METALLOGRAPHIA: OR, AN HISTORY OF METALS. Wherein is declared the signs of Oars 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 showing of their Vegetability, and the discussion of the most difficult Questions belonging to Mystical Chemistry, as of the Philosopher's Gold, their Mercury, the Liquor Alkahest, Aurum potabile, and such like. Gathered forth of the most approved Authors that have written in Greek, Latin, or High-Dutch; With some Observations and Discoveries of the Author himself.  
By JOHN WEBSTER Practitioner in Physic 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.  Geber. Sum. perfect. l. c. 1. p. 21. 
Sed non ante datur telluris operta subire,  
Auricomos quam quis discerpserit arbore foetus.  Virg. Aeneid. l. 6. 
LONDON, Printed by A. C. for Walter Kettilby at the Bishops-head in St. Paul's Churchyard. MDCLXXI.   

To his Highness PRINCE RUPERT, Count Palatine of the Rhine, DUKE of BAURIA And CUMBERLAND, EARL of HOLDERNESS, etc. Constable of the Royal Castle and Honour 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 Collection 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 Subject it treateth of, being the most abstruse and most excellent part of all Natural Philosophy; being hereunto especially moved by two reasons. One is, That your Highness being a Member of the Royal Society (one of the happy fruits of His Majesty's blessed and miraculous Restauration, and that which will speak him glorious to all succeeding Generations, beyond all his Royal Progenitors) stands thereby 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 candour (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 manner to this worthy and commendable Science of Minerals and Metals. The only thing (besides the craving pardon for my boldness) 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 communicate some part of their knowledge, it is all that is desired by  
Your Highness' most humble and devoted Servant, Io. Webster.   

The PREFACE.  
COurteous Reader, Expect here no flourishing Frontispiece to allure thee to the buying of this untrimed and unpolished piece, no not so much as the Author's Picture, who never yet was so far in love with his earthly Tabernacle, as to be at the charges to have the resemblance 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 subject would bear, whose harsh and unusual terms, suitable for the most part for the Miners themselves, could not well have admitted of Rhetoric, 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 understandings 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 judgements of any, who am myself no lover of Dogmatizing, and have long wished, and am now most glad to see a way set up for the promoting of Experimental Philosophy, that men's judgements may no longer be fettered in Scholastic Chains, nor kept always in the Prisons of Academic 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 allowable, and have their proper and peculiar uses and benefits, but not so far as to set a stop to farther Discoveries by Experiment and Observation, 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 pertinent to this kind of Knowledge: I thought it might be both an acceptable and beneficial matter to communicate publicly what either by reading I had collected, by converse learned, 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 Germane Tongues, in which the greatest part of this Knowledge is written. And this being as it were the chiefest of mine aim, I hope my Countrymen will take it thankfully, and in good part, though it be wonderfully far short of what may be desired and expected about this subject.  
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 especially to excite others that have had far better and greater advantages to instruct and inform themselves, than I that have always lived in a private, obscure, and troubled condition; and doubtlessly know much more than ever I can justly challenge or appropriate to myself; 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 Chemistry; 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 Judgements and Censures of the ignorant and envious. And however others may judge, they that do understand will be satisfied with what particulars I have declared; 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 Authors, 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 Authors, the Reader may come to some measure of Mineral Knowledge. Secondly, Another benefit is, That the Reader may find the marrow of what other Authors have written in other Languages, represented in his Mother's 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 moderate 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 men's 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 Authorities quoted in the Language and words of the Author; sometimes have rendered them into the English, not so much regarding the Grammatical Order, as the sense of the Author; and for the most part the Book and Folio noted in the Margin: so that however, if the Reader doubt or dislike, he may have recourse to the Authors themselves, and consult them in their own words, or in other Translations, if there be any.  
Lastly, I have mentioned divers sorts of Oars, 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 carefully 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 itself without further Commendation. 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. Farewell.   

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 accommodating of them to humane use; and the cause of the nonproficiency of metallic skill, especially in his Majesty's 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 material, 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 Oars, 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 produced by Nature, and in what manner they are severally 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 Oars thereof. 
p. 153.  Chap. 12. What may be thought of common Gold, whether it be an ingredient into the Philosopher's 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 o'er 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 preparations it undergoes ere it be pure. 
p. 241.  Chap. 18. Of native and factitious Orichalcum; of Corinthian Copper or Brass; and of some other Compositions 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 Ironstone or Ore, and of Medicines prepared forth of the Metal. 
p. 265.  Chap. 21. Of the description of Lead, its Oars, Mine, condition and striking passages. 
p. 270.  Chap. 22. Of the several sorts of Lead o'er, their Coats and Matrices; and of Medicines prepared forth of this Metal, and of such things. 
p. 277.  Chap. 23. Of the description of Tin; of its Oars, Operation, Stocks, Floats, Fall and striking Passages, and the like. 
p. 286.  Chap. 24. Of the several sorts of Mercuries, according to the mystical Philosophers or Adeptists. 
p. 293.  Chap. 25. Of the description of Quicksilver, of Cinnober, and its several Oars 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 Chemistry, as also by the mystical way; and of the Praecipiolum of Paracelsus and Helmont. 
p. 318.  Chap. 27. Of Antimony or Stibium, of Wismuth, Bismuth, or Plumbum Cinereum, or Tinglass of Zinetum, Zinck, or Spelter; of Cobaltum. And of their Qualities, Oars and Medicaments prepared forth of some of them, and of native Electrum. 
p. 330.  Chap. 28. Something more of Galena, Lapis Plumbarius, native Cadmia, etc. 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.    

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 nonproficiency of Metallick skill, especially in his Majesty's Dominions of Great Britain.  
THe usefulness and excellency of the knowledge of Minerals is fully described by that learned and industrious person josephus Acosta, 
Histor. Jud. lib. 3. c. 2. p. 205.  who saith, The Wisdom of God hath made Metals for Physic, 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 internal and external diseases, the Authors (as Dioscorides and Matthiolus) that have written largely de materia Medica, as also the whole Band of the Chemists, both mystical and vulgar, do sufficiently testify. So that some have thought that an whole Apothecary's shop might be furnished forth of Vitriol alone; and Helmont (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 Mineral skill had not been found out, exercised, and improved; as almost all Trades, Artificers, and Families can sufficiently testify.  
And therefore we find this Skill was (necessity compelling) found forth in the first Ages of the World, 
Gen. c. 4. v. 22.  Moses testifying that Tubal-Cain was an instructor of every Artificer in Brass and Iron. And as junius and Tremellius render it, qui erudivit omnem fabrum aerarium & ferrarium: and Sebastian Castalion gives it, omnis aerarii & ferrarii opificii fabricatorem: and the Vulgar Latin renders it, qui fuit malleator & faber, in cuncta opera aeris & ferri: and Arias Montanus gives it, acuentem omne opificium aeris & ferri: And the learned Piscator seems to incline to render it acutorem (seu politorem) patrem (sive auctorem) omnis fabri aerarii ac ferrarii. I have given these several Translations, 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 Chemistry that teacheth the fusion and refining of them, but only to have been the Inventor and Teacher of making instruments forth of Brass and Iron; and then the discovering, digging up, and purifying of Metals must have been before 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 Countryman joshua Silvester in his Translation of The Divine Weeks and Works of the learned Du Bartas, 
Part. 4. Week 1. p. 289.  who singeth thus, 
While through a Forest Tubal with his Yew  
And ready Quiver did a Boar 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. etc.  
For now the way to thousand works revealed, 
Vid. Libanii Alchym lib. 1. c. 1.   
Which long shall live, maugre the rage of Eld.  
In two square creases of unequal sises,  
To turn two iron streamlings he devices.  
Cold, takes them thence: then off the dross he rakes,  
And this an Hammer, that an Anvil makes:  
And adding Tongues to these two instruments,  
He stores his house with iron implements, etc.  So that whether way soever it be taken, it is apparent that the discovering of Mines and Metals, their digging up, refining, and sundry uses of them are very ancient, if not more than many other Arts now extant in the World. And though it be not mentioned in Holy Writ, that in those days Medicines were prepared forth of them, yet it is no solid consequence to affirm that they were not, for many things were both invented and used, of which there is no positive mention in the Scriptures. And however Couringius with all his bitterness, the Catholic Transcriber and Rhapsodist Athanasius Kircherus, with all his quirks, and Guibertus with his ignorance and malice may imagine, it is manifest that Chemical or Hermetick Physick was very ancient, as we in a few arguments (though digressively) shall prove and evince.  
1. The great question is, Whether the Egyptian Learning was anciently in any great request, especially in this point of curing Diseases. 2. And whether Chemistry was not ancient in respect of preparing Medicines forth of Metals and Minerals.  
1. That the Egyptian Learning in Physic 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 Joseph's hand, and arrayed 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 Metals, or had them brought from some other Countries, but however had the skill of melting of them, and curious framing of them, else they could not have made (as may rationally be supposed they did) such valuable, 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 nothing is invented and perfected at one and the selfsame time; and this sufficiently proveth that they had skill in that part of Chemistry that teacheth the fusion and purifying of Metals.  
2. A second Argument is, 
Gen. c. 50. v. 2, 3, 26.  in this Text, And joseph commanded his servants the Physicians, to embalm his father: and the Physicians embalmed Israel. And forty days were fulfilled for him (for so are fulfilled the days of those which are embalmed) and the Egyptians mourned for him threescore and ten days: and joseph was embalmed also. From whence it is apparent that they had Physicians thus anciently in Egypt; and that they had no other skill but only to embalm, were absurd to imagine, or to think they were not versed in curing diseases, and so were furnished with medicines both from the Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral Kingdoms. If their Learning had not been great in this point as well as in Politics, Arithmetic, Geometry, and Astronomy, the comparison betwixt Solomon's wisdom and theirs had been fond asserted by the Text that saith, 
1 King. c. 4. v. 30.  And Solomon's 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 Solomon's 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 accounted the greatest wisdom known in the world. 2. This wisdom of the East and of Egypt was not such as like a Mushroom must start up in a night and an age, but must necessarily in reason be supposed to have had a beginning, an increase long ere it could come to that height to be esteemed the greatest in the world, and then must needs have been of a long and large antiquity before 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 Practic, the Art of Medicine, or Curing Diseases, and meliorating of Metals, were indeed to mutilate the wisdom of Solomon, 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 fly away. 4. And what should solomon's skill have been accounted to excel theirs (for the excellency is chiefly put in his knowledge of natural things) being so knowing in the nature of all Vegetables, that he was able to dispute of all Plants and Trees, 
1 King. c. 4. v. 33.  from the Cedar of Lebanon even unto the Hyssop that springs forth of the Wall: And to know the nature of all living Creatures, as Beasts, Fowls, creeping 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 Arcana's and Medicines that might be drawn from them, and lay hidden in them: 
2 Chron. c. 1. v. 15.  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 jerusalem silver and gold as plenteous as stones: if it were for nothing but for vain glory and covetousness; 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, 
Wisd. c. 7. v. 7, 8, 9, 17, 21.  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 thereby he knew the framing of the World, and the virtue 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 virtues both of things occult and manifest, and so could not but understand the nature and virtues 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 Moses after his nursing was brought to Pharaohs daughter, 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 daughter, as thereby to destroy the principles of his Religion (in which no doubt they had a special care to instruct him) being therein as zealous as any people under heaven. And therefore his being instructed in all the Learning of the Egyptians, it is in reason to be conjectured, 
Her●●. Medic. c. 11. p. 97, 98.  that it was not in vain superstitious Magic (wherewith as Couringius laboureth to prove, they were much infected) but in the laudable Sciences of Arithmetic, Politics, Geometry, Astronomy, and their Hieroglyphic learning, which doubtless contained natural and lawful Magic (such as those Magicians were partakers of, 
Mit. c. 2. v. 1, 2.  that came to worship Christ, 
Vid. D. Thom. Aqu. Catenam auream super loc. cit.  whose learning all the Fathers and interpreters do justify 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 Chemistry is (though perhaps not under that name, for of the Original of th● title we may justly doubt) but in its nature and property, as an Art that taught the preparing of Medicines forth of Minerals as well as other things, thereby to cure diseases, and to preserve health.  
1. And first it is sufficiently proved that the Learning 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 Consequences, and answer the main Objections. 
De Coelo lib. 2. c. 12. p. 286.   
Concerning some part of the great Learning of the Egyptians, hear Aristotle; who saith, speaking of the Stars: Similiter & de caeteris stellis Egyptii & Babylonii dicunt, qui plurimis jam annis ante haec observaverunt, & 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.  
The next Authority we shall urge, 
De Fin●bus lib. 5. p. 153.  is the Testimony of Cicero; who saith, Quid de Pythagorâ? Quid de Platone aut Democrito loquar? à quibus propter discendi cupiditatem, videmus ultimas terras esse peragratas? What shall I say of Pythagoras? what shall I say of Plato, or Democritus? of whom, for the earnest desire of Learning, we have seen the furthest Lands traveled over. 
Tuscul. quaest. lib. 4. p. 236, 237.  And again, Philosophiae denique principes ipsius, nunquam in suis studiis, tantos progressus sine flagranti cupiditate facere potuissent; ultimas terras lustrasse Pythagoram, Democritum, Platonem, accepimus. Ubi enim quid esset, quod disci posset, eo veniendum judicaverunt. Lastly, The Princes of Philosophy itself, 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, 
Macrob. lib. 1. Saturnal. c. 15.  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 Herodotus, and by Diodorus Siculus. 
Geog. lib. 17. Herodot. l. 2. Diod. Sic. l, 1.  To these add the words of Philo judaeus in his Book De vita Mosis: who saith, that their Learning consisted in Arithmetic, Geometry, Music, and Hieroglyphical Philosophy; vid. jamblic. de vit. Pythag. l. 1. c. 29. Diog. Laertium, p. 182. & Orig. Sacr. p. 122. etc.  
From all this we shall only draw these Deductions:  
1. That if the Learning of the children of the East, and the Wisdom of Egypt, were in Solomon's time accounted the greatest that then was known, and that Solomon's excelled them both; than it cannot rationally 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 Kingdom, 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 Doctrine 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 better) skilled in the knowledge of the nature of the subterraneous 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 Grecian Learning, and being therein, by the account of all Authors, the chiefest Masters, if there had not been some excellency in the Egyptian Learning that they were ignorant of. And what could that be except the Art of Transmuting of Metals, and of curing diseases in a more perfect way then the Grecians knew; amongst whom notwithstanding the Aesculapian Family had been famous many hundred years before the time of Pythagoras, and those that followed him and their going down into Egypt?  
4. And if Egypt was (according to Macrobius and 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 Medicine, which is no where to be had but forth of the Mineral Kingdom.  
But their chief Objection is, that Chemistry (about which name we do not contend, but about the Art itself) is but of late invention; and that the learning attributed 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, 
Couring. de Herm. Medic. c. 9 p. 77.  or that Hermes had) doth confess, that from most ancient Times the Art of Medicine 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 testimonies of their own Country and of others, greater than all exception. For that in the Age of the Patriarches jacob and joseph, there wanted not Physicians, by whose care their dead bodies were (being embalmed) 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 Funerals, by Herodotus and Democritus. By whose confession it being granted that the Medical Art was so anciently practised there; and that according to Pliny, they affirmed that the Art of Medicine was invented amongst them, 
Plin. lib. 7. c. 56  and all their Arts commonly attributed to Hermes; than it must of necessity follow, that Hermes (though there might be, and by the testimony 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 overthrow.  
2. The Testimony of Suidas, though undervalved by Couringius and Guibertus, 
Libanii lib. Alchym. Trans. Defence. 2. p. 214.  is not of the least validity: who relateth, That Dioclesian had caused to be gathered all the Books that treated of Chemistry amongst the Egyptians, and caused them to be burned, lest growing rich by the Art of Transmutation, it might encourage 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 Chemistry 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 persuaded that he writ the truth. And this testimony Demetrius Chalcocondyles giveth of the Writings of Suidas. This Book, to wit of Suidas, doth not only bring manifold profit to young Students, but also great fruit and pleasure to persons of every Age. For neither doth he only interpret the words of Historians, 
Libanii ibises. p. 217.  Orators, and of all sorts of eloquent Authors, but he also comprehendeth many and various Histories, that are not easily to be found elsewhere, because the Books of the Grecians, Romans, and Hebrews, from whence they were taken, are lost and perished. Which Testimony of the Writings of Suidas, the concurrent Opinion of all learned men for above the space of 400 years, is a far greater evidence than ever the authority of Guibertus, or Couringius is able to invalidate.  
3. Couringius and Guibertus both do confess that julius Firmicus the ginger, 
Libanii ibid. p. 217.218.  who lived in the time of Constantine the Emperor, about the year of christ 320. did attribute a good or bad Constellation in Heaven to the Professors of Alchemy. By which it is plain that the Profession of that Art must have been long known before; 
Couring. l. de Herm. Medic. p. 62, 93, 137.  for it is a rule, that Rei non existentis, aut incognitae nulla est assignatio; That of a thing not existing, or unknown, there can be no assignation. And seeing that Firmicus was a most ancient ginger, and that Astrological Observations do arise from long Experience; it must necessarily follow, that Alchemy must needs be both Re & Nomine, of far greater antiquity than the days of Firmicus.  
4. Guibertus himself brings an example forth of Cedrenus of one Professing Chemistry, that was a Magician (in the worst sense he meaneth.) Now Cedrenus writ in the time of Anastasius the Emperor, who reigned about Ann. Christ. 491. 
Liban. at supr. p. 242.  And if then there were some that professed Chemistry, than 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 Chemistry 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, otherwise it could not be imagined that the Christians for the advancement and defence of their Religion, should have forged supposititious pieces under Hermes his name, but that his Reputation and Learning had been long, and then was of great account amongst the Heathens themselves.  
5. Also it is manifest that Chemistry 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. 
Liban. ut supr. p. 217.  To this I shall only join the Testimony of Morienus a Roman Hermit, whose Writings were translated forth of the Arabic Language into Latin, 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 Chemistry, for the Hermetick Learning was of sufficient antiquity, and Hermes himself no feigned Author.  
6. I shall only add the judgements of four or five Authors of unquestionable credit and veracity. 


