and make it unmalleable.

The richest Copper Ores are found in Hungaria, Bohemia, Silesia, Thuringia, Hassia, and Voightlan∣dia; the like is found about Trantevan, where it is every where in the manner of a float mixed with Sand Ore; and where it breaketh vehemently in
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the slat work, they call that Slat of Clifts: they are poor in silver, and such must be roasted, or calcined: in some places it breaks in a fair blue and brown co∣lour, or it looks ruddy, of a Copper-glass, and like unto green Oker: and sometimes it is white-goldish, which is called white Copper Ore. It groweth white at an effectual mixture, because at its uniting, it assumeth or taketh in much of Silver, and of Lead. It breaks also of a yellowish, and lazure-like colour, green flinted upon floats and moving passages, in lime and spongeous stones. It breaks also of a blue colour, like blue Oker; is Copper, glassy, and flin∣ty, in great and huge rocky and marble passages, be∣ing mixed with a white marble. They are rich in silver, in green slat stones, which are clear and brit∣tle. It lieth dry and green in clifts, open caves, and passages, like green frogs insprinkled one in another, in a strange manner distinct, or parted with strange pleasant colours; which graduated works are losers in half their works; in these rocks are strange clifts of marble, and of white Veins; yellow flint is in∣sprinkled, and mixed with Copper passages, which yield much Silver, have few flowers, are of a ponde∣rous form, break very flinty, of a red glass, of a green colour mixed with yellow flowers; these flints are joyned with white gold marble, of a green colour, beside the rocky passage. There is sound also Cop∣per Ore which is rich of Silver, flinty and not white-goldish is of a white shining glass, mighty in dry hol∣low flat Mines, some whereof are mixed with iron or sorts of Wismuth, or fire-stones. At the one hang∣ing of some passages, is wrought the Chrysocolla, and Copper Ore; on the other hanging of the Mine, is
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wrought pure flint, all according to the quality and condition of the Ore. And it is to be observed, see∣ing that Copper Ores are usually mixed with sul∣phur, easily unite with the nether Metal, and joyn with their stones; therefore green flinty copper Ores, which carry in the drie Lead slatty passages, a black molben, are minerallish, and are not rich in silver, nor rich in species, encompassed with immature iron, and perfect Copper Ore; and some are free of it, if far separated asunder from dry mineral slats, are richer in Gold and Silver, according as the stones take in a good natured Ore, they usually entrench upon Gold and Lead Rocks, or Antimonial Ore; as also upon Iron and Silver stones. There are found also flinty passages, that have their mineral juices of Vitriol and Sulphur, some whereof partake of Al∣lom, and alumen pluviosum. These commonly have the best and most Copper passages, which are least mingled with other Metals, as lime and tartareous stones, in which black floats and slats do break, are inclosed with green, and are of mild quality: at Eisleben and Mansfield, Miners put there several proper names to it very exactly, according unto their nature. Miners in Misnia know least how to distin∣guish these; the upper part of clay earth they call Putredo, in which the true earth is also; and when they come to the stones, they call it the Day-work, because they cover all the rest, and turn quite to stone. The third place they come unto, they call Night-work, because it is easily lifted, and heaved one after another, and is pure: then they come to the Cave or Hole-work, which must be hollowed, and set; here are the stones that must be broken:
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then they come unto the slat, and below that slat, they come unto the Sand-Oar, though sometimes it be overgrown at the Lockwerg, or Hole-work above the slat; then they turn unto the dead earth again. Slat and richest Copper Ore at the Silver breathing, lieth also on the rocky, horn-stony combustible Ores, which have their Gold and Silver passages of your special kind, among which there are found several forms how each of them are discerned. In Hunga∣ria and Carinthia the passages yield Copper Ores, which Copper is very malleable, and is at a dearer rate then any is in the whole Europe; as their mi∣nerals also, and especially the Vitriol there, is held to be the best, as also their Antimony is counted the best. The Vitriol hath the best and rarest vertues, which is known to true Naturalists, and experience hath found the same to be true. I speak something now, which if reason and understanding were an∣swerable, many expences, hard work, and good time could be saved; and it comes onely from hence, because Gold breaks so near it, and of the same Ores is found, where that earth is impregnated with goldish seed, and make use of the same food in ma∣ny subtile unitings. Minerals in their generating qualit•es, are better supported among perfect Metals, where they are higher and more effectual, and are best used for both such perfect Metals, in case Na∣ture be rightly imitated, the ancient Philosophers have had experience of, and made trials of it. There is a remarkable difference found among Minerals which have their descent from Gold and Silver Ores, and partly from Copper Ores; they are Minerals and Metals, each have their particular nature, and
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being, among which some Ores look green, and bleach at the day, and grow near other Metals; but their stones are most like unto Lead-stones, some whereof are grosser, softer, and harder then others, and some are more obscure, dark, muddy, and some more green, and so forth.

*To this we shall onely add what Paracelsus saith of this Metal, which is this;

Copper is generated of a purple sulphur, a redish salt, and a yellow Mercury. These three colours if they be mingled among them∣selves, then Copper is produced. But Copper doth contain in its self its female, that is, its dross or refuse; which if it be separated by Art, and the body redu∣ced, then the male doth appear. But this is the na∣ture of them both, that the male doth not suffer it self again to be destroyed, and the female doth not any more send forth dross or scorias; and they are different in their fusion and malleability, as Iron and Steel differ. And also if this separation be used, either of them being severed into its nature, there do arise two Metals different one from another in es∣sence, species, kind, and propriety. And further saith, that though commonly the male and female go together, yet they ought to be separated.
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CHAP. XVII. Of some signs where Copper Ore may be found, as also of its several sorts, and the divers pre∣parations it undergoes ere it be pure.
AThanasius Kircherus doth give us these signs to know where Copper Ore may be found.* 1. That where plenty of the clifts and sissures of stones are, that shew of a yellow and blewish colour, there is la∣tent Copper Ore. 2. That whensoever we find stones of a blue colour in or among other stones of a grey colour, shadowed with little Veins of a green colour, then this is a certain token of the best and most plentiful vein of Copper Ore. 3. That when we see the rocks or stones in the Mountains to shine like Talk, which is nothing else but the birth or folia∣ted off-spring of a Marchasite, or fire-stone, that it ob∣taineth the next discovery of an hidden vein of Cop∣per Ore. 4. Furthermore, when the vitriolate wa∣ters flowing from the Mountains, are of a somewhat green colour, and of a metallick smell, and which co∣ver over the bottoms of the flouds or rivers, with a cer∣tain putrid, green, tenuious, and slimy matter, as with a skin; it doth shew that the Mountains from whence the water comes, are pregnant with Copper Ore.

Now for the sorts of Copper Ore, they are two∣fold, the one when pure Copper is found in the Mine, which is statim suum, and needs not to be purified by the fire, and the other must be refined, and that of∣ten ere it be brought into pure clear Copper.

For the first sort which the Germans call Rein ge∣diegen [ 1]
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Kupfer; it is affirmed by several experien∣ced Authors, that it is found pure sometimes in the Mines, and needs no purifying with the fire; and so Eucelius tells us in these words:* That there is found pure Copper in the Copper and Silver Mines, that is such of it self, without excoction by the fire. And that sometimes little veins are found implicated with the stones; and sometimes leaves or plates do embrace the stone, and that Alber•us was ignorant of this. And Agricola tells us thus much:* That pure Copper was not onely found in its proper Veins, but also in the sil∣ver Mines. This (he saith) the Ancients knew not, neither Albertus, although that he writ that the most and best Copper was found at Gostaria, and mixed with the whole substance of the stone, as it were a Marchasite, so he calleth a fire-stone. But Agricola saith, If it be found mixed with the substance of the stone, it is not pure; that is to say, it is not statim suum, and much less most pure, but is purified by the help and workmanship of the Furnace. but he fur∣ther saith, I do not know that great masses of Copper, as there hath been found of Silver, have been digged up; but rather certain little masses of a very various figure: to wit, sometimes in the figure of drops or isicles, of little rods, or little rundlets, or globes. Also its most small leaves or plates do cleave to the stones. But this native Copper, for the most part, containeth somewhat of Silver in it.*Wormius tells us that he had a piece from the Mines of Osterdale in Norway, of the figure of little masses, laminated plain, consist∣ing as it were of most small grains joyned together, of a rubicund colour, and truly Copper-like, but ex∣ceeding brittle. And although it did seem to consist
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of most small grains joyned together, by reason of which it was very brittle and friable, yet it did cleave together, and was hardly to be separated into smaller pieces. He had another piece, to which leaves or plates of Talk were admixed.* And he saith that ve∣ry near a kin to this, was that which Andreas Chiocus the Author of the Musaeum Calceo•arium calls the true flower of Copper, and did describe it in these words: The true and legitimate flower of Copper is heavy, friable, and of an astringent sapor or taste, growing reddish with a little shining colour, flourishing forth of its proper Mine of Copper, into most small little grains, expressing in magnitude the seed of wild Pop∣py. Rulandus tells us also,* some sorts of pure Cop∣per that needed not the fire: 1. Native red Copper free from other Metals, that was found in the Country of Mansfield in its proper Veins. 2. Pure, digged forth of the Mines of Silver at Scheberg. 3. Red, at Mansfield, which contained Silver in it. 4. That which was native and red Suaceuse in Alpibus Rheticis, which did contain gold in it. 5. Of its own colour found at Gishubelia, cleaving like leaves or plates to a hard stone of a red colour. 6. Of othersome clea∣ving to an hard stone, of a whitish ash-colour, other cleaving to a slat stone at Mansfield, of its own colour; and from Moravia,* that was statim suum. The ho∣nourable person Mr. Boyl tells us in one of his Queries for Minerals thus: Whether any part of the Metal be found in the Mine perfect and complete? (As I have had presented me good valuable Copper, and pieces of perfect Lead, that were taken up the one at Iamai∣ca, and the other by an acquaintance of mine, that took them out of the ground himself in New England.)

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[ 2] 2. For Copper Ore that must be often melted in the fire ere it be brought into the form of good Cop∣per;* there are divers sorts, some of which kinds were formerly found at Keswick, and Newland in Cumber∣land, as learned Camden relateth at large, and the Work was continued a long time, and much good Copper made there; but now the Work is quite left and decayed: yet I am informed that some do now melt forth as much very good Copper as serveth them to make Half-pennies and Farthings. Some of the Ore I have, which is like a greyish kind of Marchasite, glittering with some goldish sparks, and very ponde∣rous. Another sort I have, that seems a blewish kind of stone, with bright sparks of the colour of gold, and exceeding heavy; and I make no doubt, but that if diligence were used, plenty of this sort of Ore might be found in many places of England.* And Dr. Mer∣re•t tells us, that Copper was digged up at Wenloch in Staffordshire; and that in the time of Richard the Se∣cond there was a rich Copper Mine at Richmond in the Bishoprick of Durham. But now I do not hear of any gotten thereabouts.

*Wormius tells us thus much, saying, Crude Copper Ore obtaineth various differences, in respect of its co∣lour, consistence, goodness, and coction. For the most part it is drawn forth of a Marchasite, or Fire∣stone, or forth of the lapis scissilis, which I take to be some sort of that which we call slat stones. Among thirteen peculiar kinds (he saith) I find great diffe∣rence in respect of goodness and fertility, though they all arise forth of a granulated fire-stone or Pyrites. 1. One kind of this golden Pyrites is plainly barren, yielding no Copper at all when it is excocted in the
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fire. 2. There are two sorts (he saith) whereof an hundred pound weight of Ore doth afford one pound of Copper. 3. Another a pound and a half. 4. A∣nother four pounds and an half. 5. Another four pound and three quarters. 6. Another six pound and an half. 7. Another nine pound and an half. 8. A∣nother nine pound and three quarters. 9. Another ten pounds. 10. Another fourteen pound and an half. 11. Another fifteen pound. 11. Lastly, ano∣ther sixteen pounds, which is the highest.

1. For several sorts of Ores he reckoneth first that [ 1] which is yellowish, in which is inserted whole plates or leaves, in an ash-coloured stone, tending to black∣ness, being very fruitful of Copper, and having parti∣cles adjoyned in certain places of a whitish-coloured flint.

2. A purple Ore of Copper, or of a violet colour [ 2] tending to blue, called of the Miners Braun ertz, having little crums or grains of a •ire-stone of a gol∣den colour mingled with it; on the other part purple shining Ore mixed with a stone of a grey colour; on the other part it hath more of blue, in the midst of the body sparks of Copper growing whitish, mixed with golden ones.

3. English Copper Ore, consisting of a black stone, [ 3] and hard, in which doth intermingled shine here and there a golden colour. In some places it shineth with the various mixture of black, blue, and golden co∣lours.

4. A golden Pyrites friable, or crumbling, shaped [ 4] like dice, having certain spots of a purple and hya∣cinth colour admixed with it. And from Osterdale in Norway he had brought without square, and shining with divers colours.

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[ 5] 5. A more base Ore of Copper growing blackish, in which is inspersed here and there golden Veins, going unequally through the body of the stone. Then also an ash-coloured stone, having golden-coloured grains interspersed in it in course, fruitful in Copper, insected on one of the outsides with certain Oker.

[ 6] 6. An ironish Ore of Copper, in which a Vein of a square golden fire-stone doth shine, and here and there portions of rubiginous iron▪ I have by me very many sorts of these squared or diced golden Marcha∣sites, and some of other figures; but whether they hold Copper or not, I have not tried.

The Author of the Musaeum Calceolarianum men∣tioneth these four sorts of copper Ore:

[ 1] 1. One that is red, containing some silver in it, from the Carpathian Mountain, which is most fruit∣ful of Metals.
[ 2] 2. Also the Ore of copper at Kepnice in Misnia, which is not red, but hath a leaden colour▪ replenished with certain little yellow Veins; for every hundred pound weight of which, by the help of the Furnace, is extracted two and twenty pound weight of Cop∣per.
[ 3] 3. The Ore of Copper from Inaceburg, like to a cloven or slat stone, of almost an ash-colour, in which little Veins imitating a golden colour, are seen grow∣ing, an hundred pound weight of which yields twenty pounds of copper.
[ 4] 4. The Ore of copper from Anneberg shining with a reddish colour, forth of an hundred pounds weight of which, the Vein being poor, yieldeth onely six∣teen pounds of Copper. We have enumerated these several sorts of copper Ores, that the laborious Mi∣ners
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may be better enabled to judge of the several sorts of Ores. Now for the several preparations that the Ore of copper undergoeth before it be made good valuable copper,*Wormius tells us thus, saying, I have six differences in respect of the excoction of cop∣per.
1. Of which the first is the crude Pyrites or fire-stone it self, of a golden colour, as it is digged forth of the Mine, and rich with copper.
2. The second is of the Ore, burned by the space of fourteen days, or three weeks. For then the mass is rendred copper-like, of a blackish colour, forth of which viride aes doth flower.
3. Thirdly the Ore so excocted and fluxed, that it is reduced into thick plates, which the Germans call Ruffer-stein.
4. Fourthly, These plates being put into other Fur∣naces, are burned six or eight times, and are carried forth of one Furnace into another, until they acquire a rubicund colour; this they call Robber werk.
5. Fifthly again, it is excocted into a spongious and light matter, black and porous, which they call Raw copper.
6. Sixthly, It is melted again, and then becomes pure copper, fit for uses. So many mutations it is meet that the Ore of copper undergo, before it be∣come pure Copper.
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CHAP. XVIII. Of native and factitious Orichalcum, of Corinthian Copper or Brass, and of some other Composi∣tions that Copper undergoes with other Metals or Minerals, and of the Medicines prepared forth of it.
THat native Orichalcum (and not Aurichalcum, as though it were compounded of Gold and Cop∣per,* which learned Salmuth quoting Scaliger, doth deny, and that with reason) was digged in ancient times forth of the earth, so produced (as Salmuth and Kircher do probably conjecture, by some natural com∣mixture of Terra Cadmea, or the Lapis Calaminaris with it) not as mixed of Gold and Copper, but a cer∣tain kind of native Copper, which had the colour and splendour of Gold, or which was like unto Gold. There is little or no mention made of it by the An∣cients, except Pliny in these words speaking of Cop∣per, that (he saith) was first found in Cyprus.*Reper∣to in aliis terris praestantiore, maxime Orichalco, quod praecipuam bonitatem, admirationemque diu obtinuit; nec reperitur longo jam tempore, effoeta tellure. That there was better Copper then that of Cyprus found in other Lands, especially Orichalcum, which for a long time obtained the chief esteem in goodness and admi∣ration; neither was it to be found for a long time be∣fore the age of Pliny. But Salmuth saith there did remain of it certain sorts or masses, and many frag∣ments.
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And that it was of so great esteem with the Ancients, that when it was no where to be had, not∣withstanding as if it were to be had, it was esteemed more excellent then gold; and gives thereof some no∣table proofs, that the Inquisitive may find in the place before cited.* And Pancirollus saith, Orichalcum was a Metal of Copper, which was like to Gold. Of which kind (he saith) I suppose the Toreumata were: The Toreumata were Works embossed in Metal, which the Ancients (he saith) did suppose to be of Co∣rinthian Brass; but falsly: for the Corinthian Copper or Brass, was a mixture of Copper and Gold. But that these embossed Works of Metal being destroyed or dissolved, had nothing in them of Gold or Silver: and therefore (he saith) he doth believe them to be of native Orichalcum. And though Pliny thought it lost, yet (he saith) it is manifest that the Lawyer Martian, who lived in the time of Alexander the Emperour, in the Year 225. did make mention of it as though it had been extant also in his Age. And that Lattone or Orichalcum (he saith) that they used in his time, was not the native Orichalcum of the An∣cients, but Copper mixed with certain powders that give it that splendor.* And Scaliger (who would seem to know all things) and also Kircher tell us, that be∣twixt Mexico and Darien natural Orichalcum was dig∣ged up that could be melted with no violence of fire, which did sufficiently demonstrate the truth of the thing.

Now for factitious Orichalcum, the several ways by Art to prepare it, the Reader may find in the fore∣cited place of Kircher,* and we shall onely mention one way set down by Wormius forth of Agricola.
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They put (he saith) the fragments of the best Copper, and of Cadmia nativa (I suppose he meaneth the La∣pis Calaminaris) by course (or as the Chymists say, stratum super stratum) into long pots,* which being so filled, are set in hollowed Furnaces, and the fire is kindled, as it were in certain burrows, channels, or passages, and when they are molten together, the Copper being tincted with the colour of gold, is changed into Orichalcum, which is that we call Brass, or by some Flanders Metal. Which is hard, tracta∣ble with the hammer, and to be drawn forth into thin plates or leaves, which being tinged with gall, be∣comes like gold, and is called of Pliny, Aurum Corona∣rium, because the Players did use it for Garlands and Crowns about their heads; which is that which we commonly call Horse Gold, used for Embellishments in Pageants, Plays, Shews, and such like pastimes. And of this sort some is more malleable then other, and will suffer it self to be drawn forth further; and some is of a deeper, and some of a lighter colour. Again, There is by Art made divers sorts of this Ori∣chalcum or Brass, some that (as I believe) will abide the hammer in some measure, of which is made fire-tongs, fire-shovels, snuffers, Mathematical instru∣ments, and of many other sorts and kinds, that I can∣not well reckon up. Some that will hardly abide the hammer, but either cleave, or break asunder, which is called Aes Caldarium, and we call it Pot Metal; of which is made Pots, Pans, Chafing-dishes, Candle-sticks, and abundance of such like utensils, some of a fair golden colour, some more whitish, and some more inclining to redness, according to the propor∣tion of the commixture. Again, Copper is mixed
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often with Iron, Lead, and some other materials, of which is made bullets for great Cannon, Bells, and many other such like things. Sometimes they mix a certain proportion of Copper and Tin, of which lit∣tle Bells for House-Clocks, and little Alarum-bells, and some things else are made; and those Bells will sound sharp and shrilly. And of this Composition may be made fine Seeing-glasses and Burning-glasses, if they be well polished and smoothed, and made of a right figure and bigness, of which I have seen divers sorts. And with a mixture of Tin and Brass are made Vessels that appear very like unto Silver: all which Compositions and many more of this Metal of Cop∣per, with other Metals and Minerals, we shall leave as sooner to be learned by practice, and sight, from Artificers and Mechanicks, then from Books and read∣ing. As for the making of Copper white it is practi∣sed sundry ways, some do it with Talk, some with the Magne•is, or Cat-silver; and that which we have seen done, was with A•snick and Nitre; the way of doing which may be found in many Authors, as also in Ma∣nuscripts, and written Processes; but I do not account the knack so much worth, as to be at labour to tran∣scribe it. For both Copper when it is whitened, or made Orichalcum, or of a golden colour, will with of∣ten fluxing, and keeping long in the fire, burn out the Minerals commixt with it, and return to red Cop∣per again as it was.

Now whatsoever common Chymistry may boast of the medicaments prepared from Copper, as its Sul∣phur, Tincture, Salt, Crocus, or the like, we have not seen, or experienced any that do deserve any great commendation, and therefore shall forbear to say any
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more of them. Onely we shall add this; That even Vitriol, such of the blue transparent sort that is brought forth of Germany, and commonly called Roman Vi∣triol, and by Quacks, and others, called Lapis Coelestis, which is of great affinity with Copper; nay, indeed the very off-spring of Venus; and that which many ac∣count the best, that holds the most Copper, is a most noble Mineral, and even of it self affords much help to an expert Chirurgion; for it is one of the mildest Corrosives that an Artist can use for making of Fonta∣nels or Issues, and is far better then any actual Cau∣tery, and serves better then any thing else for stopping fluxes of Bloud, especially in Amputation, or dismem∣bring, where the great Arteries and Veins are laid open. And the Powder of it is very prevalent in cleansing old ulcers and sores, and by its astrin∣gency leaves a good ground for breeding new flesh, and healing. The waters of it also are exceeding pro∣fitable for many distempers in the Eyes, sore and infla∣med mouths, and for all Erysipela's and the like. And the Phlegm, and oyl of it, as also the Colchotar freed from its Salt, will do a Chirurgion much credit in de∣sperate ulcers and old sores, though but prepared by the way of common Chymistry, if he know how to apply them with judgment and discretion. I speak this to encourage young practitioners, having my self had experience of this Mineral for near forty years, in all things that Chirurgery can require properly to use it in. Yet notwithstanding as to Medicines that may be taken inwardly, prepared the common way, I have not seen any such effects by them as may any way answer the high Encomiums that many Authors that write of common Chymistry, do attribute unto
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them; for except that the oyl or spirit of Vitriol (as some call it) mixed with liquors of Juleps, doth in some measure allay, and abate the heat and thirst in Fevers, and hot distempers, and sometimes to be help∣ful in Epileptical diseases, I have known or seen little effect by it. The Vitriolum vomitivum (I confess) being duely prepared, and purified, is a laudable Vomit a∣gainst Phlegm, and such like crude humours annoy∣ing and over-burthening the stomach; and is a reme∣dy of much efficacy and value against the Worms, and all Verminous generations.

But there are far higher and more noble Medicines to be had from Venus, or Copper (if we may trust the writing of Helmont, whose veracity and experience few learned men will question or doubt of) then any of those that are prepared by common Chymistry; by the help of that immortal and immutable liquor the Alkahest, by which (he declareth) that the body of Copper is totally destroyed, and the external Sulphur and Salt (in which the medical Virtue lies) is separa∣ted, and the internal Sulphur that is inseparable from the Mercury, either by Art or Nature remaineth, by which it may be brought into a white metal. But of this as far as by the Alkahest the medical sulphur is se∣parated from it, by which that universal medicine called by Paracelsus and Helmont Mercurius Diapho∣reticus, and Aurum Horizontale, by mixing with Prae∣cipitate prepared after Vigo's order, is made; we shall give here, as far as concerneth the Copper in Hel∣monts own words, and the rest we shall mention when we come to speak of Mercury; and thus he saith.

For the Sulphur of Venus,* after its separation from its body, and arising again, is made as it were a glo∣rious
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sulphur, and therefore it tingeth the sulphur of Mercury (which in the powder of Iohannes de Vigo, by corrosive Mineral spirits is extroverted) imme∣diately, and do mutually imbrace themselves in an in∣separable bed: and therefore the force of both sul∣phurs do then stand outwardly.
And a little further he saith.
Therefore the fire of Venus, is not the spi∣rit of Vitriol, however exquisitely rectified: But this fire is the volatile sulphur of the Copper, in form of a green oyl, more sweet then honey, and fully se∣parated from the mercurial body of it Copper. But the remaining part of the Copper doth abide white, nor ever waxing green with rust, as neither any more of the number of the seven Metals; because it is be∣come a new and anonymous Metal. But the fire of Venus cannot be had, except by the full or plenary destruction of the Copper, and the volatization of the mercurial body of the Venus it self. Which, how∣ever it be made volatile in the form of oyl, notwith∣standing with an easie labour, it is after again reduced into a white unknown Metal, and extensible under the hammer. But the fire or sulphur of Venus is not any more reduced into a Metal by it self, because as no sulphur is a Metal, so every metallick Mercury is a true Metal. For the Adeptists teach, that the sul∣phureous part of a Metal cannot be separated from its mercurial and metallick body, except by its total destruction; which therefore (although abusively) they call elemental; because, to wit, in Metals there are two sulphurs; one therefore they deservedly call external, the other internal. But in the proposed terms of Copper (he persuadeth) to contemplate that which is internal, which doth fix the body in
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the white anonymous and mercurial Metal, and ma∣keth it ductible under the hammer: when otherwise the Mercury without the Sulphur could never be co∣agulated into a Metal. But that external sulphur of Venus, is that green sweet oyl which cannot be brought back again into a Metal. Therefore the Symmistae or Secrataries of this Philosophy, do univo∣cally testifie, that the external sulphur cannot be se∣parated from its body, no not by fire in imperfect Metals, but also the mercurial part doth perish to∣gether with it. Therefore seeing that external sul∣phur (such as is drawn forth of Copper) is not ne∣cessary to the perfection of the Metal: but that sul∣phur is added of God to the Copper. Therefore it is necessary that that sulphur of Venus should have its ends, conducing to the necessities of ungrateful man, to wit, for humane infirmities, above all the dignity of metallick perfection.
From which we shall commend some considera∣tions to the sons of Art to revolve over, and seriously to weigh them in the ballance of a right understand∣ing, and not slightly to pass them over.