D. Sennert. Tom. 1. c. 1. de Nat. Chym. p. 754.  1. And first the most learned Sennertus, a great Chemist and Galenist, a person generally approved of by all, (though otherwise a most virulent adversary 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, Chemistry) was even from the time of Hermes Trismegist, familiar and known to the Egyptian Priests. What can be more clear and manifest for the antiquity of this Art, and for Hermes himself, than this Testimony of so learned a person? And again, after a long discourse of the antiquity of Chemistry, and of Hermes himself, who he conceives to have lived about the year of the World 2000 because that Diodorus Siculus writeth, 
Id. Tom. 3. lib. de Cons. & dissens. Gal. & Chym. c. 3.710.711.  that Isis had engraven in the Pillar of her Sepulchre, that she was instructed or taught by Hermes; he concludeth thus, Chymiam ipsi (sc. Hermeti) notam fuisse facile concedimus: quid tamen in ea praestiterit, ex historiis non patet. We easily grant that Chemistry was known to Hermes, but what he performed therein is not manifest from Histories.  
2. The second we shall commend unto the Curious, 
Jo. Lang. Ep. Med. l. 2. p. 522 & p. 550.  is the learned and approved john Langius, who in that Epistle of his of the Original of the Art of Medicine amongst the Egyptians, Chaldaeans, Grecians, 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, 
Jo. Heurn l. 1. Inst. Medic. c. 1. p. 1.  is the judicious and learned john Heurnius; who saith, that the Art of Medicine was said first to spring up amongst the Egyptians: and reason agreeth thereto, because the chief axioms of the Art of Medicine did flow from them: 
Fr. Patric. l. Herm. Trism.  and quoteth the Testimonies both of Hypocrates and Aristotle; unto which for brevity, I refer the Reader.  
4. The two last I shall only name, 
Mich. Mayer. Symb. Aur. men's. l. 1. p. 56. etc.  and those are Franciscus Patricius, and Michael Mayerus, both solid and learned persons, and have written so much (in this point) as may satisfy any unbiased and impartial Reader.    
Now though the knowledge of Metals be of such benefit to the well-being of mankind, and the invention of so great antiquity, yet hath it amongst the generality of the Learned, found no great entertainment, 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 exceedingly to flourish; otherwise before it either was by Tradition (especially the mystical part) delivered over from hand to hand, and so kept locked up in the breasts 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 labours that way, scarce one of a thousand did perceive or understand their manner of Enigmatical and Parabolical Writing and Expressions; so that for the most part, until the time aforesaid, the knowledge of Chemistry lay buried in the Cells of the Friars and Monks, and so came to no great improvement nor perfection.  
And the Reasons of the nonproficiency of the knowledge of Minerals and Metals in general, we conceive to be these principally.  
1. That whereas the Animal and Vegetable Kingdoms, 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 attained to any such degree of perfection, but that the most necessary and substantial points are yet undiscovered or not found out. Now the progress of Nature 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 observe or understand, that it is no great marvel that so little progress is made into that kind of Knowledge; for where obviousness and easiness are wanting 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 therein.  
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 easy to be observed, or else betook themselves to general contemplation; and so framed Systemes according to their own fancies, 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 Nature's 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 especially of her Mineral Kingdom, with Herculean boldness, and undaunted resolution, broken through all difficulties, and adventured great dangers and long peregrinations for attaining the same, more (perhaps) than jason for the Golden Fleece. And such appears plainly Basilius Valentinus, Bernardus Trevisanus, johannes Pontanus; and of late johannes Agricola to have been, and especially that indefatigable person Paracelsus, 
Nelm. Tartar. Histor. p. 334.  who when under the twentieth year of his age (having seen all the Mines in Germany) traveled 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 thorough 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 themselves fit Judges of the labour of others, as competent Judges as Midas was of Apollo's Music.  
3. Another Reason I shall offer is, That the way and means to discover the Nature of Minerals, is not only difficult and dangerous, but in itself is so sordid, base and troublesome, that the most men of parts, will hardly adventure themselves into the Pits or Shafts where Oars are usually gotten; nor can endure 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 than to get a poor living by that slavish Labour, regard to inform themselves of no more than what may conduce to such a poor and servile kind of living; by which means they are little able to give any learned man satisfaction to those necessary Inquiries that might tend to enable him to judge rightly of the Nature of the things in that subterraneous Kingdom. And to this you may add, That the Miners (or Bergmen, as the Germans call them) have as well as the Schoolmen, Logicians, nay, Mariners, and other Artificers, 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 Majesty's Dominions of Great Britain, is not because they do not abound with divers sorts, both of Metals 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 being commonly imagined that the Southern Climates are most fertile of them; but some other special reasons we shall show anon. For it plainly appeareth by the learned Antiquary Camden, 
Camden Brit. p. 148.  that Cornwall 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 generally the best in the World, except that of Corinthia or Villacum. For speaking of Cornwall, he saith, Stannum enim non sine uberrimo fructu, 
Diodor. Sicul. l. 5. c. 8. p. 142.  admiranda copia effoditur, ex quo vasa domestica ducta apud omnes Europaeos in mensarum usu argenteis fulgore comparantur. Incol● passim nigros lapillos ex quibus stannum conflatur, vel effodiunt, vel ex arenis lotis eximunt, 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 household 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 Britain's into the Continent in Wicker Boats covered with Leather.  

Camden. Brit. p. 692.  And in his Description of Cumberland, he declareth 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 Latin name, but that of late Dr. Merrett hath given it the title of Nigrica. And also that in Darbyshire not only plenty of Lead was found, 
Ibid. p. 497.  but also the Ore of Antimony, which the aforesaid Dr. Merrett confirms; 
Plnax rer. nat. Britan. p. 208, 209.  and so of Tin, Led, 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, Led, Copper, Steel, Iron, and other Minerals. 
Descript. of England, c. 11. p. 237.  And Dr. Iorden in his learned Treatise of Natural Baths and Mineral Waters, saith, In Scotland, three miles beyond Berwick, I found a red stone, 
Ibid. c. 8. p. 39  which I take to be Minium nativum, seeing Agricola makes mention of it in Scotland; but by a mischance could not try it. And I myself know two places in Craven, in the West-riding of Yorkshire, where formerly good Silver o'er hath been gotten: 
Hist. 1.  the one is a place called Brunghill Moor in the Parish of Slaidburn, where betwixt 50 and 70 years since, Sir Bevis Bulmer got good store of Silver o'er, that held about 67 pound per Tun, as Walter Basby an expert 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 james sent to the Emperor of Russia to settle the standard of his Coin: where he remaining divers years, and going down to the Borders of Tartary to view the Mines there, was taken prisoner by the Tartars, and after redeemed by the Russian Emperor, 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 picked 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 Rimmington in the Parish of Gisburn, 
Hist. 2.  in Craven, in the aforesaid 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 o'er, 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 this day.) But whether way soever it was, he procured 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 Led o'er 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 gotten 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, pretending 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 show the most several sorts of Ore of most Metals (except Gold:) besides great diversity of other Minerals, 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 Majesty's Dominions, that hath hindered the growth of this knowledge, but some other reasons, which we shall now show.  
1. The end that commonly men aim at in digging for Minerals and Metals, is gain and profit: and the impulsive cause that moves them to that end, is generally Poverty, Want, Indigency, and consequently Necessity. Now the most part, if not all of his Majesty's Subjects of Great Britain having wherewithal to get a comfortable and sufficient livelihood, as by Pasturage, Tillage, Professions, Arts, Trades, or Manufactures, 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 dangerous and darksome undertake, as is necessarily performed in the Mines: and therefore it is clear, that in His Majesty's Dominions, few will undergo such servitude, that have a better means to live upon.  
2. Another reason is, the small encouragement that Undertakers, or Workmen have in our Nation, to proceed to undergo such pains and hazards, as necessarily they both must run that meddle with such matters. For if the Mines be Royal, then for the most part, they are carelessly followed, as too much experience hath often verified: and if they belong to particular Lords, than 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 Workmen, 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 happeneth that either divers 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: 
Hist. 3.  of which I shall only give two instances. 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 testify) a controversy rose about the said Mine with Sir Gilbert Houghton, or his father, about the title, that grew to that height that Sir Bevis Bulmer 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, 
Hist. 4.  that Sir Richard Houghton, had set up a very profitable Mine of Allom, near unto Houghton Tower in the Hundred of Blackburn, within these very few years, where great store of very good Allom 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 otherwise 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 Condition of the English Nation, that are accustomed too much to dote upon foreign Commodities, and imported Wares; which makes them negligent in looking 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 greater benefit of our homebred Commodities than we ourselves, and therefore they have for many years last passed brought up and transported all the Led o'er 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 scaliger 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, than a man would think that this kind of Learning had already attained its height and Zenith. But if we come to balance 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 only the notions and fancies of their own brains; others were only Transcribers of what others had written before them, but had little or no further experience, and so only added to the bulk of those kind of Writings, but not at all to the substance or matter. Others that experimentally 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 Chemists. 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 understand 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 stagger 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 memory.  
1. We shall first begin with the Grecians, 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 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 others, then in asserting his own; and rather adhered to dubitation then to positive affirmation.  
2. As for Aristotle accounted the Prince of Learning, and one who would seem to be (almost) ignorant 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, concerning 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 Aristotle's writing of Minerals; 
Jac. Zabar. l. 1. c. 30. p. 84.  where he saith, Non sum enim in eo communi errore, ut putem necesse esse Aristotelem ita perfectam tradidisse naturalem Philosophiam, 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 delivered natural Philosophy so perfect, that nothing which can be invented, or known by the wit of man, was praetermitted by him.  
3. Hypocrates, 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 was in these things. 
Gal. de Comp. Med. lib. 3. p. 1162. Id. lib. De Antidote. pag. 1280.  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 excellent Medicaments brought unto him: as also for the same cause that he traveled 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 Physic, and did know divers that were artificially prepared; yet for any deep knowledge that he had in the generation and production of them, 
Id de Simp. Med. lib. 9 p. 1125.  it is not manifest, seeing he took Quicksilver to be prepared by Art, and not produced by nature; and whether it would kill, being taken inwardly, or applied outwardly, he had not tried.  
4. Dioscorides, an ancient and learned Greek Author, writ six Books, De re Medica. Upon which Matthiolus hath made a large and learned Commentary: in the fifth of which there are very good descriptions of Metals and Minerals, and their Virtues; 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 Natural History; a stupendious and laborious Piece, where in the 33. and 34. Book, he treateth of Metals and Minerals, according to what it seems he had gathered from the Ancients; and declareth many notable things of them, hardly elsewhere to be found in any that preceded him; and may yield singular instruction to an heedful Reader. Yet are not the things he treateth of so clear, but that later Observations have discovered divers defects in them (if not errors) which our search and industry ought rather to amend and perfect, then to censure and condemn.  
6. As for the numerous, and almost innumerable rabble of the Schoolmen, Expositors, Commentators, and followers of Aristotle, they have all of them (except 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 ignorant, 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, 
Encyclop. Phys. par. 4. p. 487.  and disputes) have many things in them that may conduce to the improvement of this kind of learning: though neither of them, in my judgement, have showed any great solidity gained by experience or observation. Only I shall not forget johannes Henricus Alstedius, in that little Piece of his of the Mineral Kingdom; which, both for method and matter, may serve for an Introduction to a Learner or Beginner. I cannot but here also remember, and commend the Book De Metallicis, set forth by Andrea's Caesalpinus, 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 tastes not much of experience or trial.  
8. The Jesuit Bernardus Caesius writ a Voluminous Piece of Minerologie, or Natural Philosophy; wherein, though he expatiated too far to fetch in all things that might seem any way of kindred to that kind of knowledge; and that it was but a mere Collection and heap stolen from other Authors, and hardly any thing except notions; yet is there something in it (especially concerning the signs of discovering Mines and Oars) 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 silence that universal Scribbler and Rhapsodist, Athanasius Kincherus, who after a great many huge and barren 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 satisfied, that there is but very little in it, except the Title, that doth answer such conceived expectations, or fulfil such great promises. For excepting a few Queries sent to the Emperor's Officers in Hungary and Germany, and Answers unto them, there is neither any solid, or new discovery of any thing material, tending to advance Mineral knowledge; but it is fully stuffed with Scandals and Lies against Paracelsus, Arnoldus, and Lul, whose Art of Transmutation or Maturation of Metals he laboureth to prove to be false; of which he knows no more than a blind man doth of Colours.  
2. As for Mystical Writers or Chemists, I put them in two ranks. 1. Those that knew and writ of Vulgar Chemistry. 2. Those that knew and writ of the Mystical part of Chemistry.  
1. And for the first, I shall only 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 Chemistry, 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 person, 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 Chemist, yet it is manifest to all that understand aright, that though he was a great Broyler in Gebers Kitchen, yet he never came to enter the Closet of Philosophic Secrets: yet hath he (though a bitter and sworn Enemy to Paracelsus) gathered some very true and profitable things from the Writings of other good Authors, which are worthy to be regarded. For it is discretion in every Student and Reader, to choose the good in any Writer, and to leave that which is bad: for there are few Authors that have not some mixture of both.  
3. I cannot but commend to the studious of Mineral knowledge, the Naturae sanctuarium of Henricus Nollius', who amongst other things, hath methodically 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 remember that, Difficilia, quae pulchra; and that, Dii sua bona 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 show hereafter) and whosoever shall come truly to know the Nature and Generation of Metals and Minerals, 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 Morienus Romanus, Arnoldus de V●lla nova, Albertus Magnus, and Raymundus Lullius; these, if rightly understood, 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 inferior unto them. And to these may be joined Rosarius Philosophorum, and all the Authors contained in the Musaeum Hermeticum, to which might be added many others.  
2. There are none more excellent (especially in declaring the root and seminary power of Metals) than the learned Bernardus Trevisanus, who in his Book of Alchemy, 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 intelligent Reader; though he must note, ut perspicuus apparet, it● profundus delitescit. To whom I may adjoin the subtle Philosopher Michael Sendivogius, who in his Novum lumen Chymicum, and his Book De Sulphur, hath candidly opened the secrets of the Metalline 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 learned man Michael Mayerus, in the most of his Writings of less value and esteem; having in many places unlocked those secrets of the Mineral Kingdom, that lay close covered in the Aenigmas 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 Authors) I do most approve of and commend, is the Friar Bafilius Valentinus; who besides his many Writings of Metals and Minerals, and of the rare Medicines, 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 complete, that I know not any that may justly be compared unto it. And though it was written in the Germane Tongue, and but lately translated into English; and that he altogether useth the terms of the Workmen, 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 nature, generation, and properties of Metals, (which we shall make good in the ensuing Discourse) and of the Art of Medicine, than all those his malignant Enemies, or many hundreds besides: And had taken more pains, and made more dangerous peregrinations, 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 knowledge, than any other person we know or read of; and doubtless knew and had seen more several Mines, than any one that his Enemies are able to name; as we shall have occasion to show hereafter.  
5. Let us close up this Class of Authors with that late learned, and deeply experienced person johannes Baptista van▪ Helmont; who though he left no Treatise (that ever came to light) that was purposely 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 Helmontian seems to overtop a common Chemist, Paracelsian, 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 Followers 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 little 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 commend 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 Students and Beginners that seek after Mineral knowledge: because these Authors speak not altogether by Opinion, Fancy, 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 relied 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 Enigmatical expressions.  
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 Adam's asserteth) that was exceeding fertile of all sorts of Minerals, 
Melch. Adam. in vit. Agricol. p. 84.  was thereby the better enabled 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 joachim, 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 domestic affairs; he bestowed all that partly in enquiring of persons that were skilful in the Metallick Art, partly in reading the Writers, Greek and Latin, 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 skilful 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, separated, and refined; three such advantages as seldom concur to promote the knowledge of one person.  
2. Another that I shall name, is johannes Mathesius, who giving his mind to this piece of Learning, and living in the Valley of joachim, 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 Germane 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, increase and decrease, ascension and descension, perfection and decay, and other properties of Metals, that I know few can equalise it, except Basilius Valentinus.  
3. A third is johannes 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 showeth not only the Author's 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 knowledge of them. 
Melch. Ad. in vir. Jo. Kent. p. 128.  Wherein it appeareth that he was most painful, having gotten 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 doubtlessly the Ore of all these.  
4. In the next place I shall name Caspar Schwenckfeldt, who writ a Catalogue of the Plants and Fossiles of his own Country Silesia; a Work by many much commended, (for I have not seen the Book) and is of much affinity with the Author foregoing. Also Christophorus Eucelius writ a Book, De re Metallica; wherein there is much of truth shown, 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 Freshman in these studies. Andrea● Soleas may well also be remembered, 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 concerning Metals, which are very well worth reading, and a serious consideration. I should have inserted Gabriel Fallopius with those of the first rank, but had forgot him; yet must now commend him to the studious, as one that hath toiled sore by Arguments to promote Mineral knowledge.  
5. I had almost forgot that famous Chemical Physician Martinus Rulandus; who, besides his excellency in the Medical Profession, and his good fortune in curing diseases, being a Master of many rare Arcana'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 Alchymiae, 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 several Oars of Metals and Minerals, that were contained within the large Territories of the Germane 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.  
6. Lastly, I shall commend unto all diligent inquirers into the knowledge of Metals and Minerals, the Writings of that learned Chemist and great Traveller johannes Agricola, his two Volumes upon Humerus Poppius Book of Antimony; wherein is contained many rare observations about the generation of Metals, that are hardly elsewhere to be found or read. As also those curious pieces concerning Chemical preparations, and the nature and properties of Minerals, written by johannes Pharamundus Rhumelius: wherein is contained the description of the primum ens auri, and of some other rare Minerals that scarcely 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 understand) translated, yet I thought good to mention them, because it may stir up some others (of more abilities than myself) to procure and peruse them, and perhaps of rendering them into our English or the Latin Tongue.  
To these may be added that Elaborate Piece of Olaus Wormius which he calls his Musaeum; wherein is not only contained many rare Oars of Metals and Minerals, but a succinct History of all that belongs to the Subterranean Kingdom.   

CHAP. III. Of the generation of Metals, and whether they grow, and have Vegetability, or not.  
IT is the general Opinion, not only of the Vulgar, but also of most of the Mine-men that I have conversed 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 principle to propagate themselves by. Which foolish Conceit the most part of learned men have rejected; nay, even the Collegium Conimbricense itself; and therefore it is needless to waste time in the confutation thereof.  
Now though the whole stream of Mystical Authors, 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 Disciples, or handled it so darkly, that few have been able thoroughly 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, 
Reas. 1.  giveth this Reason for the generation of Metals: and saith, 
L. of Na●. Bath. etc. c. 11. p. 51.  It appears in Genesis. that Plants were not created perfect at first, but only in their seminaries: 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 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. 
No. lum. Chym. tract. 6. p 30.  And to this same purpose the profound Sendivogius saith, Et quam prerogativam vegetabilia prae metallis habent, ut Deus illis semen inderet, & haec immerito excluderet? nun ejusdem dignitatis metalla apud Deum cujus & arbores? Hoc pro certo statuatur, nihil sine semine crescere, ubi enim nullum est semen, res est mortua. And what prerogative 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 certain, 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; 
Reas. 2.  who saith, Necesse est ergo, ut vel quatuor elementa creent semen metallorum, vel ea producant sine semine: si absque semine producuntur, tunc perfecta fieri non possunt, 
Ut supr.  siquidem res omnis sine semine imperfecta est, ratione compesiti. Therefore 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, than 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, 
Reas. 3.  To prove that Metals are generated: That whosoever hath diligently considered the manner how most Metals do lie in their 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 conclude, 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 straight passages, and narrow cavities, as all experience doth testify they are.  