1. To take careful notice of the effects of this in∣comparable [ 1] liquor the Alkahest, both in working upon Vegetables and Minerals; for without it no true na∣tural or radical dissolution can be made of either of them. Which if they duely weigh with the true light of a rational understanding, it will lead them as a thread through all the Labyrinths of darkness, to the bottom of the clue, that is the knowledge of the true subject, forth of which it is prepared. Which sub∣ject is but one in the whole Universe, and is common∣ly known, and may (as Basilius saith) with great
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praise be had, and is not any particular of the ani∣mal, vegetable, or mineral Kingdom, but in it self (though to outward appearance a base and despicable matter) is of the nature of them all, but not any com∣mon or known salt, as many deem, nor no kind of earth (except metaphorically so called) nor any universal or catholick salt or water (as many that do think them∣selves wise do imagine) drawn forth of the air, or the beams of the Sun, but is in a far nearer subject: and therefore I shall onely mind them of what Raymundus Lullius tells us,* saying; Nihil ergo convenit rei, nisi quod propinquum est ei ex sua natura. And Helmont tells us in some place of his writings, that things to be dissolved, are to be dissolved per consentanea suis prin∣cipiis radicalibus.

[ 2] 2. We are to note that this fire, or sulphur of Venus when volatized and separated from its white mercurial anonymous body, is in the form of a green oyl, never again to be reduced into a metallick body, and that in this the whole medical virtue lies.* And this is doubtless the same green oyl that Paracelsus in his Book, De Separatione Elementorum, saith is alto∣gether green, and drawn from the body of Venus left white, that may be again reduced into a white Metal, that it cannot be known under what species is falleth. And this questionless is that green oyl, or Arcanum vitrioli that Paracelsus so highly commends in curing the Epilepsie,* whose preparation he in many places mentioneth; but according to his wonted manner, tacitely concealeth the Alkahest, without which it can∣not be truly had or prepared. And forth of this green oyl was prepared that rare soporiferous Medicine which he calls Sulphur Anodynum Veneris, of excel∣lent
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vertue, so that it would sopifie, pacifie, or cure a whole troop of diseases:* Of which, and other me∣tallick Sulphurs, he gives us these ensuing commen∣dations. And that (he saith) I powerfully regard or look into the sulphureous remedies of Minerals, to wit, into the sulphur of Venus, S•ibium or Antimony, and especially into the sulphur of the Glaura Augurelli, which Nymph hitherto doth want another proper name. For these kind of Sulphurs, because they are farther distant from humane Nature then the whole company of Vegetables, and in the mean time do ob∣tain notable gifts from God the giver of them; so also they most fully and pertinaciously resist, that from the digestive faculty they bend not into the Commonwealth of Aliments, and therefore they do preserve their native powers free and unbroken, to wit, the Crasis or temperament of the Minerals doth remain whole or compleat, and more fit to disperse their ray into Duumviratum, the seat of the Soul. For hitherto the sulphur of Minerals under Vulcan, or the Fire, do obtain their highest complement of the in∣tention of Physicians. Therefore I exhort young Ty∣ronists or Fresh-men to despoil sulphurs of their strange and virulent force, under the custody of which verily the vital fire is hidden, leading the Archeus most pleasantly into desired ends. For there are cer∣tain sulphurs, to which being corrected and perfected, the whole company of diseases do hearken: whose plurality as it were is contracted into the unity of the Archeus, as into the fist of a man fighting. From whence we may note:

1. That the farther a Medicine is from being chan∣ged, or brought into aliment, the more it is to be ac∣counted
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Medical, and may more vigorously spread its rays to the very center of the diseases.
2. The chief point in curing diseases, consists not so much in the purging of humours, as in the pacify∣ing of the Archeus.
3. That the chiefest medicaments for curing the generality (if not all diseases) consists in mineral sul∣phurs, especially when they are despoiled of their strange and virulent force, which every Artist ought to labour to attain unto.
4. That one of these chief sulphurs is this of Venus, before spoken of; another is the sulphur of Antimony, which doubtless must be prepared by the Alkahest; for those two sorts that are prepared by common Chymists, whereof the one is fixed by a Lixivium or Alcali; and the other volatile, of another way of pre∣paration, though they will do some pretty things, espe∣cially that which is volatile; yet come they far short of the vertues of that of Helmont and Paracelsus pre∣parations: for this sulphur I take to be his Tinctura Lili Antimonialis, and account it one of the Arcana's of Paracelsus:* for he saith, In the third place is the tincture of Lili also Antimonial, almost of the same efficacy with the former (which is his Mercurius Vitae, which is the off-spring of the whole Stibium) although of less force. The last Mineral sulphur that he most respecteth, is that of the Glaura of Augurellus, which hath no other proper name; and what Mineral it is, many make a great doubt; and truly all I dare reveal of it is, that it is a very common and known Mineral, and of a metallick root and principle, if not the very root of all Metals and Minerals: but I would not have the Reader suppose that I mean it to be (as many that
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think themselves very knowing, do imagine) native Mountain Cinnober; for I must assure them it is not, for that is not the root of Metals, as the Glaura is. But it cannot be better known then by that apposite descri∣ption that learned Augurellus hath given it. To which I commend the curious Student, and Searcher, and to compare it with what Paracelsus hath said, and also Helmont, of the Metallus primus sive masculus, and the Electrum minerale immaturum; and to consider whe∣ther they be all one Mineral or not; for I cannot, for many reasons, discover it any further; and I am sure here is sufficient for those whom God will direct to know the secrets of Nature in the mineral Kingdom.
3. We shall here with Helmont wish all ingenious Students, and Searchers after Natures Secrets, seri∣ously to consider of, and ponder this white anonymous Metal of Copper, after the external sulphur is separa∣ted from it, that it remaineth a true and real Metal still; and that the external sulphur of Metals is not anatically homogeneous, nor essentially necessary to the constitution of that which may be truly called, and is a Metal. And if they heedfully weigh this, and compare it with what Helmont elsewhere saith of common Quick-silver; that all of it hath in it less or more of an external Sulphur, that may be separated from it: as also with what Paracelsus saith in the fore∣cited Book of The Separation of Elements, that though the sulphurs of the seven Metals being separated from their mercurial parts, and are of divers colours, which he there describeth; yet that the mercurial part of all, or any one of them, doth after that separation re∣main white, and may be reduced into a metallick bo∣dy, which cannot be known of what species any of
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them are of. If this be well considered, it will mani∣fest that the Adeptists were not men led by Opina∣tion and fansie, (as many that would seem Masters of no little Learning, do vainly dream and object) but men that fundamentally and experimentally under∣stood the nature of Metals, and the subject they writ of, otherwise then thousands that are, and have been rigid censurers of them and their Works; but blind men are not fit to judge of colours. And further, if all Metals when divested of their external and com∣bustible sulphurs, be and remain Metals still, although of a white colour; as appeareth plainly from the un∣questionable experience and authority of these two persons; then let the Artist and Learned consider what is the difference among them one from another. Is it specifical, or only gradual? Let them speak that are fit to judge, and by this those that can understand and take it, may perceive what that transmutation is that the Philosophers speak and write of, and will open to the Learner the true way he is to walk in, and the real end that Alchymy aims at. And above all it will open the reasons of that most assured and true maxim of theirs, which is, that omnia metalla in suo interiori sunt Sol & Luna. Compare this with what we have said before of the Hematine Metals of Gold and Silver. So we will conclude this tedious discourse of this Me∣tal, willing the Reader to look upon what Sebastian Munster hath said in his Geography,* concerning Cop∣per and its kinds; and so we shall descend to the next of the harder sort of Metals, which is Iron.

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CHAP. XIX. Of the descriptions of Iron, its Ore, or Mine, Operation, Stocks, Flotes, and Passages.
THe other imperfect Metal,* famous in its hard∣ness, called of the Greeks〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of the Ger∣mans Eisen, is a metallick body consisting of little Mercury, and much fixt Sulphur, abiding ignition long, and very slowly fusible, easily contracting rusti∣ness, of a something whitish livid colour.*Rulandus gives it thus.

Iron is a metallick body, much livid, little red, hard and participating of a whiteness not pure. For if a fixt earthy sulphur be commixed with Argent-vive fixed, and earthy, and both these be not pure, but of a livid whiteness, if the sulphur bear sway, it becomes Iron. In brief, if the Argent-vive shall be porous, earthy, and impure, and the sulphur also impure, foetid, and earthy, and of a fixt substance,* Iron is generated. Paracelsus saith of it thus: But on the contrary, Iron is generated of a sul∣pher, Salt, and Mercury; of all the least fluxible, contrary to the nature of Tin and Lead; and is coa∣gulated into an hard Metal, and is coupled in it self. For in one two Metals are conjugated, to wit, Iron and Steel: Iron is the female, and Steel the male. And this conjugation is like to that wherein Gold and Silver, to wit, the male and female, do also grow up together. So they may be separated one from another, the female into her sex, and the male into his also. And the male may be imployed to its uses, and the
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female also to hers.*Basilius Valentinus gives us its description, and the manner of its Ore lying after this order. Iron-stone and Iron Ore is wrought in its Mine-stone, according to the heavenly influence of Mars. For he is Trinus Magnus, the great Lord of War, and an instrument whereby others are forced and compelled: of an hard earthly impure sulphur, of putrefied Salt, and gross Mercury; which three principal pieces in their juncture mix much of earth∣liness, therefore it is a difficult labour to mollifie Iron with, or in the fire, carrying much of impurity, by reason of its sulphur; and above other Metals, it hath a deep, red, quick Spirit, which if it be taken from Mars, then is the Iron gone also, leaveth again a putrid earthliness. Iron is not easily mixed or joyn∣ed with other Metals, or united in the casting. Iron hath a threefold partition, and several parts in its earthly Ore, namely a magnet, a quick metalline Ore, which hath its quality from quick Mercury, and must hold communion and affinity with Iron, must be quickned and renewed with Iron filings, in which he lieth like an Hedge-hog, and is indued of Sol in Nature with glorious gifts and Adamantine vertues; at one place and side it attracteth, and at the other side it refuseth; which vertues may be augmented and increased in it. A true type of just judgment, it sheweth after the Sun the true hour in the body of the Compass, by Water and by Land.

Secondly Steel, the hardest and purest, most mal∣leable Iron, of its proper light draining place, where∣in it lieth close tied and knit together in all its parts most compactedly, which in all Iron-works is usual∣ly put to the edge and point.

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Thirdly, there comes the common Iron Ore, or∣dered together by its earthly sulphur; which three ministred good thoughts to the first expert Natura∣list, that Master of Mine-Works, Tubal-Cain, who made his three principles in all things, and made his dimensions in the Mines in three parts, in which such metalline Ore was: he found at first the Iron-stone wrought in several ways, namely upon standing pas∣sages, and floats, fallings, and proper pieces tinged after the four Elements, and colours of the Rain-bow. Then he considered exactly its flowers, according to the condition of each stone-work, how and out of what the Iron may most conveniently be melted, and what manner of instruments may be used thereunto, where it may best and most fitly be wrought; for its Ore affords a threefold ferocity and wildness, which are useful; as namely, Glass-heads, which are like a sharp blood-stone, breaking in the manner of a skull, are scaly, and brown spissie. Secondly, The brown stone out of which is made Glass, and iron-colour. Thirdly, Granulate iron-filings in the float work; which is so hard, that it can scarcely be forced to be gotten off, or be brought to right; and when the iron-stone is come to its perfectness, then it breaketh off by piece-meal, through the Stone, and Rock, that there are found whole mines of iron-stone, such is the Iron Ore in Styria. The best iron-stone is black, or red-brown, sometimes it inclineth to a yellowishness, some is of a Cherry-brown in the floats and stocks, some are black, and small spissie, some yellowish, which glittereth among the rest, like a Copper stone, of a brown black marble, and of a fair Glass; some looks like separated float work throughout the whole
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Mine, some is cloddy and hoary in clayish fields, which only is called the driving, is as the sand-stone, most hurtful unto Gold, because it affordeth most of the slacks, and very little of Iron. Some sticks in the grey clay, which affords most malleable Iron, but is of a brownish colour. There breaks also good iron-stone in tartareous and limy Mines; and the most running is on the standing passages, in cristy sandy Dalk stones. The gross clift stones break some in their slats. It usually breaks also in the fore and after Mine-works, where some of it lieth off-washed among the Roasts, like a brown earth, and on the day there is no Ore so common as the Iron-stone; because it assumeth, and taketh in other Ores, and setteth it thorough: thus often it changeth its colour and nature; after it there ensues Glass-heads, Hemasites, Brown Stone, Osemund, Bolus, to∣gether with the Red Oker, and Iron-shell, all these assume the nature of Iron; and the Iron-stone re∣ceiveth the highest Metals, Gold, Silver, Copper, Tin, Lead, whereby it groweth untoward; but Gold and Silver are not hurtful unto it, they make it malleable; that which is mixed with Copper, or with other poor Metal, easily falls asunder, is brittle; of the same condition is Iron flint, producing out of many passa∣ges an huge flint, partly porous like unto a black slat, which beside the Iron-stone, yieldeth another grosser or subtiler Iron. Thus the Iron-stone is associable unto other stones, be they metalline, or mineral. At Musbach there is Copper shot Iron, which hath a Lead joyning thereunto. Founders must be expert to deal with such Ores in their melting. Iron-stones have in many Countries decreased, all other metal∣line
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stones are upon their decay, onely Gold, Silver, Copper, and Lead, keep their multiplying condition all the World over.

CHAP. XX. Of the several sorts of Iron-stone, or Ore, and of Medicines prepared forth of this Metal.
OF Iron there are two kinds, one which is native, being found such in the Mines, the other that which is excocted. The pure Native Iron, that is found so, of the Germans called Gediegen Eisen, (Wormius saith) is found in the Mine,* either like grains, or a mass. That which was like a mass (he saith) was found in many places in Norway: one kind sharp, rough, and very porous, tincted without with rust; but when it was broken, the genuine colour of Iron did shine forth, which also within a short time would be covered with rust. And that he had lately received such like clods or pieces from Island. That he had another mineral piece, whose third part was the best and pure Iron, of which he had a little square portion of the length and weight of an ounce. That it was black, porous, and compounded of small lamels or plates unequally, being disposed like unto Talk, and while it was turned towards the Sun, would shew a Violet colour. That there were many other pieces shewing the best Iron, for the most part black of co∣lour, and ponderous, which did not stand in need of a
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longer description.* We shall add some sorts of pure native iron to these, named by Rulandus.

1. Pure Iron, of its own colour, found in its own Vein or Mine, in a white flint.
2. Pure Iron found in Styria in the sand of the Ri∣vers.
3. A vein of Iron at Gishubeliah, of a liver colour, solid, pure, and ponderous.
These are the sorts of Iron found pure, that we in particular can find recorded by any Authors of credit, which may be sufficient to clear the matter, that pure native Iron may be found, which we commend to all inquisitive Miners to search after, that they may be able to satisfie themselves, and others of the truth in this particular, seeing we have seen none such to aver it of our own knowledge.

Now for the several sorts of Iron-stone, Ore, or Earth, (for there are of all these sorts, that yield Iron plentifully) there are so many named by Authors, and also such plenty and variety found in his Majesties Dominions, that we account it needless to enumerate them, being so commonly and vulgarly known. On∣ly we shall say thus much, that of those sorts that we have, or have seen gotten in England, some are of a black colour, and ponderous; some more brown, and reddish; some more yellowish, and some of a grey whitishness, that all yield plenty of indifferent good Iron. The Veins or Ore of Iron, when they are ex∣cocted, do melt so that they may be poured out, which when it is cooled, the dross and recrements being re∣moved, it is heated in the fire, and doth grow so soft, that it may be beaten with the hammer, and doth suffer it self to be extended into Plates, and sometimes into
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very thin ones, as are those that are after covered over with Tin, and called commonly Long-lane Tin, and Plate; of which are made very many utensils for houshold, and divers other uses, though they last not long, but the Tin weareth from off them, and then the Iron rusteth, and so they soon decay. But Iron thus excocted and depurated, is not all of one sort of goodness: for some is very tough and limber, which is accounted the best; some is Copperish, rough, or brittle, and frangible; of which they make bullets for Cannons, and cannot commodiously be beaten forth with the hammer, but is burst, and therefore ac∣counted more base. Another sort holds it self in a middle manner, and may in part be beaten forth with the hammer in great Works, in part not. But we here in England do for the most part make choice of Iron according to the several uses men intend it for, and so sometimes choose English Iron, sometimes that which was brought from beyond the Seas, and both of these of divers sorts, which are better known to the Merchants and Mechanicks that work in this Metal, then to me.* Now for Steel, which Paracelsus makes but the male, and Iron the female; some make it to have a proper Vein, or Ore of it self, others to be but the purest part of iron, drawn from the other that is more drossie and earthy: Of which Wormius saith, Of Iron more often molten and purged, is made Steel; which also is brought forth by nature in some certain places. Elsewhere Iron is often being hot extin∣guished in certain waters, that thereby it may be made very hard, but ever thereby loseth much of its weight.

Rulandus tells us,* that a pure Vein of Steel, was
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found in Voidtland near to Fichtelberg, and also that it was excocted forth of a Steel Ore, as also drawn forth of pure Iron. Our Workmen at the Forge do usual∣ly distinguish it into two sorts; one they call Coldsel, and another Redsel.

Lastly, as to this point I shall onely mind the Wor∣ker in this metal of a passage in Diodorus Siculus,* an ancient Author, who tells us; That the Celtiberians did thus prepare Iron to make their weapons of War of. For they hiding Iron plates in the earth, did suf∣fer them to be there so long, until the weaker part of the Iron was wasted, and the stronger remained. Then of that they made Swords, and other Arms for the use of the War. To these thus made, all things or Arms would yield, that neither shield nor helmet, nor any other Armour could resist them. And I have known some that have found old rusty Knives that had long lain in the earth, that being grinded anew, would cut better then the best new Knife that could be found. But this I leave to be considered of by Ar∣tificers.

For the medicaments that are by common Chymi∣stry prepared forth of this Metal, they are either used in outward applications in Chirurgery, or are inward∣ly administred. For those that are used externally, as the Crocus martis, it will in some measure help to stop small Haemorhages or fluxes of bloud by its con∣glutinative quality, or help phlegmatick and watery ulcers by desiccation. Also there is an oyl made sometimes of it, with the help of Salt Armoniack, that is a very fierce and painful Corrosive, but will (for those that can abide it) cleanse rotten and filthy ulcers, and painful and virulent scabs: but this that seemeth
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of an oyly substance, will with long keeping decay; and the Salt will separate it self in the form of Water, and leave the parts of the Steel, as a red earth, or Crocus; because it was but a forced confusion or mixture, and not an homogeneal union, nor any true oyl from the Steel, but wrought by the sharpness and pungency of the Salt, more then by its own nature, except some of the atoms of its Salt might commix with the Sal Armoniack. But there is another oyl of Mars to be prepared according to the order set down by that learned and experienced Chirurgion, Felix Wurtzius, which appeareth in the true form of an oyl, and will swim upon the top of water; that will much honour a Chirurgeon in curing malignant and despe∣rate ulcers.

Now for the medicaments prepared forth of it by common Chymistry, neither the Crocus for astrin∣gency, or staying fluxes, nor the Aperitive Crocus (as they call it) for opening obstructions, will perform half so much as they have been commended for. But I rather extol the Sal martis (if prepared by a careful and expert Chymist) then either of the two former; a Medicine that some of the most learned Physicians that England had, have much praised, and have gotten both profit and credit by it. And I am confi∣dent that those medicaments drawn forth of this Me∣tal, so extremely extolled by Basillus and Helmont,* were not had but by the help of their universal dissol∣vent or menstruum, though they do not openly declare as much. For the later of them saith thus. And that nothing doth so equally gloriously work upon the ra∣dical moysture, as the first ens or Being of Copper; nor that is more benigne, or beneficial to long life,
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then the sulphur of Vitriol, which notwithstanding doth indigitate the sulphur of the Philosophers. Com∣pare this with what we have before written concern∣ing the sulphur of Venus.

Lastly, Mars, though most vile in price, and de∣spised by reason of a numerous issue, notwithstanding is not reputed by Paracelsus, the last in a war-like na∣ture. Let this be seriously considered of, and exa∣mined.

CHAP. XXI. Of the description of Lead, its Ores, Mine, Con∣dition, and striking passages.
NOw we come to the softer Metals, of which Lead is the most soft of any that is in an hard and co∣agulated form (not to mention Quick-silver that is fluid) and is by the Latines called Plumbum nigrum, to distinguish it from Tin, which they called Plumbum album; and from Bismuth or Tin-glass, which they called Plumbum Cinereum, because of its colour. And many accounted these three sorts to be all but Lead, and so to differ but in some degrees, accidents, and the like: but omitting this opinion, we shall handle them as distinct Metals.

And this Metal which they called Plumbum nigrum, the Germans call simply Bley, and we Lead, without any other addition,* and of Rulandus is thus largely de∣scribed. Lead is a metallick body, livid, earthy, and
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ponderous, participating of a little whiteness, and hath much of an earthy substance, and is turned into Tin by lavation, or washing. From hence it is manifest that Tin is a certain thing more perfect then Lead. And Lead hath more of the substance of fixed sulphur to its composition then Tin hath. For Lead is an impure body, imperfect, procreated of Argent-vive, not fix∣ed, earthly, and feculent, a little white in appearance, but red in secret, and compounded of such a like adu∣stible sulphur in some part. It wants purity, fixation, colour, and ignition. And to this doth Eucelius agree word for word, as though Rulandus had transcribed it from him,* as in likelihood he did. Wormius descri∣beth it thus: Lead is an imperfect Metal, soft, livid, ponderous, not sustaining the fire long, infecting the hands of those that handle it with blackness, generated of much crude Mercury, and impure and foetid sul∣phur, and comes nearest unto Gold in weight and gra∣vity. And Caesalpinus saith:* For Lead doth imitate Gold in heaviness, and giveth forth no sound, therefore they call it mute. I desire those that have opportuni∣ty, exactly to try whether it come near to Gold in weight or not, for I much doubt of it.

It is not amiss here to give the differences betwixt white Lead, or Tin, Bismuth, Tin-glass, or ash-co∣loured Lead, and this common Lead, which they call black Lead; according as Agricola hath set them down:* who saith; The white Lead or Tin, before it be polished, doth shine much; but polished, much more; the ash-coloured much less, the black not at all. The white is more perfect and precious then the black, the ash-coloured holds the mean betwixt them. The black is most easily melted, and doth not long indure
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in the melting-pot, nor conserve its species, but is partly changed into that which we call the Spume of Silver, partly into that we call the foam of Lead, or Molybditis. The black is soft, and therefore most ea∣sily handled, and dilated with the hammer; the white is more hard, the ash coloured most hard of all. The white is tough, the black fragile, the ash-coloured most fragile of all. The black doth not give forth any sound, the ash-coloured doth sound, the white doth make a noise or crash. The white is light, the black is ponderous, the ash-coloured keeps a mean betwixt them. The vapour of Vinegar doth make Ce∣russ both of the white and black, being corroded. That white is made of the white, or of Tin, is called Spanish White, that which is made of the black, is called white Lead, or Ceruss. Also of the black being burned, or calcined, is made a sort of artificial Minium, some∣times of an high red colour, which we call red Lead; and sometimes of a lower yellowish red, which we call Calx Saturni. The white hath more of driness, the black more of moisture. Therefore of the ash-coloured and the white, without the mixture of the black, ves∣sels, or utensils can hardly be made; but with the mix∣ture of the black they may be made easily, as are many and sundry sorts, and all our common Pewter. There is also made of Tin by calcining, a Powder which the Artificers call Putty, of great and excellent use for bur∣nishing or polishing any instruments made of Iron, Steel, Copper, Brass, Glass, and the like. As also a very fine curious powder of a yellow colour, called Masticot,* of singular use for Painters. Also that which we commonly Litharguron; adding, because that some of it is of a white silver colour, and some of a
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more red-goldish colour, that it is Litharge (and that, to speak in English, is but stone-silver, or stone of sil∣ver) of Gold and Silver, when it is known to all expe∣rienced persons, that it is nothing of Gold or Silver, but onely the Lead, that in the separating of the Sil∣ver from it, is by the force of the fire, and the Bellows blown into, and (being cooled) hardened into those lumps like stones, and may all or the greatest part of it, be again melted down into Lead as it was before. Now we shall shew something what Basilius Valen∣tinus saith of this Metal,* its Ores, and the manner of their passages in the earth.

The Lead Ore (he saith) is wrought under that heavenly impression of the black and cold Saturn, by an undigested waterish Sulphur, impure Mercury and Salt. First, there is wrought generally a brittle glit∣tering Lead colour in that Ore, which is called Glass Ore (the Germans call it Glantz ertz, because being broken, it is smooth and shining, though Agricola re∣jects the reason of this appellation of his Countrymen; but without reason, for they call it not by this name because of its transparency, but because it is smooth, and shining, as that which we call Pottern Ore is) breaking in many rocks, containeth Gold and Silver, yields gross and lasting Mine-works. Some Lead-stones are very broad, because Glassie Ores are mixed with it, with flints, or marchasites, partly they are glassie, red-goldish, white-goldish, silvery, Copper-glassie, and of Copper. Some Lead Ores turn to a blue colour, mixed with a white transparency, like unto a shot Bolus; some is like unto the Stone-salt and Allom; some are of a dark green like unto green floats, which lie gritty in a yellow or Glue-coloured clay;
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some are of a brown black, some are yellow-red like Minium, some is pure and compact, some is insprin∣kled and moving, some is mixed with Iron, some with Silver and Lead, some are mixed with Marbles and Flowers, some breaks also upon standing and le∣vel moving passages, and some is wrought in pieces here and there in slate Mines, where black Lead lieth along through the whole Mine, some is Glassie in Lime-stones, and some is very rich of Silver in huge marble passages. There is a two-fold Marble; the silver passages have an earthly mixed gross marble, white, red-goldish, red-glassie, and ponderous. But the Lead passages have a subtile light, and glassie brit∣tle marble, which looks like the glass upon Gold Mine-works, is of a curious white glittering qua∣lity.