Reas. 4.  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 Nature's 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 Quicksilver, Led, 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 veracity, and some others yet living, have been maturated into Gold; which must of necessity be false, if Metals, 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 its help, an acceleration of the work of Nature; and performing of that in a short time, which Nature only, 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 intrinsically had not contained 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 Authors of credible veracity, 
Observ. 1. Of Nat. Boch. etc. c. 11. p. 51, 52.  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 experience 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 Adriatic Sea, under the Venetians, where Iron breeds continually, as fast as they can work it; which is confirmed also by Agricola and Baccius. The like we read of at Saga in Lygiis, where they dig over their Iron mine's every tenth year. And of Ilna it is remembered by Virgil, who saith, Ilnaque inexhaustis Chalybum generosa metallis. 
In S●r●pt. Conci. 3.11. etc.  john Mathesius gives us examples almost of all sorts of Minerals and Metals, which he had observed to grow and regenerate. 
n Alchym. magn De Metallis p. 17. & 19  The like examples you may find in Leonardus Thurnisserus; Erastus affirms that he did see in S. joachims' 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 sticking to the old beam. Also he reports that in Germany 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 Workmen 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 Chestnut; 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.  

Observ. 2.  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 itself, and be fully impregnated with more Salt, as is most likely, from the Atoms of Salt dispersed in the air, or aether, which some hold to be nothing else but pure volatized 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 divers. 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 Spadegraft of that Earth, and so cover them with the soil, or first grassy 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 bituminous 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 generated. And it is as plain that stones do grow and increase, 
Gabr. Fallop. de re Metal. c. 6. p. 276.  and though they may allege, 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 small and minute bodies, already framed in their several seminaries, matrices, or seed-husks) to be brought to perfection. But if they mean merely by apposition of more to that which was already gathered, only an increase in the bulk, and nothing else, than it is false; for in Vegetables there is a seminal spirit, vapour, or steam, that doth transmute, and assimilate the juice of every Plant into this or that individual, 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 freestone, to the like. And that the generation of all sorts of those stones we call sand-stones, is such, by some liquor, vapour, or ardour, coagulating, (or as Avicen learnedly speaketh) conglutinating the small sandy particles together, 
Avic. de congel. & congl. lapid. in l. Art. Aur. p. 240.  is manifest in those soft red greetstones 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 enclosed in them. Which may be also noted in our freestone (which is of a far harder nature, and smother grain) in the most of the North parts of England. So that if Earth renew itself with Salt regenerated; and that bituminous Earth's 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: Ind sit quod hodie reperiantur minerae in locis, 
Nou. Lum. Chym. Tract. 4. p. 314.  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 Vegetables, 
Observ. 3.  is manifest from divers examples. For the honourable Mr. Boil from the testimony of Gerhardus the Physic Professor, 
Scept. Chym. p. 360.  telleth us in these words; In valle joachimaca (says he) argentum graminis modo & more è lapidibus minerae velut è radice excrevisse digiti longitudine, testis est D. Schreterus, qui ejusmodi veras aspectu jucundas & admirabiles domi suae aliis saepe monstravit & donavit. In the vale of joachim, 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 showed 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, 
Lex. Alchym. p. 56.  quod statim suum est, as is their proper distinction of it from other sorts, saith; Sed hoc argenium purum tenuissimis bracteis amplectitur lapidem. Interdum etiam praese fert spec●em capillorum, interdum virgularum, interdum globi fert speciem, quasi filis convoluti candidis aut rubris: interdum praese fert speciem arboris, instrumenti, montium, herbarum, & aliarum rerum. And this pure silver doth embrace the stone with most tender leaves, plates, or spangles. It sometimes 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 threads white, or red. Sometimes it beareth the shape of a Tree, mountains, an instrument, herbs, and of other things.  

Decad. 3. c. 8. p 139  To these add that most remarkable passage of Peter Martyr, Counsellor to the Emperor 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 itself unto the open air: at which time it showeth 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 Rivers, eruptions of the Springs out of the Mountains, and violent falls of the floods. For they think such grains are not engendered where they are gathered, especially on the dry land, but otherwise in the Rivers. They say that the root of the golden Tree extendeth to the centre 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 branches of this Tree, they find some as small as a thread, and other as big as a man's finger, according to the largeness or straightness of the rifts and clefts. They have sometimes chanced upon whole Caves, sustained 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 creeping from beneath the branch, maketh itself way by which it may pass out. It is oftentimes divided by encountering with some kind of hard stone; yet is it in other Cliffs nourished by the exhalations, 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 metallic Tree, as he famously hath sung, 
— Latet arbore opaca 
Ae●eid. l. 6. p. 345.   
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, 
Jo. Aur. Augurel. Ch●ysop. l. 2. p. 36.  as also that learned description that the profound Chemist Augurellus gives of that noble Mineral or metallic Tree, called by him Glaura, so well known unto, and whose sulphur above the sulphurs of all other Minerals, is so much extolled by the experienced Helmont; I faithfully commend unto all the cordial lovers of Mineral knowledge, to seek for, and inquire after. And shall shut up these testimonies with that golden sentence of the golden Tree, mentioned by Paracelsus; where speaking of the sulphur of gold, 
Par. l. de Min. Tr. 1. p. 347.  he saith, Hoc sulphur, si quale in aurifera arbore, & ad hujus radicem in montibus est, Alchymistae invenire & adipisci possent, esset certe, de quo effuse gauderent. This sulphur, if the Alchemists could find out and attain, as it 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 rejoice.  

Observ. 4.  Further (besides what to the same purpose hath been showed 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. boil hath instanced from Gerhardus, 
Scept. Chym. p. 360.  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 blue water was found, where silver was yet in its first being or ens, which coagulated, was reduced into the powder or calx of fixed and good silver.  

Theatr. Chym. Arcae Ar●an. p 318.  The Author Arcae Arcan. from Lul and Mathesius tells us this: Materiam, priusquam in metallicam formam congelatur, esse instar lactis coaguli butyri, quae in butyrum diducitur, quam Gur vocat, quam ego quogue in fodinis in quibus natura plumbum paravit inveni. That the matter (viz. of Metals) before it be coagulated into a metallic form, is like unto Butter made of the Cream of milk, which may be claimed 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. 
Hist. 1.  To ratify this, and to put it forth of doubt, I shall relate what I myself have found, and now have some pounds of it by me. Enquiring 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 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 experienced in working in the Mines of Lead in Darbyshire, and he therein also had been trained up from his young years: one whom I had formerly much employed in seeking and procuring for me, several sorts of Oars, Minerals, Stones, and Earth's, wherein I had found him very faithful and diligent; and discoursing with him about what liquid juices or waters he had ever observed in digging in the Mines, and instructing 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 wooden dishes to take with him, it was not very long ere he brought me a large quantity, found in a trench; where then he got good store of Led o'er, such as the Miners account the best for their purpose; that is, such as will most easily run, or melt, and yield the most Led: 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 enclosed, 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 greasy: and as Helmont 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 divers 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 Led enclosed in this soft matter, did in continuance of time change, or ripen it into its own Nature; which I will not positively affirm, but commend it to further trial and inquiry, for there had need be many careful experiments, 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 than the other will do, which I take to be true Gur; and this as a common thing I do but only name, to illustrate 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 diffringens, dehiscat paries & rimam det, unde tantillum aquae subalbidae virescentis manavit, quod mox concrevit instar saponis liquidi (Bur voco) mutatoque deinceps pallore subviridi, 
Intg. oport. p. 157.  flavescit, vel albescit, vel saturatius viridescit. For it often happeneth that a Mine-man in the Pits breaking stones, the wall is opened and shows a chink from whence a water hath flowed of a somewhat whitish greeness; which by and by hath thickened, like soft Soap (I call it Burr) and forthwith the somewhat greenish paleness being changed, it groweth yellowish, or whitish, 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 Burr, 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 judicious persons, that he truly knew more than the most of all those that went before him: and first special notice may well be taken of that remarkable passage, where he saith; 
Rer. Natur. l. 9 p. 113.  Sciendum est, metallum quodvis, quamdiu in primo ente adhuc latet conditum, peculiaria sua astra habere. Quamprimum autem ad suam perfectionem venerunt, & in fixum metallicum corpus coagulantur, ab illorum quolibet sua astra recedunt, & corpus suum relinquunt mortuum. It is to be known that every Metal, whiles yet it lieth hid in its first being, or ens, hath its peculiar stars. But as soon as they come unto their perfection, and are coagulated into a fixed metallic body, their stars do go back from each of them, and leave their body dead. 
Vid. Para●. l. de Rev. & Restaur. p. 43, 44, 45. & Chir. mag. p. 243, 244, & 117.  He likewise in other places (that I shall not recite at large, because I shall have occasion 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 coagulated into an hard metallic body; as also of Antimony and of Quicksilver; to which I refer the Reader, for brevity sake.  

Observ. 5.  We shall now go to prove the growth of Metals from a fuller testimony of that honourable and learned person Mr. boil, who saith: And as for Metals themselves, 
Scept. Chym. p. 357, 358.  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, became one afterwards: of this it were easy to allege many testimonies of professed Chemists. 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 metallicae. Sunt enim loca è quibus si hoc anno sulphur effossum fuerit, intermissa fossione per quadriennium, redeuni fessores, & omnia sulphur, ut antea, rursus inveniunt plena. Pliny relates, In Italiae insula Ilna, gigni ferri metallum. Sirabo multo expressius; effossum ibi metallum semper regenerari. Nam si effossio spatio centum annorum intermittebatur, & iterum illuc revertebantur, fossores reperisse maximam copiam ferri regeneratam. Which History not only is countenanced by Fallopius, from the Income which the Iron of that Island yielded the Duke of Florence in his time; but is mentioned more expressly to our purpose, by the learned Cesalpinus. Vena (says he) ferri copiosissima est in Italia, ob eam nobilitata Ilna Tyrrheni maris insula incredibili copia, etiam nostris temporibus eam gignens. Nam terra quae eruitur dum vena effoditur tota, procedente tempore in venam convertitur. Which last clause is therefore very notable, because from thence we may deduce, that Earth by a metalline plastic principle latent in it, may be in process of time changed into a Metal. And even Agricola himself, though the Chemists complain of him as their adversary, acknowledgeth 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 even 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 employed to fasten together the parts of old Statues. Not to mention 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; 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 Asylum recrementa congesta in cumulos, exposita solibus pluviisque paucis annis, reddunt suum metallum cum foenore.  

Observ. 6.  The last thing that I shall observe to prove the generation of Metals, shall be from the quotations of Libanius, 
Liban. Alchym. Transmut. def. p. 207.  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 confirmed 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 Fulgosus (he saith) doth bring ocular witnesses, lib. 1. Fabricius ex 4. Genealium dierum Alexandri Neapolitanis.  
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 Commanders for a rare gift, etc. 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 Metals are generated, Iron is an instance, that in the Metals of Ilna, the most approved Writers have committed to memory, that it doth grow again. For that to the same Led set in a moist place there is increase, of which thing Galen is witness. Certainly those Led cover, 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, than before, when they had tried their weight; and so far forth that they are very often forced to change them for brazen ones. Mathesius' Contion. 3. Sareptana proponit & deducit tria. 1. That Metals even in his time, and then, did increase in the Veins and Mines. 2. That one Mineral in time, did change into another that was better. 3. That a perfect Metal, unless it be digged up, is consumed of the subterraneous fumes and heat.  
There is another remarkable observation quoted by the forementioned Mr. boil, 
Observ. 7.  which I shall give you in his own words, 
Scept. Chym. p. 361, 362, 363.  which are these: 
The other two relations I have not met with in Latin 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 johannes Valehius upon the Klein Baur, in which that industrious Chemist relates with many circumstances, that at a Mine-town (if I may so English the Germane Bergstadt) eight miles or leagues distant from Strasburg, called Maria Kirk, a Workman came to the Overseer and desired employment; 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 little esteemed. This Workman after some week's labour, 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 show like an armed man; but consisted of pure fine silver having no Vein or Ore by it, or any other additament; but stood there free, having only underfoot something like a burnt matter: and yet this one lump held in weight above 1000 marks, which according to the Dutch account makes 500 pound weight of fine silver. From which and other circumstances 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 precious mass of Metal.  
The other Germane relation is of that great Traveller, and laborious Chemist, johannes (not Georgius) Agricola; who in his Notes upon what Poppius 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 mere poison, and often suffocates the Diggers) which fastened itself 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 collected it and distilled it per Retortam, he obtained from it a fine spirit; adding that the Mine-men informed him that this steam or damp of the Mi●e (retaining the Dutch term) would at last have become a Metal, 
Ib. p. 3●1.  as Gold or Silver. And afterwards he addeth, I remember that a very skilful 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. 
p. 364, 365.  And doth make full recital of Earth renewing itself with Salt-petre; as also of the Ore of Vitriol growing into Vitriol itself. 
Sebast. Muast. Geogr. p. 7.  Add to this that which Munster tells us, that Nature doth figure pure silver into the form of Trees, Rods, or Hairs, etc.   
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 Authors, I hold to be sufficient: Only I shall commend some particulars deduced from hence, to be inquired of by all persons that love metallic 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 Overseers of Mines, or employed about them, or work in them, to take notice of these few Inquiries.  

1. To observe whether Earth's, of any sort, or Stones do grow and increase, and after what order and fashion?  
2. And that all those in our own Nation, or elsewhere, that work about Allom and Vitriol, would observe how their Oars do lie and are found, and whether they increase or not?  
3. And seeing our Nation hath store of Tin and Led Mines, that they would observe, whether their Oars grow, or not, and in what manner?  
4. And in Tin and Led 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 blue; and that which Paracelsus 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 Oars are wrought out, that they do after some years renew and grow again, or not?    

CHAP. IU. Of the Causes assigned by the most approved Authors 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 enumerate some opinions of the chief Authors, and leave the Reader to choose which he judgeth most probable, or most true; because we mean not to dogmatise nor impose upon any, but rather to move all men to a diligent 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 transcribe what Dr. Iorden hath written in that case, with his censure upon it, and his own opinion adjoined; because that little Tract of his may be in few men's hands, 
Of Nat: Bath. etc. c. 11. p. 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59  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 animate 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 Analogum, 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 judgement of Petrus Severinus, 
Cap. ●.  however he doth obscure it by his Platonical grandiloquence. 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, concoction, expulsion, etc. 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 withal? Moreover they are not increased as Plants are, by nourishment; whereas the parts already generated, are extended in all proportions by the ingression of nutriment, which fills and enlarges them: But only are augmented externally upon the superficies 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; 
Erastus. Ca●erius. Caesalpinus. Martinus. Moresinus. Fachius. Magyrus. Libanius.  Aristotle makes the humidity of water and the dryness of earth, to be the matter of all Minerals: the dryness of earth to participate with fire, and the humidity of water with air; as Zabarella interprets it: so that to make a perfect mixed 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 partly, of dryness; if all the moisture be spent, turns to earth, salt, or concrete juices, which dissolve in moisture. If some moisture remain before congelation, than it turns to stone. 
Meteor 3 c. elc. Caesalp. l. 3. c. 1.  If this dry exhalation be unctuous, fat, and combustible, than Bitumen, Sulphur, and Orpiment are bred of it: if it be dry and incombustible, then concrete juices, etc. But if moisture do abound in this vapour, than 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 congeal this exhalation. 
Liban. de Nat. Metal. c. 14. Caretius. 178.  So that here must be two efficients, 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 converted to water; whereas Minerals are generated before 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, 
Septal. in Hyp. de aere, aqu. etc.  as may appear, Meteor. 1. According to this assertion, there must be two places for the generation of Minerals: 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 efficients. 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 than 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 water, whereof principally Metals are made to consist, is very unfit to make a malleable and extensible substance, 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 nature of pure water. This assertion doth presuppose 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 water? Again, this mineral quality either gives the water, or the vapour of it the essence of the Mineral; and than it is not the effect of water, but of the mineral quality, or the potential faculty to breed it. If the essence, than this metalline water or vapour, must have the form of the Metal, and so be fusible and malleable. If it have only the power and potential faculty, than 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 carried in the bowels of the earth. For afterwards, when the exhalation is settled in the stones, the heat is gone. Now if the concoction be perfected before the exhalation be insinuated into the stones, as it must be, if it be like dew, than it is perfect Metal, and neither 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 principal agent in the generation of Metals, which generates 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, etc. But they say that cold doth congeal Metals, because heat doth dissolve them. I answer, the rule is true, 
Valesius Sac. Philos. c. 49.  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 reduced to water or vapour, as it was before the congelation 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 according to the former rule rightly applied. And therefore this dissolution by fusion, doth not argue a congelation by cold: which being in the passive elements, doth rather attend the matter then the efficient of generations: for it is apt to dull and hebetate all faculties and motions in Nature, and so to hinder generations, rather than to further any. It is heat and moisture that further generations, as Ovid saith, Quip ubi temperiem sumpsere humorque calorque concipiunt.  

Singularium, l. 1. part. 1.  And thus much, he saith, for Aristotle's 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 metallificus, etc. and with more reason, because they are found liquid in the earth. Gilgill would have it ashes, Democritus lime: but these two being artificial matters, are no where found in the earth. The Alchemists make Sulphur and Mercury the matter of Metals; 
De nat. Metal. c. 10.  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 show 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 nature 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 moistened 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 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 moistened, will gather an actual heat, and produce much more of those Minerals, than 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, etc. do avouch out of the daily experience of Mineral men, who affirm, that in most places, 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 fermentation whilst 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 Tinglass, which being digged, and laid in the moist air, will become very hot. So Antimony and Sublimate being mixed together, will grow so hot as they are not to be touched. 
Carer p. 212.  If this be so in little quantities, it is likely to be much more in great quantities and huge rocks. Heat of itself d●ffers not in kind, but only 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 superior 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. 
Fachius. Martinus. Morisius. Magyrus. Libani. Velcurio. Yalesius. Car●rius. Erastus, etc.  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 Aristotle's Interpreters, (and Morisinus calls it Elphesteria) not knowing how otherwise to attribute these generations to the Elements. And this is the cause why some places yield some one mineral species above another. Quip solo natura subest. 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 aptness 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. Only we shall note one thing to the Reader to be considered of; and that is, where he makes Plants to be nourished and augmented by the ingression of nutriment, which fills and enlarges them; but that Minerals are only augmented externally upon the superficies, by superaddition 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 fancy and paradox) 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 contained in that husk or covering, is in so extreme 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 embryo doth open and expand itself, and receives in by its pores, or cavities of those parts ordered for roots (whether by attraction, 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 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 seminary 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 only 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 nutriment, by the matter having ingression by their pores; yet when they are grown older, and their trunks 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 trunk, 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 matter 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, 

Gal. de Simp. Med. fac. p. 2124.  
Ag●ic. de ort. & cause. subter. p. 519.   and approved of by Agricola, be true; that Led being placed in a moist Cellar or subterranean rooms, where the air is gross and turbid, will be increased both in bulk and weight; than it must probably be by taking in some parts of that gross air, or the mineral particles contained in it, by which it makes protrusion of its parts, 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, settle together, and in time become an hardened and metalline substance.  
2. Or that other-sometimes those mineral seeds may become settled 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 hardened into a metalline substance, if the place will give leave, may protrude itself further and further (as the roots of Vegetables do in hard Rocks and old Walls) by virtue of the mineral steams, piercing from the root, through insensible pores, or at least may ripen from one degree of perfection to another; as from Lead to Silver, and the like. For myself and divers other ingenious persons 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 than 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 Wether, and so left more of silver in the same bulk of matter, than the same bulk of Lead contained, 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 noble Nature, or got increase from the beams of the Sun, or particle in the Air, or both. And these noble hints I only 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 Chemists, 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. Thirdly, the manner how they are generated.  
1. The ancient Chemical Philosophers held, that the matter out of which the Metals were generated, were Sulphur and Mercury; but Basilius Valentinus, Paracelsus, and the later Chemists 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 joined 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 vulgar, as the most of their adversaries have too grossly 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 generated.  

No. lum. Chym. Tr. 3. p. 309▪  1. Their Sulphur and Mercury they variously describe, as Sendivogius saith: Prima materia metallorum, & principalis est, humidum aeris caliditate mixtum, hanc Philosophi Mercurium nominarunt, qui radiis solis & lunae gubernatur in mari Philosophico. The first and principal matter of Metals is, the humidity of the Air mixed with calidity; this the Philosophers have named Mercury, which is governed with the rays of the Sun and Moon in the Philosophers Sea. 
Ibid. ut supr.  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 Archaeum naturae in terrae centrum vaporem aquae ponderosum, 
Ib. Tr. 6. p. 320, 321.  qui est metallorum semen, & dicitur mercurius propter ejus fluxibilitatem, & uniuscujusque rei conjunctionem, non propter essentiam, assimilatur Sulphuri propter internum calorem, & post congelationem est humidum radical. The four Elements in the first operation of Nature, do distil by the Archaeus (or Workman) of Nature, into the centre of the Earth, a ponderous 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 internal heat, and after congelation is the radical moisture. Trevisan defines Sulphur thus: 
Alchym. p. 766, 767.  Sulphur enim aliud nihil est, quam purus ignis occultus in mercurio, qui longo successu temporis excitatur, atque movetur motibus corporum coelestium, digeritque frigiditatem & humiditatem in mercurio pro varietate graduum decoctionis, & alterationis in diversas formas metallicas, etc. For Sulphur is nothing else then pure fire hid in the Mercury, which in long continuance of time is excited, and moved by the motions of the celestial bodies, and doth digest the coldness and humidity in the Mercury, according to the variety of the degrees of decoction and alteration, into divers metallic forms. Elsewhere he hath called Sulphur the masculine agent fire and air, which in the metallic seed doth maturate and digest the two feminine passives of Earth and Water: because that heat is an intrinsic and essential part of the Mercury itself; to wit, the two more active elements in it, that is to say, the Air and Fire. And again, 
Vid. Correct. Rich. Augl.  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 itself, and Homogeneous in the Mercury. And Geber saith, it is nothing else but light and tincture; and others call it the most ripe part of the Mercury. And the ingenuous and candid Nollius' defines it thus: 
Phys. Herm. p. 308.  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.  

Ut supr.  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 itself, without the substance of the Mercury, neither common Sulphur; otherwise the matter of Metals should not be Homogeneous, which is repugnant to the opinion of all Philosophers. Likewise Morienus and Aros say: Our Sulphur is not vulgar Sulphur, but sixth and not volatile; of the nature of Mercury, and not of any other thing whatsoever. 
Ib. ut supr.  And Trevisan again saith: Some persons 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 spiritus, 
Noll. Phys. Herm. l. 8. c. 3. p. 313.  quem animam appellitant, duo elementa aquam & terram inter se committit, atque ex utrisque conjunctis spiritum quendam prolicit unctuosum, eumque in centrum terrae demittit, ut ex eo sursum elevetur, & in matricem deferatur debitam, ac in ea in argentum vivum sulphur, & sale naturae impraegnatam concoquatur. The Aethereal spirit which they call the soul, doth commix betwixt themselves the two Elements, Water and Earth; and of them both being conjoined, 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 vive impregnated with the sulphur and salt of Nature. And Sendivogius thus: 
No. lum Chym. Tr. 6 p. 320.  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 tribuit, & sic locorum varietate, res etiam proveniunt, & nascuntur variae. Quando enim ex terrae centro sublimatur vapor ille, transit per loca vel sicca, vel calida. Si igitur transit vapor per loca calida & pura, ubi pinguedo sulphuris parietibus adhaeret, vapour ille quem Philosophi mercurium Philosophorum dixerunt, accommodat se & jungitur illi pinguedini quam postea secum sublimat, & tunc fit unctuositas relicto nomine vaporis, accipit nomen pinguedinis. That all things do grow of the liquid air or vapour, which the Elements 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 sagacity; and so by the variety of places, various things do come and grow. For when this vapour is sublimed from the centre of the Earth, it passeth by places either dry 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 Philosophers have called the Mercury of Philosophers, it accommodateth itself, and is joined to that fatness; which afterwards it sublimes with itself, 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 only 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 showed, 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 elementa quatuor aeque sunt ad informationem asini vel bovis apta, ac ad metalla. For the four Elements are equally fitted for the information of an Ass, or Ox, 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 matrices.  
2. The remote matter they establish to be this vapour mixed with the Sulphur that stuck to the Walls, growing into a middle substance like to fat or glutinous water.  
3. The third is the proxime, or next matter of Metals, 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 specific 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 metallic 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 production) is not different from the sperm of other things, to wit, an humid vapour.  
2. This metallic seed is not like the animal and vegetable seed, easily to be known or had; for they say of it: 
No. lum Chym. T●. 6. p. 319.  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 metallic 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 invisible. 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 only known the seed of Metals.  
3. This metallic seed is but one, and not divers; 
Ib▪ Tr. 4. p. 313.  for so he witnesseth, Sunt qui opinentur, Saturnum habero aliud semen, aurum quoque aliud, & sic consequenter metalla reliqua, sed vana sunt ista, unicum tantum est semen, idem in Saturno, quoth in Auro invenitur, 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 only one seed, the same in Saturn that is found in Gold, the same in Luna that is in Mars. 
Elucid●t. of the 12 gates, p. 117.  And Basilius Valentinus, far more fully, saith thus; Therefore observe and take notice, that all Metals and Minerals have only 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 golden seed, or this magnet, and searcheth throughly into its properties, he hath then the true root of life, and may attain unto that his heart longeth for. Wherefore I entreat all true lovers of Mineral Science, and Sons of Art, diligently to inquire after this metallic seed or root, and be assured that it is not an idle chimaera 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 only that metallic bodies, 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: 
Progym. Meteor. p. 70.  Who saith, Estque ideo in ipso Mercurio, prout in elementis, ratio propinqua indestructibilitatis. There is therefore in Mercury itself (meaning metallic Mercury) as in the Elements, the nearest cause or reason of indestructibility. 
Timae. Plat. p. Graec. 488. Latin. 718.  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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, alterum fusile 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 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 fusiles appellavimus, quod ex tenuissimis levissimisque fit densissimum, uniform, splendidum, flavumque, pretiosissima 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 compacted, because it is made of most tenuious, most soft (or tender) things, most dense, uniform, splendent, yellow, 
Lib. de Miner. Tr. 1. p. 342.  and is a most precious thing. The rest may be seen more fully in the place quoted. And that Paracelsus was of opinion that Metals had for their material cause Water, is manifest; for he saith, Sic ergo mirabili consilio Deus constituit, ut prima materia naturae esset aqua, mollis, levis, potabilis: & tamen foetus seu fructus ipsius est durus; ut metalla, lapides, quibus nihil durius est. So therefore God hath ordered by a wonderful counsel, that the first matter of Nature should be Water, soft, gentle, potable. And notwithstanding the offspring or fruit of it is hard; as Metals, Stones, than which nothing is more hard.  
And that Water was the matter out of which Metals and all other mixed bodies were framed, seems not altogether disliked by that honourable and learned person Mr. boil, 
Scept. Chym. p. 118.  who saith; Yet thus much I shall tell you at present, that you need not fear my rejecting this opinion for its novelty; since, however the Helmonti●ns may in compliment to their Master, pretend it to be a new discovery; yet though the Arguments be for the most part his, the opinion itself is very ancient, as there he further proveth at large: to which for brevity sake, I remit the Reader.  
But no Author (in my judgement) hath more fully, plainly, and truly described the matter, manner, and order of the generation of Minerals, than that learned and most experienced Chemist Helmont hath done; and therefore we shall give you his opinion at full, though some part of it hath been recited before; who saith: 
Magn. oport. p. 157.  Non raro nempe contingit, quod metallarius in fodinis, saxa diffringens, dehiscat paries & ●imam det, unde tantillum aquae, subalbidae virescentis, manavit, quod mox concrevit instar saponis liquidi (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 vestitum prodit, & Gas incoepit sulphur aquae inquinare, vita est seminis media, ultima vero cum jam indurescit. So that it seemeth, it is made otherwise within, without the breach (or wound) of the stone. Because that juice, or liquor, is perfected by an internal efficient. Therefore the first life of the metallic seed is in the cup, hole, or little cellar of the place, altogether unknown unto man. But when the seed doth appear unto light invested, or clothed, with the liquor, and the Gas hath begun to slain, 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 only add the opinion of the Author of the Arcae Arcani artificiosissimi apertae, who saith thus. 
Theatr. Chym. Vol. 6. p. 305.  Which, because it is large, I shall only 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 turbulent. For it is always observed by sight, that in the Pits, or Groves of Metals, sharp and salted Waters do distil down. While therefore those waters do fall downwards, (for all heavy things are carried downwards) there are sulphureous vapours ascending 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, than 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 claimed like Butter; which I (saith this Author) can also show in my hand, above the Earth, and forth of the Earth. The Labourers in the Groves do often find this matter which is called Gur; but of it nothing can be prepared, 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 efficient 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 efficient cause of the Picture or Statue, were external and separate from them, after they were wrought and finished: Not considering that these, and the like, make no alteration intrinsically in the compound, but only are conversant about the figuring, and altering the dimensions of quantity: partly from humane, animal, and vegetative generations, wherein they conceive the male and female to be efficient causes of generation, 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 matrix 〈◊〉 which seeds being joined together, become agent, and patient (being excited by the heat of the matrix, as an adjuvant cause) and the intrinsical efficient cause is contained in them, which we call the Archaeus, or seminal Idea that doth form and organize the body, according to the species from whence it was derived, if the matrix be proper, and of due kind for it. And the male and female in this do no more than the husbandman that ploweth and tilleth the earth, and then casteth in the seed, (only Nature hath prepared and provided seed intrinsically in the male and female, which the husbandman must have elsewhere provided by Nature for him ab extra) being no intrinsecal; or efficient cause of its generation or growth; but only 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 it's own body.  
But to come to the true efficient cause of the generation of Metals (though what hath been said might suffice) the substance seems to be this. That the Solar particles, celestial spirit, or internal and incombustible 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 judgement of the learned Reader) doth generate, perfect, and ripen Metals; as most of what hath been said before, doth sufficiently testify. And all do consent 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 only 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 dry, sulphureous, and warm steams that rise from the lower pa●ts of the Earth, do join together, and so becomes unctuous and fat, which settling in close holes, and cavities of Rocks where the air cannot enter, 
Vid. No. Lum. Chym. p. 314, 315.  as in a close womb, is in length of time thickened 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 metallic body, pure or impure, according as the steams were, when they joined 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 Reader, 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 mixed 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 animal, vegetables, nor any of their parts. Which are so variously divided by Authors, that a man cannot well tell which of them to pitch upon, as the most perfect, 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 Fossiles. 
Mus. Worm. c. 1. p. 1.  Est autem fossil, corpus perfecte mixtum inanimatum, vitae expers, peculiari forma, & virtute seminaria à deo in prima creatione dotatum, ut sibi simile procreare, suamque speciem propagare possit. But a Fossile is a body perfectly mixed, 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 itself, and might propagate its species. And after doth divide them into three sorts. 1. Into middle Minerals; which have a middle nature, as it were betwixt stones and Metals; and of these he maketh four sorts. 1. Earth's. 2. Salts. 3. Sulphurs. 4. Bitumens'. 2. Into stones, of which he maketh two sorts. 1. Stones less precious. 2. Stones precious. 3. Into Metals, by which (he saith) he understands metallic bodies, meaning as well the Metals 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 sorts, 
De re metal. l. 1. c. 1. p. 6.  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 properly metallic bodies, as those that draw their original from a very weak Mercury and Sulphur, or those that consist of argent vive, or sulphur alone, as subventaneous eggs, or a Mole. This division I leave as but defective, and to be censured by others.  
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 fancy may find many nice and speculative questions handled, and according to his notions resolved. It being the custom of those kind of men to seem ignorant of nothing, when indeed experimentally they scarce know any thing. He relateth that Avicen quoted by Albertus, 
Min●●olog. l. 1. c. 8. p. 129.  Agricola, and others, do divide Fossiles into four kinds; as Stones, Metals, Sulphurs, and Salts. And others likewise into four, to wit, remarkable Earth's, concrete Juices, Stones, and Metals. These and other divisions he showeth, 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 divisions of Aristotle, Theophrastus, Galen, Avicen, and Albertus; and that the said Fallopius doth rightly prefer the fourfold division of Agricola, into Earth's, Juices, Stones, and Metals, as more clear than the rest. 
Ibid. l. 2. c. 1. p 141.  And afterwards he forth of Agricola, doth enumerate six sorts; which, with the rest, I commend to be considered of.  
4. The Author of the Aureus Tract De Lapide Philosophico, 
P. 24.  divides them into four sorts, to wit, Stones, amongst which the matter of every kind, and Earth's are understood Salts of all sorts, the middle Minerals, and Metals.  
5. Lastly, I shall only add the division used by Trevisan, 
Epist. ad Tho. Bovon.  not so much regarding the exactness, as usefulness, which he maketh fourfold. 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 mineralia, or lesser Minerals, as Salts, Aloms', Tackles, Auripigments, Vitriols, Sulphurs, etc. 3. The third are the metallic 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 compound 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 omitted it, as too nice a difficulty and fruitless speculation, as Paracelsus, 
Lib. coel. Phil. p. 126.  who giveth this; and yet however, thought of it as good and true as the best of them; who saith, He that goeth about to know what Metals are, and from whence they arise; must understand, that our Metals are no other thing, than the best part and spirit of common stones, that is to say, pitch, grease, fatness, oil, 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: Metallum est corpus perfecte mixtum, 
Jo. Magyr. Physiol. Peripatet. l. 5. c. 1. p. 321.  & inanimatum, ex sulphur & argen●● vive, mixti● & temperatis in terrae v●nis, natum. A Metal is a perfect mixed 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 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 mixed, 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 argent vive, as the father and mother of Metals. And when they are said to grow of sulphur and argent vive mixed and tempered together in the veins of the Earth, by which the efficient cause, and place or matrix of generation is signified.  
Wormius gives this modest definition of a Metal. Metallum est corpus perfecte mistum, 
Mus. Worm. Sect. 3. c. 1. p. 113.  non vivens, sed viventi aemulum, à Deo in venis creatum, ex terra subtilissima, & halitibus pinguibus ex terra & aqua, per calor●m mistress, ut inde sulphureum & mercuriale semen fiat, ex quo metalla generari possunt: quae accedente salino principio concrescunt, & incrementa capiunt, donec pura, & perfecta reddantur, igne fusilia, ictuque in longum & latum ductibilia. A Metal is a perfect mixed body, not living, emulating life, created of God in the veins, of a most subtle earth, and steams being fat, from the earth, and water, mixed by heat, that from thence a sulphureous and mercurial seed may be made, from whence Metals may be generated: which do join together, and take increase, by a saline principle coming to them, until they be made pure and perfect, being fusible by fire, and by force to be drawn into length and breadth.  
3. Schroderus gives this description: Metalta sun● corpora dura, 
Pharm. Med. Chym. l. 3. c. 9 p. 42.  ductilia ex succo salino sine Mercurio, vi sui sulphuris in terra coagulato. Metals are hard bodies, 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 descriptions given of Metals, from many other Authors, but so defective, or imperfect, that I have only instanced in these, to show 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 properties of them, to help to lead this knowledge towards perfection. And therefore we shall only mention three particulars that may be observed from what hath been spoken before. 1. That if we take a Metal in the sense of the first definition of Magyrus, than 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 Autimony and the like.  
2. But if we take a Metal strictly to be, a perfect mixed, constant and Mineral body, fusible, ductible, or malleable, arising or generated of Sulphur and Mercury: 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 breadth by force. Then quicksilver must be none of them, nor those that are accounted semi-metals, as Antimony, Bismuth, or Tinglass, and the like; which of themselves 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 mixed body, less constant, fusible not ductible per se, compounded of a less perfect Mercury and Sulphur then the former. It's difference from other Minerals, to be its metallic 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 metallic body be taken in the largest sense, than it sometimes comprehends not only those that are malleable per se, but those called semi-metals, 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 hereafter.  
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 than by certainty and truth; but because they have been most anciently and commonly known more than others, they have got that repute and esteem, which we shall not labour to take from them.  
Concerning this point we may take the judgement of Paracelsus, 
Lib. do Miner. p. 346.  in stead of all; whose experience in Mineral knowledge was inferior to none; who saith: But understand further of the generation of Metals, that there is a great number, and a divers 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, Led, Tin. For these are accounted Metals of all men. But furthermore, also there are certain other Metals, which are not accounted Metals, either in the Writings or Philosophy of the Ancients, or by the vulgar, and notwithstanding they are Metals. Hitherto doth belong 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 only known, that are more ready, and commodious for use, as Gold, Silver, Iron, Copper, Tin, Led: The rest are for the most part neglected through a certain slothfulness; neither is there much care taken 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: 
Ibid p. 3●7.  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 unknown. For by the probation or essaying of Metals, manifold trials or essays do offer themselves, which are of a metallic nature, that is, they are verily 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 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 show them a certain kind of Mineral, 
Berman. p. 692, 693.  which was in the number of the Metals, but (as it seemed to him) unknown to the Ancients, which the Germans called Bismuth. And thereupon they reply, Therefore according to thy opinion, there are more than the vulgarly and commonly known seven Metals. To which he replies: I judge there are more, for this which even now I told you our Countrymen call Bismuth, you cannot rightly say it is either white Lead (that is Tin) nor black Lead (that is, 
De nature. Foss. l. 2. p 575.  that Led 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 number, distinct in kind, to wit, Gold, Silver, Iron, Copper, Led, 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.   