Lead Ore is wrought several ways, and the colour of it changeth after the manner of the Ores, especial∣ly in the sorts of Glass Ores. For if Saturn lieth below, or is in subjection unto others, then the Glass hath no power to bring Saturn unto Saturn, an imperfect mineral, which either is too hard or else untoward; and the Nodus of Venus is a Mispukel, or a mixture of Lead, and Silver, which is knitted very hard; but if soft, then it is Water-lead glass, of the which is found in Gold juices, and Tin Ores, a kind of Iron-glass, or Iron-mole, but is heavier and more brittle then Iron-glass, by reason of its terrestreity or earth∣liness, which keeps in the Metal, and is neither too soft nor too hard, and is glassie, white-goldish, red-goldish, and falls into the best metalline Ores. True Lead-glasses and Ores afford half, or the third part of Lead, mixed with some other Metal, and if one of the
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other Metals be found in the Glass, which keeps the predominancy, then Lead passages are simply good, and Lead is united with Gold, and these are mixed stones; for the Stones of Mine-Ores are more won∣derful in their singular accidents.

Thus is here the Lead also in its fall, and bleak, after the heavenly impression, which the Highest hath so indued, that it is subject to other Metals, and is the supreme Finer in the essential fruits of others. It easi∣ly mingleth naturally with other Metals, and the qua∣lities of other Ores, together with the leaves, bulk and roots, into other stones of Earth. And Saturn in his degree and power is the highest, in a singular divi∣sion of all his Works, in which he sheweth himself in a clarified transparent soul, runneth into Antimony with its sweetness, which should merely imbrace the Gold: This is done so, not without a cause, for in its ponderositie it yieldeth the lightest remedy to all me∣lancholy and heavy bloud. As heavenly Astrals are several, the clouds under them are of all sorts of co∣lours; so the one Lead is purer and more malleable then others, as that in England, and at Villach; it is seen in the Lead-stones also.

For Lead Ores which are mixed with other stones, especially with such as contain Silver, Iron, or Cop∣per, yield much of light stones and Lead work, which are pickt out for separating, and the rather if they be rich of Gold. Such worthy Metals there are in Hun∣gary; less pains are taken about them in their fining mineral flints with their unripe juices in the weak joynings of Lead Ore, unite the Saturnal Glass; if without any mixture, affords to Potters a green gla∣zure, if all be not melted into Lead: but if you get a
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brittle mixed flint, there the glass is half upon Iron, and such that are most pliable afford melting glass, for fi∣ning such sturdy wild Ore, which will not melt. Artists may prepare such Saturnal glass, mingling with it a small quantity of metalline flowers, which will look as fair as if it were a natural one. There may be extracted from Lead an effectual medicine for Mans health.

If slate Ores are found with another mixture, there are generated most fix and firm Copper, Vitriol and Calamy also, as they are at Goslar in Harlynia. The best Lead is in England, and at Villach.

Man cannot well be without any of his members; Metals according to Gods Ordinance are of the same quality, if Man knew to make good use of them; for Nature hath provided richly for him in that way: if men work these ignorantly, what utility can they have of them? Of the metalline Soul is made a chain which linketh together the junctures of Gold and Silver: these are indued with a special spirit, which is distilled into a Water, through a transparent head. Nature congealeth under ground in the passages such Water into Ice, for a sign that there is at hand a Vein of Lead, and Silver, or of pure Lead; and if there be a mixture of other Metal about it, it is the better.

The best Lead passages are such Waters, blue, scaly, Talky, slate stones and fluid streaked Marbles at length, or curled insprinkled ones, and not wrapt or wound about with moving passages, almost not un∣like unto Silver Ores. Some Lead Ores are of a white, scaly, Talk-slate, full of wild Granats, in which Lead Ore doth appear, which is rich of Silver.

If the Reader think we have been tedious in tran∣scribing so much forth of Basilius, he may very well
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believe it was not done without cause, neither in re∣spect of the common Miner, nor of the mystical Philosopher, for there is matter enough for them both, if they seriously weigh it, and can penetrate the depth of his meaning, which I commend to them both heedfully to ponder and judge of.

CHAP. XXII. Of the several sorts of Lead Ore, their Coats and Matrixes, and of Medicines prepared forth of this Metal, and of such things.
LEad hath such several sorts of Ores, and is account∣ed so base a Metal, that few Authors have given description of them. But we shall note such as we find, and add those several that our own Country yieldeth.*

Rulandus reckoneth these: 1. Lead Ore, of its own colour, but impure.

2. A vein of Lead among the Ubii, that is whitish like unto white Spar or Fluor, that is not pellucid.

3. A Vein of Lead that is like to transparent Spar, or Fluor, which is very rich; for forth of an hundred pound weight, they draw above sixty pound of Lead.

4. At Caldeborn, like unto ash-coloured Marle.

5. Like unto a white Sand-stone.

6. Like unto a metallick flint, in which little veins of live Sulphur appear, and forth of Poland mixt with native Oker.

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The experienced Ercker enumerateth these sorts.

*1. That which the Germans call Glantz ertz; and it is commonly called, or rendred Glass Ore, or Glas∣sie Ore, that is, that hath a fine shining gloss, and is smooth; not because it is transparent as Glass: and this is often rich, and holdeth more then half Lead.
2. Also a white Lead Ore, which they call wiess Bley ertz, like unto a Sand-stone.
3. Also a red Lead Ore, which they call Rot Bley ertz.
4. Also yellow Lead Ore, mixt with grey; also found in Pebbles, which they call Riess.
For the Ores of Lead that are gotten in England, they are very many and of divers sorts, Mr. Boyl reckons these, Frim Ore, Steel Ore, Pottern Ore, &c.

And I shall number up some of the sorts that I have either seen, or that I keep by me.

1. And first, That which the Workmen common∣ly call Potters Ore, because therewith (being beaten to powder) the Potters do glaze their pots, of a gree∣nish, pale blewish, or brownish colour: and this Ore is hard and brittle, of a fair shining glass or gloss, and is (as I conceive) the very same that the Germans call Glantz ertz, and is easie to be broken with the stroke of a stone, or hammer, and doth commonly break into smaller square pieces; wherefore some of our Miners do call it Dice Ore: and this is generally the most rich of Lead, and easie to be molten.
2. The Ore that they call Steel Ore, either of its blackish dark colour like Steel; or because of its hard∣ness, being more hard then any other sort of Lead Ore, and very ponderous, and sometimes containeth something of Silver in it, and is so hard to melt, that
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they are fain to mix two or three sorts of the softer Ore with it, to make it run, or melt the more easily, and this oft containeth store of Lead in it.
3. The Ore that they call Frim Ore, is that which is very brittle, and will almost crumble with the hand like a Sand-stone, of a whitish or grayish colour, and sometimes of other colours, and holdeth not so much of Lead as the former.
4. Soft-Ore, that is near the colour of Lead it self, and is far softer then any of the former; insomuch that sometimes in beating it bruiseth, and spreadeth abroad with the hammer, so that the Workmen are fain to mix much of the harder sorts with it, other∣wise they could not get it beaten small enough for their purpose; and this sort often containeth good store of Lead.
5. There is Ore of Lead that lieth insprinkled in Spar, Cauk, or grayish stones in small grains of a bright colour like silver, and yet containeth very little of that Metal in it, but holdeth very well of Lead; and of this sort there is very much gotten in these Nor∣thern parts, and so there is of all the other forts.
There is besides these named, which may have ma∣ny subdivisions, and are of exceeding great variety, a sort of Ore found in the Lead Mines, that looks well, and in appearance is like other Lead Ore, but yieldeth no Metal at all, but being mixt with good Ore, doth rather hurt and consume it. And this the Workmen (if they mean to melt their Ore themselves, and not sell it) pick forth, and separate it from the good Ore: but if they mean to sell the Ore when beaten and washed, then they beat and mix this with the good Ore, and oftentimes Spar or Cauk beaten with
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it, which this kind of barren Ore will in the washing colour of a leadish hue, and so doth augment it in bulk and weight; but then it yields not so much Lead in the fusion, as in proportion the Ore would do, if it were separated from it. And this kind of barren Ore our Miners commonly call blue Blindake, and I judge it to be the same that the Germans call Blend, which they say is barren, and containeth no Metal in it all.

Here it cannot be amiss to say something of that which we commonly call Black-Lead, because it dis∣coloureth the hands far more then common Lead, and is that whereof Pencils are made for Painters and Scriveners, and many other such like uses. In the North we usually call it Kellow, and some call it Wadt; of which there is still a Mine near Keswick in Cumberland, which is opened but once in eight or ten years; either by reason of its scarceness, or to keep up the price of it, of which learned Cambden saith thus: Here also is commonly found that mineral kind of earth,* or hardned glittering stone (we call it Black Lead) with which Painters use to draw their lines, and make Pictures of one colour in their first draught: which whether it be Pingitis or Melanteria, spoken of by Dioscorides, or Oker, a kind of earth so burnt with heat, that it becometh black; or whether it were un∣known to the old Writers, I cannot certainly aver, and let others for me search it out. But I am per∣suaded with Dr. Merret,* that the Ancients had no perfect knowledge of it, however they left us no clear description of it, nor no peculiar name for it, and therefore he not unfitly stiles it Nigrica fabrilis.

The Ores that are commonly gotten in these parts
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lie either dispersedly, which some call floats, some loose or shaken Ore; and this is for the most part in black bituminous earth, or in yellowish red clay (which some call the Brown Hen, and then say her blue Chickens are not far off) Marle, and among small stone; or in a continued course, or line, which some call strings, some veins, which commonly lead to a greater stock or trunck; and these are enclosed sometimes in one sort of Coat or Matrix, and some in another.* In Darbyshire these commonly lye near the Lead, Cauk, Bastard Cauk, Black Chert, Wheat∣stone, Sheaf. In these Parts most usually in Spar, or in Cauk, or in Flints, Slates, and other kind of Stones of divers colours, but most what of a grey or ash-co∣lour. The Spar is something transparent, the Cauk not so, but more ponderous, and both help the fluxing of the Ore.

For Spars which the Latines call Fluores, the Ger∣mans Flusse, they are Stones found in the Mines like unto Gems,* but less hard. The Miners call them Fluores, because with the heat of the fire, as Ice by the Sun, they melt and flow. And they are the rudi∣ments of Gems, and the like, and are of these sorts.

1. Of a Red colour, and seem at the first view crude red silver Ore, although this be sometimes trans∣lucid. They look also like Carbuncles, but though perspicuous they shine more faintly. And those that are not transparent, are by that distinguished from Carbuncles; but the Fluores or Spars, as soon as they feel the fire they flow; but Carbuncles will not melt with the fire.
2. Of a dilute purple colour. They look like the more greenish Amethysts, such as are found in many
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places in Bohemia, and are not very much unlike them; and therefore many are deluded by them.
3. Of a white colour like Crystal.
4. Of a yellow colour like a Topaz.
5. Of an ash-colour.
6. Of a very black colour.
And of all these sorts, and some more, he reckoneth many diversities and differences both in colour and figures. To whom and Wormius we refer the Reader.

As for Spars or Fluores either transparent or not, I shall recite some sorts, such as I have in my custody.

1. And first I have divers sorts that are white, and very transparent, like the coarser sort of Crystal, and in some of them the Rudiments, as it were, of Dia∣monds growing in them, finely angled, and more bright then the Spar in which they seem to grow.
2. I have some that is black as Jett, with fine an∣gled and pointed Diamonds, (if I may so call them) of the same colour, that notwithstanding the black∣ness, will against the light shew a kind of lustre, or resplendency.
3. I have Spar purely transparent, that is of a fair blue sky-colour, very delightful to the eye.
4. And some of the very colour of the Amethyst, that if polished, and set in Rings with a right soyl or water, were able to deceive a very skilful Lapidary.
Now though we have spoken something before concerning Gur, that is a peculiar mineral juyce, and lit∣tle know nor enquired after; we shall here add some∣thing concerning the Medulla lapidis, or Lapidea, which the Germans call Stein marck; some of which is a∣greeable to the Gur, or of its nature, and some of a dif∣ferent temper; of which sorts Rulandus reciteth these.

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1. Of a white and fluid kind, which was found in the Rocks of Torgense.
2. A sort that is white and fatty, found in the same place.
3. A white metallick matter growing in the Veins of silver, which when it is first taken forth, it is in co∣lour like liquid Cheese, but forthwith in the air it waxeth hard, so as notwithstanding, being holden in the mouth, it melteth like butter.
4. A sort that is a metallick substance most white, fat, and soft, found in the Iron Mines of Sachsenfield; and in touch not unlike to that which is called Soap-stone or Earth.
5. A red soft matter, found in the Mines of Roch∣license, which they use with great profit, in stead of Bole of Armenia.
Lastly, As for Medicaments prepared forth of Lead, there are some store used in Chirurgery, as Litharge of both sorts, Ceruss, Red Lead, Plumbum Ustum, and the like, which are common and vulgar.

For Medicaments prepared forth of Lead by com∣mon Chymistry, I know none of any value, (an• that by the opinion of the most of them, except Hartman, not to be taken inwardly) is that which they call Sac∣charum Saturni, which I confess in inflammations and the like distempers, will do very handsom and com∣mendable things. But yet if we will believe Ripley, Lully, and some others, we might be induced to be∣lieve that in this Metal there are contained far more noble secrets and Medicines: For Lully tells us this in few words.*Scire debes quod ex plumbo Philosopho∣rum ex•rahitur oleum quoddam aurei coloris, vel quasi, cum quosi lapidem mineralem, vel mixtum, vel anima∣lem
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post fixionem primam solveris tribus vel quatuor diebus, vel vicibus, excusabit te ab omni labore solutio∣num, & coagulationum. Ratio est, quia hoc est oleum occulium, quod facit medicinam penetrabilim, & ami∣cabilem, & conjungibilem omnibus corporibus, & aug∣mentat ejus effectum ultra modum sic, quod in mundo hoc, secretius eo non est. But there is a learned French Author (who for some reasons we shall not name) that describeth the drawing of an Oyl of extraordina∣ry vertue forth of this Metal, and giveth Lully's words in a shorter sense thus. Ex plumbo nigro extrahitur oleum Philosophorum aurei coloris vel quasi, & scias quod in mundo nihil secretius est eo. This is enough for those that do, or can understand, and therefore we shall add no exposition. And Ripley saith thus;

*An Oyl is drawn out in colour of Gold,
Or like thereto, out of our fine Red Lead.
Which Raymond said, when he was old,
Much more than Gold would stand him in stead.
For when he was for age nigh dead,
He made thereof Aurum potabile,
Which him revived, as men might see.
Compare this with the Latine quoted by the aforesaid French Author, and with the Latine set forth by Com∣bachius, and some passages in Ripley's Medulla, and then (perhaps) the truth may be more apparent. But that we may sharpen the appetite of the studious sear∣chers into the secrets of mystical Chymistry, we must affirm that neither the ancient Poets nor Philo∣sophers did speak such great things of Saturn and his off spring, without just and great cause, whatsoever
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the most censorious Critick may say to the contrary; and the reasons are sufficiently known to the Secreta∣ries of Nature, and for others they may be as well contented with the Husk as the Kernel. And that I may put those that are inquisitive into a more serious search in this particular, I shall commend unto them one Stanza of that which speaks Sir Edward Kelley a learned Adeptist, and not such a person as Weaver in his Funeral Acts and Monuments would personate him to be, mistaking the one born in Worcestershire, for the other born in Lancashire, and hardly to be reconciled by any near touch of Chronology, nor other circumstances; who after he hath spoken can∣didly enough to the Sons of Art, saith thus:
Remember also how the gods began,*
And by descent who was to each the Sire,
Then learn their Lines and Kingdoms if you can,
Their manners eke, with all their whole attire.
Which if thou do, and know to what effect,
The learned Sophies will thee not reject.
But to knit up this discourse (which some may de∣ride, which we shall leave to their own extravagant fancies) we shall give you the testimony of two emi∣nent persons, of the secrets contained in this Metal. And first that of Paracelsus,* who though a dark Au∣thor (as many account him) yet few come more close to the mark, whose words are these, where he maketh Saturn speak of himself: Mundo minime foret utile, si cognosceret, aut saltem crederet, quidnam in me lateat, efficere que possim: utilius foret, si mecum id, quod pos∣sum facere calleret: Alchymistarum artes omnes dese∣rens,
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hoc solo, quod in me est, & per me fieri potest, uteretur.

*Lastly, to bring up the Rear, as a most stout Cham∣pion, we shall give the witness of the experienced Adeptist Helmon•; who having shewed the difficulty to obtain medicaments forth of Gold, Silver, common Mercury, saith thus: Sunt ergo praeterea quatuor Me∣talla, quae facilius ductui, & optatui artificum parent. Adeo ut non frustra Paracelsus glorietur, solo plumbo, forte ducentas morborum Classes superari posse.

CHAP. XXIII. Of the description of Tin, of its Ores, Operation, Stocks, Floats, Fallings, and striking Passages, and the like.
IT seems that betwixt the Stannum or Tin of the Ancients, and that which later Authors call Plum∣bum album, White Lead, which now is taken to be our common Tin, there are many that have made a difference. But if there were any such thing, it is now unknown, therefore we shall say nothing of it, but proceed to that which is commonly known by that name,* which Wormius thus describeth. Tin is an imperfect Metal, soft, and consisting of a plentiful Mercury, less fixed, and of a white impure Sulphur; of more difficult fusion then Lead, scarcely contract∣ing rust, and will ring, or make a sound.

Rulandus thus, Tin is a metallick body, white, not
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pure,* livid, participating of little earthliness, of Ar∣gent-vive, pure fixt, and not fixt, clear and white in its outside, and red in its inside, and of such a sulphur, it onely wants decoction or digestion.

Basilius writeth thus of it.* Tin Ore is wrought in a Sand-stone, having its influence from Iupiter above, wrought of a dark brown purple coloured, grayish, black, shining mercurial salt, and some sulphur mixed with it, interlined with an unkind gross sulphureous fume; all these incorporate together, making the bo∣dy of Tin. This unkind fume is the cause of the brit∣tleness of Tin, and maketh all other Metals that are melted with it, unkind and brittle. This Tin or Quit∣ter groweth or breaketh in a threefold manner, viz. it slideth, it is full of fumes, and it groweth in pieces. It hath a threefold wildness also, as Shoal, Flint, and Iron-mold, which causeth Lead-works. Their co∣lours are black slate, brown, and yellow. These Sand and Quitter Ores, are environed or inclosed in mighty broad standing passages, which appear to the day with Quitters: some contain also rich paint-work, some of these flints must be calcined, some are mixed with store of Talk and Cat-silver, which is a food un∣to Quitter, and loveth to stay there; some there are which groweth in a Glimmer, or Cat-silver, and is Iron-mold; others also do strike in a Fire-stone or Flint, so that fire must be applied thereunto, others are in a soft stone, and as it were swimming along: some are richer then others. That which groweth pure, and in black small stones, and heapeth together that natural work, that giveth the greatest gain. And because Iupiter is the potent Lord of it, therefore it hath a mighty Throne and seat, that is, a mighty huge
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Mine-Ore, out of which Tin is made by heaps, and is of that nature and property, that it presseth outward, and blossometh to the day, thrusteth off Soap-work, whence come the wash-works of Tin-Soap. For Quitter doth not grow in the sand of Earth, besides in its body it is removed further from the seat of its Throne to the Foot-stool, maketh for it self a two-fold dominion; in one it bordereth, and reacheth to slates, and other stones that lie about it, insomuch that his dominion increaseth; in which is not a little, but much on the blue stones, fallings, floats, passages, shoals, and clifts, which incline one upon another, and do joyn. Many times a mighty Tin-stone is wrought, which sinketh down among its own cinder and slate, and at its sinking purgeth it self, and there come other fumes like clouds, which at all sides shoot into, and then breaketh again as good as ever it did before; and it is of that good condition, that it despiseth no lodging, nor passeth by any; but as poor and as despi∣cable the stone is in that place, be it red, brown, fresh, or stale, broad or small, it will press into, and mingle it self with it, and will not be forced out of it, making it self great, little, gross, mild, tame, subtile, and pliable, even as the rest will have it, and all this in a natural way. It loveth to border upon Silver, and Iron-stone, that Tin and Iron be united in a mighty fixt Silver and Copper Ore; all which are found at their several marks. Tin Ore is in this place better and malleable; if found afar off from flint-passages, and are less mingled with Iron-mold, especially of Copper-stones, which in calcining can hardly be separated, proves Lead work, without any fair glass. Some of it is so mild and soft, that
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when they are cleared, and calcined, still lose some∣thing; for flints and sulphureous matters which are volatile, and cannot indure any great heat, corrode somewhat of the metalline Tin, which appeareth by the white thick fume, at the calcining. They are calcined thus hard by reason of Bake-Iron, else they might yield as much again, for they lose extreamly in calcining. It is strange to some why they shrink together to so small a quantity, being they get a grea∣ter quantity of Lead, with good Qwitter, at first brought out of the Mine.

As for the several sorts of Tin Ore, I find little mention of them in Authors,* onely Doctor Merrett saith that the Mine-men in Cornwal and Devonshire do distinguish their Tin into that which they call Py∣ran, Murdick, and Block Tin, and that they call their Tin-stones Shoad.* And the learned Mr. Boyl doth tell us, that store of excellent Tin is said to be found in some parts of Cornwal, at the sides, and in the channels of running waters, in grains like Sand or Gravel, which they call Corn-Tin.

Now for the Tin Mines in Cornwal and Devonshire, which have been so ancient, that it may well be an ar∣gument that Nature neither decays, nor that Minerals cease to grow,* take what learned Camden saith in these words. The Inhabitants do discover these Mines by certain Tin stones lying on the face of the ground, which they call Shoad, being somewhat smooth, and round. Of these Mines or Tin•Works, there be two kinds, the one they call Load-Works, the other Steam-Works. This lieth in lower grounds, when by trench∣ing they follow the Veins of Tin, and turn aside now and then the streams of water coming in their way:
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That other is in higher places, when as upon the hills they dig very deep pits, which they call Shafts, and do undermine. And a little after he saith, There are two sorts of Tin, Black Tin, which is Tin Ore broken and washed, but not yet founded into Metal, and white Tin that is molten into Metal; and that is either soft Tin which is best Merchantable, or hard Tin less Merchantable. And again: That the ancient Britans practised these Tin-works (to omit Timaeus the Historian in Pliny, who reporteth, that the Britans fetched Tin out of the Isle Icta in Wicker Boats, covered and stitched about with Leather) ap∣peareth for certain out of Diodorus Siculus, who flou∣rished under Augustus Caesar. For he writeth, that the Britains who inhabited this part, digged Tin out of stony ground, and at a low Water carried the same in Carts to certain Islands adjoyning.

Now I shall give the Reader such informations as I received from one Thomas Creber of Plimpton St. Ma∣ry in Devonshire, who was one (and all his Ancestors before him) that had wrought in the Tin-mines; and these particulars I had from him.

1. The Hills where they get Tin Ore, near that place where he lived, are called Yelsborrow and Woollack.

2. Black stones that hold Tin, they call Tin-stones, and lie either in a load, or in a string.

3. There is other Tin Ore that is softer, and lies in a dun stone, and is of a yellowish colour, but will melt neer both alike.

4. Pure Ore, which they call Corn Tin, being found in grains, and is the hardest to melt.

5. Another place they call Armed Pit, which holds
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Ore they call Zill Tin, which is as small as Grit or Sand, and needeth nothing but washing, and is the most easily melted of all other sorts of Tin Ore, and lieth in Chalk and Clay; and this small Ore, because it is rich, they call it fatty Ore.

6. The black stones, if they find them at the top, do continue in the whole Mine or Work. Sometimes it is in that they call strings, running through earth, or stones, like small twigs or strings: and sometimes it is all in one, like a great branch or trunk, which they call a Lode. Sometimes it runneth in Spar, some∣times in a black stone that will strike fire, sometimes in white stones that are soft.

7. Their smelting houses roofs, after certain years they pull down, and find store of Ore in that stuff, that in their former meltings was forced from the fire.

8. The Corn Ore is found at the bottom of the Hills, being there digged into, and lieth sometimes in one sort of earth, and sometimes in another. And the Zill Ore is found in the same order.

9. The uppermost part of their Work they call Cooping; and if it be good or rich, the Lode or Strings underneath are good: If bad or indifferent, those un∣derneath, are sometime good, and sometime bad.

10. They call that part of the mineral, that is found washed down, or otherwise brought down into the Valleys, Shoad.

11. They have a thing they call Mundick, some∣times found in the Ore, which they separate lest it should spoil the Ore; some of it is yellow, which is the worst, and sometimes of other colours: and the Mundick after smelting the Ore,* is blackish and hard. Of it Mr. Boyl saith thus. Mundick I have had of a
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fine golden colour; but though it be affirmed to hold no Metal; yet I found it in weight, and otherwise, to differ from Marchasites, and the Mine men think it of a poysonous nature.

12. They have a thing they call Maxy, mixt with the Ore, which cannot be separated by the water, but by the fire, and then smells very ill, and is of a blewish colour.

13. Lastly, They also find something like bright Ore, which they call Shim.

And thus much of this Metal, seeing there is no need to speak of any Medicaments prepared forth of it, because I have not had experience of any such.

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CHAP. XXIV. Of the several sorts of Mercuries according to the Mystical Philosophers, or Adeptists.
THough I may be censured variously by several sorts of men for intermeddling in such a my∣sterious and high a subject as this Chapter importeth; yet without valuing them, I shall lay open some things that have not been much noted, or understood by many that think themselves sufficiently knowing in these matters, and leave them to those, that with me do understand the Authors from whom I have these things I now treat of; being assured that these things are not for those that are led by fansie and opination, but for those that are understanding, and the genuine Sons of Hermes. I find in the heedful and diligent search of the Writings of that profoundly learned, and experienced person Paracelsus (absit invidia verbis) that he understood four several sorts of Mercuries, which we shall rank in this order, and so handle them.

1. There is the Mercury of the Philosophers, which is a thing in a various sense, Mercurio vulgi commu∣nius.

2. There is that which he calleth Mercurius Cor∣poris, which is made astraliter by the Tincture forth of another Metal, as when Lead, Tin, or Copper is transmuted into true running common Mercury, or Quicksilver;* or it may be (as Libanius recordeth of Kelley) that common Gold is changed into Quick∣silver;
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of which he thus speaketh. Sic etiam Mer∣curius Corporis è metallo alio factus astraliter, multo nobilior, & fixior est Mercurio communi.

3. There is Mercurius Metallicus, or Corporalis, that is extracted, drawn and separated from the perfect or imperfect Metals; as is that mercurial part of Copper mentioned by Helmont, after the external and combustible sulphur be separated from it, which may be reduced into a white and anonymous Metal; and this not to be had but by the help of the Alkahest.

4. The vulgar Mercury, or common Quick∣silver.

And of two of these we shall speak, to wit, of the Philosophers Mercury, and of common Quicksilver.

[ 1] 1. Concerning the Philosophers Mercury, we would admonish the studious searcher after Natures Secrets, that these kind of Authors did not write to such ends and purposes as the most of other Authors did, plainly and openly to reveal their Art; for it was not lawful for them so to do, and that for weighty reasons known to themselves, and not fit to be divul∣ged. But to declare the truth in riddles and parables;* therefore let them take this rule from a learned Au∣thor, who saith thus: Let a Lover of Truth make use of a few Authors, but of best note, and experienced Truth; let him suspect things that are quickly under∣stood, especially in mystical names and secret opera∣tions; for truth lies hid in obscurity, nor do Philoso∣phers ever write more deceitfully, then when plainly, nor ever more truly then when obscurely. And therefore Geber tells us, Ubicunque aperte locuti su∣mus, ibi nihil diximus, sed ubi sub Aenigmate aliquid posuimus, & figuris, ibi veritatem occultabimus. Again,
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Let the studious Reader diligently mark, in what points they agree in, for there necessarily the truth is to be found, for Concord is the strongest evi∣dence, and Truth consists onely in unity.* For Trevi∣san saith, Consideravi potius quibus locis, libri maxime convenirent in eundem sensum, ibidem existimavi latere potissimum veritatem, quae non potest in pluribus, sed in uno tantum existere: hac viâ mihi fact a est obviam veritas: In quibus enim maxime convenire videbam in unum, hoc ipsum fuit, quod tam anxie quaesieram. Lastly, observe this. Let the studious Reader have a care of the manifold signification of words; for by deceitful winding, and doubtful, yea, contrary spee∣ches (as it should seem) Philosophers vent their my∣steries, with a desire of keeping and hiding, not sophi∣sticating or destroying the truth.* And in nothing have they been more dark and obscure, then about this that they call their Mercury, which they have made manifold; four sorts of which we shall onely handle.

1. They do sometimes call perfect Elixir, and co∣louring medicine their Mercury (though with some impropriety, as to other appellations of it, being per∣fectly fixt, and not volatile) because of the likeness and great conformity it hath with heavenly Mercury, or with the Planet so called, which accommodateth it self, to the nature and quality of every thing it is joyned withal. The like this uncertain Elixir wor∣keth, for that being tied to no proper quality, it im∣braceth the quality and disposition of the thing where∣with it is mixed, and wonderfully multiplieth the ver∣tues and qualities thereof. And in this sense for the most part the Philosophers understand it, and not in
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respect of common Mercury, or its volatility. For Sendivogius saith thus:*Dicitur Mercurius propter ejus fluxibilitatem, & uniuscujusque rei conjunctionem, non propter essentiam, assimilatur sulphuri propter in∣ternum calorem, & post congelationem est humidum ra∣dicale. For the Philosophers Sulphur or Tincture before Fermentation is (in this sense) truly mercurial and universal; but after it be fermented, that univer∣sality is determined, and specificated according to the nature of the Metal with which it is fermented, and so it is no more an universal,* but a particular. Et ante fermentationem tamen est catholica ac universalis vere, & in omnia sublunaria agit universaliter, & ca∣tholice. Post fermentationem autem est specificata ad naturam metallicam. And again; Et est vere univer∣salis ante fermentationem, post eam specifica.

2. There is another matter which they call their Mercury, which is the most universal that is in nature, and forth of which in the first creation all specificated bodies were produced, and still continueth both the efficient and material cause, and matter of all gene∣rations, and productions, and this they called Hyle or Chaos, and Raymund Lully the genus generalissi∣mum of all things. And doubtless was no other then Aristotles materia prima, fift Essence, or fift Element, which few of his Interpreters understood, and many others derided, as though because they did not know it, therefore others did not: when indeed that lear∣ned Graecian understood much, that in his Writings he opened but darkly, and therefore however the proud and ignorant may scoff and jeer, we do affirm that there is such a matter in rerum natura: though in some respects it be a truth, that it is, neque quantum,
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neque quale, neque quid, neque quicquid eorum, quae cernuntur; and this the ancient Sages knew and un∣derstood well enough, and sometimes called it Anima Mundi, or Spiritus Catholicus, and by many other such like names. And it is of this that the learned Lord of Nuysement epitomized by Combachius, writ that learned Treatise,*De vero Sale secreto Philosophorum, & de universali mundi spiritu: who saith in one place thus; Ego vero tracto de materia universali nondum specificata, quae proprie materia prima hujus materiae primae metallicae appellari potest, tanquam generalissi∣mum genus generum, à Raymundo Lullio adeo celebra∣tum. And as the Philosophers did understand this to be the first true matter of all things, so they had an universal matter that was mineral, from whence all Metals did spring and arise; so that by allusion and comparison, they often expressed the nature of the one by the other; which many (and they very learned too) not discerning the confounding of these two together, have often taken the one for the other, and so have both been deceived, and also deceived others; of which thing learned Ripley giveth us this caution:

In the beginning when thou madst all of nought,*
A Globous matter, and dark under confusion
By the beginner marvellously was wrought,
Containing naturally all things without division,
Of which thou madst in six days dear distinction.
As Genesis aperily doth record,
Then Heaven and Earth perfected were with thy Word.
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So thorow thy will and power out of one mass
Confused, was made all things that being is;
But in thy glory afore as Maker thou was,
Now is, and shall be without end I wiss;
And purified souls up to thy bliss
Shall come a principle, this may be one,
For the declaring of our Stone.
For as of one Mass was made all thing,
Right so must it in our practice be;
All our secrets of one Image must spring,
In Philosophers books therefore, who lust to see,
Our Stone is called the less World, one, and three.
Magnesia also of Sulphur and Mercury,
Proportionate by nature most perfectly.
Here the careful Reader may observe, not onely the description of this matter that he calleth Globous, known, and understood of so few, as also the compa∣rison of it, to the matter of their great Stone.
3. The matter forth of which they prepare their artificial Water, they call their Mercury; which thing Nature hath produced ready for the Artist to begin his work withal. And though it be conversant before the eyes of all the World, and be a common known despicable matter, yet it is one of their greatest secrets, which they have most hid and veiled, and the most difficult for an Artist to know, that this is the true subject that he must begin to work upon. But when it is truly known, men will rather wonder why they knew it no sooner, then at their knowing of it after they do understand it; for the Ancients have declared the proper marks and tokens so fully, that
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hardly can it be done more largely, except they should in plain and vulgar words have named it, and said this is it: which hath caused divers of the later Adeptists the more to obscure it, and to put their Readers into the greatest dubitation about it. This is it that they have called their metallick seed (and indeed is really so) and have given it so many various names and de∣scriptions, according to its furthest, midd, or near na∣ture, that without divine assistance, or a faithful Ma∣ster, it is hardly to be comprehended, or known. Therefore Sendivogius tells us,*Semen Metallorum vel minerale creat natura in visceribus terrae, propterea non creditur tale semen esse in rerum natura, quia invisibile est. And,*Minerale semen à Philosophis co∣gnoscitur. And again, Semen Metallorum tantum fi∣lii doctrinae noverunt. And Combachius saith, Metal∣la similiter suum habent semen, sed hoc videri non po∣test nisi a ver is Philosophis, qui illud ex subjecto suo pro∣prio magna industria ex•rahere norunt, quanquam illud etiam facilius ratione concipi, quam corporis oculis vi∣deri possit. Here if thou understand, I have said e∣nough; if thou dost not, I have said too much.

4. The last sort of their Mercuries that we shall name▪ is that which by the Artist is prepared forth of their true and proper matter, and is as Lully often tells us, never left prepared by nature, but must be made by the Artist.* And of this, thus Sendivogius speaketh in his practice: Sed hoc admonitus sis, ne accipias au∣rum & argentum vulgi, nam haec sunt mortua, accipe nostra quae sunt viva, postea pone in ignem nostrum, & siet inde liquor siccus; primum resolvetur terra in a∣quam, quae Mercurius Philosophorum dicitur, & illa aqua resolvit illa corpora solis & lunae, & consumit ea
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ut non remaneat nisi pars decima, cum una parte, & hoc erit humidum radicale metallicum. From whence note:

1. That first they have that which he calleth their Fire, into which their Sol and Luna are put, and this their Fire is a Water; for their Water is a Fire, and calcineth the bodies of Sol and Luna more then com∣mon Fire can do; according to their maxim, Vul∣gus cremat per ignem, nos per aquam; and this is that Water which Helmont calleth ignis Gehennae, and ignis∣aqua, which he calls an immortal and immutable li∣quor, and is (notwithstanding the opinions of all men to the contrary) the very same that he and Paracelsus call their Alkahest, and was that very Water by which Helmont and Raymund Lully fixed common Mercury, and is by Lully called Aqua Coelica, Aqua Lunaria, Menstruum vegetabile universale, and Aquaignis.
2. To note that their Sol and Luna are not the Gold and Silver of the Vulgar, for they say aurum nostrum non est aurum vulgi, neque in colore, neque in sub∣stantia.
3. That after their earth be dissolved in their Fire or Water, then it is called the Mercury of the Philo∣sophers, and so doth but at the best differ gradually when the earth is dissolved in it, from the Fire or Wa∣ter that did dissolve their earth.
4. That this Water doth dissolve those bodies of Sol and Luna, and consume them, and then it is humi∣dum radicale metallicum.
5. Observe that in saying there remaineth but the tenth part with one part, he truely teacheth the pro∣portion of the earth and water in this conjunction, if thou canst rightly understand him.
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Lastly,* He tells us of this Water thus much in ano∣ther place. Et hoc vobis dico, quod opus est rem quae∣rere aliquam, quae occulta est, ex qua fit (miro modo) talis humiditas, quae aurum sine violentia seu strepitu solvit, imo ita suaviter & naturaliter, sicuti glacies aquae calidae beneficio liquescit, si hoc invenistis, habetis rem, ex qua aurum à natura productum est: Et quam∣vis omnia metalla, & res omnes ex illa ortum habeant, nil tamen ita amicatur ei, sicut aurum, nam aliis rebus adharet impuritas, auro autem nulla, propierea instar matris est ipsi. Compare this with the former, and seriously consider of it, for there is much hidden and couched in it.
From whence we may consider the reasons why they use this propriety in calling all these Mercuries theirs, or Mercuries of the Philosophers; and those chiefly we conceive to be these two following:

1. The most of these (or at least two of them) are called theirs, because Nature hath not brought them forth in that perfection that the Philosophers desire and stand in need of. But it is the Philosophers Skill, Art, and Industry, that exalts them to this prehemi∣nence, which Nature had not contributed unto them, and therefore are truly and properly called theirs, for none but true Philosophers indeed can bring them to that height of perfection.
2. The other universal Mercury or Hyle, hath not its vertues and excellencies known to any but to true Philosophers, who well understand the nature and qualities of it. And that other Mercury which Na∣ture produceth of it self without Art, and is the prin∣cipal matter, and seed of which Metals are generated in the bowels of the earth, they also call (as they do
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many other things) theirs; and that because though it be commonly known, and be to be had; yet none but true Philosophers know the hidden, and secret vertues thereof (though it be conversant before the eyes of all the World) nor that it is the seed from whence Metals are produced.
But notwithstanding all this that hath been said, there are many so wedded to the great Opinion that they have of common Mercury, that either they be∣lieve that it is that true seed of Metal the Philosophers speak of; or at least that forth of it the Philosophers Mercury may be made; both of which are clear wide from the mark:* For Sendivogius tells us plainly in these words, Et quamvis corpus metallorum, ex mer∣curio sit procreatum, quod de mercurio Philosophorum intelligi debet, tamen hi non sunt audiendi, qui putant mercurium vulgi, semen esse metallorum, & ita corpus loco s•minis accipiunt, non considerantes, quod & di∣ctus vulgi mercurius, suum in se habeat semen. There∣fore to put this forth of doubt, we shall give the diffe∣rences of the Philosophers Mercury, from common Argent vive, forth of their own mouths.

1. The Mercury of the Philosophers is a meer pro∣duct of Art forth of a fit natural subject, and is never to be had but by the assistance of Art. But common Quicksilver is a product of Nature without the help of Art; for there is much of it found in its own form, which the Workmen call Virgin Mercury.

2. The Chymical Fountain, or Philosophers Mer∣cury, doth produce all things, and vivisie all things; and on the contrary, it destroyeth all things, corrupt∣eth all things, and worketh all other things that con∣cern life and death; but so doth not common Mercury.

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3. The Chymical Fountain is fiery and hot, but common Argent vive is cold and moist.

4. The Chymical Fountain with the most easie di∣stillation is changed into a spirit, and a volatile body. But the common Argent vive is all spirit, and in di∣stillation is not changed into a watery spirit, but ascen∣deth corporally, no whit changed from it self.

5. The spirit drawn from the Chymical Fountain, is fiery, and pontick, and so penetrating and subtile, that it also dissolveth Metals, and being so dissolved, doth deliver them to death. But common Argent vive cannot be converted into a watery, pontick spirit by distillation, nor kill or destroy the Metals, but only hides them in its belly, and doth vomit them up a∣gain, by separating it self from them, with any easie heat.

6. The Chymical Fountain doth dissolve it self, and congeal it self, and perfect it self, without any other thing added unto it. But common Quicksilver doth not dissolve it self, unless it be dissolved of ano∣ther; nor congeal it self, nor by any means perfect it self.

7. The Chymical Fountain hath in its belly and inward parts, salt fixed, red, and white, yea it is to∣tally salt, and springeth and ariseth forth of a saline den. But common Argent vive is nothing else but a running Metal, movable, and slippery.

8. The Chymical Fountain hath Sol and Luna in the nearest power, and with only simple coction, they are reduced into the ultimate act: which we can bring forth of common Argent vive by no kind of Artifice.

9. Of the Chymical Fountain, without any thing
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added to it, is made the Elixir, and true Philosophick Tincture: which by no means we can obtain from common Argent vive.

10. The Chymical Fountain hath in it self in the nearest power all Metals, seeing it is the immediate, and next seed, forth of which they are generated and compounded. And it is the father, efficient, and material cause, out of which common Quicksilver is produced, which cannot be said of the other.

11. The Chymical Fountain doth compound pre∣cious stones in the bowels of the earth, and all those others which Nature hideth in her bosom, by the con∣gelation, and coagulation of the Fountain into stones, which we cannot say of vulgar Mercury. Hydrogr. Spag. Pet. Fabr. l. 3. c. 12.

13. Vulgar Mercury doth not so dissolve Gold and Silver, that it never can again be separated from them. But the Philosophers Argent vive doth so dis∣solve Gold and Silver, that it is never again separated from them, but is as water commixt with water.

13. Vulgar Mercury hath combustible and evil sulphur, with which it is made black. But the Philo∣sophers Argent vive hath in it self sulphur incombusti∣ble, fixt, good, white, and red.

14. Vulgar Mercury doth make bodies black, and staineth them. But the Philosophers Mercury doth make bodies white as Crystal.

15. Vulgar Mercury by praecipitation is turned in∣to a Citrine or red powder, and an evil sulphur. But the Philosophers Mercury by virtue of heat, is chan∣ged into most white sulphur, good fixt, and fluxible.

16. Vulgar Mercury, by how much more it is de∣cocted, by so much the more it is made volatile, and
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fluxible. But the Philosophers Mercury by how much it is more decocted, by so much more it is thickned, and made fixt. Sendivog. Tract. de Sulphur. & de tri∣bus principiis.

These are the differences that these two Authors quoted have given of the differences of common Mer∣cury, and that of the Philosophers, but indeed are so full of equivocations and evasions, one while mean∣ing their Elixir, another while the catholick Mercury or Hyle, sometimes their artificial Mercury, and but seldom, if at all, the matter out of which they prepare their own Mercury, or universal liquor. So that they may well buzzle the brains of a person reasonably well versed in their terms, and Art. But to be a lit∣tle more candid, we shall shew some agreements be∣twixt the matter of which they prepare their Mercury and common Quicksilver, that the doubt of their being both one, may be put forth of all scruple.

1. Their matter, and vulgar Mercury agree in this, that they are both of a mineral and metallick root and principle.

2. They differ in this, the Philosophers matter is the true root, seed, and principle of all other Metals, as is known by observation and experience; but vul∣gar Mercury is not the seed nor root of Metals, nor ever was known to grow, or change by nature into a more perfect Metal.

3. The Philosophers matter is no one of the vul∣garly known Metals, but is rather omnia metalla, and the true Lunary and Solary Tree; but common Mer∣cury hath ever been taken for one of the vulgar Metals, and is no true Electrum, nor hath plurality in it at all.

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4. The Philosophers matter is a thing that is far more common then common Mercury, and is never so well apparelled, nor so specious to the eye, as is common Quicksilver.

5. That it is threefold both in Name and Nature, and yet is but of one and the same root, and so is not common Quicksilver.

6. That it hath both fixt and volatile parts, and so hath not Quicksilver.

[ 2] 2. We come now to the second main point that we proposed in this Chapter; to wit, to the considera∣tions of common Quicksilver, as some have given it forth; and herein we must propose something from Paracelsus that is singular, and (that we know of) not mentioned by any other Author; which is this.

He saith that Mercury containeth in it self three bodies.*

1. The first is that out of which it is generated, be∣fore it perfectly be that which it ought to be.
2. The second is that which it is.
3. The third is that unto which it may be prepared by Art.
1. The first (he saith) is to be taken in its Mineral, and Ore, while it flowereth, and is to be prepared so as the Art of preparing Mercury doth command.

2. The second requireth that the Ore be separated from the Mercury by the artifice of fire.

3. The third is, that the same Mercury be prepa∣red into the form of an adust, or burnt Metal.

In another place he tells us almost the same thing;* Mercury, he saith, is concluded with three bodies.

1. First, As it is in its Mineral, or Ore, with its bloud, and is to be as Mercury prepared by Art.
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2. Secondly, the Body separated from the Ore, is to be purged by fire.
3. But that the third body is that when it is reduced into an adust Metal.
Now for the two last we shall speak of them here∣after, onely here we shall say something of the first, which seemeth a strange matter; for he seemeth to shew that the Ore of Quicksilver may be found and had in its Mine, when it is in its flower, and before it be hardened into that body which we call Cinnober; for in his Preparations he saith:* Take the Ore out of which Mercury doth arise or grow, as it is found in its first coagulation, before it grow hard, or be made into a body: And calls it after it be prepared, the li∣quor of the immature Mineral. Again he saith, Take of that Ore forth of which Mercury is generated, as it is found to consist in its first coagulation: but yet it ought to be so coagulated, that it hath not yet passed into an hard and solid body. By all which it plainly appeareth that this experienced Author (than whom, no man that we read of, had seen more Mines, nor was more expert in Mineral knowledge) had seen, found, and had the Ore of Cinnober, or Quicksilver soft, which is a thing (doubtless) of that rarity, that few have had knowledge of it. And therefore I heartily desire all the Learned that have Interest in foreign Parts, and all other ingenious persons that travel, to be inquisitive, whether any such Ore of Cinnober be known, found or to be had as is soft, and not yet grown hard, because besides the knowledge of such a mine∣ral secret, there may no doubt some excellent Medi∣cine be made forth of it.

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CHAP. XXV. Of the Description of Quicksilver, of Cinnober, a•d its several Ores, and Passages, and how it is gotten, and refined in divers places, and the like.
THe description of common Mercury is by most of the mystical Authors omitted, that thereby they might obscure the nature and quality of the mat∣ter from whence their Mercury is taken. For assert∣ing Sulphur and Mercury to be the principles of Me∣tals, they therefore usually left out the description of Mercury, that thereby their Readers might think that common Quicksilver was that principle of Metals which they made mention of: It being ordinary for those sort of Authors to set men at gaze after one thing while they intended another, and to make themselves bread of the best of the Wheat, while others had but the Husks, or Bran.

*For the description of Argent vive Avicen hath a long discourse of it, but may rather agree to another Mercury then to that which is common; and there∣fore we leave it to the Reader to consider of accord∣ing to the quotation in the Margine.

*Rulandus describes it thus, It is no other but a vis∣cous water in the bowels of the earth, of a subtile sub∣stance of white earth, united by a total union, by a most temperate heat, until the humidity be tempered with the siccity, and the siccity of the humidity equally.
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This description any one half-eyed may see will not altogether agree with the nature of common Quick∣silver, but so they use to mock with fresh-water Soul∣diers.

The learned Wormius of it tells us thus;* That by proper speaking it cannot be said to be a Metal, seeing the definiton doth not agree unto it, for it melts not in the fire, it is not hard, solid, ductile, nor malleable. But it is a mineral liquor consisting of a viscous me∣tallick water, and a sulphureous earth, full of spirit, volatile, cold to the touch, but indued with an hot virtue, ponderous, of the colour of silver, fluid as wa∣ter, but not wetting the hands. And of this he reckon∣eth two sorts, first either native or factitious, for that which is factitious we do not now meddle. And as for the Cinnober, or Minium, it is either mixed with stones, or pure. For that which is mixed with stones, it is sometimes found in a slate-stone of an ash-colour, grown together in the manner of leaves, or plates, sometimes in a most white metallick stone, as at Har∣tenstein. Of pure Minium, or native Cinnober (he saith) he had two sorts; one rubicund, like the crude Ore of red silver, ponderous and elegantly •inging with a rubicund colour, found in Hassia near Mar∣purg. The other is more black, of a liver-colour, al∣so ponderous, being like the stone Haematitis, or Schi∣stus, in which grains of Quicksilver, as though it were enclosed drops, do appear, tinging with hard affriction with a rubicund colour.

Basilius gives his relation of it thus:* Mercurial Ore is wrought in its proper Mine-stones, by the quality of its salt earth, and its nimble volatile earth, in a moist, groasie, slimy, waterish oleity, which is mixed
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with a most subtile, red sulphureous digested earth, with a most weak slow binding, like an unripe pleasing fruit, of all particular Metals. Mercury sheweth its virtue in many things admirably, and worketh effe∣ctually upon Minerals and metalline Sulphurs, and upon such which border upon Antimonial stones or Ores, it loveth to be in such places where the Tin Ores lie higher then Silver passages. It requireth many iterating effectual operations unto other Ores, and is multiplied upon other strange stones, and is drawn through the juices of Minerals and Metals which are in affinity one to another, and produce many miscreants, this is the reason why it is so pleasant unto Metals, Goldsmiths amalgame and gild with it. It is used also for metalline colours, and is prepared to an oyl, and water, for mans health, and is sublimed to corrode the worst of poysons, and is a true robber, taketh along whatever costs have been bestowed on him; but if he can be catched in his nature, then is he in subjection and obedience unto quick and dead. He is very ef∣fectual in Medicines, especially for outward •ores; he is naught to naught, and good to good; and is not every bodies friend, though he is willing to do what you put him upon. His metalline stones are of the same nature with pure white slate earth, inclined to a water-blue, in fresh intermingled white marbles, in a glassie, grayish or porous Glimmer, or Cat-silver, which lie beneath betwixt the slates, in a float way, which are mingled in their metalline passages with on∣sled matchasites, and with the subtilest small streaked white Talk, and are thorow grown with two sorts, standing and float-striking passages, in which is wrought a curious red-shining Quicksilver Ore, not
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unlike unto red Mine Sulphur, and sometimes floweth purely out of the clifts, and caves of the passages, stands in a sink, or puddle together like water, which its natural quick substance sufficiently evidenceth.

Paracelsus tells us these things of Quicksilver.* For that they say Argent vive is a Metal, is far from the matter. For it is of the kind of other Minerals, not a Metal, not a Stone, not a Marchasite, not a Saphir, &c. It is a peculiar product of Nature, gifted with its body,* and endowed with its proprieties, as the rest. Again he saith, Argent vive is Mer∣cury, not admitting ductibility, but opposing it self against it. This the Archeus doth cast forth, changing it into a singular Metal void of ductibility. And though of all Metals it be most especially assi∣milated to Mercury, notwithstanding it differs in this, that it doth not obtain ductibility, by reason of its debility, which it conceived from Salt and Sulphur en∣tering into it, in too little quantity. From hence it is manifest that by Spagyrical practice, to wit, of ad∣dition, it may be made a ductible Metal, as the Philo∣sophy of transmutation doth demonstrate. For it may be turned and changed into every, or any Metal: Therefore, to wit, because it remaineth from the ope∣ration of all Metals that may be drawn into ductibi∣lity.* In another place he describeth it (almost to the same purpose) in this manner. Moreover there is a certain kind of metallick body, that can neither be hammered, nor fluxed, or melted, and it is a mineral water of Metals. As water is amongst other things, so is this amongst Metals. But it therefore ought to be a Metal, because it is reduced by Alchymy into malleation and fabrication: notwithstanding com∣monly
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it is not constant, sometimes it is constant. It is to be holden that it is the first matter of the Alchy∣mists, who of it do prepare Silver, Gold, Copper &c. which the event sheweth. And perhaps Tin and Lead may be made of it: for its nature is manifold, and wonderful, neither altogether to be sought out with easie pains or labour. But this notwithstanding is evident, that it is the first matter of the Alchymists, in the generating of Metals; and furthermore, is a most noble medicine. It groweth by such a subtile∣ness from Sulphur, Mercury, and Salt, that it floweth, or is liquid, and yet doth not moisten; it runneth and yet hath no feet, and is the most heavy of ail Metals.

From these dark sayings of this mystical Author, we may gather these things.

1. That in propriety of Language it is not a Metal, as abiding neither fusion nor malleation; and that it is a Metal, or may be made one by the Art of Alchymi∣stry, but not without addition of something, which doubtless is their Tincture, or Elixir. And then it may be turned into any other Metal, according as the Elixir was fermented, and so in that respect is by them truly called Mercury: and yet that of its own kind it is a mineral water, and of a metallick nature.

2. That it is of a strange and wonderful nature not easily by labour found out: which made Helmont confess that he had spent thirty years sub ferula Mer∣curii, and that it had not its compeer in Nature.