CHAP. VI Of the signs and discovery of Mines and Oars, both in general and in particular.  
NOw we shall relate the signs of Mines and Oars, 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, 
Minerol. l. 1. c. 7 p 123. etc.  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 happened 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 Mountains, by the force of large Showers, Earthquakes, Thunderbolt and Lightning, the rolling down of Snow, or the force of winds.  
4. By ploughing, or accidental digging; as Gold was found in Galecia, as justin reporteth.  
5. By the burning of Woods, as happened in Spain, in showing Silver Mines, as Diodorus Siculus writeth.  
6. Lastly, Any other force may discover Oars, as the hoof of a Horse (as it is said) at Goselaria.   
Again, they may be discovered by Art, and probable signs before digging, or searching.  
1. The heads of Springs and Fountains are to be carefully observed, and their Waters to be tried, because 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 marked, 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 farther off.  
4. The Frosts sticking to the Grass are to be marked, which commonly are white and hoary, except they which grow over the Veins of Minerals, because they breathe forth hot and dry steams, which hinder the concretion of the Frost; therefore where the Grass is moist, and not congealed with the Frost, as other Grass near the same place is, there the Vein is probably 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 something bluish, the boughs (especially the highest) infected with blackness, or some less unnatural colour, and the stock or trunk chinked, all caused by metalline vapours.  
6. The tops of Mountains which tend towards the South, and their bottoms towards the North, do afford an Argument of Metals, and especially of silver, 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 only discover Metals, but also show of what sort they are, as a green colour Copper, a black Silver or Gold, a Purple a Firestone, or Marchasite, livid and wan Lead and Iron, lurid or very pale Vitriol, Copperas, or such like Juices, ashy and obscure Sulphur.  
8. The smell or odour also may be reckoned amongst the signs of Mines or Oars; as when two stones of the same Mountain are rubbed hard together, if there be Metal, they will greatly smell of Brimstone.  
9 Barren Mountains are also a sign of Metals, because the humour is wasted within, and the evil vapours destroy the young Plants and Grass.  
10. The stones or earth being heavier than ordinary; are a certain sign of Metals.  
11. If the stones shine more than ordinary, or be very solid shining but little, 

Vid. Agric. l. 1. de re Metal. p 25, 26.  
Card. de Subt. l. 5. p. 158.   it is a sign of Metals. And if thou flux or melt the stones, thou shalt not only 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 show 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 trunks are little, leaves and branches withered, etc. are sometimes signs of Metals.  

Rer. Natur. l. 9 p. 112.  To these we may add what Paracelsus saith, That coruscation, or scintillation, is a certain sign of Metals that are unripe, and yet in primo ente; and according 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 Gunpowder 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 show whitish, it is a sign of white Metals, as Tin, Led, Silver, etc. if red, a sign of red Metals, as Copper, and Iron; if yellow, yellow Metals, as Gold, etc. That this coruscation being thin and subtle, is the best sign; and showeth subtle, and excellent Metals; and the contrary denoteth the contrary. 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, 
Last Will and Test. c. 17. p. 38.  Seeing this stuff which this coruscation seizeth on, is found often in a place where no Metals are, therefore it is very deceitful; however commonly, 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 showing, that the Metal 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, 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 Arsenic, Auripigment, Litharge of Gold or Silver, etc. For every one of these doth for the most part show its peculiar Metal and Mineral. So viride aeris, Chrysocolla, Green Earth, do for the most part show Copper, or a cupreous Metal. So Lazure, or white Arsenic, or Litharge of silver, do for the most part show the Metal of Copper. So Cinnabar and Sandaraca, or red Arsenic, do sometimes denote Gold, or Silver, or both mixed together. So Auripigment, red Sulphur, or Litharge of Gold, for the most part do portend Gold. So where Chrysocrlla with Lazure, or Lazure with Chrysocolla and Auripigment, are found mixed and confounded together, for the most part they show a most excellent and rich Mineral. Where stones or earth are found of an Iron-like colour they certainly show 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 proceed, because there is certain hope of a noble metal hid there.  
4. Moreover, 
Rer. Natur. l. 9 p. 111, 112.  If thin leaves of metals like to Talc do stick to the pebbles, or stones, it is a good and certain sign. Thus far Paracelsus.  
Now we shall show the signs from that laborious and experienced person, 
De re metal. l. 5. p. 76.  Georgius Agricola, which are these; very well worth nothing.  
1. There is often fou●d pure Gold, Silver, Copper, and Argent vive; seldom ●ron, or Plumbum Cinereum, or Bismuth, seldom ever Tin, or Led. But the little black Stones, and the rest, do not much differ from pure Tin, which is melted by blast forth of them; and the best lapis plumbarius, or Led o'er, from which the Lead is melted, differs little from the Metal itself.  
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 than three ounces of Gold, is rich. All the rest of the Veins of gold are to be esteemed as poor ones.  
3. Earth, whether dry or moist, sometimes contains gold; but in that which is dry, for the most part there is more, if in the Furnace it give any good sign, or do not want little spangles like catsilver. These Juices for the most part contain Gold, caeruleum, or a kind of blue Sand, Azure, Chrysocolla, native Borax, or green Earth, Auripigment native, yellow Arsenic, Orpiment, or Orpine, Sandaraca native, red Arsenic. Also pure or unwrought gold doth sometimes stick or cleave, sometimes less, sometimes more in the sand, gravel, or grittle of flints, little pebbles, 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 discerned; If in 100 l. weight of the Ore, there be above 3 l. weight, it is rich, ' otherwise it is poor, as is that which consists of unwrought silver. Whether the colour be leaden, red, white, black, ash-coloured, purple, yellow, liver-coloured, or of any other sort; such also sometimes is the Vein of flint, slate, and marble, if much do adhere unto them. Sometimes in Fire-stones, Cadmia, Ore of Brass, Led o'er, 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, Loadstone, which is usually found in the Iron mines; Smiris, or as commonly called by Mechanics Emery, in Silver mines; the Lapis judaicus, Trochites, and the like, in Quarries, 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 hardened Juices, found in the metallic passages, or in their proper Mines.  
6. If a yellow Earth offer itself, in which the raments or shave of any Metal, pure or unwrought, do appear, it is a good sign: For the Metallick matter from whence the shave are separated, must needs be at hand. But if it offer itself void of all Metallick matter, but be fat, and of a white, green, bluish, or such like colour, the Workmen ought not to give over, so they have the signs spoken of before.  
7. But if any dry Earth offer itself to the Miner, which containeth pure and unwrought in itself, it is a good sign, If yellow, red, or black, or any other notable colour, which hath no Metal in it, than it is no bad sign, and Chrysocolla, Caeruleum, Aerugo, Auripigmentum, 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 showeth 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 numbered 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. 
Vid. Achan. Kirch, Mund. subter. tom. 2. l. 10. p. 180.  But if the fibres afterwards appear not, and little or no metallic matter offer itself, they ought not to give over digging.  
9 But if a brown, black, hornlike, liver-coloured 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 transparent, are to be numbered 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 bottom) have a flint or marble, and in the midst clayish earth, etc. In like manner, where the top (or as our Miners call it, Cooping) and the bottom have 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, Plumbum Cinereum, Bismuth, and Antimony: of Copper, natural Verdegrease, pared off from brass stones, out of which it groweth; Melanteria, or black Earth; Sorry, a poisonous black pory Earth; Chalcitis, the Copper stone, or red Vitriol; Misy, a kind of Vitriol now not known; Altramentum sutorium, green Vitriol, Shoemaker's 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, Led o'er, in which is always silver, less or more; and is also called Galena, Molybdena, and Lapis plumbarius. But although the Miners do rightly call Plumbum cinereum Bismuth, Wismuth, or Counterfein, the cover (or cooping) of Silver; and that the Copper firestone, or pyrites aerosus be the common parent of Atramentum su●orium, Melanteria, and the like: Yet notwithstanding 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 pebbles, forth of which Tin is drawn, especially when the intervein is made of such like. And thus far this noble Author.  
The signs to discover where Metals are that the expert Miners have informed me of, and that I have observed in these Northern parts, where the Oars that they either get or look for, are commonly Led, and but rarely any Silver o'er, are these.  

1. The Hills and Mountains from whence they are digged, are for the most part barren and squalid, having but little Grass, and that short, dried, and (as it were) withered; few Trees, Plants, or Shrubs, growing 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 commonly something radish.  
2. The stones that by the Land-flouds and Torrents are brought down into the Valleys, are very ponderous, flinty, grayish, or horn-coloured, and oftentimes pieces and fragments of Cauk, and pure white, and other coloured Sparr; and good store of small grey, black and white Silices, or pebbles, 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 Led o'er, many sorts of fire-stones, or pyritae; which rubbed hard or smitten together forcibly, do not only 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 show, wrought forth of the Hills by Rains, and Floods, that together with some other signs named before, give great encouragement to Miners, and seldom deceive them.  
5. Some expert Workmen (which I myself 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 Caeruleum 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 rely upon, is to find some fragments of Ore washed down from the sides of the Hills; or by careful walking over the tops of the Mountains (whose barrenness, and some other such like signs, have moved them to search) and prying into the cliffs, eruptions, or crevices 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 bluish 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 than 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 o'er was formerly gotten, and at a place called the Syks) there the Stones being for the most part of a greyish, or bluish colour, are very thick interspersed with the small Atoms, or grains of Metal, as little as small Pin heads, or almost Needle points, and will exceedingly shine and glister upon a Sunshine day, and also are very ponderous.   
Now to conclude this Chapter, I shall only 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 regarded by any one that ever I yet conversed withal; which is this:  

Coel Philos. p. 126.  Whosoever therefore doth search after Minerals, it is fit that he be endowed with such reason and discretion, 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. 
Id. de contract. Tract. 2 p. 119.  Therefore every stone that comes into our view, whether it be great or little, whether it be a small pebble, 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 pebble, contemned and thrown away, is better than any Cow. For here the dominion of Heaven prevails. 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 something of the Virgula divinatoria, as by many judged to be a sure way to discover where the Oars of Metals lie; of which I find that some of our credulous Miners have a great opinion but none of them that ever I could meet withal, had made any certain or exact trial of, so as to verify 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 against the certainty of it, and for the verity of the Experiment.  
1. And first Agricola, 
De re metal. l. 2. p. 26, 27, 28  a very sober person, far from superstition, and doubtless that had seen the fallaciousness of it, and that it happened to show where Metals lay but rarely; and after a long discourse about the verity or falsehood of it (to whom I refer my Reader) 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 inveniendis venis, viro bono, gravique usui esse potest. Therefore the rod for discovering of Veins of Metals, may be used by a good and grave man. But not in choosing 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, 
De signat. rer. l. 9 p. 112.  is Paracelsus, one whom his enemies would brand with most gross superstition, and favouring or practising of unlawful and cheating Magic: as commonly all that pretended Magic that is practised, and counted Diabolical, is but the cheats of crafty and cunning Knaves; or as Cardan said, Carnales Daemons, ipsis daemonibus callidiores. Incarnate Devils, more cunning than the Devil himself. He (I say) doth so clearly, plainly and honestly disclaim all superstition, charms, and enchantments, as none can do more; and also confesseth the deceitfulness of the use of this Divinatory rod, in these words; which for brevity I give in English. Therefore care is sedulously to be taken, that ye suffer not yourselves 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 show any thing rightly, they on the contrary deceive ten times. In like manner, we are not at all to trust to other fraudulent 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 another place he saith; 
Philos. Occult. p 490.  For the Divinatory rod is fallacious; as also the other Visions in Glasses, and Crystals.  
3. The great Kircherus doth reject it, and that upon his own trial, 
Mund. Subter. Tom. 2. l. 10. Sect. 2. p. 180.  in these words: Cente ego saepius hujus rei supra metallica corpora auri & argenti, experimentum sumens, semper spe mea frustratus sum. Certainly I very oft making an experiment of this thing upon the metallic 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 Devil, 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 inconveniences, and therefore not to be used by an honest and conscientious Christian; 
Vid. Rog. Bac. de mi●. pot. art. & nature.  but we are carefully to mark what is natural Magic, which is both lawful and laudable, what may be done by Art, which is often strange and wonderful, and what is done by Diabolical means, if it be a truth that there is any such matter; of which the most learned do not causelessly 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 thereof; 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 Nature more than Art) may fail at some times and places, for peculiar reasons; and yet when all circumstances necessary and suitable are added, may prove effectual: and therefore notwithstanding the authority 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 mere man, hath been privileged from.  
3. For Kirchers trials often made with the rod upon the metallic bodies of gold and silver, which I suppose were the Oars of those Metals, he doth not mention 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 concludes not safely. Again, the great question is, whether if the rod will move when it is over the veins of Metals, that it will do so at any distance, which is not 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 virtue, it may be that it would have showed them. Further 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.  

A discovery of subterranean treasure, p. 11.12.  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 performed: some observe a set day and hour, with certain words and ceremonies at the cutting up of the same, which I have found to be little to the purpose. Thus I wrought about Midsummer in a calm morning, I cut up a rod of Hasel, all of the same Spring's growth, almost a yard long; then I tied it to my staff, in the middle with a strong thread, so that it did hang even, like the beam of a balance: thus I carried it up and down the Mountains where Lead grew, and before Noon it guided me to the orifice of a Led Mine, which I tried, having one with me with an hack of Iron and a Spade, and within two hours we found a vein of Lead o'er; within less than a foot of the Grass. The signs that it showeth, 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 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 Author, but shall here omit it, because I know not of what credit he was.  
2. The second I shall give you is, 
Theatr. Chym. Vol. 4. p. ●71.  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 twoforked 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, especially 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 fixed 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 itself, and will turn itself 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 experiments, is plain; but I shall omit them, because those that are curious may easily be satisfied with trials of this nature.  

Last Will and Test. c. 23.  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, only I shall give you these two passages. First he saith; Though the stirring of the rod is fallen into abuse among many people; however it is a fundamental way to know, and to bring forth the Metals, if duly and naturally used. Again, he saith: Therefore if you take such a rod, especially of a Hazel, 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 above unto this station, where the rod stands still, that place they call the Oars station, standing as straight as a line. I shall say nothing, but refer all to experiment; for some have believed too much, and some too little.   

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 Oars are. And what is convenient to our purpose we shall give you, what we account material forth of some choice Authors, and also what we have noted and observed ourselves.  
1. And first of those they call Cachimiae or Kakimiea, for it is printed both ways; but whether the word be Arabic (as most judge) I being not at all skilled in that language, or of some other tongue, I cannot certainly determine. For I find nothing either written by Toxites, Rulandus, or our Countryman johnson, but what they seem to have taken forth of Paracelsus, but have either grossly mistaken, o● wilfully perverted the sense of that learned and experienced Author; for they make a Kachimia to be Immatura metalli minera, 
Tox Onom. 2. p 447. Ru and. Lex. Alchym. p 270. Johnson Lex. Chym. p. 117.  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 o'er of a Metal, or an half perfect Metal, and not yet completed of Nature; which as yet lieth hid in its first being, as an Infant in the womb of the mother. And that there are thirty sorts of these Kachimies found that are known. This is indeed the description of his primum ens of Metals, or of the volatile spirit of Metals, whilst 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 show 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 description is thus, both of a Marchasite and a Kachimie; for speaking of Marchasites, 
Lib de Elem. Aq. Tract. 3. de Miner. p. 280, 281.  he saith; Nihil autem sunt aliud, quam superfluitas metallorum, hoc est materia, in metallis abundans, quam metalla intra se far, ac continere, aut in suam formam vertere nequeunt. But Marchasites are no other thing then the superfluity of Metals; that is to say, a matter abounding 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 Marchasitae, & Kachimiae generantur triginta circiter generum & formarum, quae tamen omnia duobus istis nominibus comprehenduntur. Quod vero illae multiplices sunt, nec unius formae, licet ab una materia descendant, causa est haec, quia scilicet inaequaliter concurrit trium primorum pondus, uno altero abundantius sese conferente. 
Vid. Schrod. Pharm. l. 3. num. 5. p. 124.  Hinc formas enasci varias necesse est. So therefore a Marchasite is nothing else, than the 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 comprehended under these two names. But, that they are manifold, and not of one form, although they descend from one matter, the cause is this, because the weight of the three first principles do meet together unequally, one bestowing itself more abundantly than 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. 
Ibid. p. 28  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 than a Marchasite, because of the fixed salt, of which it consists.  
Again, he enumerateth eight sorts of Cachimies that were known unto him; to wit, Marchasitae Merchasites, Pyrites Fire-stones, Antimonia Antimony, Cobalta Cobalts, Talka Talks, Auripigmenta Auripigments, Sulphura Sulphurs, Arsenicalia Arsnicks. Now it seems he maketh both Cachimies and Marchasites to be the superfluity of Metals, only that a Cachimy is more fixed than a Marchasite; and so seemeth 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 Logic, I understand not; nor that Antimony is a Cachimie, being in some respects a Metal, or at the least a semi-metal. But it was usual with this Author not only to neglect, but to despise the Art of Logic; and if he did but certainly know the several sorts of Minerals, and their nature and properties, he little regarded 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 supplied, and what is amiss may be rectified.  