3. That when he saith that it is the first matter of the Alchymists in generating of Metals, he speaketh the positive truth, yet must he not be understood to mean that it is the first matter that Nature useth to frame or generate Metals of in the bowels of the earth,
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for that first matter it is not, neither the first matter (as too many vainly dream) whereof they make their Elixir: But it is the first and principal matter by which with their Elixir they change, or generate Me∣tals by the rules of Art.* For Helmont tells us, and that truly; Eo quod Aeternus, non creaverit humiditatem, constantia sui, Mercurio metallico assimilandum. And again he tells us,*Si Mercurius esset divisibilis in par∣tes Heterogeneas, ars Chymica non esset vera: ac ipse Mercurius ineptus operi esset. Etenim nisi mercurium vidissem, ita subsistentem, negarem artem esse ve∣ram.

4. Where he saith that Quicksilver is the most hea∣vy of all Metals, is must be understood with a grain of Salt.

Rulandus and Eucelius tell us of two sorts of Native Quicksilver.*

1. That which is of its own colour without exco∣ction, which is found such among Metals, in the ca∣vities into which it hath flowed forth of the Ore.

2. That which is had forth of the Ore by washing or excoction, and this Ore is that which was called Nativum Minium, or Cinnabaris Metallica; and the Germans call it Berg Zinober: and was found in their Mines; of which he noteth these sorts:

1. A Vein of Cinnober in which the Argent vive did grow, that as often as it was broken the Argent vive distilled forth drop by drop.
2. Like to crude red silver Ore, that was brought from the Valley of Ioachim.
3. Like to Scarlet in a fire-stone of Gold.
4. Like to the same in an ash coloured slate, or cleaving-stone.
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5. A Vein rich of Quicksilver, of a Liver colour.
6. Like unto crude red, transparent silver Ore, in Cat-silver, of the colour of silver.
From Hydria black with a reddishness, which smitten with the hammer, did drop forth little grains of Argent vive.
8. At the same place of a light red colour.
9. Of a yellow colour, in which was mingled in channels a fire-stone of a golden colour.
Much what agreeable to these doth Agricola men∣tion,* to whom I remit the Reader.*Matthias Vutzerus tells us of divers places where Argent vive is found in its own form and colour without excoction. And one sort, especially in the Mountain Gimnanede, six miles from Cracovia in Poland, which of its own ac∣cord at certain times of the year doth break forth to the superficies of the Earth, but especially about Au∣tumn, although also about the Feast of St. Iohn Ba∣ptist, the Author of the Tyrocinium Chymicum doth te∣stifie,* that he had gathered many grains like Pease, in the roots of the Grass, and saith that notwithstan∣ding that Mercury was too waterish, and inferiour far in goodness and vertue to that of Spain and Slavo∣nia. And of Native Cinnober or Minium he reckon∣eth the same sorts, and colours, and nameth the places where they are gotten, and saith that Native Cinno∣ber, and the Lapis Schistus, are as it were the Parents of Argent vive; to which, to eschew repetition, I refer the inquisitive Reader.

*There is a notable, ingenious, and succinct Extract of a Letter, written from Venice, by the learned Doctor Walter Pope, to the reverend Dean of Rippon, Doctor Iohn Wilkins, concerning the Mines of Mer∣cury
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in Friuli. Where he exactly relateth that about a days Journey and an half distant from Gori•ia North∣wards, at a place called Idria, situated in a Valley of the Iulian Alps. There he describeth the nature of the soyl, and the depth, and quantity of their Mines, and their manner of Working, washing, and the like. The Ore he describeth thus. They (he saith) dig the Mineral with Pick-axes following the Veins: 'tis for the most part hard as a stone, but more weighty, of a liver-colour, or that of Crocus Metallorum. There is also some soft earth, in which you may plainly see the Mercury in little particles. There are also several Marchasites, and Stones, which seem to have specks of Gold in them; but upon trial they say they find none in them. These round Stones are some of them very ponderous, and well impregnated with Mercury, others light, having little or none in them. And so he describeth the manner of getting the Mercury forth of the Ore or Stone; which for brevity I omit, and leave the Reader to the more full relation of the Extract it self. Onely he relateth that they have their Mercury two ways, the one is by the means of the fire; the other he relateth thus. All the Mercury got without the use of fire, whether by washing, or found in the Mines (for in the digging some little par∣ticles get together, so that in some places you might take up two or three spoonfuls of pure Mercury) is called by them Virgin Mercury, and esteemed above the rest. I enquired (he saith) of the Officer, what virtue that had more then the other; he told me, that making an Amalgama of Gold and Virgin-mercury, and putting it to the fire, that Mercury would carry away all the Gold with it, which common Mercury would not do.

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*Theob. de Hogheland of Middleburgh, tells us a Story not unlike this recited; that travelling to view, and examine Mines with their several Ores, he came to the Mountain Idria, where by good fortune at that time, Argent vive, which of its own accord had flow∣ed forth of the Mine, was gathered forth of the River hard by, of which by gift he received fifteen pounds weight. And then purposing to travel to Schonbach, a little Town of Misnia or Voitland, by reason of a famous Mine there, of native and rubicund Cinnober; he turned to Norenburg, and there he ob∣tained a piece of native Cinnober from the same Mine, almost of two pound weight; he went no further, but turned to Crui•znach, a Town of the Palatinate; and from thence, and divers other places, he got good store of Argent-vive, or of native Cinnober, and so ceased.

*Also Iosephus Acosta tells us: That at the Indies Quicksilver is found in a kind of stone, which doth likewise yield Vermilion, which the Ancients called Minium, and at this day they call the Images of Cry∣stal Miniades, which are painted with Quicksilver. After he saith, It is a rock of most hard stone, inter∣laced all with Quicksilver, and of that greatness, that it extends above fourscore Vares or Yards in length, and forty in breadth, in which Mine they have many Pits and Ditches, &c.

For native Cinnober I have by me three sorts, that with much difficulty I have procured, it is so scarce to be gotten here in England.

1. One of them is a ponderous Ore, of a dark red colour, but indifferently rich of Quicksilver.
Another is pretty reddish in some parts, but
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something whitish in the other parts, but very full of the Argent-vive, that appeareth in very small grains.
3. The third sort is in small pieces, the greatest not much bigger then beans, of a very rubicund colour, and shining, which being broken, do shew very small grains, like the points of Pins, of the Argent vive; and this I procured forth of Germany, and they call it Berg Zinober, or Cinnabaris Montana. Also I have had intelligence from some learned Germans, that there is some of this sort that is transparent, but is but rarely found, and therefore hardly to be had. Of which Quercetan gives us this account.*Quod ad nativum & naturale Cinabrium attinet; natura nobis in quibus∣dam Aurifodinis in Hungaria, profert genus quoddam Mineralis Cinnabaris ponderosissimae, ac longe artisici∣ali rubicundioris: Imo etiam quae usque adeo transpa∣rens, ac dilucida est, ut non minor is pretii, ac major is uiam ipso auro aestimetur. And commends it highly in vertiginous and epileptical distempers, even taken by it self, without any preceding preparation.
Now for either Argent-vive, or the stone it grow∣eth in, called Native Cinnober, (though Agricola seem to intimate as much) I could never hear of any that was found either in England, or Scotland, onely Dr. Iorden gives us this account. In Scotland three miles beyond Berwick (he saith) I found a red stone, which I take to be Minium nativum, seeing Agricola makes mention of it in Scotland, but by a mischance I could not try it. From which hint I could desire all ingenious persons that live near that place, to make diligent search, if any such stones be there to be found, that thereof trial might be made.

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CHAP. XXVI. Of several sorts of Medicaments prepared forth of common Mercury, both by the way of vul∣gar Chymistry, as also by the mystical way. And of the Praecipiolum of Paracelsus and Hel∣mont.
THere are so many several Medicaments prepared by common Chymistry forth of Quicksilver, that it would be very tedious, and too large to recite them all; as is easie to be seen in Crollius, Beguinus, Hartman, Schroderus, Quercetan, Vutzerus, and the like; and therefore we shall onely enumerate some few of the principal of them.

1. And first there is that which they call Mercurius vitae, which whether it participate solely of the Anti∣mony, or solely of the Mercury, is not so easie to de∣termine, there being Authors, that hold it stiffly on either side; and we never accounted the Experiment either so luciferous, or frugiferous, to make it our business to attend trials, and exact observations about it. As for the Mercurius vitae we have administred it very frequently for the space of near thirty years, and can give it no further commendations, then that it is a strong, and churlish Vomit, fit only for robust bodies, and beneficial onely in some Phlegmatick di∣stempers, and far unworthy of those high praises that are usually attributed unto it, and therefore now we do very rarely, or never use it, having found other
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mineral Vomits, that are far more safe, and of more effectual operation then it; and I wish all Tyronists to take care of its preparation.

2. The next we shall name is their Turpethum Mine∣rale, which is indeed a mercurial one, and that sharp and desperate enough, if not very carefully and skilful∣ly handled. In our younger years when we had too high an esteem of Chymical Medicines, we have often used, and administred the same, and that with no bad success, especially in some sorts of Epileptical distem∣pers: But shall warn all young Physicians to be both careful in their preparing of it, and in their admini∣stration of it also, especially in that great point de ra∣tione victus. And all I can commend it for (if that may be called a commendation) is for that woful and dishonourable way of curing by flux or salivation, which indeed is a way of cure, almost as bad as the worst of diseases.

3. The next we shall name, is that preparation of it which they call Mercurius dulcis, which is of very frequent use, and exceedingly extolled by many; we confess it may have a commendable use in Chirurge∣ry, and may to sundry good purposes be mixed with Plasters and Unguents; and is of singular effect in Ointments against all Verminous distempers, and ta∣ken inwardly doth the same; and is a pretty purger, or promoteth the working of other Catharticks; but heed must be taken, that it be not administred too of∣ten near together, for fear of a sore mouth, loosness of teeth, or a flux. And yet for the Worms may the crude Quicksilver it self, or the water wherein it is boyled, be taken with as much or more safety, and as good effects.

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4. The last we shall name, is some sorts of Praeci∣pitates prepared forth of Mercury; not to mention the common Praecipitate prepared after Vigo's order, or the white one, which (if used inwardly) are far more likely to kill then to cure. One of the best, is the Quicksilver praecipitated per se; which notwith∣standing is a violent Vomitive Medicine, yet may be tolerably used by a skilful and careful Physician. But the best that ever we have seen, is a Praecipitate prepared with the good and pure spirit of Nitre, and afterwards often cohobated with the distilled water of the whites of Eggs, whereby it will become of a fine red colour as any red coral, and almost as sweet as honey, and hardly to be distinguished from the true Arcanum corallinum that is prepared with the great li∣quor Alkahest; and though it be vomitive in some measure, and be far short of the eminent vertues of the other Arcanum, yet will it never disgrace a skil∣ful Artist, that knows its due preparation and way of administring, but will without vomit or purging (if rightly handled) even cure desperate Agues by sweat∣ing onely.

But I will conclude of all these with that of Helmont, who saith, Antimonium dum vomitum movet, & Mercurius dum vivificari potest, non sunt boni viri remedia.

We descend now to treat of those great Arcana's that are no ways to be obtained but by that universal solvent, the Alkahest, that noble liquor, that is the sole glory of a Philosopher in this frail life. Which is that Key that onely opens the Rosary of the Philoso∣phers, and revealeth the hidden secrets of the Ani∣mal, Vegetable, and Mineral kingdom; without the
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knowledge, and possession of which no man is worthy to sit at the golden Table of the Adeptists, nor indeed truly worthy the name of Physician.

Nec prius ante datur telluris operta subire
Auricomos quàm quis discerpserit arbore foetus.
Of these Arcana's prepared by this liquor forth of [ 1] this Mineral of Mercury, Helmont first mentioneth the Mercurius Diaphoretius,* of which he saith thus, Quar∣to loco est Mercurius Diaphoreticus, melle dulcior, & ad ignem fixus, solis horizontis omnes proprietates habet. Perficit enim quicquid Medicus & Chirurgus pos∣sint optare sanando: non tamen tam potenter reno∣vat, ut praecedentia. In his answers to the questions propounded unto him concerning this, he maketh this responsion,* to wit; That as the Sun is thought to spring up in the Horizon of the Hemisphere: so Mercury, while it is made Diaphoretick, sweet as Honey, and fixt as Gold, is Gold in its Horizon, and is in medicine, by so much more noble than Gold, as much as an Oriental Pearl is nobler than a Scotch one. And after he telleth us, that the glorious Sul∣phur of Venus being raised again doth tinge the Sul∣phur of the Mercury (that in the Powder of Iohn de Vigo, by sulphureous corrosive Minerals was extro∣verted) immediately, and did mutually imbrace one another in an inseparable bed: And that therefore the vertue of both the Sulphurs did stand outwardly. And therefore by this conjunction the Diaphoretick Mercury from thence arising, did perform whatso∣ever the Physician or Chirurgeon could wish, either in respect of curing acute or chronical diseases.
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Again,* in another place, he largely describeth the vertues and effects of this Mercurius Diaphoreticus, in relation both to Internal, and External Distempers. And of its Preparation tells us thus much; Its de∣scription (he saith) is as well in Paracelsus Book De Morte Rerum, as in his Chirurgia Magna, and saith, he will declare it something more manifestly. Take the Powder of Iohn de Vigo, prepared with thine own hand: For otherwise it is adulterated with artificial Minium or red Lead; as the most Chymical medi∣caments that are to be sold, are full of deceit. This Powder, the element of fire extracted from the Vi∣triol of Venus being affused, or poured upon it, is five times to be cohobated with Aqua Regis, at the end increasing the fire; for it is fully fixed, and is a Powder very corrosive. Which then is to be coho∣bated ten times, with Aqua vitae dephlegmed the best that may be, and renewed at every time, until it have carried off all the corrosiveness with it. And then this Powder is sweet as Sugar. Therefore the Spirit of Wine is there called Saltaberi, or Tabar∣zet, which soundeth Sugar, not that it is sweet in it self, but that it carrieth away the corrosive spirits with it. So far, that the remaining Powder doth excel in its own sweetness, not with a sweetness borrowed elsewhere. For besides, that the fire of Vitriol is sweet, the very Sulphur of the Mercury, then turned outwardly, is of greatest sweetness. This Powder is •ixed, and is called Horizontal Gold. Therefore (he saith) I have finished a secret in few words, which doth ennoble a Physician. But to have pre∣pared it the first time, is of huge labour, and its di∣rection dependeth of his hand, to whom all honour is
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due, because he revealeth these secrets to little ones, which the world knoweth not of, and therefore dis∣esteemeth. From all this we shall animadvert some few things to be considered of, by the learned and ingenious.

1. To consider the high excellency of this me∣dicine, that is so noble, that in operation it effecteth whatsoever a Physician or Chirurgeon can desire: And therefore may well instigate all of those Profes∣sions, that they may bend all their studies and endea∣vours both day and night to the obtaining of the same.
2. That it is no wonder that they call it Hori∣zontal Gold, which if one seriously consider the great medical vertues, is an apposite name, and to be esteemed far more precious than common Gold, that cannot afford such rare and almost incredible ef∣fects.
3. To remember that it cannot be perfected with∣out the Sulphur or fire of Venus, which though he call the Sulphur or fire of Vitriol, yet it is not the Spirit of Vitriol, however rectified; but is the Sulphur of Copper it self, which cannot be had, but by the total destruction of its body, and the leaving of its internal and incombustible Sulphur, inseparable from its remaining white, anonymous metallick mercurial body; and this to be performed by no sublunary body but only by the Alkahest.
4. To note that the fire of Venus must be poured upon the Powder of Iohn de Vigo, prepared by ones own hand, whereby it appeareth that it must be in a liquid form, otherwise it might be mixed with it, but not poured upon it, and therefore certainly is in the
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form of a green Oil, as both he and Paracelsus do make manifest. But one chief point is here tacitely concealed, that is the quantities of either of them, which the studious Reader must labour to find out.
5. It may be some that are very critical, may que∣stion what sort of Aqua Regis this Author meaneth, but it is plain that it is the common sort, and no my∣stical kind, because he telleth us plainly that after five times cohobation with it, and increasing of the fire, it remaineth an exceeding corrosive Powder; and therefore must be cohobated ten times with the best dephlegmed Aqua vitae, every time being renewed, or fresh used, and that thereby the corrosive spirits are all carried off with the Spirit of Wine, and the Powder left as sweet as Sugar. And if we consider what this Author hath told us elsewhere, then we are to know, that it is no rectified Spirit of Wine by any common way, but prepared by the Alkahest, which is required twice in this Preparation, once for the fire of Venus, and also for the Spirit of Wine.
6. As for the places in Paracelsus in his Book De Morte Rerum, and in his Chirurgia Magna, though that Author seem dark enough, yet to an attentive and understanding Reader he hath shewed things that are sufficient to understand its Preparation by, and hath o∣mitted nothing in the forecited places, but only the naming of the Alkahest, which in all his great Pre∣parations he commonly leaveth out: Though in o∣ther parts of his Writings he hath spoken more ful∣ly, (both as to the matter forth of which, and the manner how, that great liquor is to be had, and prepared) than any other Author that I know of, and those that cannot learn it from his Writings,
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will hardly understand it in other. Authors.
The next great Arcanum to be had forth of com∣mon [ 2] Mercury, is that which he calleth Arcanum Co∣rallinum, or Corallatum, of which he saith this. And there is the purgation Diuceltatasson, which cures the Gout no less than Fevers.* And its Arcanum is called Corallinum, which is prepared out of the es∣sence of Horizontal gold, after this manner: Draw off the liquor Alkahest from vulgar vendible Mercu∣ry, which Paracelsus remembreth 2. de viribus mem∣brorum, c. de hepate, which is done in one quarter of an hour. For Raymundus saith, my friends being by, and the King present, I have coagulated Argent-vive, and none except the King knew the way or manner. In which coagulation, this is most singular, that the said liquor Alkahest doth prevail the same in number, weight, and activity, so much the thousand action, as much as in the first; because it acteth without the re-action of the patient. Therefore the Mercury be∣ing so coagulated, without any remnant of the thing coagulating, then make small powder of it: and di∣stil from it five times, the water of the whites of eggs distilled, and the Sulphur of the Mercury, that by its former coagulation was drawn outwardly, will be made rubicund as Coral: and although the water of the whites of eggs doth stink, notwithstanding this powder is sweet, fixed, bearing all the fire of the bel∣lows. Neither doth it perish in the examination of Lead, notwithstanding it is spoiled of its medical virtue while it is reduced into a white metal: but it is given to eight grains for the most part, because it purgeth the body of man as long as it is foul, and not perfectly sound. Also it healeth Ulcers of the blad∣der,
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of the Larinx,* and Oesophagus. And in ano∣ther place he reciteth it almost in the same manner, but not so fully. In another place he saith of it thus. Therefore the purgation by the Arcanum Coralli∣num,* doth destroy the Gout in its seed. But this Ar∣canum is not the colour or tincture of Coral, (as the ignorant company of Chymical Writers, to be laught at, do interpret) because the apposite words of Pa∣racelsus (which is of the essence of Gold) do sound another thing.

Also the colour of Gold, the Sulphur, or Tin∣cture, do not loose the belly, or purge: but this Ar∣canum is in substance, metallick; in colour, coralline; in taste, like honey; and in essence, golden. Truly not that ever it was a malleable body, but is the Horizon of Gold, a shut-up body, and fixed; whose Sul∣phur is sweet, and to be commixed with our Con∣stitutive parts. In this Sulphur the Omnipotent hath collected all the virtues of the Sun, to whom only all honour and glory is due.

We have before, where we spoke of the Alkahest, said much to what from all this might be observed: only we shall add these few things.

1. That the Learned may note, that the Writings of Paracelsus (by many so much condemned) do bear in them a far deeper sense and meaning than even common Chymists do imagine; and are not to be weighed according to the letter, but according to the depth of that Learning the Author was master of. And therefore we may here observe that Helmont un∣derstood him otherwise (and that according to the truth of his meaning) than many hundreds have done besides.
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2. That he that will understand the matter out of which the Alkahest is prepared, and its manner of preparation also, can never find either of them by any surer way than by truly considering and understanding the effects of that liquor. And I am bold to tell all searchers, that no effect of it doth more declare the matter from whence it is taken, than this that he hath related in what I have before quoted; and therefore let it be observed.
3. Where he saith, That the Mercury being coa∣gulated by the liquor Alkahest, hath its Sulphur ex∣troverted: but if it be melted down into a white me∣tal, that then it loseth its medical virtue. The rea∣son of which is, (though we may be condemned for disclosing it) that the medicinal virtue consists only in the external and separable Sulphur, and not in the Mercurial part, which is not to be destroyed either by Art or Nature; and therefore in fluxing it down into a white metal, the external Sulphur is wasted in the fire, or burnt off, and so the medical virtue must needs be lost, which consisted only in the Sulphur.
The last thing that we purposed to handle here, is the Praecipiolum of Paracelsus, for from him Helmont had it; and therefore might well confess (though in many things he is very injurious unto him, even some∣times to attribute those Theorical notions to himself, that he plainly stole from him, and yet laboured to deprive him of the honour) that by his Writings he had profited much. But ere we give our censure about this Praecipiolum, we shall fully give the Rea∣der an account what they both say in the matter. And first, Paracelsus thus: The condition of Mercury is, that it be precipitated in its Mineral or Ore, and be
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separated from it dead;* for so it is not Argent-vive, but Mercury: for when dead, it is Mercury; but li∣ving, it is Argent-vive. If therefore, as the prescri∣bed manner of its preparation, it be mortified; its dose is two grains, the process being observed, that the Schole delivereth, neither need it be included in the Text.

*The relation of Helmont is thus. But Paracelsus approveth his Praecipiolum or Mercury, drawn forth dead out of its Mineral or Ore, above other reme∣dies: but other simples, for the degree of affinity, by which they come near this metallick Mercury. And a little after he saith, In the mean time I confess, that that same Mercury hath always answered to my de∣sires. Truly its acquisition is difficult, but the dose of two grains three or four times exhibited doth suf∣fice. But the Diaphoretick Mercury once being had, it sufficeth to many myriads of diseased persons, as well for the Physician as for his posterity.

That which we shall move from hence is this, That there are some learned men with whom we have con∣versed, or had intercourse by Letters, that are of opinion that this Praecipiolum, or dead Mercury, is some artificial preparation by the Alkahest: but sa∣ving the judgments of those men, we cannot be of their opinion, for these reasons.

1. Because both the Authors say that it is drawn dead forth of its Mineral or Ore, and therefore in like∣lihood must be by nature mortified in its Ore, or else it could not be so drawn forth of it, except it were dead before.
2. Helmont saith it is of difficult acquisition, not of difficult preparation, so that only the difficulty must
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be in finding or obtaining such of its Ore as hath the Argent-vive mortified in it when it is digged forth of the earth, and not made so by Art.
3. He compareth the Diaphoretick Mercury with it, and extols it far above it, as able to serve the Phy∣sician and his posterity, being once but had, but doth not say so much of the Praecipiolum.
Therefore I would intreat all ingenious and learn∣ed persons to take notice of these two things.

1. That Paracelsus tells us, that while Argent-vive is living, it is Argent-vive, but Mercury when it is dead, or so fixed that it cannot be revived again; for then it is like the Planet Mercury, able to exert its virtues, when before it is (though a tremulous body, and seeming open) most of all shut, and doth utterly deny its help to humane bodies. So that Longè alius est sensus Sophorum, quam vulgarium literatorum.
2. To move all inquisitive persons that either tra∣vel where Mines of Quicksilver are, or have corre∣spondency with any that live near them, or work in them, to endeavour if any such thing may be found as the Ore that hath the Argent-vive dead in it.
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CHAP. XXVII. Of Antimony or Stibium. Of Wismuth, Bis∣muth, or Plumbum Cinereum, or Tinglass. Of Zinetum, Zinck or Spelter. Of Cobaltum. And of their Qualities, Ores and Medicaments, prepared forth of some of them, and of native Electrum.
HAving now ended our Collections and Discourse of the seven Metals, vulgarly accounted so; we now come to some others, that many do also re∣pute for Metals; and if they be not so, at least they are semi-Metals, and some of them accounted new Metals or Minerals, of that sort that were not known to the Ancients; of which we shall speak in order.

*Of some of these Wormius saith, We call those of their own kind sui generis, and improperly Metals, which have great affinity with those that are true Me∣tal, if thou mark the rise, manner and place of Ge∣neration: But they differ in certain proprieties that are agreeable to true Metals, for they are not ductile or malleable, but brittle or frangible.

[ 1] Antimony or Stibium, which the Germans call Spiessglass,* seems to be a Metal of its own kind, although Paracelsus put it in the number of Marcha∣sites, lib. 6. Archidox. where he calleth it the Mar∣chasite of Lead, doth consist of a combustible mineral substance, and of a suliginous Mercury, coagulated of a certain earthly matter. Its Ore is found in the
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mountains as other Metals, and from thence is drawn by various operations. It is found in Italy, and the best in Hungary, in Germany at Hoenstein, and in Bo∣hemia. In times past it was sold as it was digged forth of the earth: that which was most approved of by Dioscorides, was that which most shined with rays; and when it was broken, would be divided into shells or crusts, being friable, or to be crumbled, void of earth and filth, which Pliny called the female. Now it is sold by Merchants in loaves, or measures, as if melted: outwardly it is crusty, and of a leaden co∣lour, for the most part infecting the fingers; within, full of capillary veins, glistering and shining as po∣lished Iron; in bursting and breaking, easie: but when it is made into powder, it loseth its splendor, and assumeth the colour of burnt Lead. And a little after he saith, The Hungarian Ore of Antimony is most beautiful, wholly consisting of Cylinders, or small Columns, of the thickness of a small Needle, but wonderfully knit together, for they are to be seen right, parallel, oblique, transverse, &c. because this matter is porous, and appeareth with a splendid blue colour, like polished Iron. From hence a sulphureous and yellow matter doth sweat forth, rendring the mass divers coloured, the gift of Doctor Custerus.

The like to those in a manner doth Agricola write of Antimony,* and saith, That it is something like in colour to the Lapis Plumbarius, or Lead Ore, but that it shineth more, and is more white. Rulandus tells us, that the Ore of it was found in their mines of Germany, and doth reckon up these sorts.

1. That it was digged up at Rome in the Flaminian Circuit,* and was soft, and black, and crusty, or shelly, like Cat-silver.
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2. Digged up that was friable, or would crumble, like to polished Iron, from the Island Ilna in the Tyr∣rhene Sea.
3. Digged up in Bohemia, in a white Flint-stone.
4. At Isfeld in Hercynia, which is as it were con∣glutinated together with little, long, and round-angled little crusts, in a white Flint.
5. At Stolberg, in which there are white six-angled fluores, that are pellucid.
6. In Pannonia, in which there is Gold, and Black Lead.
7. A Vein of Stibium like to barren Galena.
8. In an hard Stone, like a Fire-stone or Marchasite, of the colour of Silver.
9. A Vein of Iron, in which is found Stibium.
10. Growing near the Stone Schiston besides Pri∣burg in Misnia.*Cambden tells us, neither only Lead, but Stibium also, called in the Apothecaries shops An∣timony, is here found by it self in Veins. And Doctor Merrett saith,* that Antimony is found in the Lead Mines of Darbyshire; and I am informed by divers that have long wrought in Darbyshire, that there is good store of it, especially in some places, but I have not been able as yet to procure any of it. That Ore of Antimony that I had forth of Germany, is of a bright blewish colour, and lieth in a yellowish, grayish stone, and is most like to that sort of Lead-Ore which they call Steel-Ore. I could earnestly de∣sire all our English Miners to be vigilant and careful to discover where any of the Ore may be gotten, for it is a good vendible Commodity, and much gain and profit might be made of it. Basilius of it saith thus: Antimony comes from perfect Mercury,
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wrought of little Salt,* and a waterish fluid Sulphur, though it shineth black naturally, and its outside is of an Antimonial form, yet it graduateth the noble nature of Gold, and doth much good unto man. But those that would be more fully satisfied of the excel∣lent properties of Antimony, may seriously weigh the Currus Antimonii triumphalis of Basilius, and the Writings of Paracelsus, who not only have written largely of its virtues, but also understood the intrinse∣cal nature of it, better than any other two that can be named. And for the Medicines that may be, or are prepared forth of it by common Chymistry, which are very numerous, the Reader may find them in Sa∣la, Hammerus, Poppius, Schroderus, and almost in eve∣ry Dispensatory: so that we need not inlarge here to recite them, for there is scarcely any one Mineral that is more largely treated of than Antimony; only we shall speak a little of those great Arcana's that Pa∣racelsus and Helmont prepared forth of it by the Al∣kahest.
1. The first Medicine that Helmont nameth, prepa∣red forth of Antimony, is the Mercurius vitae, of which he saith thus; Sequitur dein Mercurius vitae, stibii pro•es integri, quae omnem morbi nervum penitùs ab∣sorbet. Which though he call Mercurius vitae, as ha∣ving Mercury joined with it in its Preparation, yet is the off-spring of the whole Stibium, and none of the Mercury joined with it. And doubtless is not the Mercurius vitae prepared by common Chymistry, that doth both violently purge and vomit, but is of a far more noble nature and virtue, as being prepared by the Alkahest, and therefore doth not only cure dis∣eases, but in some measure, renew Nature also. The
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m•nner of its Preparation he no where (that I can observe) doth mention,* but Paracelsus according to his dark fashion doth set it down in his Archidoxis, as also in his Book De Vita Longa, and in both places tacitly concealeth the Alkahest.

2. The second is the Sulphur or fire of Antimony, of which Helmont made so great account, and que∣stionless is the Tinctura Lili Antimonialis,* for Helmont saith, Tertio loco est Tinctura Lili, etiam Antimoni∣alis, almost of the same virtue with the former, al∣though of less efficacy. And the reason why we so boldly affirm these to be prepared by the Alkahest is the authority of the said Helmont,* who saith, Probabo primò, quod liquor Alkahest, ens primum salium, Lili, primus metallus, Mercurius Diaphoreticus, sive aurum Horizontale, unum inquam, qualecun{que} ex illis (nam cuncta unius dissolventis consanguinitate, conspirant in unisonum) sat sit ad quorumlibet morborum sana∣tionem, utut momis crepent ilia. Imprimis norunt Adepti mecum, quantum hinc distent dispensatoria Seplsiae, in ò & quam remoti absint scriptores, qui Basilica,*& Tyrocinia Chymica ingenti gloriolae pruri∣tu, adhuc ipsimet Tyrones ediderunt. But the Prepa∣ration of the Tinctura Lili, that is Antimonial, you may find in the Writings of Paracelsus.

[ 2] Plumbum Cinereum was known to the Ancients, but little said of its use, or vertues, and by this name Agricola calls it,* the Miners call it Bismutum, Caesal∣pinus a Silver Marchasite, the Germans Bismut, Mythin, and Conterfeit. It is rather, I think (saith Wormius) a Metal of its own kind, than to be refer∣red unto Leàd. For it differeth from both Tin and common Lead in colour, and hardness. It sometimes
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shineth with a silver colour, and sometimes with a dilute purple, like to Stibium or Antimony, according to its figure, but more excellent in colour, being like the Regulus Stellatus of Antimony. The Ore from whence it is drawn is like to Galena, but it infecteth or coloureth the hands, which the Galena doth not. And it is found solid, which admitteth cutting, and doth not break, or leap asunder as the Galena. It is also more black, and of a leaden colour, which some∣times containeth Silver in it, from whence in the places where it is digged up, they gather that Silver is underneath, and the Miners call it the Cooping, or Covering of Silver. Its masses do use to cleave to a Stone that is most hard, except it contain •fluores; or have Nitre in it, which maketh the Stones fria∣ble. It is found in England, and Misnia in the Silver Mines. They use to mix it with Tin, that it may confer splendor and hardness to it, and that being melted it may run more easily. They also make of it Vessels of divers sorts, which are like Silver in co∣lour.

As for the Ore of this Metal, or Semi-metal, which they call Bismuth, or Wismuth, and our Artificers in England Tin-glass, I could never hear of any that was gotten in his Majesties Dominions; and therefore should desire all ingenious Gentlemen that are inqui∣sitive after Minerals, and all other persons that seek or dig for Ores, to inquire if any may be heared of or discovered in this Nation, for it would be a commo∣dity of great worth, for the Metal is very dear. Nei∣ther have I ever been so happy, as to be able to pro∣cure any of this Ore, and therefore cannot of mine own knowledge give the Reader any satisfaction a∣bout
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the properties of it. Neither do I know that much use is made of it, in this Nation, except by the Pewterers, from whom we commonly buy it at dear rates; but that there is some use made of it in solder∣ing the many Vessels, and Utensils that are made of those thin Plates that are made of Iron, and tinned over, we commonly call it Crooked-lane Tin: Nei∣ther have I seen any Vessels made of this Metal only, and if they be, they must be made by molding or casting, for of it self it will not abide the ham∣mer.

*Agricola numbreth this amongst Metals, and reck∣oneth up many places where the Ore is gotten, both in its own Mine, and also where it is found among other Metals,* much-what after the order before re∣hearsed, and therefore we shall not need to say more of it here. And Rulandus speaketh but to the same purpose.

Of this Metal Basilius writeth thus: Wismuth is wrought in its own Mine-stone,* not quite freed from a protruding Silver, or Tin-stone, of an imperfect, pure Quicksilver with Tin-salt, and fluid silver Sul∣phur, of a brittle immiscible earth, partly of a crude fluid Sulphur, partly of a mixed exiccated Sulphur, ac∣cording as it hath got a matrix, after it was conceived: Then it turneth a bastard of a brittle nature, easily u∣niteth with Mercury, and is wrought naturally in a twofold form, the one is fluid and metalline, is mel∣ted with dry Wood, being mixed with Clay, yield∣eth much of white Arsenick. The other is small streaked and spissie, remaineth an unripe substance, yields a fixt Sulphur instead of Arsenick; both these are silver Wismuth.

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Of these two fore-going,*Paracelsus saith thus; There is found a twofold Antimony, one vulgar and black, by which Gold is purified, being molten in it. This hath the nearest affinity with Lead. The other is white, which also is called Magnesia, and Bi∣semutum. This hath the greatest affinity with Tin. As for any Medicines drawn forth of this Mineral ei∣ther by the way of common Chymistry, or otherwise, I do not know of any.

The next we come unto, is that which Paraecelsus [ 3] called Zinetum, the Germans Zinck, and our Artificers Spelter, a Metal that hath not been known unto the Ancients, but may well be ranked among the new Metals. I do not find that Basilius maketh any men∣tion of it, except he name it once, which is all that he doth in all his Works that I have perused, to the best of my remembrance, unless we should ima∣gine (as some do) that it should be that Mineral of which he saith thus, when he speaketh of Minerals and Metals:* Among these I happened to get one Mineral, composed of many colours, which had ma∣ny and rare vertues in Medicine, I drew (he saith) its spiritual Essence from it, whereby in few days I cured my diseased Collegiate. Though some (and that with more likelihood) do take it to be the Cevillus or Ludus Paracelsi.

The most that we find of this strange Metal, is that which Paracelsus hath recorded of it, whose knowledg and experience in Minerals exceeded all other Authors that ever we have seen or read.

1. And first of this, and Bismuth he saith thus; When therefore the Metals are generated after this manner,* to wit, when the true metallick flux, and
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ductibility, is taken away, and is distributed into the seven Metals, a certain residence doth remain in the Ares, like the births or off-springs of the three first things. Of this Zinck doth grow, which is a Me∣tal, and not a Metal. And so Bismuth, and others like to this, which are partly fluid, partly ductile. But although they a little adhere unto Metals in their flux, notwithstanding they are nothing but the spu∣rious off-spring of the Metals, that is to say, they are like unto Metals, but are not Metals. Zinck for the greatest part is the spurious off-spring of Copper, and Bismuth of Tin. Of these two there are of all o∣thers the greatest dregs and remnants made in the Ares.

*2. He saith further also, there is a certain Metal not commonly known as Zinetum, or Zinck. It is of a peculiar nature, and seed: notwithstanding many Metals are adulterated in it. This Metal by it self is fluxible, because it is generated of the three fluxible Principles. But it doth not admit malleati∣on, but only fusion. Its colours are diverse from other colours, so that it is not like to the rest of the Metals as they grow. This is such a Metal (that he saith) that its ultimate or last matter is not yet known unto me. For in its propriety it cometh most neer of all unto Argent vive.* It doth not permit permixtion: nor doth it permit the fabrications of other Metals, but is by it self, or alone.

3. He hath a notable passage of this Metal, which though the Latine Translations have not mentioned what particular Ore it is, but have omitted it, (for what reasons I know not, except to hide it) yet in the High Dutch it is plainly thus, where he speaketh
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of the Metals and Minerals that are found in Carin∣thia. There are found also certain Mines of the Ore of Zinck, the like whereof Europe it self know∣eth not. This is a singular Metal, and truly admi∣rable by its rarity. But for its vertues in Medicine or Bismuth either;* neither this Author Helmont, nor few of the common Chymists have said any thing; only we shall give the Reader an account what that honourable person Mr. Boyl doth write of them both. Some modern Chymists (as particular∣ly Glauberus) have of late prepared remedies not un∣useful out of Zinck, or Spelter. Of the other he saith thus;* And though Bismutum have not, that I know, till very lately been used, unless outwardly, and espe∣cially for a Cosmetick, yet the industrious Chymist Samuel Closseus, by Calcination and addition of Spirit of Vinegar, and Cremor Tartari, makes two Medi∣cines of it, which he highly extols in the Dropsie; And (to reserve for another place, what I have tried upon, Tin-glass) a very expert Chymist of my ac∣quaintance, doth by preparing it with common Sub∣limate (carried up, by which I remember, it hath af∣forded a very prettily figured body) make it into a Powder (like Mercurius vitae) which he assures me he finds in the Dose of a few grains, to purge very gent∣ly, without being at all (as Mercurius vitae is wont to prove violently enough) emetick. I know not what use is made of this Spelter, but only that the Brasiers do mix it with Copper, and thereof make their Cement or Soulder, for from them we have it, and that at very dear rates. The Ore of it I have not seen, nor as yet could procure, and I should be very glad to hear that any of it could be obtained, or any of it found in England.

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*I cannot pass by one thing, which a learned per∣son, and a great Chymist, now dead, affirms to the World,* in these words, speaking of Paracelsus his Metallus masculus, doth say, that it is Spelter, and is the Sulphur Gluarae Augurelli. And in another place saith thus; That a Sulphur may be extracted out of Venus, the Metallus masculus (which in a Parenthe∣sis, I tell thee is Zinck) and so out of Lead and Tin. But though we might assert that the Metallus mascu∣lus, and the Glaura Augurelli are both one, yet we must modestly affirms, that Zinck is not the Metallus masculus; for Zinck is not radix nec pater metallorum, as the Metallus primus is.

[ 4] The next is that which Paracelsus calleth Cobaltum, and in my judgment doth not understand it,* to be the same, that Eucelius, and many others, make to be the Cadmia nativa, the Lapis aerosus, or Stone forth of which Copper is drawn, but of another sort, which yieldeth a new, and unknown kind of Metal, other∣wise he could not have described it, as he doth. For of the Copper-stone, or Cadmia nativa, Schroderus saith thus;* The Cobalt, native Cadmia is metallick, and digged forth of the Earth, and is an earthly Mi∣neral, almost black in colour, partaking of Copper and Silver: And is plentifully digged up, not far from Gos•ar. And that it is of so Caustical a quality, that it exulcerateth the hands and the feet of the diggers, and is reckoned among Poysons. But that Cadmia nativa, or Copper-stone, that we have gotten here in Cumberland, is not black, but pretty shining, like to a golden Marchasite, but far more heavy. Of this Wormius speaketh to the same purpose,* calling it Cad∣mia Metallica, to distinguish it from the Lapis Cala∣minaris,
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which he calleth Cadmia Fossilis, of which we shall say more hereafter. Now Paracelsus description is after this order:* Further, there is another Metal made of Cobalt, that is melted, and floweth like Zinck, having a peculiar black colour above Lead or Iron, appearing with no splendor or metallick shi∣ning, it is beaten out, and hammered, but not so far that it may be fitted for use. Neither truly is the last matter of this yet found out, nor its preparation; and it is not to be doubted but that the Female and Male are here both joined together as Iron and Steel; and these are not beaten forth, but remain as they are of themselves, until that Art do find forth the separation of them. From whence it is manifest, that this Me∣tal, drawn from this that he calleth Cobalt, is neither in colour nor other properties like the Metal of Cop∣per that is drawn from the metallick Cadmia, or Copper-stone, though they may call it Cobalt also. And Rulandus description of Cobalt seemeth to agree to this,* from whence (perhaps) he had it, which is thus: Kobolt, or Kobalt, or Collet, is a metallick matter more black than Lead or Iron, sometimes Ash-coloured, wanting a metallick colour, yet it is melted and brought into places; therefore it is not sixt, but carrieth away the better Metals with it by smoak.

Concerning native Electrum, that it hath been pro∣duced [ 5] by Nature,* but is now accounted by Pancirollus as a thing lost, and therefore he ranks it in the number of his rerum deperditarum; and Salmuth saith, that it was naturally found in the mines, and was of great esteem with the Ancients, both for its clear shining, and for its discovery of poison. And seeing it hath been found in former times, there is no doubt but that sometimes
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it might be found still, because (however many may be of opinion that Nature decays both in general and in particular) Nature is the same that ever it was, and worketh as it did in former days: onely it is want of care and diligence in seeking and observing, and the covetousness of men that gape after nothing but Silver and Gold, or those things that they may make present gain of; so that thereby many particular Minerals are neglected, and cast by, because they know not how to make present use or profit of them; or because their Ores being but rarely found, they are not known, and therefore thrown by, as hath hapned by some others as well as this. Also because Art hath found out a way to commix Gold and Silver in such a proportion as to the splendor and eye-sight may satisfie, though it want the intrinsical virtue; and so that which is na∣tive is not so much sought after, as hath hapned in the native Orichalcum, seeing that by Art it is now coun∣terfeited.* But that it may possibly be found at some time and places, this instance from another Author both of credit and veracity, may beyond exception sufficient∣ly evince, who saith thus: I saw also a great piece of pure Electrum, of the which Bells, and Apothecaries Morters, and many other such vessels and instruments may be made, as were in old time of the Copper of Corinth. This piece of Electrum was of such weight, that I was not only with both my hands unable to lift it from the ground, but also not of strength to re∣move it either one way or other: they affirmed that it weighed more than three hundred pound weight, after eight ounces to the pound; it was found in the house of a certain Prince, and left him by his Pre∣decessors. And albeit that in the days of the inhabi∣tants
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yet living, Electrum was no where digged, yet knew they where the Mine thereof was; but our men with much ado could hardly cause them to shew them the place, they bore them such privy hatred; yet at the length they brought them to the Mine, being rui∣nate, and stopped with stones as rubbish: it is much easier to dig than the Iron Mine, and might be restored again, if Miners and other workmen skilful therein were appointed thereto.

To these we may add another, little written or spo∣ken [ 6] of,* but that Doctor Iorden saith thus of it: Ca∣laem may be reckoned among those, which is a kind of white metalline Cadmia, brought out of the East-Indies, which hath both metalline ingression, and me∣talline fusion, but not perfectly malleable. This (if my memory fail me not) is also mentioned by Linschot in his Voyages, but the place I remember not. I have much laboured to get some of it, but as yet could never compass any of it.

There is also something said of Bell-metal, that it should be found natural in the bowels of the earth, of [ 7] which the Author before-cited saith thus: Bell-metal is thought to be a mixture of Tin and Copper Ores, as Kentman judgeth, and is found in our Tin and Cop∣per Mines in Cornwal. As for Granates that hold Metal, we have spoken of them before.

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CHAP. XXVIII. Something more of Galena, Lapis Plumbarius, native Cadmia, &c. As also of Chrysocolla, or native Borax, Caeruleum, native Blue, Ae∣rugo, native Green, Talk, Magnes, the Load-stone, Haematites, the Blood-stone, Schistus; The Lazul-stone, and of Metallary stones, and the like.
[ 1] ALL that we shall say he reconcerning Galena, Plum∣bago, Lapis Plumbarius, and Molybdena, (Euce∣lius, Rulandus,* to whom we may adjoin Wormius, do make a long discourse, and bring many Arguments to prove that they are all one) is that there is much said to little purpose, and that in some respects they may be taken for all one; seeing it is a truth that no Lead Ore is found so poor, but that it containeth something of Silver, (as all experience will make good) yet of∣ten so little that it is not worth the charges of refining; and oftentimes in so an extream minute proportion, that it will deceive the best and most curious Artist that doth but try it by small quantities in the Cupel or Test. But if the Workman will take a pound of the poorest Lead that may be, (that hath not been refined before) and calcine it in an Iron Vessel until all that can of it be turned to Litharge, then let him take that small quantity, and purifie it upon the Test, he then shall find it will yield some Silver, whose quantity in a pound or more of the Lead may soon be calculated.
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And therefore the most experienced Essay-masters will not use any Lead that hath not been calcined into Li∣tharge, and blown up again into Lead, lest thereby they be deceived in their trials. But however, that in this respect they may be accounted all one, in re∣gard that there is none of them but they hold both Lead and Silver, yet notwithstanding I hold that the main difference lieth in this, that it is to be accoun∣ted Galena when it holdeth a sensible quantity of Sil∣ver, or however when it holdeth as much Silver as may make it a Mine Royal: but if it hold no sensible quantity of Silver, then it may be called Plumbago; and this I wish every Test-master and every Miner se∣riously to mind and consider of.

Besides what we have before said of native Cadmia, [ 2] which we have shewed that the Germans call it Ro∣balt, and containeth Copper most commonly, some∣times Copper and Silver, and sometimes Gold, Sil∣ver and Copper.* The best distinction of it is to call it Cadmia Metallica, thereby to difference it from the Lapis Calaminaris, which the Germans call Galmei: It is of yellowish colour, and of a more soft stone, or of the nature of more hard earth. They use it to ting Copper into a golden colour, that thereby it may be made artificial Orichalcum. Wormius saith he had three sorts of it, one of an Ash-colour, another rubicund, the third something yellowish.

For native Chrysocolla (for we speak of none else [ 3] here) which by the Greek name signifieth as it were the glue of Gold, because its use was to glue or ce∣ment Gold;* the Germans call it Steingrun, Schi∣fergrun, Bergtgrun. This Nature produceth in fibres and holes, and it is sometimes found like to
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Sand, sometimes a metallick matter doth cleave unto it.* It is digged up in Hungaria, Bohemia, at Goldberg in Silesia, and in other places. Rulandus saith, it was gotten in a thousand places in Germany, and might be called Chrysocolla viride scissile, as aerugo is called Vi∣ride aeris rasile.

The native Chrysocolla is only in Metals that hold Copper,* and is only made out of Copper; and if it be sometimes found in Gold, Silver, or Lead Mines, the Veins of those Metals are mixed with Copper. Its goodness is esteemed by its colour and strength: for all that which is native is green, some to a full green; and by how much more it cometh nearer the greenness of the Emerald, by that it is esteemed better: other∣some is a weaker green, which is the worst, and there is some of a middle sort. I have some native green that was gotten in the crevises and little holes of stone, that seemed like unto Cadmia or Copper-stones, and were gotten in a Lead Mine, a little distant from the Lead Ore, and had a vein or rake of stones or Copper Ore of the same nature. And great plenty of it might have been got, but that the Workmen seeking only for Lead Ore, and knowing no use to be made of it, would follow it no longer: but whether it be the native Chrysocolla, or native Aerugo, I am not yet satisfied, nor can be certain whether or no they be two different things, or but one; for Authors seem to make them two, but shew no distinction except the names, of which more anon.

[ 4] Caeruleum or native green, (which is like that which our Women in England use to make their blue Starch with, and they call it Powder-blue, and is ar∣tificial, and made forth of the Lapis Lazulus, or Ar∣menus)
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is found in many several places, and Rulan∣dus reckoneth these sorts.

1. That which is ultramarine, or from Cyprus,* which is most fair, found in an Ash-coloured earth, and like the best sort, that is factitious.
2. Very famous natural green from Sneberg, some∣thing cloddy and hollow within, which is digged forth of a white sandy earth.
3. From Padua, which is found in clods of earth of a deep Ash-colour.
4. Native, from Thuringia, which is digged up be∣sides Muchel.
5. Native, copiously found adhering to an hard, thin, Ash-coloured earth.
6. Native, and pure from Poland.
7. From Poland, with hard sandy white earth.
8. Found with a rude white stone.
9. Native, from Spain, in which Gold doth ap∣pear.
10. From Sneberg, cleaving to rude or bare stones.
11. From Islebia in a Slate-stone.
12. Native, from Goldberg found with Chrysocolla in a vein of Iron, in a white stone that melteth in the fire.
13. Native, from Sneberg, with Chrysocolla, being pure, sticking in a white Flint distinctly.
14. Native, at Gieshubelia in a Fire-stone, out of which Silver is drawn; it is mixed with a concrete green juyce, and sometimes placed like Girdles or Zones, out of which it flowereth with pleasantness forth of the Vein.*Eucelius tells us, That is was found in the Pits or Mines of Cyprus, and that it was found in their Gold and Copper Mines, as at Lanterberg in
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Saxony, at Hircynia, and at Goldberg in Silesia: And that the best sort of it was found there, and they call it Schifer blaw, and that it grew in Hungaria and Lotharingia. I have gotten good store of this of a pure blue colour, in those stones that I mentioned last above, that were something like Copper stones, pretty pieces almost as great as Hazel-Nuts, contained in the holes of the stones, that were full of such cavities or holes, and also the green stuff (which is either Chrysocolla or Aerugo) in small pieces, and con∣tained in lesser holes. I have been the larger in this particular, because our English Miners do altogether neglect these, and such other like things, as knowing no use or profit to be made of them, when doubtless they might both be of benefit and good use.
[] As for native Aerugo, which the Germans call Kupffergrune,* or Spangrune, I find little of it, only Eucelius tells us, it is found in the Metals of Cy∣prus, the stones having something of Copper in them, out of which it flowereth, but that this is little, and the best, and that it was also found in Copper Mines in Germany. Whether this and the native Chrysocolla be all one or not, I shall not take upon me to deter∣mine, but leave it to the experience of others, though I should rather incline to believe that they are but all one.

[ 7] Concerning Talk, there are many opinions among Authors about it, some taking it generally, and com∣prehending under it the Lapis Specularis, Amianthus, and Talcum strictly taken; Agricola calls it Magnetis, but seems to confound it with Mica, Cat-silver, or Glimmer; and that description that Rulandus gives of it, agreeth rather to Mica, than to that Talk that
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we have sold in shops; and therefore we shall only take what Schroderus and Wormius say of it, and the former thus:* The Talk of the shops is like the Lapis Specularis, but it is more thin and rough, or full of scales, of a greenish colour, resisting the fire, and fixt. It is called of some the stare of the earth, and by the Germans Talck; there is found also red Talk and black, but they are less used in shops. That is thought the best which is brought from Venice, that from Muscovia is equally as good, that is most approved of that is chiefly greenish.*Wormius saith thus of it: It is a soft stone like to the Lapis Specularis, to be divi∣ded into plates, bending, and variously intricate, of a Silvery white colour, bluish gray, sometimes black∣ish, unconquerable by the fire, for it is neither to be melted nor burnt, nor loseth its colour, except by great violence. It is found in many places of Germa∣ny and Norway, and its kinds are distinguished accor∣ding to its colours. He saith he had clods or lumps of white and Silvery Talk brought forth of Germany; but the more impure and grayish was brought from Norway. He also had some small pieces of a golden colour. There was also black brought from Norway, which had joined the Ore of Gold with it, that gave great hope of gain. The Talk that I have commonly seen and had, is much agreeable to these descriptions, it being white and Silvery with some greenishness, and may be severed or cleft into small tires or threds, and doth long resist the fire, and hardly to be consumed by it. It is a good vendible Commodity, and there∣fore may concern the Miners to take care to enquire and search after, for there is little question but some of it may be met withal in some of our Mines in Eng∣land.
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Paracelsus reckoneth three sorts, white, red, and black Talk.