Mus. Worm. l. 1. Sect. 2. c. 3. p. 39  
De nat. Foss. l. 10. p. 658. De metal. l. 2. c. 54. p. 148. De re metal. l. 1. c. 14. p. 25.   2. As for Marchasites and Pyritae Fire-stones, Paracelsus makes them to differ; and so Wormius seems to do, showing that some of them may better be referred to the sorts of Metallick bodies, then merely 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 shining and fiery colour. We may take them under these considerations. 1. Those that have the splendour 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 colours. Agricola reckons these, 
Agric. de nature. Fossil. l. 10. p. 658.  that at Reithestein in Lygiis (that is within Germany) there were found those that yielded silver and gold; and at Cotteberg in Bohemia those that yielded copper and silver, and those that yielded lead and tin, copper and silver at Goselac in Saxony; only copper in those that are found at Cuperberg in Bohemia, and in many other places: But that of Breitebren in Misnia, none at all; which is also confirmed by Wormius. 
Must Worm. l. 1. Sect. 2. c. 3. p. 134. Lex Alchym. p. 394, 395, 396, etc.  Rulandus doth number 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 copper 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 numbereth 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. 
Last Will and Test. c. 24. p 49.  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, 
Rer. nat. l. 8. p. 104.  where he seemeth to grant thus much, that the primum ens, or spirit of silver is in a white Marchasite, white Talk, etc. In Zink and Cobalt the spirit of Iron, of Copper in Zink, Vitriol, etc. In Zink or Bismuth, etc. the spirit of Tin, and in Cinnabar the first ens of Quicksilver. But this makes but a slender conjecture; for if every matter, as Stones, Clays, Earth's, Juices, Cauk, Sparr, Marble, Plaster o'er, or Quarry, in which the Metals are commonly contained and mingled, be Marchasites, than 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 Loadstone; of Quicksilver, 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 Marchasites, some of which are of a very bright shining golden colour, and some of them of a pure bright silver splendour, 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 dissolve; 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 metalline colour, and far more hard than the former, which by striking will yield sparks of fire.  
Also I have divers sorts of them that are very smooth and shining, as bright as Flanders metal, Orichalcum or Brass, which is found in the Quarries of Stone, Slate-pits, or where they get flooring-stones for paving of houses, in the cliffs 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 Led o'er, and some of them in their proper Mines, some of them in confused lumps, or interspersed in Stones, Cauk, or Sparr; some triangular, 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 ponderous, 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 Germans call Blend, and our Miners blue Blind ache; because that is brighter, more shining, and liker a metallic body. I therefore entreat 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.  
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 mystical 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 anciently 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 others are acknowledged to be semi-metals. And first of that most noble metal of all others, Gold; of which Paracelsus maketh three sorts: 
Lib. Vexa●. Canon. 7. p. 123.  saying, Aurum est in essentia triplex, Gold in essence is threefold, 1. Coeleste, & est solutum, celestial and loosed. 2. Elementare, and that is fluid. 3. Metallicum, and that is corporeal. I confess the place is very dark, and hard to understand; but I thought good to commend it to the curious searcher of Nature's secrets; for there is more of truth in it, then at the first sight any one would imagine; and that which follows will make it more plain.  

Comp Herm. c. 18. p. 54.  Rhumelius a Germane Author of good account and experience, whose Works are not translated that ever I could hear of, saith thus:  
There is no greater strife amongst the Physicians, then about the subject 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 Philosophers 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 operations 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 itself; which first must be opened, and made spiritual, ere forth of it drinkable gold can be prepared. Theophrastus calls it, Electrum immaturum, & primam compositionem solis, because therein Nature doth yet work her first composition; and it is there likewise called aurum immaturum, unripe or immature gold. Aureum Vellus calls it, primum ens solis, and Rosarius, gold and silver in posse. Turba Philosophorum calls it leonem viridem, the green Lion, while it is yet green, crude, immature, and imperfect. Moreover, this matter is entitled by the Mine-workers, and named with its proper Teutonick or Germane name; which in this place cannot be remembered without prejudice.  
2. Aurum minerale, or Mineralish gold, is that very 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 mineralish 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 Spagyric Art. And he from hence concludeth that the Astralish gold, according to the experience 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 o'er, 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 Earth's, and Minerals, may by a laborious and skilful Chemist be had and obtained. As Wormius relateth of the Terra sigillata Silesiaca, 
Mus. Worm. l. 1. c. 4. p. 13.  or Strigonensis, which is found in the gold Mines near Strigonium, amongst the hard Rocks. And was first invented by johannes Montanus, a most famous Physician, who published a Book of the same. Wherein he setteth down that it is gold by the provident ordination of God and Nature transmuted into a most excellent prepared medicament, profitable against poison, no less than the medicaments prepared with great charges forth of Hungarian Gold; and (saith) that the Chemists call it Axungia Solis. 
Pharm l. 3. c. 2. num. 3. p. ●.  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 Silver. And this, or such like, it is probable that was which Paracelsus calleth Axungia Solis, 
Chir. mag. c. 3. p. 33.  which he prescribeth against the poisonous bite of a Salamander, 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 renew and restore the whole body, as is the first being or ens of Gold; and that for this cause, by reason it altogether possesseth the spirit of gold, and is most subtle, and far more subtle than the true body of Gold itself. 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 self the spirit of Salt, by which it may be coagulated. For the spirit of Salt the first coagulating ens, receiveth so great forces, that Gold for the hundred part, is not so potent in its virtues, 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 restore whatsoever it takes; not only men, but also all Beasts, 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 entreat all ingenious persons, and Sons of Art, to use their industry, and ultimate endeavour, and not to think it a Chemical Chimaera. 
Scept. Chym. p. 360.  For if the quotation of that honourable person Mr. boil (who useth not to cite Authors of small credit or veracity) may be trusted, from Gerardus the Physic Professor (a man of great learning and Chemical 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 fixed 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 mercurial 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 feculency, nor other earthly or waterish uncleanness to mix with them, and to pollute them, then pure Gold, and no other imperfect metal is generated: and in this way only I conceive, that the pure primum ens auri, is to be had liquid, and not otherwise. Another way there seems to be of the generation of Gold, and that is when the mercurial and sulphureous steams, either before, or at their conjunction, are commixed with some impurities, or meet with an impure matrix, or both; then this liquor being 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 itself through the degrees of the imperfect metals into Gold, as Nature's ultimate and finite end; and therefore in some respects (though perhaps not to be found liquid) contains 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 showed the vegetability of Metals) that Nature's intent 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 Nature's way of producing of Metals) but only 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 Metals are but specifically of one nature: for as Trev●san saith, Nature hath nothing in the bowels of the Earth, whereof it may generate Metals, but only a mercurial substance, in which is included its quickening sulphur, as its agent. And there is Sulphur and Mercury, equally perfect in the rest of the Metals, as well as in Gold; only it is in the imperfect Metals infected, or contaminated with terrestrial feculency, 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 inferior Metals is attained, when either by Nature or Art, they are brought into Gold; the one of which all experienced Miners know, the demonstration of the other remains with the Adeptists. And to this purpose we may take serious notice of another passage in Paracelsus, 
Rer. nature. l. 9 p. 113.  who saith; Primo sciendum est, metallum quodvis, etc. 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, etc. But so soon as they are come unto their perfection, and are coagulated into a fixed metallic 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 invincible 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, coagulated into an hard metallic body, than 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 hardened, that yet the star of ☉ or ☽ may operate in it to a greater perfection.  
I may add to this purpose what Trevisan saith, 
De Alchym. Thea. r. Chym. Vol. 1. p. 754.  That vulgar bodies, to wit, Metals perfected by Nature 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 perfectly in the star of the Sun, then in the rest of the Metals, if it be brought to its maturity by the benefit of the fire.  
2. We may note, 
D● Renovat. & Restaur. l. p. 45.  whether this primum ens auri, in its liquid form, be to be had or not: and that this Author 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 demonstrated before; nevertheless that thing is notwithstanding 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 renovateth old Trees that of twenty years have brought forth no fruit. For when the first being of Gold hath taken 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 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 scintillations seen in the night; which he saith are certain signs of a latent Metal, 
Rer. nat. l. 9 p. 112.  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 effulgescences 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 concludeth that Gold doth grow ex primo ente auri, 
De Renovar. p. 45.  from the first being of Gold, to such a form from its beginning of Gold, that in touch it is like to red Water, 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 Elementalish Gold, 
Rer. nat. l. 8. p. 104.  that the steams of Gold may be had in divers Earth's and Minerals; as Paracelsus confesseth, 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 fugacious spirit, as yet consisting in volatility, as an Infant lies hid in the womb of the woman; and is sometimes likened to liquor, sometimes to Alcool, or Atoms.  

Ut supr. l. Rer. nat. p. 104.  And for the obtaining of this volatile spirit, he giveth 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 Spagyric Science.  
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 Philosophers 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 darkly, yet it was truly that there is such a metallic subject that hath in it the seminal principles of Gold and Silver, in vegetability, which was the only true substance forth of which they accomplished their great work, both as to transmutation, and the universal medicine. And to prove this, we shall quote some few pertinent particulars from unquestionable Authors. And first that learned Author of the Rosary of Philosophers, 
Art. Aurise●. p. 195.  saith thus, Tale sulphur non reperitur supra terram, 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, except 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 maxim is, that no combustible matter enters their work, but that vivifying and incombustible sulphur that is. Nature's true fire and agent, which is hid in the metallic Mercury, and is to be found most perfect in Gold and Silver. 
Theatr. Chime, Vol. 2. p. 132.  And that it is also found in another subject, which none will openly declare; and this is it that is so carefully to be sought after. Agreeable to this is that saying: Datur in rerum natura corpus metallicum quoddam, facilis solutionis, facilisque putrefactionis; si ejus praeparationem nosti, felix medicus eris, totis conatibus, in eo votum tuum dirige. There is a certain metallic body in the Nature of things, that is of an easy solution and putrefaction; if thou knowest the preparation of it, thou art an happy Physician, direct thy desire with thy whole endeavours in this thing. 
Elucidar. 12. Keys, p. 118, 119.  Basilius saith, having spoken of common Gold, Those that dive deeper in this Art, will meet in the same place with a more easy 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 mineral substance, is found a Sulphur and Tincture more effectual, and more worthy than 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 manner be drawn from it. This is a very remarkable passage, and worthy to be seriously weighed and considered of.  

Art. Aurifer. p. 112.  I shall only 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 metallic nature, but hath left the same thing imperfectly. ●t is a thing not plainly perfect, nor altogether imperfect: But it is a middle thing, betwixt bodies that are perfect and imperfect.  
To these we shall add what Rhumelius saith, 
Antidote. Chym. 261.  where he speaketh of the virtues 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 Philosophers.  
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, 
Ibid. p. 248.  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 transparent, golden Ore; as also from several other sorts of Metals and Minerals, wherein the Sulphur and Tincture 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 aurum potabile of the Philosophers, 
Ibid. p. 239, 245.  is impossible to be had forth of perfect Gold: because the Astra do forsake 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 itself.  
I may perhaps be condemned, and derided for quoting those Authors, and urging this point so far, especially with those that judge every thing a Chimaera that they themselves know, or understand not. But let such know, that I only write to the ingenious and inquisitive 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 inquire 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 Miners 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.   

CHAP. IX. Of the sorts of common Gold, as they are produced by Nature, and in what manner they are severally found.  
THere are two sorts of Gold produced by Nature. 1. That which is called Native Gold, that is statim suum, pure, and unmixed with any heterogeneous matter, which the Germans call Gedygen Goldt. 2. That which is decocted, or melted with the ●orce of fire forth of several matters wherein it lies, which is commonly called refined or purified Gold.  
That Gold that is Native, and found pure, unmixed, or that needs no refining; is found, according to Eucelius and Rulandus, 
De re Metal. c. 4 p. 14. Lex Chym. Geogr. de auro.  four ways: and that the Spaniards call Palacas. 1. In Rivers, as in Tagus, Albis, and Sala, which they call Wash-Gold. And Munster saith, That there is much more pure Gold found, then mixed with Earth or Stones, as these River's witness, Ganges in India, Pactolus in Lydia, Hebrus in Thrace, Tagus in Spain, Padus in Italy, Albis & Rhenus in Germany. 
Sirab. Geogr. l. 3. p. 137, 138.  And Strabo tells us, That Gold is not only 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 crumbs of Gold, there are sometimes found clods, or masses of Gold of the weight of half a pound, that need little purifying, which they call Palas, quae sunt massulae auri. 2. Native and pure Gold is found in the Mountains of Arabia. 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 Germane 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, Apyron, not having tried the fire; of which the Honourable person Mr. boil gives us this account. 
Scept. Chym. p. 372.  But that is nothing to what our Acosta subjoins, which is indeed 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 myself 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) another Metal which seemed to be very pure, or unmixed with any heterogeneous substances, and were some of them as big as my finger, 
Histor, na●. & mor of the Indies, c. 4. p. 212.213.  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; and they call them Pippins, for that commonly they are like to Pippins, or seeds of Melons, or Pumpions: and that whereof job speaketh, 
Job 18.  leve illius aurum, though sometimes there be greater, and such as I have seen weighed many pounds. It is the excellency of this Metal alone (as Pliny affirms) to be found thus pure and perfect. 
Plin. l. 3. c. 5.  To this purpose I myself have seen some grain or sand-gold, that a Gentleman 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 finger, and as thick.  
Peter Martyr, a person neither suspected to be guilty of ignorance nor falsity, in naming some Rivers in the Indies saith: 
Decad. 1▪ l. 2. p. 16.  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 myself 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 himself found. 
Decad. 1. l. 3. p. 19▪  And further he saith, The Admiral declared, that if they would bring Gold, they should have whatsoever they would ask. Forthwith turning their backs, and running to the Shore of the next 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 Pebble 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 Pebble-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. 
Decad. 1, l. 4. p. 26.  He further saith, There was a certain King, which gave them a mass of rude Gold as big as a man's fist, weighing twenty ounces. This Gold was not found in the bank of this River, but in an heap of dry Earth, like unto the stone called Tophus, which is soon resolved into sand. This mass of Gold I myself saw in Castille, etc. Again, he saith of another place: As the Miners digged the superficial, 
Decad. 1. l. 4. p. 29.  or uppermost part of the Earth of the Mines, during for the space fo six miles; and in divers places sifted the same on the dry Land, they found such plenty of Gold, that every hired Labourer could easily find every day the weight of three drachms.  
We shall add but one instance more from this Author, which though it may seem incredible, yet we shall leave the censure to others. These regions (he saith, 
Decad. 1. l. 10. p. 56.  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 there hath been found round pieces of three hundred pound weight, and one of three thousand three hundred and ten pound weight, which was sent whole to the King, in that Ship in the which the Governor Boadilla was coming home into Spain; which Ship was cast away. 
Of the West-Indies, p. 190.  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 Earth's, 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 interspersed in the clefts of the stones, like thin plates, or spangles, or like threads or hairs, or the small and tender sprigs of Plants and Herbs, which are usually called metallorum efflorescentiae, the flowers of Metals; but most commonly mixed with Earth, Stones, Marchasites, or other Minerals and Metals; of which we shall speak promiscuously, as they occur to our memory, without regard of any strict order.  
Rulandus reckons these in general: 
Alchym. Lex● p. 91.   
1. Out of a Firestone 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 fruitful of Gold; 
〈◊〉 pr. p. 246.  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 Ironstone.  
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 Oars, as of Copper, Silver, and the like.  
But now we shall give more full testimonies of these sorts.  

Scept. Chym. p. 371, 372.  1. Mr. boil relateth these two Observations. The first thus. I remember (he saith) that a very skilful 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 myself 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 that trial had manifested it to be) some of them seeming to be about the bigness of Pease.  
2. Besides what we have before proved concerning the vegetability of Metals in general, this from so honourable, and experienced a man as Mr. boil doth confirm it very much, nay even to the growth and increase of Gold: to which therefore we shall add more testimonies. And I myself 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 threads joined close together; and some of it like two twisted threads 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, 
Ut supr. p. 94.  even of Gold. Rulandus tells us, That in the exterior Pannonia thin leaves, and sparks of most pure Gold were found in a white and hard stone. And Athanasius Kircherus gives us the like answer to this very question; from those Mine-masters, to whom he had sent, from Schemnitz, to his second Query concerning the efflorescence of Metals, 
Mund. subter. l. 10. Sect. 3▪ p. 183.  he hath this answer. ' That sometimes in the Mines do occur Crystals wrapped about with most tender silver threads 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 Germane Tongue Taubenstein) in a certain white matter like Chalk, which is called lapidea medulla, stonemarrow, as though it had been there laid up on purpose, and weighed two pounds. Again to the same question from Herrengrundt in Hungaria, from john Schapelman ● he receives this answer. There are sometimes found in this Mine, the flowering that are Cupreous, of pure Copper, even as flowers and herbs grow above the Earth. 
U supr. p 185, 186, 187, 188, 189.  Thirdly, to this question he hath this answer from George Schuiz: That in the Silver Mines there are often found silver flowerings, where the bright Silver thrusts forth itself in form of a thread, or hair, out of the Metallick stones. And that there are found shave (ramenta) of pure silver, the thickness of a finger, though black, and as it were of a leaden colour, etc. Lastly, Memorable 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 flowering into its threads; that which shineth yellow, is most pure gold; that which is blackish, is silver mixed with gold.  

Gen. Dier. l. 4. ● 9 p. 198.  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.  

Mind. S●bter. U●supr. p. 188.  3. We shall now show 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 shining Led o'er, or Plumbago, which contained Gold and silver; that likewise there was a Mine of Antimony that held in it some Gold. 
Mus. Worm. l. 1. Sect▪ 3. c. 2. p. 114.  The learned Wormius tells us, that 1644. the noble john 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 than the former, and more tending to redness. Likewise that there were other Oars brought from the same place, that were like Talk, and pregnant with frequent granates, which many thought, did abound with Gold, etc. And although before I had omitted it, 
Biblioth. l. 2. c. 12. p. 65.  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 Chestnuts, and is of so lucid a colour, that it makes the precious stones included by Artificers in Gold, 
Lib. 3. c. 11. p. 73.  most splendent. 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 shining 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 only that they affirm it in general. And Kircher tells us, that Ficus Mirandulanus (but he quotes not the place) relateth, That in his time gold was found in the stomach of Partridges; 
Mund. subter. l. 10. Sect 4. p. 200.  and addeth his reason, that it was no marvel, for that Hens, Partridges, Ducks, and the like, do much desire metallic bodies; and therefore finding the raments or small shave of Gold commixed 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 spread over with a golden 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 humane scull; which if it were truth, happened from no other cause then the steams of gold, when melted do arise, and no otherwise then quicksilver was coagulated in the brain. A reason I confess more probable than what Sendivogius and others have given of it. 
Hist. 1.  And I myself can affirm by experience and sight, that here in these Northern parts, where Sheep are bred upon barren mountains and hills (likely enough to contain metallic Oars) 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. 
Hist. 2.  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 killed for Beef, which near the roots were covered with a crust thicker than our common Groat, with a fine shining gold-coloured substance, which for the rarity of it I keep by me, and did not scrape it off to try if it contained any metalline matter. Which doubtless had gathered there, by the steams either of golden Marchasites, Copper Ore, or Gold itself, while yet in primo ente. Of which I hope to inquire more, that I may be able to make a trial of it, and thereby to satisfy myself 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 Oars lie, and in what wombs, coats, or substances, than hitherto hath been used; and especially about the Ore of Gold: and to this end we shall transcribe what we find most material 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, 
Last Will and Test. par. 2. c 3. p. 84, 85, 86.  who writeth thus.  
This noble gold-stone and Ore is sometimes mixed, and on its outside there sticketh some obscure and dark matter, having annexed to it some slates and other spermatick matter, which detracts from the goodness of its own nature. And though the Creator hath endued it with great virtues, yet doth it humble itself, and suffers itself to be found in despicable Mineral stones, where it loseth much of its tincture; as is apparent by the Touchstone, 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 Oars naturally are wrought thus; that the Gold stands in it close, compact, firm, and good; which is found sometimes in the cross passages. It's 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 mixed with flints in its passages; where many times Vitriol flint is found abundantly, which Vitriol is the best among all other sorts of Vitriol. The Hungarian Vitriol hath the precedence before all the rest, which is sufficiently known in their proofs, and examen, as may be demonstrated to the eye. In its passages are found sometimes fluxes of several colours, 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 Oars and such passages are yellowish, rocky, and of a iron shot-sand in cliffs, as it is on-grown compactly. And generally it is found near Flint works, sometimes it is found in a Flint, or in a liver-coloured Jaspis, sometimes in white pebbles, 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 unsprinkled, is granulated like drops found in the subtlest 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 cliffs 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 o'er is found also compact, and firm, in black passages. Some gold Oars and gold passages are found also to be of Minerals, and of Vitriol; and Miners in Hungary especially can discourse of it, because gold o'er 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 Germane Tongue, especially about this subject; yet doubtless may be familiar to experienced Miners, & artifici in sua arte credendum est.  
Acosta likewise tells us, 
Histor. nat. ● mor. of the Indies, c. 4. p. 214.  Gold is commonly found mixed with Silver or with Copper, but that which is mixed with Silver, is commonly of fewer Carats then that which is mixed with Copper. If there be a fifth part of silver, 
●lim. l. 3. c. 4.  Pliny saith, it is then properly called 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 commonly of a higher value.  

Mul. Veronen●. Sect. 4. p. 436.  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.   

Denat. Fossil. l. 8. p 640.  Agreeable to what is here related may be ●ound in Agricola, to whom I refer the Reader: and only shall add a passage or two more from Basilius, who saith: 
Last Will and Test. l. r. c. 8. p. 18.  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 mixed Oars, which at separating are parted asunder, and not before, as the custom is. As in Hungary there is had every 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 unseasonably, than the silver would have been turned into pure gold.  

Lib. 2. p. 41.  Lazarus Er●ker, that was chief Mine●master to Maximilian the Emperor, 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 subtle flaming; and sometimes in corn, tin, and ironstone.  
And once more Paracelsus tells us, 
Rer. Nat. l. 8. p. 102.  (speaking of the separating of Metals forth of their Oars, and one from another:) These sorts of Oars sometimes will contain more than one Metal; as it often happens, that Copper and Silver, Copper and Gold, Led and Silver, Tin and Silver, etc. 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 Basilius offers us a notable passage, 
Last Will and Test. par. 1. c. 11. p. 25, 26.  thus. And take notice that Nature loveth to keep her own ways orderly, and keeps together two, and sometimes three sorts of Oars in their ascension and descension, whereby she intimateth a way unto the after-work; but men in their fancies think upon other means, though to no purpose. View all the Mines which are in Europe, you will find no other Oars but impure ones, that is, a mixture of them; for their Nature maketh them so, as much as ever I could learn. If you can show me the contrary, I will assent unto it.  
And again he saith; 
Ibid. c. 12. p. 27, 28.  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 malleableness, their flux and hardness. And this perfect Metal Nature hath produced compactly and purely: for such perfect, pure, and compact gold is found in Hungary, in the white marble, which presently 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 than another. And the Scripture doth show us, that in those days gold was found to be, and esteemed, one sort better and purer than 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, 
Gen. 2.11, 12.  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 doubtful; though Tremellius maketh Pishon there to be the River Tigris that runneth all along the Inland into the Sinus Persicus, 
Not. in Gen. 10.7.  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 Latin calls it aurum optimum. And as to the place, Piscator doth agree; which I leave to others to be disputed of. Castalio calls it aurum proba●issimum; but that it should be the best, agreeth not exactly with the Hebrew word to'b, which implieth not the superlative degree, and therefore the Septuagint renders it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, good gold. And Luther renders it, that is precious gold. And so do the French and Italian Bibles translate it good gold, not the best.  
2. Though Zahab be the primitive word, the Hebrews 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 specify some notable degree 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 Solomon's covering the Oracle, 
1 King. 6.20, 21.  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, 
Vid. Job 28. 17, 18, 19.20. & aliis locis.  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 mundus 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, 
1 King. 10 18.  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, that is with pure Gold; and sometimes it is taken for that precious stone that is called Topazion. 
Jer. 10.9.  And it is not unlike but that it was brought from a place of that name, for it is said; That silver spread into plates, was brought from Tha●sis, and Gold from Uphaz. And again, 
Dan 10.5.  Then I lift up mine eyes, and looked, and behold, a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz. Where the word Kaethem is used, as coming from that place called Uphaz; and Arias Montanus renders it, in massa auri obrizi. 
Vid. Polan. in loc. citat.  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.  

Job. 28.1, 6.  5. We may observe that it is probable that in the time of job, 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; 
Vid. Author. in loc.  ' 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. 
Job 28.16.  For job preferring wisdom before all earthly things, saith it shall not be compared 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, 
Psal. 45.9.  the mass of the purest Gold. And David setting forth the glory of Christ's Kingdom and 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 Ophir, these places do testify. Then went Solomon to Ezion-Geber, 
1 King 10.11. 2 Chron. 8.17, 18.  and to Eloth at the Sea side, in the land of Edom. 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. 
Id. c. 9 v. 10, 21.  For the King's 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 question 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 Raleigh, 
Hist. of the World. l. 2. part. 1. c. 18. parag. 3. p 425. Hist. of the Ind. c. 13. p. 41, etc.  a person of profound judgement, and great learning, hath extremely 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 josephus 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 conjecture; 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 Perus now known to Europe: For that text is so plain, that no reasonings can be able to overthrow it. 
2 Chron. 3.6.  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 in is added to it in the dual, it makes Peruaim. Which must of necessity be the name of a place or Country. Which Epithet they could not have given to their best and purest gold, if there had no such Country been known to the jews in the time of Solomon; and indeed could be no other than the two Perus now known to the Europeans. And the Septuagint renders it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, 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 purpose the Italian Bible saith, Et l' oro, era oro di Paruarim, as though it were the Gold of the people of the Country so called, which amounteth to the same purpose. And Luther calls it Das Goldt war Parwaym Goldt. 
Greg. Lex. Sart. praef.  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 notitiam & Mercimoniorum usum Christophori Columbi sagacissima pertinacia anno supra millesimum quadringentesimum nonagesimo secundo traducta, Hebraeis autem veteribus fuit exploratissima. Verba Ariae Montani 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 dictas clare demonstrat, unam quidem, quae eodem vocabulo hodierno etiam die Peru dicitur, alteram vero quae nova Hispania à navigantibus est appellata. Ejus autem regionis aurum purissimum atque in maximo pretio apud omnes gentes fuisse constat. Atque interpres quidem vulga●us vel ob ignotam sibi regionem, vel potius in ejus, quod illa regio exhibebat, auri laudem (cum in Hebraeo ita scriptum legatur: & aurum illud aurum Peru & Peru: name Peru in numero duali Paruaim dicitur) convertit: & aurum erat probatissimum. Quocirca quicquid auri inter alias gentes priscis illis seculis in usu fuit, id fere totum ex illius terrae cavernis elicitum esse existimamus, etc. And thus much by way of digression for the curious to consider of.  
7. We shall not insist upon that place in the Revelation, 
Rev. 21.18, 2●  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 prophetical place, and also that it was but like unto, or as it were transparent glass, not that the gold was really 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 distinguished, according to the Regions from whence they are brought, as the Arabian, Spanish, Hungarian, and Germane gold, which all differ one from another in the degrees of goodness or pureness. And the purest that we have in these days (that I know of) is the sand-gold brought from Guinea, and some other places, which is so near pure, and unmixed with any other Metals, that the Artificers that beat, or make leafgold, and those that draw gold into small Wire, or fine threads, 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 Led.  
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. 
Nat. & Mor. Hist Ind. c. 4. p. 214.  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 commonly it is weak and of base alloy.   

CHAP. XI. Of the descriptions of common Gold according to some Authors, and of the properties thereof: as also of some ways of beating, sifting, and washing the Ore thereof.  
BAcon doth describe, 
Spec. Alchemy. c. 2. p. mihi 259.  or define Gold thus; Aurum est corpus perfectum, etc. 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. 
Lex Alchym. p 90.  Rulandus thus; Gold is the most temperate Metal of all other, yellow, shining, ponderous, 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 subtle substance of Argent vive.  
Libanus gives it thus; 
De nat. M●tal. c 4. p. 24.  Gold is a perfect Metal framed 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, 
Must▪ Worm. l. 1. Sect. 3. c. 2. p. 114.  Gold is the most pure, and most perfect of all Metals, consisting of a most pure Mercury, most perfectly concocted, and of a red sulphur most excellent, and most fixed, being exactly mingled 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.  
And these are sufficient, that from hence we may gather some of its chiefest properties.  
1. Therefore of all other Metals it is most perfectly maturated and decocted by Nature, and is of the most equal temper: 
Art. Aurif p. 40.  for as Trevisan tells us, Quare in auro sunt quatuor elementa in aequali & anatica proportione coadunata. Therefore the four Elements are in Gold, joined together in an equal and anatical proportion. But yet taking his supposition that gold is generated of the four Elements, we are not to understand this equality of proportion in respect of their equal quantities, but anatical proportion in regard 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 than any of the rest.  
3. Gold is more dense and compacted then any other of the Metals, that is, it is less porous than any of the rest, being so closely joined 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 endureth not only all the force of our common fire, but if we may give credit to Writers of sufficient authority, they do inform us that in the greatest torture of the fire, it loseth nothing of its substance or weight, but rather gaineth; for so doth Wormius tell us in the place abovecited. And it will not only endure the trial per cineritium, or testing with Lead (which silver will also abide without wasting) but also the probat of Aqua fortis, the cementum regale by Antimony, and that which Artificers call Quartation. All which do sufficiently declare all those perfections and excellencies that Authors have attributed unto it.  
As for the beating, grinding, sifting, and washing of Oars in general from their earthy filthiness and superfluities, Georgius Agricola hath written very largely and learnedly, 
Lib. de re Met. 8. passim.  more than 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 common Miners, that in that particular have little to direct them, but what they learn one from another. But we shall only here note some few particulars of beating or washing of gold o'er, from two or three Authors of Credit. For Agricola tells us, Seeing that Nature doth for the most part bring forth Metals impure, 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, before they be fluxed or molten.  
1. Acosta tells us, 
Histor. nar. & mor. of the Indies, c. 4 p 213, 214, 215.  Gold in stone is a vein of gold that groweth or engendereth within the stone, or flint, as I have seen in the Mines of Curuma within the government 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 draw it forth. And a little after: They refine powdered gold in basons, washing it in many waters, until 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 Allom whereof they make this water, hath the virtue to separate gold from dross, or from other Metals.  

Lib 3. c. 11. p. 73.  2. Diodorus Siculus tells us a strange story both of the getting of gold o'er, as also of its preparing by beating, grinding, and washing, which for brevity sake, we shall only give in the English. In the borders of Egypt that join to Ethiopia and Arabia, there are places very fertile of Metals; Forth of which with much labour and expense, 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 instruments, the more soft rock, and which is broken with indifferent labour. He that discovereth the Veins of gold, goeth before the Workmen, showing what places they are to dig. They cleave the stony marble being showed, by the strength of strong bodies, not by Art, but by great force with iron wedges. But they drive shafts or passages not straight, but that way which Nature leadeth, by the gold in the shining marble. But when by reason of the divers bend, and turnings, they are darkened 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 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, Led, Seaweed, or Tange, and Bran of Barley. These things compounded in a certain proportion, they diligently loom or daub up the pots with clay, or lute. Furthermore, being decocted five whole days and nights in a Furnace, pure Gold is only 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 notice of by many Readers, and may be of some considerable use to an ingenious Mineralist.  
3. Gonzalus Ferdinandus Oviedus relateth two notable ways both of their finding of Gold at the Indies, 
Of the West Indies▪ p. 188, 189, 190.  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 be noted, and I may much better speak of it then any 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 Governor of the Mines of the Catholic King Don Ferdinando; after whose departure from this life, I served long in the same room in the name of your Catholic Majesty. By reason whereof, I have had great occasion to know how Gold is found and wrought out of the Mines, etc. And a little after he saith: The manner 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 Champion Country 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 show 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 very clean where they intent to dig, than they dig eight or ten foot in length, and as much in breadth; but they go no deeper than a span or two, or more, as 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 certain 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 women when they wash, are accustomed to sit by the waterside 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 handles 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 entereth no more water into the Trays than serveth their turns; and with the selfsame 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 Barber's Basin. And when all the earth is avoided, and the gold gathered together in the bottom of the Trey, they put it apart, and return to take more earth, which they wash continually, as before. So that to conclude, there are in all five persons ordinarily assigned to every Trey 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 concerning Gold, and so leave it.   

CHAP. XII. What may be thought of common Gold; whether it be an ingredient into the Philosopher's 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 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 Chapter. And some may deem that it is my ambition to be thought or esteemed an Adeptist; or at least to speak myself 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 only 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 Chemistry under old johannes Huniades; and have ever since at times and seasons been employed 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 Authorities and Reasons that I lay down, and accordingly judge of what I write.  
1. For those that are seeking the grand secret in Animals or Vegetables, or in any thing that they produce, 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 only by way of similitude, 
Spec. Alchym. c. 3. p. mihi. 260.  as Bacon tells us; Quare admirandum est, quod aliquis prudens suam fundat intentionem super animalia, sive vegetabilia, quae valde sunt remota, cum inveniantur mineralia sa●is propinqua. Nec credendum est omnino, quod aliquis Philosophorum posuerit 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; taking that of Augurellus for a truth, (which is so indeed, if rightly understood) In auro, semina sunt auri, & ut ignis est principium ignificandi, sic aurum aurificandi; 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 therefore 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 subtle assertion of Sendivogius, who saith, Scito enim metallorum vitam esse ignem, 
No. Lum. Chym Tract. 3. p 311.  dum adhuc in suis mineris sunt, & mortem etiam ignem fusionis videlicet. 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 understanding person, to believe that common gold being decocted in their menstruum, would communicate its virtue to their water, by which the whole magistery might be perfected; but it is good to be wary, latet anguis in herba: and therefore the learned Mayerus gives us this caution, ut perspicuus apparet, ita profundus 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 praedicate of it, though it was truly dead before, 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 custom of the Romans) is burned.  
And to confirm that Gold and other particular Metals are dead when they are coagulated into an hard and fixed metallic body, we shall give sufficient authority.  
And first, Basilius Valentinus (a man of unquestionable verity and experience) tells us thus. 
Elucida●. of the 12. K●yes, p. 140.  In the first place be informed, that our Gold (so much spoken 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 error 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 only gold that hath been melted, is excluded from the beginning of their Work, but also gold that hath been fully digested by Nature; for who can expect life from a dead thing?  
To this we may add that signal passage of Paracelsus, quoted by us once or twice before, 
R●r. Natur. l. 9 p. 113.  though not this very purpose, who saith: Primo sciendum est, metallum quodvis, quamdiu in primo ente adhuc latet conditum, peculiaria sua Astra habere. Ita aurum habet astra Solis: Argentum astra Lunae, etc. Quamprimum autem ad suam perfectionem venerunt, & in fixum metallicum corpus coagulantur, ab illorum quolibet sua astra recedunt, & corpus suum relinquunt mortuum. And a little after he tells us; Et una intelligendum, 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 & labour omni actum erit.  
From whence it is not only plain, that gold when coagulated into a metallic body, is dead; but also that it is in vain to take it in the beginning of the Work.  

Theatr. Chym. vol. 1. p. 754.  Trevisan tells us the same thing, saying; Corpora vulgaria, per naturam solam in mineris absoluta, sunt mortua, ut imperfect a perficere nequeunt, etc.  