[ 7] As for the Magnes or Loadstone, we mean no fur∣ther to treat of it here, but as far as may enable our own Country-Miners to know and search after the same.*Wormius describes it thus: It is an hard Stone, ferrugineous, or irony, and blackish, which draweth or rejecteth Iron, or another Loadstone, and sheweth the quarters of the World. It is found in divers places, for the most part in Mines of Iron, from whence also it containeth much Iron in it self. For all that body that doth attract, is not the Magnet, but there is in it a Magnetick Vein: Therefore in certain places in Germany they draw most excellent Iron forth of it. In Italy in the mountains of Viterby, and in Ilna where it is found, outwardly it is of a ruddish colour, with∣in when it is broken waxing black, and a little tending to blewishness though obscure; in attracting very ef∣ficacious, while it is smitten it trembleth, being co∣vered with a certain dawn which goeth to the Iron, if it be admoved unto it. Also it is digged up in divers places in Germany, near the Valley Ioachim, Swartz∣berg, Sneberg, &c. Also (he saith) they had it brought from Norway of great strength, of which he could shew some. Like this description are those fragments that we buy at the shops, as also that which we have capped with Steel, and bound with Brass or Silver, and those round ones that we call Terrella's. Doctor Merrett saith, That there is of it of good note found in the Rocks of Dartmoore in Devonshire, and of worse sorts elsewhere. And I have had it from some Gentlemen of very great worth, that lately there is found good store of it in the foresaid County, of very
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excellent force and virtue. And I make small doubt, that seeing we have so many Mines of Iron-stone in his Majesties Dominions, if the Workmen had skill in knowing of it, and were diligent and observant, it might be found in many places; which I commend to all ingenious and laborious Miners.

Of this stone Haematites Wormius saith, That it is [ 8] so called either because it is of a sanguineous colour,* or else being rubbed against wet Whetstones, it yield∣eth a bloody colour, or because it is prevalent in stanching of blood. It is a stone of the colour of coagulated blood, but more obscure, hard, and in∣dowed with streaks like Antimony; it is cloddy, and stayeth bleeding. It seemeth to be of a middle nature, betwixt Earth, Stone, and Metal, when it is com∣pacted into a stony substance, from the shavings or se∣diment which the water hath worn from Ruddle, or some red stone. It is in divers places in Germany, be∣twixt the Mines of Red Oker or Ruddle and Iron, as in the Valley of Ioachim, and near Hildesheim; but above the rest, that which cometh from Spain is com∣mended; that which is brought from Compostella is of an angled figure, having the colour and splendor of blackish Iron. It is decocted into Iron, and contain∣eth Ruddle in the caviti•s, sometimes it is observed to attract Iron obscurely: of this Rulandus reckoneth these sorts.

1. That which is of a black colour, found at Go∣slaxia,* yielding a yellow juice most hard, and is un∣known to the shop•.
2. It is digged up in many places in Hassia, and is of a purple colour, and to be cloven.
3. Very fair is digged up in Geurg, and Anneberg
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of Salfield. This the Goldsmiths commend, because it is most hard upon the Whetstone to polish Gems. It is black, and sharp like a Topp. So the most that we have from the shops is of the aforesaid figure, and of a bloody or Liver-colour.
[ 9] The next is the stone Schistus, for which I want an English name, and Authors do disagree much about it. Some by it understand some kind of the Amian∣thus, or the Lapis Specularis, or Alumen Scaiolae, or a cleaving stone, which they vulgarly call Quartz. But (saith Wormius) I take it with Agricola and Cae∣salpinus to be a certain kind of the Haematites,* or Blood-stone; and Agricola would that the name of Schistus be attributed unto it, not either that it is ea∣sie to be cloven, or that it is cloven, but that after a certain manner that it seemeth so▪ For by the mutu∣al Composition of its parts, which have increased straight like wood, it is like to Ammoniack Salt. As well the Schistus as the Haematites are either like to concreted blood, or to Iron, and then sometimes some of the external parts are of the colour of Saffron. In this at the least it seemeth that a difference is set, that the Haematites or Blood-stone is almost always in the figure of a clod; but the Schistus, either in one part or both, is formed like a Wedge. The sum is as much as may be gathered from Agricola, that he acknow∣ledgeth no difference betwixt them, but that which consisteth in the figure.

To this (as near a kin) we may subjoin the stone called Smiris,* in the High-Dutch Smirgel, and we after the French name call it Emerg from its abster∣ging faculty. It is a ferrugineous or irony stone, in∣clining to blackness, so very hard, that the Lapidaries
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do use it to ingrave in Gems, and to polish Arms. Be∣cause to the watery Touchstone or Whetstone it yieldeth a sanguineous juyce; of some it is accounted a certain hard species of the Haematites. It is found in the Iron Mines. These we have enumerated, that all ingenious persons might search after them; for if we could find any Smiris, or Emery in our own Coun∣try, it would be of great profit unto many.

The Lapis Lazuli, which the Germans call Lasur∣stein, [ 10] is an hard stone of a blue colour, adorned with little pricks,* and veins of a golden colour. It hath great affinity with the Lapis Armenus, according to colours: but the Lapis Armenus is not so hard, neither hath it golden veins, and easily yieldeth into Powder and friability. They set down two sorts of it, one in∣during the force of the fire, the other not. That which is fixed, and doth not change its colour in the fire, is brought forth of the East, from Asia or A∣frica, and is called Oriental, and is known by its fix∣edness. That which is not fixed, is found in certain places of Germany, and is of a middle kind betwixt the Armenus and Lazulus, for this is softer, that is harder. I have spoken thus much of this Stone, be∣cause it is a good Commodity, and sold dear, and it may be that some of it might be found in our Na∣tion. That which I have seen of it is of a fine blue colour, interspersed with little lines, or small sparks of a pure golden colour, and is very hard: Some have called it the Marchasite of Gold, and do believe that Gold doth grow in it, and may be drawn forth of it; but I could never yet procure so much of the best sort of it, to wit, that which is full of golden streaks, as to make any certain or considerable trial of it.

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[ 11] For metallary Stones they are of divers sorts; growing or cleaving to the Metals, sometimes on one side,* sometimes on another, and sometimes on both, and are as it were the Matrixes, or Coats, where∣in the Metals lie inclosed: Forth of which also Me∣tals are drawn, or decocted.

1. The first is the Saxum Fissile, which I take to be that which we call slate, which may be cloven into thin parts, and is of divers colours, as blue, sometimes blacker, sometimes whiter, and the like; some refer this to a Fire-stone, and some to other things.

2. The second sort is that which the Germans call Quartz, which sometimes is most white, sometimes a little yellowish, sometimes grayish. To this some∣times sparks of Gold do adhere.

3. The third is Spatum, (for which I know no English word) that is more smooth, and hard than the rest, by some it is called Metallary Marble. Of this (he saith) he had divers kinds brought from the Mines of Norway, where Silver was gotten. One that was barren, and contained no Metal nor other Mine∣ral, white, and cut into pieces. Some mixed with Fire-stone, or is with barren Galena, or with Galena, Fire-stone, and Silver. By which we may discern what various mixtures Nature exerciseth in the Mines.

4. The fourth is Saxum Corneum, or Flint, Horn∣stein, which appeareth most hard, of the colour of Horn, whose parts are sometimes so continuate, that one cannot discern one from another, sometimes con∣spicuous by some Intersection.

5. Lapis Arenosus, as though compounded of Sand, called Sandt-stein: this is that which we call Free-stone,
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some of it being of a very small grain, and is hewed for building withal, and some of a far coarser and rougher sort, and some hard, and some so soft, that it may be crumbled with the fingers.

6. That which they call Mica, or Magnetis, is a metallick body, that doth shine in Marbles and Sand, as also in Stones, but cannot be separated from them, the Germans call it Ratzensilber, and Glimmer, that is Cat-silver, because it shineth in the night like the eyes of Cats. Of it (he saith) he had some sorts, one alone, not having any admixture, another in a Stone with a Fire-stone, a third in Sand. That it is not fixt, but is consumed with the fire, and is almost of no use.*Eucelius tells us that it hath the colour of Silver, and is of no use, and in the opinion of the Vulgar is consumed in the fire. But (he saith) if we consider more warily, it is not consumed, no more than the true Amianthus, but is only purged, and as∣sumeth another colour, otherwise it is of no worth. I confess I know not what this is, nor could ever yet perfectly learn of any person, unless it should be some of those silver-coloured Marchasites or Fire-stones, of which we have plenty, that are of a glo∣rious shining white colour, but being fired yield only a stinking smell of Sulphur, and leave some black dross behind them, but are of no use at all.

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CHAP. XXIX. Of the Transmutation of Metals.
COncerning this great dispute of the transmuting of one Metal into another, we intend not here to demonstrate the possibility of it, for as the Philo∣sopher said well: Qnae experimento oculari videntur, probatione non indigent. Only we shall labour to examine, and open the nature of Transmutations, and to shew some sorts of Transmutation, that are com∣mon and obvious, and full as strange as this of Me∣tals, and thereby shew that it is no such impossible or wonderous thing, as many that would seem wise and learned do labour to make manifest. So leaving general Arguments, as either to confirm or confute, we shall stand upon some instances that may suf∣ficiently demonstrate the way and manner thereof.

And as for Mutation, Transmutation, or that which is commonly called Generation, we shall not stand upon the strict logical definition, which we do not perceive, yet is perfectly known, but rather make a search what the nature of it may be; that hereafter it may be better understood and sought into, yet (we suppose) that thus much may be granted, that there can be no Generation, but of necessity there must be Mutation; for though that all Mutations be not Ge∣neration, yet must every Generation of course be a Mutation, and it is most certain that no Mutation can be but by motion; so that in this the Schools have not far missed it (to give them their due, where, and
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when they deserve it) that all Generation is some kind of Mutation, and so must needs be a species of mo∣tion: But yet by all this we come not perfectly to know what Generation is in its true nature and intrin∣sical essence and operation,* nor the plain and true manner how these Mutations are wrought, by the means of motion in or upon matter, but only are left to be puzled with hard terms, and blind notions, as any person may very well perceive that shall read and seriously consider what these few Authors quoted in the margent have written upon this subject.

We might here fall into those strange Mutations that happen in the Animal and Vegetable Kingdom, that appear in the Generation of those things; but that would lead us at too far a distance, though they would mightily conduce to open and illustrate the matter we have in hand; and therefore we shall leave them, as things that have been both learnedly and accurately handled by that learned Physician Sennertus, Fabritius ab Aqua pendente, the incompa∣rable Iohannes Marcus Marci, in that curious piece of his styled Idaea Idaearum Operatricium, by our ne∣ver-sufficiently-praised Country-man Dr. Harvey, in his profound piece De Generatione, as lastly, by that learned Physician and Anatomist Dr. Highmore, in his Treatise Of Generation, which though little in its bulk, is not little in weight and worth.

But we shall contract our selves into a closer com∣pass to fall upon some mutations, (or transmutations rather) produced by Nature, or Art, that will suffi∣ciently serve to make forth what we intend con∣cerning the Transmutation of Metals, only we shall pre∣mise this,

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That all Transmutations are made some of these three ways, or by two of them, or all joined to∣gether.

1. By adding of something to the thing or subject to be changed that it had not before.
2. Or by taking away, and separating from the subject that is to be changed, that was in it be∣fore.
3. Or by reason of motion so to alter, dispose, and order the contexture of the parts, that thereby it appeareth another thing than what it was before. And either all of these, or some of them do concur in every transmutation, or else there cannot be any: Now we shall give some Instances to make good these Particulars, and examine the manner of Transmutati∣on by them.
And first of that Transmutation which is produced by Nature, in which Art hath little or nothing to do, as in petrifying of wood, leaves, moss, grass, and the like, which is for the most part done either by Water or other lapidescent Juyces, or steams turning the forementioned things into a stony matter or substance. The first we shall name (as being most known un∣to us) is that famous Dropping Well near the ancient Town of Knaresborough in the West-riding of York∣shire, mentioned in our British Authors, by our learn∣ed Antiquary Mr. Camden, and of late written by Dr. Dean,* and Dr. French. The latter of which saith of it thus; If any stick or piece of wood lie in it some weeks, it will be candied over with a stony whitish crust, the inward part of the Wood conti∣nuing of the same nature as before. But any soft spungie substance, as moss, leaves of Trees, &c. into
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which the Water can enter, will thereby in time be∣come seemingly to be of a perfect stony nature and hardness. Now the cause of this petrifying property, as Philosophers call it, is succus lapidescens, i. e. a stony matter, which is in its Principiis solutis, for indeed the Principia soluta of all things, whether Animals, Vegetables, Metals, or Minerals, are in a liquid form, and are concreted by degrees, by a natural heat se∣parating from them all accidental humidities, and fix∣ing them into their proper species. When the wa∣ter with which this Succus lapidesceus is mixed, is in part wasted by the Sun and Air, it doth then de∣posite it, as being too heavy for it any longer to bear it. And when that is deposited, and faln down, it doth by a continued addition and concretion in time amount to a considerable stony moss, &c. From whence we may note▪

1. That by his observation and judgment, the stony substance bred by the water, is nothing but the ap∣position and fixing of the small stony particles hid in the water one unto another, which is meerly Ag∣gregation, and so comes to increase the bulk or quan∣tity by continual addition. And thus far according to this ingenious person and learned Chymist, here is nothing at all of Transmutation, but that the moss, leaves, &c. become seemingly of a perfect stony na∣ture and hardness.

2. Yet if we look a little more warily, we shall find not only an Aggregation of these small stony par∣ticles, and an Incrustation upon the out-side of the moss and leaves, but even that the substance of the moss and leaves, and the small atomes of them are meerly petrified as far as our eyes, or the best
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Microscopes can inform us. And though the thicker and greater pieces of Wood, be not in so short a time petrified, as are moss, grass, and the leaves of Trees, yet in a longer continuance of time, Wood of a considerable bulk, will be totally stonified both in the Internal and External parts: So that by this Wa∣ter of the dropping Well, stones are not only bred by Aggregation of small stony particles, nor Wood and Moss only crusted over with a stony Concretion, but also that the Moss, Leaves and Wood, are really changed into a stony substance. And though the Explication of the true manner and way how it is done may be occult, and yet require the study of many Observators, and doth not belong to our present enquiry, curiously to search forth: Yet thus much is evident, that upon the supposition, that the Moss, and Leaves, &c. and the small parts of them are truly changed into a stony nature, that then the aerial part, or the Globuli aetherei (as Cartesius calls them) are by the entry of the stony particles contained in the Water, extruded, and so separated. Whereby two of the particulars are made clear; First, that there is something separated from the thing changed that was in it before, and also that there was something added, as the stony Particles, or petrifying Steams or Atoms that was not there before, and consequently that there must be an alteration of the contexture and po∣sition of the particles of the body changed. But be∣cause the stress of the matter lies what Transmutati∣on is, which we are searching after, and yet it may be doubted whether or no there be any real Trans∣mutation at all, quoad naturam, sed solummodò, quo∣ad nos, as when by a due proportionable commixture
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of Sand and Ashes, Glass is made, which quoad nos, and in relation to our sight is transparent, which nei∣ther Sand nor Ashes are; and yet the Sand and Ashes in their primitive nature and principles remain as they were, the individual particles of either of them being not changed, as may appear by the reducing them to the same Sand and Ashes that they were before, which may be made manifest not only by the Alkahest, (only known to Adeptists) but also by other means that may and can be shown by expert Artists: And also when that Silver is dissolved in Aqua fortis, according to our sight it is changed, and the water remaineth transparent, and the Silver may again be separa∣ted from it, as is known unto every expert Gold∣smith: it may very well make us doubt whe∣ther there be any real Transmutation or not, but what is by addition, diminution, or altering of parts.* And therefore we shall quote some more in∣stances, omitting that of Hector Boelius of the Pond in Ireland, that if a piece of Wood be stuck down in it, at much of it as is in the earth or mud, is in the space of a year turned into Stone; that part which is in the water, is turned into Iron; and that which is above the water doth remain Wood; so that the same en∣tire piece is Stone, Iron, and Wood; which were a most strange relation, and fit instance if true. But though we have had it affirmed by a learned Physician that lived long in Ireland, and that others do maintain that our Irish Stones or Whetstones are of the same petrified Wood, (as the grain or bait would almost perswade) yet because the forecited Author is noted to be fabulous; and much suspected in many things, and it not proved by later Authorities; therefore (I
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say) we shall omit it, and so come to some of those that the faithful and Learned Helmont hath noted from Authors of better credit,* who telleth us; For so the hand-glove of Frederick the Emperour was petrified in that one part of it that lay wet in the Spring, but the other part being fenced with a seal, remained Lea∣ther: so that not only Herbs, Woods, Bread, Iron, Eggs, Fishes, Birds, and Quadrupedes, were by a wonderful Metamorphosis petrified; but by the testi∣mony of Ambrosius Pareus, a Child at ripe age was cut out of the Womb petrified, which his friend told him that made Mathematical Instruments, that used the back of that petrified Child for a Whetstone; and more to the same purpose he relateth in the same Chapter, from whence amongst others he draweth these Conclusions.

1. That whereas other seeds require that the sub∣strate, or subject matter be reduced into a sequacious, or an obedient liquor, and susceptible of the seed, which they have called the first matter of Generation, and do require that also that the figure, and all the comeliness of the precedent Concrete be destroyed: yet the petrifying seed, the humane figure, being pre∣served, without any intervening putrefaction, or disso∣lution of the matter, doth petrifie the whole through the whole, to wit, as well the bones as the skin.
2. That the petrifying seed doth consist alone in a saxeous or stony odour or steam, which is an incor∣poreal and invisible Ferment.
We shall not here quarrel with this experienced and Learned Author, but only note these two things.

1. That whereas he placeth this petrifying quality in an odour or steam, which he maketh invisible and
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incorporeal, I take him by incorporeal, not to mean meerly that the steam is altogether spiritual, as the Schoolmen and Metaphysicians understand, but that it is so subtile, tenuious and fine, that it is not liable to our sight; and in regard of other more gross bodies, may be called and accounted incorporeal.
2. He plainly holdeth forth petrifaction, not only in the superficial parts, but that it is totum per totum, as well in the bones as in the skin, not only by incru∣station, or adhesion of the stony matter to the exter∣nal parts, but by a real changing (in Animals) of the bony, sinewy, musculous, and fleshy parts intrinsically and thoroughout, into a stony substance; to verifie which,* more Authorities may be added to Helmont, as that of Pensingius historia infantis, in abdomine in∣venti, & in duritiem lapideam conversi. And some∣thing of this nature in that accurate and ingenious piece of Mr. Hooks Micrography, as also much of this nature may be seen in Mr. Boyles Essay of firmness, and in some other places, to which I remit the Reader.
Now in all this that the Learned Helmont hath no∣ted, or the rest, it will appear that this saxeous O∣dour, or seminal Ferment, how thin or fine soever it were, is of a bodily nature, and so piercing the body to be changed, whether of Animals or other things, as Iron, Eggs, Leather, or the like, it doth add some such steams and particles as were not there before, and so doth augment the quantity or weight, if not both; which was one of the things required to be proved. Again, by the ingress (which must be by motion) there must of necessity be a cession of another body, which can be nothing but the Aiery Atoms, or Aethe∣real Steams, contained before in the porous parts of
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the body to be changed, which are thereby extruded and separated; which was another thing to be proved. And as for the third, it necessarily follows, that when a softer body is changed into an harder, or a more flu∣id body into a firm, the parts are joined more close together; and however all motion in bodies must of necessity make a change of the position, contexture, and order of the minute or smaller parts. By all which we shall only urge thus much, That this petri∣fication is as strange as that which the Philosophers call the Transmutation of Metals; as may appear by the comparing of their efficient causes, the manner of their operations together, and also of their effects. To make which plain, we shall here once for all lay down the requisites, and manner of metallick Trans∣mutation; and so as we go, shew their accord or dis∣agreement.

And first, in the Philosophers Transmutation of Metals, they have their subject which they intend to transmute, (to use that common word, though truly the thing that they do, is only to ma•urate and melio∣rate) which is some of the more base Metals (as they are commonly stiled) for as they never mean to change Gold into Gold, for that would be no change: so in the intent of Nature and its Operation, a Stone can∣not be said to be changed into a Stone. And in this the Transmutation of Metals, and of changing Wood, Moss, Leaves, Animals, Iron, and the like, into Stone, doth agree that they both have a substrate, or subject matter to work upon, and so the one not to be won∣dered at more than the other: but there are two pro∣perties wherein they differ.

1. For first, in the petrification wrought by Na∣ture,
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the things changed are not always contained under the same proxime genus, and the thing working the effect of stonifying is of a Lapideous or Mine∣ral nature, and (according to common opinion) nei∣ther contained within the Animal nor Vegetable Kingdom, and yet are wrought upon by that petri∣fying agent, when in the Philosophick Transmuta∣tion, the thing changed is under the same proxime genus, with the nature of that which it is changed into, being both of a metallick root and nature, and so is less wonderful than the change made by Petri∣fication.

2. Secondly, the things wrought upon by the petri∣fying agent, are more remote from that stony nature into which they are changed, whether they be Ani∣mals or Vegetables, as having had no praevious Pre∣paration, to fit them for the susception of the Ope∣ration of that petrifying power: whereas in the Transmutation of Metals, the Metal to be changed is to be made as clean as Art is able to perform, accor∣ding to that true and certain rule of our Country-man Ripley, who saith:

For who that joineth not the Elixirs, with bodies made clean,
He woteth not sykerly what Projection doth mean.
Secondly, And as the agent in the change wrought [ 2] by Petrification,* is (according to the doctrine of Hel∣mont) a petrific Seed, consisting only in a saxeous odour, or invisible ferment: So the agent in me∣tallick Transmutation, is a Seed of an aurifick or ar∣gentifick nature, for it is known to all that are Ma∣sters,
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that the Elixir or small part of that which they call the Philosophers Stone, or Tincture, hath a semi∣nal power, able to produce its like, according as it was specificated by Fermentation. Which is suffi∣ciently confirmed by that faithful description that the experienced Polonian hath given us,* who saith, Lapis Philosophorum, seu Tinctura nihil aliud est quam au∣rum in supremum digestum, nam aurum vulgi est sicuti herba sine semine, quando maturescit producit semen, sic aurum quando maturescit, dat semen sive Tinctu∣ram. And again, Aurum potest dare fructum & se∣men, in quo se multiplicat industria sagacis artificis, qui scit naturam promovere, sed si abs{que} natura, id velit tentare, errabit. To which doth agree that often quoted saying of Augurellus.

*Hordea cui cordi demum serit hordea: ne tu
Nunc aliunde pares auri primadoria: in auro
Semina sunt auri, quam vis abstrusa recedant
Longius, & multo nobis quaerenda labore.
So that as they agree in having a subject matter to work upon, and in their agents, that they are both of a seminal power; so there is no cause to account the one strange or impossible, and the other not ex∣cept it be by reason that petrifying is more common, and the change of Metals, but seldom or rarely seen, which though it might stagger vulgar brains, yet can be of no moment to a learned and considerate mind.
[ 3] Thirdly, They agree in the manner of their Ope∣rations, for in the act of Petrification, there is the saxeous odour or seminal ferment added to the thing
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changed, that was not there before, and the airy steams or particles are extruded forth of the body changed that were there before, so that the Position and Contexture of the small Particles of the body changed are thereby altered and changed. So in the Transmutation of Metals, there is added some small part of the Philosophers Tincture unto the Metal (as suppose it Lead, or Quicksilver) that is to be changed: And also there is something that is separated from the body changed that was in it before, as less or more of that which some call the external, separable and combustible Sulphur; but Trevisan calls it Scoria∣drosse, which being indeed of an Heterogeneous and differing nature from the Homogeneous Mercury, did make its small parts that were Homogeneous one to another, that they could not so nearly be joined per minima, which by the ingression of the small quantity of the Tincture are extruded and separated. But to illustrate this, we shall give the unquestionable te∣stimony of Helmonts experience,* who saith, Cogor credere lapidem aurificum, & agentificum esse, quia dist•nctis vicibus manu meâ unius grani pulveris super aliquot mille grana argenti vivi ferventis, projectio∣nem feci, &c. And that a great multitude stand∣ing by, the matter, with the tickling admiration of them all (it seems himself not excepted) did succeed in the fire, as the Books of that Art do promise. And that he that first gave it him (so that it seems he had either given a second time, or more, or else he had made it himself, because he had of divers proportions) was a stranger, and but a friend of one nights ac∣quaintance, and had at the least so much as was suffi∣cient to change two hundred thousand pounds into
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Gold. And that he gave him half (a grain he calls the sixtieth part of a dram) and from thence 9 ounces of Quicksilver, and ¾ were transmuted: which was an high proportion and noble exaltation.

*Again, That he had once given him (which differs from the other) the fourth part of a grain, which fourth part of a grain being wrapped in Paper, he projected upon 8 ounces of hot Quicksilver in a Cru∣cible. And forthwith the Quicksilver with a cer∣tain noise, staid from the flux, and setled like a yel∣low lump or morsel, and after being melted, with the blast of the bellows, there was found 8 ounces of pure Gold, wanting eleven grains. Therefore that one grain of that Powder had transmuted into the best Gold, of Quicksilver equal parts to it self 19186: which was a most noble Multiplication ex∣ceeding the former.

*Again, he confesseth that sometimes, or divers times he had handled it in his hands, and with his eyes seen the real Transmutation of common vendible Quicksilver, in proportion exceeding in weight the Gold-making Powder some thousands of times; and that it was of colour like Saffron in its Powder, but very ponderous, and shining like beaten Glass, when it is less accurate∣ly made into Powder, and that once the fourth part of a grain was given him of it. And this he inclosed in Wax, lest in throwing it into the Crucible, it might be dispersed by the smoke; which he projected upon a pound of hot Quicksilver, newly bought, and put into a Crucible: And forthwith the Quicksilver, with a little murmuring noise, staid from the flux, and settled to the bottom like a lump. And that the heat of the Quicksilver was but so much as might
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hinder melted Lead from recongealing. Then by and by the fire being increased under the blast of the bel∣lows, the Metal was melted, and the melting Pot be∣ing turned upwards, he found it to weigh 8 ounces of most pure Gold. And a compute being made, a grain of that Powder did convert 19200 grains of impure and volatile Metal, that may be put away with the fire, into pure Gold; only in this there is required a moderate fire of glowing, or burning coals. And this is an higher Multiplication than the former. From all which we may note,

1. That these were three several sorts of Powders, differing from, or exceeding one another in nobility and vertue.

2. It is probable that in the last mentioned proje∣ction, he was not punctually acquainted with the quantity upon which he was to project it; otherwise he would have cast it upon less than one pound; which produced but 8 ounces, the other 4 being flown, or otherwise wasted in the fire.

3. From hence we must note, that in projection the metal to be changed, is to be in flux and open, that the Gold-making Powder may the more easily have Ingression, and penetrate into the smallest parts of the Metal to be changed;* for Paracelsus tells us, that as Water being hardened by cold into Ice, will not receive the Tincture of Saffron in Powder cast upon it; but when melted into water, easily will: so the Metal to be changed must be in flux motion, and opened by the fire, otherwise the Tincture cannot have Ingression nor spread it self, and where there is no Ingression there can be no Transmutation. Yet here Helmont tells, that it need but be easily hot, and
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not violently to any great degree, but as much as may keep melted Lead from recongealing. And this praevious artificial help, besides the cleansing of the Metal to be changed as much as Art can perform, is requisite in metallick Transmutation, though in that wrought by Nature in Vegetables, or Animals, in petri∣fying of them, there is no such precedent Preparation, nor adjuvant cause, as external heat or fire, but the petrifying steams, or seminal odour, doth effect the thing without such helping Concomitants, so that (if duly considered) the Work of Nature, without the assistance of Art, in petrifying of Vegetables, and Animals, is more strange and wonderful than the Transmutation of Metals.

4. We may note, That Nature in changing Vege∣tables or Animals into Stone, doth often work pede∣tentim, and by degrees, as also sometimes subitane∣ously and quickly, as may appear by that story of Helmont,* which he thus relates. About the year 1320. betwixt Russia and Tartaria, in the altitude of 64 degrees, not far from the Pond or Fen called Ki∣taya, it is read, that an Hord of the people called Baschirdi with their whole herd of Cattel, their Wag∣gons and Carriages were altogether transmuted in∣to Rocks or Stones. And that yet to this day the Men, the Camels, the Horses, the flock or herd of Cattel, and every other kind of thing that did accom∣pany the Waggons or Carriages, do yet stand by an horrible spectacle, in the day-light turn'd into Stone, and that this was done in one night, without any preceding putrefaction. The like story (if my me∣mory fail not, for I have not the Author by me) is in Ol••s Magnus, an Author of good credit and repu∣tation,
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and the like may be found confirmed by some other Writers. Which (if true, and no miracle) sheweth that this act of petrifying of Vegetables and Animals is sometimes quick and subitaneous, as of one night, only that change of Metals is done in a far less time, and therefore may well be said to be an acceleration of the work of Nature by the help of Art.

5. It may very well be believed, that in the changing of Vegetables or Animals into Stone, that the thing changed is of mo•e ponderosity, and for the most part of greater bulk than the thing was of be∣fore it was so petrified and changed; For so we have found in all our trials of Wood, Moss, Leaves, and the like, stonified by the dropping Well neer Kna∣resborough, because that is done by Incrustation, but whether it happen to be so in all other sorts of Petri∣fication (for doubtless there are more ways than one) our experience cannot determine, but must leave it to the trial and examination of others. But in metal∣lick Transmutation, if the exact degree of the vertue of the Powder transmuting be known, and so be pro∣jected upon a just and due proportion, the pondero∣sity will not much differ from what the Metal changed was of before, as appeareth by that experiment of Helmont's, where he projected one fourth part of a grain of the Gold-making Powder, upon 8 ounces of hot Quicksilver, and it produced 8 ounces of pure Gold, wanting eleven grains, so that here was no great difference in the weight: For reckoning that the 8 ounces of Quicksilver, had the fourth part of a grain added to them, and when changed into pure Gold, had but lost ten grains and three quarters of a
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grain, which must be that either the Quicksilver had in it so much of combustible Sulphur (as Helmont in a certain place of his Writings confesseth that all common Quicksilver hath in it less or more of com∣bustible and separable Sulphur) that was separated or wasted away in the fire: or that so much of the Ho∣mogeneous body of the Quicksilver did evaporate as being made too hot, and either of these ways it might have been, though the first is most certain, that all imperfect Metals have less or more separa∣ble and combustible Sulphur, which in projection is separated and wasted. But howsoever that there be little difference of weight in the metallick body chan∣ged from what it was before, yet it always becometh less in bulk, and possesseth lesser room, or place, as appeareth by this of Helmont, that the Quicksilver setled with a certain noise to the bottom of the Cru∣cible, and so became of less bulk, and possessed less room. And that this is, and must be so in all me∣tallick Transmutations, is most clear, not only from the authority of the Adeptists, but from their con∣vincing reasons, shewing that in their Transmutation, there is a radical Solution and Penetration of all the small parts or atoms of the Metal to be changed, by the subtile penetrability and ingression of their so much purified and exalted Tincture, and thereby all things in it whatsoever that are of an Heteroge∣neous nature, are separated and extruded, and the Homogeneous Particles joined together per minima as much as Nature can admit of, and so must needs be of less bulk, and possess less room or place, which is manifest in Gold, that is one of the heaviest bodies in the same bulk that Nature doth produce,
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as being most dense, containing most of matter, and having its particles most closely joined together, that there are few interstitiums or spaces for the Air or Aether to enter or possess, which is manifest in its ex∣tension under the hammer, whereby it will be folia∣ted farther, and be thinner than any other Metal what∣soever; and so a baser Metal changed into Gold, must of necessity possess less room, and be of less bulk.

6. And that we may come a little nearer to mani∣fest this great work of Transmutation of Metals, we may consider, that though in petrification by the se∣minal Ordour, or saxeous Ferment, it works upon most bodies as it finds them, either more susceptible, or more apt to resist, which might render its operati∣on and effects more difficult and strange. But here the matter is rendred more feasible and facile, not only by a previous cleansing of the Metal to be changed from its Heterogeneous parts, and gently opening of its body by fusion in an easie fire;* but also our Learned Country-man Roger Bacon doth shew plainly that we having nearer Metals unto the more Noble, are excu∣sed from the more remote: for seeing that Saturn, Iu∣piter and Mercury are more near than Venus or Mars, we were foolish to take the latter, and to leave the former.

7. The ancient Philosophers that were Masters of this great secret of Transmutation, and knew it by experience, and had seen it with their eyes, took little care of framing methodical Definitions or Descripti∣ons of it, as little valuing such trifles and niceties, but contented themselves with the true understanding of
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it; and yet to their Disciples which they termed the Sons of Art, they gave sufficient hints of the way and manner of it, but still as veiled and obscured. But I find that Paracelsus (however condemned of many for his too dark writing) to have said more of Transmu∣tation in general, than the most of those that went be∣fore him; some of which we shall here recite, where he saith thus:* If we shall write of the Transmutation of all natural things, it is equal and necessary, that be∣fore all things we first shew what Transmutation is: Secondly, what are the degrees to come unto it: Thirdly, by what means, and after what manner it is done. Therefore Transmutation is when a thing loseth its form, and is so altered, that it is altogether unlike its former substance and form, but assumeth another form, another essence, another colour, another virtue, another nature or propriety; as if a Metal be made Glass or Stone, if a Stone be made a burnt Coal, if Wood be made a Coal, Clay be made a Stone or Brick, a Skin be made Glue, Cloth be made Paper, and many such like: Now though this be far from a Logical Definition, as written by one that is generally believed to be no friend to Logick; yet is it no bad Description of Transmutation in general, and may well stand uncondemned, unless by those that can produce a better: for if the things that he doth in∣stance in to be changed be duly considered, the most of them have incidents in the way and mode of their Transmutation, that are as difficult to explicate and declare as the principal things in metallick Transmu∣tation. Is it not hard to open the true causes how Antimony, that is a metallick body, is per se (which
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every common Chymist can perform) brought into Glass, which is a transparent body, the matter consi∣dered, will not be found so easie? And so (if we had leisure) might be said of some of the rest.

8. And that we may more plainly understand the manner of this metallick Transmutation, let us a lit∣tle consider the virtues and properties which they as∣cribe to their Tincture when perfected, because by it the operation is performed: for if the nature of the Agent be well known, the effects that it worketh up∣on the Patient may be the better perceived; and they are thus enumerated and described by that ingenious and experienced person Iohannes Spagnetus,* who saith, There are five proper and necessary qualities in the perfect Elixir, that it be fusile, permanent, penetra∣ting, colouring, and multiplying; it borroweth its Tincture and fixation from the Leaven, its penetrati∣on from the Sulphur, its fusion from Argent-vive, which is the medium of conjoyning Tinctures, to wit, of the Ferment and Sulphur; and its multiplicative virtue from the spirit infused into the Quintessence. From whence we may gather not only its virtue and energy, but in some measure its manner of opera∣tion.

1. For, first, we are to note that all that are pro∣perly called Metals, that are to be changed, are fusile, and apt to be melted, and flow with the force of fire, though some more easily than others; and if the Tin∣cture which is the efficient changing, were not of a fu∣sile and flowing nature, it could never mix or con∣join it self with the Metal to be changed; for where there is no ingression, there can be no mutation.
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2. That it must be permanent and fixed, that is, that the force of the fire cannot make it fly; for o∣therwise it could cause no Transmutation, for nihil dat quod non habet; and by these two properties all heed∣ful and considerate persons may easily conjecture, from what root it must needs originally arise, and so may truly know the first matter.
3. It is of a most penetrating nature: for if it were not so, the small and homogeneous Atoms of the Metal to be changed could not be pierced, and thereby to be so ordered that they may be joined per minima, and united together, and thereby to ex∣trude whatsoever is heterogeneous in the Metal to be changed.
4. It hath also the property of colouring, being indeed the Sulphur, or fire of Nature, from whence all colours do arise; and mixing it self with the me∣tallick Mercury of the body, or Metal to be changed, which radically in all Metals is one and the same, it becometh one with it as arising from the same root; and so by the help of Art accelerateth the work of Na∣ture, and doth that in a short time, that Nature can∣not perform in many hundred of years, as saith the learned Philosopher in these words: Et haec est auri forma,*summum & optimum, quod ad metallicam natu∣ram spectat. Si itaque pura isti•smodi forma, quae per artem, mediante natura, praeparari potest, imperfectis Metallis addatur, tunc impurum imperfectorum Metal∣lorum superatur. Non enim impurum, sed pura materia illi est similis: Prima siquidem est •orma ad quam ma∣teria ista facta fuit. Idcircò par cum pari tempore in∣comprehensibili conjungitur, impurum separant, quasi
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dicant: An tu venisti, quod meum est, & quod ad me spectat?
5. It hath a power to multiply the virtue, but not the quantity; and having these rare qualities, it is no such wonder that it should work such effects upon the more imperfect metallick bodies.
9. And that we may more clearly apprehend the Nature of this Transmutation, we must consider some of their Maxims; which though by many slight∣ed, yet do they hold forth the certain and absolute truth:

1. As first, that of Bacon,* which they all allow of as the Basis of all Philosophick verity, which is this, speaking of Sulphur or Natures Fire, and Mer∣cury natural or radical moisture, he saith, Sed ex prae∣dictis duobus fiant Metalla cuncta, & nihil eis adhaeret, nec eis conjungitur, nec ea transmutat, nisi quod ex illis est. Which is a golden sentence, containing both truth and plainness to those that will rightly consider, and understand it.
2. Another is this of the same Author:*Sed dico quòd natura semper proposuit, & contendit ad perfecti∣onem auri. Sed accidentia diversa supervenientia transformavit metalla, sicut in multis invenitur Philo∣sophorum libris satis aperté.
3. A third is this:*Est itaque omnibus in Metallis verus Mercurius, rectumque Sulphur, aeque tam in im∣perfectis, quam perfectis Metallis: Saltìm contaminatus, & impurus factus est in imperfectis Metallis, & quae so∣la perfecta maturatione destituuntur. Et ex iisdem cau∣sis ad aurum, argentumque redigi possunt, h. •. ut ab aurea, vel argentea natura, quae in illis est, separetur im∣puritas,
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qua cum inquinata fuerant, & forma auri, vel argenti iisdem ingeratur.
4. A fourth is, That all Metals are in suo interiori, Gold, Silver, and Mercury, and that metallick Mer∣cury can no ways be destroyed, or otherwise the Art of Transmutation were utterly false, which is certain, true, and most true.
10. From all this we may plainly gather what Transmutation of Metals is, and how it is wrought: So that if Metals be in their root all of one Mercurial and Homogeneous nature, and that there be perfect Sulphur and Mercury equally as well in the imperfect as perfect Metals, then must their Transmutation be easie; •or then the Heterogeneous matter, or combu∣stible Sulphur, Scoria, or Dross, being removed, and some of the Tincture added, the parts are most close∣ly joined, and so united per minima, and tinged, by which means they are maturated in a short time by the help of Art, that Nature could not perform in many years. So that all metallick Mercury wants nothing of the degrees and nature of Gold; but re∣moving of its Heterogeneous parts, and the adding something more of the fire of Nature, and then it becomes most dense, and to have all the requisites that are necessary to Gold. Agreeable to what we say here, is the opinion of an ingenious person, who saith thus:* To conclude, I shall presume to give you some of my thoughts concerning the so much dis∣coursed-of Transmutation of Metals; concerning which I am of opinion, that the change is erroneously apprehended by many, imagining that the whole im∣perfect Metal is totally transformed into the more
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perfect by the substance mixed with it; where∣as the mixture added to the melted Metal, joins it self (as I conceive) to those parts, which being Homogeneal, symbolize together with the nature of the more perfect, whereby the pure me∣talline parts are separated from the other Hete∣rogeneal impure Sulphurs; which, together with other causes, did hinder Nature in the Mine from concocting that substance into the perfecter Metal.

A second instance that we shall give, is, That [ 2] divers Vitriolate Waters do change Iron put in∣to them into Copper, which Helmont doth deny to be any Transmutation, and saith thus: But that Vitriol-bearing Juice is thought to change I∣ron into Copper,* the Mine-men themselves not acknowledging the delusion, because that the succeeding Atoms of the Copper do fill up the place of the Iron that was wasted; neither regard∣ing that as Copper doth render or make Silver dissolved in Aqua fortis, that otherwise was in∣visible, to appear to the view, and be corpore∣al. So that it is the propriety of Iron dissolved in the Vitriol to manifest the Copper by drawing it to it self, and together in the same act, that the Iron it self is dissolved, and doth vanish in the Fountain. My Witnesses (he saith) are the Fountains themselves; because verily the Vitrio∣late Waters are far more poor in Copper than they were before the Iron dissolved in them, and the Copper thereby recovered from them. There∣fore to wit verily out of the very Fountain (where
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it is often continued, the flux of new Copper doth fail in the Pit or Spring) the putatitious Transmu∣tation of Iron doth otherwise not happen. The manner of doing of which in the Mines of Hun∣garia, called Herrengaundt, Athanasius Kircher doth thus describe:* They take rusty Iron that is unprofitable, as the remainder of various and old instruments used in Houses, and being put into the Furnace and made hot, they are upon the Anvile beaten forth into most thin plates. This being done, they put these plates into the bottom of Vitriolate Water, which doth flow in the most deep Pits of the Mines; and being put there, they leave them for certain months. And the due time ended, they come to the Pit, and find the plates to be gone (or changed) into a yellowish stuff, like unto a soft plaister, and these exposed to the Air and Winds, is hardned into Copper of the best account. And it is so used at Neosel in Hun∣garia: Therefore it is questioned whether this be a true Transmutation of Iron into Copper, or not. But I say that here true Transmutation is not at all given, seeing that all the whole Iron is not changed into the substance of the Copper, but by accident only, I do explain my self. For see∣ing that in Vitriol infinite Copperish Corpuscles do inexist, and as those have the greatest sympa∣thy with Iron, so that also it cometh to pass, that forthwith they flow unto the Iron, and do most in∣timately insinuate themselves into its pores; but seeing that they abound with Spirits of great A∣crimony, from hence being insinuated into the
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Iron, forthwith they begin to corrode it, so far, that all the fatness of the Iron being consumed, the irony substance being dissolved, doth pass in∣to dust, or a rusty powder, the Vitriolate Cor∣puscules substituting themselves into the place of the Iron being consumed, and the native par∣ticles both of the Iron and Vitriolate Water are conglutinated into one mass, which first truly is soft within the Water, but being exposed unto the more free Air, the wind and beams of the Sun are indurated into perfect Copper, and by this means it is made the same thing that it was be∣fore: before verily by the dispersion of its Cor∣puscles in the waters, now by the union of the same attracted from the Iron. But if here were given a true Transmutation, nothing of the Iron should remain after. But experience teacheth, that so much of the irony rust doth remain, al∣most as much as the irony mass did weigh be∣fore. And after he sheweth an experiment, by a rod or thread of Iron put into some of this Vi∣triolate Water sent him forth of Hungary, in this order: I (he saith) put an Iron thread into a Viol full of this water, which in the space of three days was all consumed, a certain soft mat∣ter remaining in the bottom, which separated from the Dross, did yield pure Copper; but the Dross remaining, did almost come to the weight of the thread of Iron; so that from hence no man need further doubt of this matter. Thus far the experience and opinions of these two Learned per∣sons touching this kind of change, which they
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will not allow to be a true Transmutation, from whence we shall move some considerable Obser∣vations, and submit them to the judgment of those that have Learning and leisure to examine the per∣tinency and validity of them.

1. And first, if this (in their sense) be not a true mutation, yet of necessity it is an apparent one: for the Iron not only to sense had in it the requisites that are accounted proper to that Me∣tal, but also really had that which all account the properties of that Metal, as to indure igni∣tion, extension by the hammer, and fabrication into instruments, which by being brought into Copper, hath not only a more glorious colour than that of Iron, but will indure ignition even to fusion, and that more easily than any Iron, and is become more extensible than Iron, and admit∣teth of more easie fabrication into instruments. So that this change, (of what sort soever it be ta∣ken to be) is a meliorating of the thing, a gradu∣ating and exalting of it both in intrinsick and ex∣trinsick virtue, the metallick root or nature still remaining. So when the Philosophers mention the Transmutation of Metals, as the changing of Lead or Quicksilver into Gold or Silver, they do but understand a bettering, exalting, and gra∣duating of them, the metallick root still remain∣ing: so that there is no such great difference as many ignorantly do conceive and imagine.

2. Secondly, if they mean (as they seem to hold forth) that no Transmutation is true, but where all the Atoms and Corpuscles of the Body
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to be changed, are every and all of them transmu∣ted, without separating of any of them, or ad∣ding any thing unto them, then we must say, that (as far as we either know or understand) few such Transmutations will be found in rerum na∣tura, brought to pass either by Nature or Art. And for the metallick change that the Philoso∣phers speak of, they never held that all the A∣toms or Particles of Lead and Mercury are trans∣muted into Sol or Lune, but that the Homo∣geneous parts onely are, and the Heteroge∣neous parts separated by the addition of some part of their Noble Stone, which is not much differing from this mutation of Iron into Cop∣per.

3. We may consider the manner how this change is done, and that is by taking it for granted, that in the Iron before it be changed, there are store of Corpuscles of Copper, as al∣so in the Vitriolate Water, and the Water by its Acrimony corroding the Iron, and thereby sepa∣rating the Atoms of the Iron, those of the nature of Copper residing in the said Water, do substi∣tute themselves in the place of the Atoms of I∣ron, being separated; and so being Atoms of a congruous Figure, Size, and other Properties, do easily couple themselves together, as being Ho∣mogeneal, and refusing others as of a disagreeing nature. So the Masters do hold that their Stone when exalted and prepared to the red, is aurum intensum, exuberatum & animatum, as being in∣deed brought and wrought from a Golden Seed;
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and that the Homogeneous Mercury of all Me∣tals, is in suo interiori of a golden nature, these two easily unite most closely together, and refuse union with any Heterogeneous body, and so the manner of both these changes are alike.

4. It would be worth labour to examine the cer∣tainty, whether all Iron, or the Ore from whence it is drawn, have something of the corpuscles of Cop∣per in it, and (if possible) in what proportion: That thereby it may be considered whether the atoms of Copper be in the Iron, and the atoms of Iron in the Copper, by accidental commix∣ture, or that they come to be so by progres∣sive Generation. And then it may be consider∣ed, that where there is particles of Copper and Iron mixt in one body, which seemeth to be Iron, and to which we give that denomination, be when it will, or its Ore is found so, in its ascension or descension, as the Mineralists speak, that is, whether in continuance of time more Copper would increase and grow in it, or that in length of time the Copper Atoms would decay or grow into Iron? A Quaerie that may be necessary for all Lovers of Mineral knowledge.

5. There is a passage in that profound, though dark piece, written by Paracelsus, which is com∣monly called Coelum Philosophorum, or Liber Vexationum, though some of great judgment call it Liber Fixationum, which here may well be considered of,* and that in this, Omnia sunt in omnibus occultata. Unum ex ipsis omnibus est occul∣tator eorum, & corporeum vas, extrinsecum, vi∣sibile,
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& mobile. This hint with divers others in that obscure and aenigmatical Writing, though not re∣garded by many, that are so idle and lazy, that they will not take pains to break the hard shell, thereby to gain the precious kernel, not minding that Rosa non nascitur sine spinis, and that Dii sua bona laboribus vendunt, do sufficiently shew, that the nature of Metals is not yet perfectly un∣derstood. And to me by this he seemeth to in∣timate that all Metals are hid in all Metals, and that one is the hider of them. And therefore the question pertinent to this case, will be, whether the Iron doth hide the Copper, or the Copper the Iron, and so of other Metals; which we shall not decide, but leave it to the judgment and trial of others.

A third Instance that we shall give, is in an artificial Transmutation (if we may call it so) and that is of Quicksilver, which is a fluid, open and volatile metallick body, and yet is and may be by Art brought into a firm, close and fixed body,* as Helmont declareth thus at large. There is also the Purgation Diuceltatesson, quae Podagram non minùs, quam febres radicitus curat. Ejus{que} arcanum corallinum vocatur, quod para∣tur ex essentia auri Horizontalis, hoc modo. A Mercurio vulgo venali, abstrahe liquorem Al∣kahest, cujus meminit 2. de viribus membrorum, •, de •hepate. Quod fit unius horae quadrante. Nam, inquit Raymundus, astantibus amicis & prae∣sente Rege, coagulavi argentum vivum, & nemo praeter Regem, scivit modum. In quâ coagulati∣one
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istud est singulare. Quod liquor Alkahest idem numero, pondere & activitate tantum valet millesima actione, quantum primâ. Quia agit sine reactione patientis. Mercurio igitur sic coagulato, abs{que} ullâ coagulantis remanentia, fac indè pulve∣rem minutum, & destilla ab illo quinies aquam ab albuminibus onorum destillatam, at{que} Sulphur Mercurii, quod per sui praefatam coagulationem foras deductum est, fiet rubicundum instar coralli: & quanquam foeteat aqua albuminum, tamen iste pulvis dulcis est, fixus, ferens omnem follium ignem, nec perit in plumbi examine. Spoliat•r tamen virtute medicâ, dum in album metallum reducitur. A relation of this notable Experi∣ment and most strange Mutation may also be found in the Theory of Raymund Lully the 87. Chapter, which the learned Reader may consult and consider of.

But from hence we shall observe these few things.

1. That this seemeth to be a more strange mutation than any other we can meet with, for by this the common Mercury, an open, flu•• tremulous and volatile body, is made a shut, firm, setled and fixed body, even to abide all the fire of the Bellows, and not to perish in the trial of Lead, which is all that Silver will en∣dure.
2. Here is nothing at all added unto it, but which is again wholly separated from it, for the Alkahest is drawn of the same in number, weight and activity, leaving not the least atome remain∣ing
Page 387
with the Mercury: Whereas in the Trans∣mutation of Metals by the Elixir, the part of the Powder projected doth remain inseparably with the Metal changed, so that of the two, this act of the liquor Alkahest upon the Mercury is more strange than that of the Elixir upon another Metal.
3. They agree in this, that in the Transmu∣tation of Metals by the Elixir, the extraneous Sulphur, and Heterogeneous parts (which in quantity less or more are in all Metals) are removed and separated, and so in the fixing of the Mercury the extraneous Sulphur, is ex∣troverted and turned to the outside, by the operation of the Alkahest, which Sulphur con∣taineth in it the Medical virtue, which by melt∣ing down is wasted, consumed, or separa∣ted, and so the change in both is made by separa∣ting something from the body changed, that was in it before.
4. By this it is manifest that in both these Mu∣tations, the Mercury by the Alkahest, and some other Metal by the Elixir, both after the change become of less weight than they were before, according to the quantity of the Heterogeneous parts separated from them.
5. Lastly, The Mercury is fixed by having the extraneous Sulphur thrust from betwixt the Ho∣mogeneous atomes of the Mercury, and thereby they become more closely united per minima, which is the cause, or rather the fixation it self:
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and the Transmutation of imperfect Metals is not only performed by the Extrusion and Separation of their combustible Sulphur, whereby their parts may lie more closely together, but also by the perfect union of the Power projected, with the Mercury of the Metal changed, being both of one radical nature, and of a symbolizing and ho∣mogeneous quality and condition.
FINIS.

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DEus Iustificatus: or, The Divine Goodness vindicated and cleared, against the Asser∣tors of Absolute and Inconditionate Reprobation. With some Reflections on Mr. Parker's Discourse of the Divine Dominion and Goodness. By Henry Hallywell. 8.
The Unjust Man's Doom, as Examined by the several kinds of Christian Justice, and their Obligation. With a particular Representation of the Danger and Injustice of partial Conformity. By William Smith, D. D. 8.
The Jesuites Morals, Collected by a Doctor of the Colledge of Sorbon in Paris. Fol.
The Churches Peace, asserted on a Civil ac∣count in a Sermon before the Lord Mayor. Iune 4. 1669. By A. Littleton, D.D. 4.
Institutionum Chronologicarum Libri duo, unà cum Arithmetices Chronologicae Libellis. Per Guilielm. Be∣veregium. M. A. E Coll. S. Ioh. Cant.

Dissertatio de Vrim & Thummim, in Deuteron. 6.33. v. 8. in qua de earum Natura, & Origine, non Paucorum Rituum Mosaicarum rationes; & Obscu∣riora quaedam Scripturae Loca Probabiliter Explican∣tur. Authore Ioanne Spencero, S. T. D. 8.
A Letter in answer to certain Queries and Obje∣ctions made by a Learned Galenist against the The∣ory and Practice of Chymical Physick. By George Acton, Doctor in Physick. 4.
Buchleri Elegantiae Poeticae. 12.