De Sal. Phil. l. c. 4. p. 157.  And the learned Combachius in his Translation of Nuysement, tells us this certain rule. Prudentes & nasi 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 Bacon further explaineth thus; 
Spec. Alchym. c. 3. p. 263, 264.  showing 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 sulphur, & 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 perductum, sed commixtum aequaliter & proportionabiliter, per modum debitum cum sulphure tali, & in massam solidam congelata.  
And to this agreeth the saying of Paracelsus, 
De Mineral. l. Tracked. 1. p. 347.  speaking 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 Philosophers first work, is but dead, and wants the principles of life and vegetability, that necessarily is required 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. Therefore we will conclude this (because we have spoken more largely where we treated of Gold according to the mystical Authors) with the advice of johannes Spagnetus, 
Arcan. Herm. p. 175.  who saith, Now those bodies must be taken which are of an unspotted, and incorrupt virginity, such as have life and spirits in them, not extinct as those that are handled of the vulgar; for 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 solution, and the bringing of it back to its first matter. Of this there is enough said to encourage this opinion.  
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 Metals 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 understanding of the Philosopher's meaning, who never speak more truly then when darkly; nor never more equivocally (if not falsely) when they speak plainly. Some understand this reduction of them into their first matter, to be taken to be brought to pass in projection; 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 limited 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, 
No. Lum. Chym. Tract. 4. p. 312.  for that is vapour. For Sendivogius tells us; Sciant ergo doctinae filli sperma metallorum diversum non esse à spermate rerum omnium, scilicet vaporem humidum; ideo frustra quaerunt artistae metallorum reductionem in materiam primam, quae tantum vapour. 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 Trevisan excellently describeth thus: 
Thearr. Chym. p. 758.  Glorientur Alchymistae 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 sciendum, 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 specific 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 allege that their solution is so extreme hard and difficult, we shall oppose the authority of Sendivogius, 
No L●● Chym. Aenig. p. 351.  who saith; Et hoc vobis dico, quod opus est rem quaerere aliquam, quae occulta est, ex qua fit (miro modo) talis humiditas, quae aurum sine violentia seu stropitu solvit, imo ita suaviter & naturaliter, sicuti glacies aquae calidae beneficio liquescit, 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 easy; and therefore what difficulty soever they speak of in their solution, must be understood 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 curious persons, whether this Gold that is so easily dissolved in it be common Gold, or that of the Philosophers; 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 than 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 only can open the door into the Philosopher's Rosary.  
5. To note, that whereas he saith, That although all Metals, and all things have their offspring 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 considered, 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 subjoin that of Helmont: 
Potest. Medic. p. 474.  Summus autem atque felicissimus salium est, qui ultimam puritatis & subtilitatis metam in natura attigit, cuncta pervadit, solusque agendo manet immutabilis, quaeque alia pro lubitu, prompta resolvit obedientia, rebellemque omnem materiam, non secus atque aqua calida nivem liquat, & volatizat. And in another place he saith: 
Ignot. Act. Regim. p. 334.  Quae longe clarius per Adeptos demonstrari possunt. Quibus scilicet unicus & idem liquor Alkahest, omnia totius universi corpora tangibilia perfecte reducit in vitam eorundem primam, absque ulla sui mutatione, viriumque diminutione. A solo autem suo compari, subter jugum trahitur, atque permutatur.  
From whence we may observe: 1. That this liquor 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 secrets, 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 Philosophers Writings, have been drawn forth to room after some universal or catholic Salt, gotten forth of the beams of the Sun, Air, or some Earth's, or carried after the fancy 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 sentence of few words, but of a vast depth, rightly to understand and find the true meaning of; and which some that I have known that have many years read and studied the Philosopher's 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 only 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 sufficiently concordant, as to the easiness of the radical dissolution of bodies by this liquor once had, and obtained; yet we shall give them another hint from this great Adeptist Helmont, that seems disagreeing to what hath been said, in regard of the difficulty of dissolving some bodies, and yet make it appear that they are reconcileable; for though the Philosophers spoke often darkly, yet they spoke truly; and how dissonant soever they seemed in words, notwithstanding there was a perfect Harmony in their meanings: And thus Helmont speaketh concerning metallic Mercury; 
Progym. M●●. p. 70.  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 sulphur, & humido superfluo mundatum. From whence it is manifest how hard and difficult it is to separate the external sulphur from metallic Mercury, because they were originally conjoined, but that nevertheless by Art they may be separated. 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 separating the sulphur from the metallic Mercury, when the liquor is once had. For where he is speaking of the Ludus, he saith; Est autem hoc opus longe difficillimum, non quidem quoad praeparationem Ludi; sed ipsius Alkahest. By which it is plain beyond exception, 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 favour this Opinion, that common Gold is to be used in the first Work, and that is where Sendivogius saith: Lapis Philosophorum seu tincture, 
No. Lum. Chym. Tract. 10. p. 330.  nihil allud est, quam aurum in supremum digestum, nam aurum vulgi est sicuti herba sine semine, quando maturescit producit 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 consider 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 inferior or imperfect Metals be changed into the nature of Gold; yet the question is still, whether common Gold be only ripened by being joined in fermentation with the Philosopher's sulphur first had and prepared, that doth maturate and ripen it, or not; for it is known that the Philosopher's sulphur being prepared, is universal and catholic, and would work upon Vegetables or Animals, as well as Metals; and is only determined and specificated by that Metal that is joined 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 Lul cry out and say, Is Nature also retrograde? But to confirm this, let us give some Authorities.  

Arc. Herm. p. 1.88.  Spagnetus telling the qualities of the Planet Mercury, 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, johannes Faber, 
Hy●roge. l. 3. c. 14. 250.  who (as is credibly thought, and may be known in part by some of his last Writings) 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 auro 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 duplici sit differentia, rubea & alba; rubea quae est, aurum 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, 
Ut supra.  De auro autem vulgi nullo pacto hoc est censendum, quia quamvis in fermentatione lapidis nostri, sit necessarium ut determinetur lapis ad perfectionem metallorum: non tamen determinat perfectionem lapidis, imo contra lapis noster terminat ac perficit aurum vulgi, sine ipso enim lapide, aurum vulgi mortuum omnino est, ac sterile & infoecundum; cum lapide vero connexum, fit vivum & 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 testimony of learned Mayerus, who saith: Nihilominus Philosophi affirmant, ut in igne ignificandi principium extat, sic in auro aurificandi: verum tinctura quaeritur, cujus medio aurum fiat. Haec indaganda est in suis propriis principiis, non in alienis: nam si ignis ignem producat, pyrus pyrum, eguus eguum, tum plumbum & non argentum, aurum aurum, & non tincturam generabit: Ad haec aurum Philosophis plumbum, proprium est, quod non negant pro fermento in fine operis lapidi aurifico adjici debere, sed necessario requiri quoque asserunt. Cum fermentum ducat fermentatum in sui naturam, sine quo tota compositio ad perfectionem nunquam rediret.  

Chrysop. l. 1 p. 203.  By this may be clearly opened that of Augurellus, which so many have mistaken, and so few rightly understood; to wit, 

Theatr. Chym. Vol 3.  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 labour.   
Besides what we have already said, we shall now show 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 Philosopher's tincture.  

De Lithias. c. 8. p. 69.  1. And first Helmont lays it down for a firm ground of truth (which also all knowing Mineralists understand 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 coagulat, efficitque sub malleo ductile: cum alias mercurius absque sulphure nunquam in metallum coagulari possit.  
And after, where he is speaking of metallic Mercury, which containeth its combustible and inseparable sulphur within it, 
Ut supr. c. 8. p. 70.  he saith; Si non vidissem argentum 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, identitatisque homogeneitatem anaticam: dicerem artem non esse veram, quae vera est, sine mendacio, atque longe verissima. Adeo ut quod supra est, est sicut quod est infra, & vicissim. Ignaros ergo se rei metallicae produnt, quotquot docent praefatas mercurii aurique metamorphoses.  
And further; Imo licet aurum radicaliter in parts 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. Quip qui auro est simplicior, majori anaticaque identitate constructus.  
From whence we may observe; 1. That metallic Mercury doth either altogether abide in the fire, or altogether fly from, and both ways remains immutable. And this Helmont had seen in experience.  
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 only 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 metallorum Mecurio simillima, 
Progym. Met. p. 68  qui cum omni prorsus metallici sulphuris labe, jam est exutus, tam sibi undequaque indissolubili nexu cohaeret, ut radicaliter omnem divisionem, arte aut natura possibilem, respuat.  
And further he saith; Mercurius ergo originali labe mundatus, atque virgo, non sinit se amplius à sulphuribus, aut seminibus apprehendi, quin baec confestim consumat, ac velut conficiat, excepto suo compari. Sunt namque alia sublunaria, nimis debilia, ut tanti mercurium, subigant, penetrent, commutent, aut defoedent.  

Ibid. p 70.  And further saith; Mercurius ergo de mercurio vel in mercurio, sospes manet, tam ignibus, quam liquore acri. Alioqui si corrosiva, illum mercurium attingeret, forte multorum labor compesaretur. Quip tota radix, transmutationum est in sulphur. Vid. Tria prim. p. 408.  
So that the force of the Arguments lies thus: That though metallic Mercury by composition, and marriage with metallic 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 separated from its external sulphur, be not to be changed either by Art or Nature, but only by its compeer, which is the Tincture already prepared, than it must necessarily follow, that common Gold cannot be an ingredient in the work of the Elixir before fermentation; which was the thing we undertook to prove. Nay further, either the Art of transmutation of Metals is false, or else metallic mercury is indivisible, for if it were divisible, it would be utterly unfit for the work in the particular of projection.  
And if they suppose that the Alkahest, constructive liquor, or universal menstruum, which we grant is able to separate the external sulphur from Metals; nay, even from Gold itself, were able to divide, change or overcome metallic 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, 
D● vit. long. l. 3. c. 3.  the former of which saith: Auro enim quatenus aurum est, corrosivum praestat, & citra corrosivum mortuum est. 
Pot. Medic. p. 480.  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 digged forth of the earth, or melted in fire, doth yet become alive, and quickened 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 judgement, for we shall easily grant that Gold is shut up and dead in respect of yielding any remedies to cure diseases withal, except it be opened and loosed with their only constructive liquor, which separates its sulphur▪ and salt, in which doth lie the medical virtue (as we shall show more at large anon) but notwithstanding the mercurial part of it remains indivisible, and cannot be changed 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.  

Butler p. 594.  For Helmont tells us; Profecto, metallica corpora, juxta suos mercurios clausa sunt sigillo anaticae homogeneitatis 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. 
Tria prim. p. 408.  Et in Archidoxis lib. the separate. elementorum cap. de Metallis unumquodque Elementorum 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 sealed 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 rendered familiar, and separated with that grand and universal solvent.  
2. That the Mercury of those Metals remains indestructible, and not to be changed from a metallic form, or precipitated; but if they be never so oft destroyed, they will arise more perfect than before.  
3. And that the Sulphurs and Salts (in which only 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. 
Archidox l. 4. p. 13 13.  Tandem ascendent obscuri duo colores, unus albus, alter vero juxta metalli naturam, & conditionem. And after again, Album vero si reduxeris, habebis inde malleabile corpus album & metallicum, quod cognosci nequit sub qua specie contineatur.  
From whence note, 1. That he there nameth water wherein the Metals must be dissolved and putrefied, but according to his usual custom doth tacitly omit to declare what kind of water it should be; when doubtless according to Helmont, and truth itself, it was their constructive liquor or Alkahest; for nothing else would radically dissolve Metals, and that not without a praevious digestion or putrefaction. 
De Li●hias. c. 4. p. 33, 34.  For Helmont tell us, In aliis vero liquorum activitatibus, corpus nunquam potest se radicaliter commiscere liquori solventi. Ideoque corroditur quidem, at non solvitur intime, uti ad transformationem formalem alioqui, requiritur.  
And a little after, Itaque terreum corpus, sive dissolvatur per corrosivum, sive non, pristinum suum esse servat. Eo quod istud dissolvens non peneiret dissolutum, in radicali vinculo connexionis. Quod tamen in transmutandis essentialibus, est per necessarium. Discant ergo Chymia Tyrones, quod corpora non resolvantur per corrosivorum calcinationes. Licet etiam 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 metallic malleable white body, which cannot be known under what species it falleth.  
3. That in these Salts or Sulphurs the medical virtue 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 album, ex Saturno lividum atque plumbeum, ex Venere viride prorsus, ex Iove flavum. And these in the bottom, the ☿ being at the top.  

Tria prim. p. ●●8.  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 prosecuted by Helmont: which is that: Facilius est aurum construere, 
De Lithias. c. 8. p. 70.  quam destruere: Also quoth sit long facilius, aurum ex non auro construere, quam aurum naturale destruere. 
Theatr. Chym. p. 828.  And another saith; Qui aurum scit destruere, ita quod amplius non sit aurum, is ad maximum arcanum pervenit. 
Art. aurif. Rosar. p. 152.  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: 
Sum. perf. c. 11. p. 42.  Attentaverunt forte, quod sit fortis compositionis, sed quam fortis compositionis sit, non attentaverunt. We shall only urge helmont's conclusion from the two former, and leave the mystery and seeming contradictions in the rest, because we intent but that only point, and he concludeth thus. 
Tria prim. p. 408.  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 discurrens, negat aurum & argentum, esse materiam artis: eo quod sit plane impossibilis eorundem reductio in sulphur & argentum vivum, 
De Lithias. c. 8. p. 70.  unde fiat filius ignis tantus in amore Philosophorum. And so finally urgeth that, That either the Adeptists do lie and are deceived, or themselves the young Writers in Chemistry.  
So we shall close this point (wherein we have been so tedious) with a few Authorities of the best Philosophers.  
1. And first that of the learned Author of the Tractatus aureus; 
Mas. Herm. p. 45, 46.  who saith, Verum benevolus lector informatus sit, quod metalla, utpote aurum & argentum, 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 Lul, 
Test. Theor. c. 56.  who saith, Et ideo bonus artista capit metalla pro mediis in opere magisterii, & specialiter solemn & lunam. 
Theatr. Chym. vol. 4. p. 94.  Ideo, quia illa duo venerunt in co●qualitate temperata, & multum depurata de sulphuris & argenti vivisubstantia, cocta pura, & bene digesta ingenio naturae, ad quam proportionem Artista in vanum se vexaret, si à principiis naturalibus, sine realibus mediis pro intentione faciendi velit incipere. 
M●s. Herm. p. 4●.  To which add what is quoted forth of his Codicil: where he saith, Sine illis duobus, auro & argento-videlicet, ars ista perfecta fieri nequit, quam hac in re purissima sulphuris substantia sit, quam natura plenarie purificavit: ad quam purificationem perveniendi ars multo est debilior, quam natura, ad quam tamen pervenire nequit, etiamsi in eo maxumopere desudet.  

Art. Aurif. p. 140.141.  3. This also is a most remarkable passage: Ex hoc patet, quod aurum Philosophorum, non est aurum vulgi, nec in colore, nec in substantia. So that if not either in colour of substance, it must be another thing; which is to be noted.  

Theatr. Chym. vol. 1. p. 757.  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 compounded 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 nothing else but Argent vive, congealed by gradual decoctions; yet he concludeth thus: Hic non obstantibus omnibus affirmativis rationibus, ipsa (scilicet metalla) non sunt lapis noster, dum in forma sunt metallica: name impossibile est unam & eandem materiam habere duas formas. From whence, if it be a truth that Helmont holdeth forth, That metallic 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 metallic form, except changed by its compeer, 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 only give two Authorities in this particular, 
Mus. Herm. p. 222, 223.  and so conclude. One is this by johannes Mehung; who saith, Aurum itaque ex mineralibus optimum 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 amplius aliquid, quam seipsum, perficiat, qualem qualem etiam artem homo huic adhibeat. Si quis enim affirmare conaretur, quod reserandum, & in argentum vivum 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, minime via sit. The other for brevity sake I commend 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 particular to the dark places in Paracelsus, Helmont, and the rest, will be known unto those that have thoroughly 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 lowly, and keep them still veiled from the proud and wicked.  
2. The next thing we proposed to handle, is concerning 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 have before mentioned, though upon another occasion. But to open it more largely, we shall draw some particulars from what hath been spoken, and add some more weighty considerations.  


Chrys. passim, p. 192.  
Id. Sept. Plan. Terrestr. p. 162.   1. Angelus Sala, a laborious, learned and honest Chemist, writ a Treatise of common Gold, therein labouring 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 Oil or Water, which of themselves are liquid, nor as Salts, which though of themselves neither liquid 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 dissolved, but may again be reduced into the metallic 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 confirmed by Helmont, 
Progym. Me●. p. 68  who not only granteth that common gold may be reduced into a light-red coloured oil, but also teacheth the open and plain process thereof. Yet after all concludeth that it is reducible into metallic 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, 
Po●. Medic. p. 480.  per consentanea suis principiis radicalibus●: tum primum coepi, cum salutari taedio, irridere, stolidas credulitates meas, quibus olim aurum dissolvi: ejus tamen potabili succo minus profect, quam simplicis alicujus decocto. Deinceps vero potui aurum dissolvere, butyri, resinae, atque vitrioli facie ludere. At nusquam inveni virtutes 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 Chemistry be brought into the form of a light red-coloured oil, but that not profitable at all in medicinal virtue, and may easily be again reduced into the fixed and malleable body of Gold; and thus far only Sala was experienced in, and in this respect only his Arguments are good and conclusive.  
2. But that notwithstanding Gold and other Metals may be dissolved per consentanea suis principiis radicalibus, which thing was unknown unto Sala; and therefore we may very well take notice, that conclusions 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 radically 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 showed that the colour, tincture, or sulphur of common Gold, may be by Art separated from its body, afterwards remaining white, and an Anonymous Metal, and not to be destroyed by Art or Nature. But that we may make it clear beyond all exception, we shall add some further proofs. H●lmont tells us, speaking of his Arcanum Coralinum, which is common Quicksilver fixed by the liquor Alkahest: 
Lib. volup. vivent. p. 386.  N●n etiam auri colour, sulphur, aut tinctura alvum subducunt. By which he clearly grants that the colour, sulphur, or tincture of Gold may be separated from it; but that it doth not lose the belly, or purge as the Arcanum Coralinum doth. And in another place he saith, 
Tria prim. p. 408.  Quod aurum quidem sit● corporum constantissimum i●igne, sed suae constantiam separationis mutua● à mercurio: adeo si sulphur ejus includat dualitatem heterogeneam; id mercurium minime attingit. Admitto quidem, quod mercurius per compositionem transmutationis, & maritationem sulphurum metallicorum, fiat metallum, & hoc sit destructibile ratione dualitatis sui sulphuris: Attamen merourius illius metalli manet indestructibilis. From whence he implieth plainly, That common Gold and other Metals have in them an heterogeneous duality, in regard of their external sulphurs, and that this may be separated, or in respect of it the Metal may be destroyed, yet that the Mercury of that Metal is indestructible. And again, 
Ibid.  which may be is quoted before: Unumquodque elementorum in specie olei destructionis metallicae, potest reduci iterum in metallum album pristinum, & malleabile excepto elemento ignis, quod tincturam sive sulphur continet. Of which we have spoken largely before. And again to repeat somewhat, he saith: Imo licet aurum radicaliter in parts heterogeneas, salem scilicet, sulphur, ac mercurium se pateretur sequestrari (quod nullatenus naturae, nisi per unicum liquorem constructivum est possibile) Illud tamen in mercurii homogeneitate, & naturae & arti impossibile. Quia in mercurio non est reperibilis diversitas, qualis alioqui in tinctu●a auri hujusque albedine. From whence it is most manifest that the sulphur or tincture of common Gold may be separated by that only one constructive liquor; bu● that the remaining body of the metallic Mercury (which is truly a Metal, though anonymous, and not to be known under what species it falls) is impossible either to Art or Nature to be divided or separated. And this he hath plainly showed of Copper; where he declareth, Non est ergo ignis veneris spiritus vitrioli, utcunque exquisite rectificatus: sed ignis ille est, sulphur cupri volatile, in forma olei viridis, melle dulcius, & à corpore mercuriali sui cupri plane separatum. 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, 
Do Lithias. c. 8. p. 69.  in forma olei: facili tamen negotio, postmodum iterum reducitur in metallum album ignotum, atque sub malleo extensibile. Sed ignis sive sulphur veneris, non item amplius reducitur in metallum per se. Which is a clear demonstration, not only 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 other Adeptists are bound to conceal) also the way of separating them, and the qualities both of those sulphurs and their mercurial parts are showed. A 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, 
I●id c. 3. p. 24.  and is possessor of that universal solvent. Thus much more we shall only 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 declareth that the Salts and Sulphurs of Metals are to be divided from their Mercuries; and that the Mercuries of Metals in medical virtue (for we have showed by his authority before, that the mercuries of Metals are all equally shut up with the seal of anatical homogeneity, and yield no medical virtue at all, but that their sulphurs do hearken unto us, if rendered familiar) but did wonder at the efficacy of their Salts and Sulphurs. And from this root doth spring and arise those medicaments prepared by the Alkahest (but not otherwise to be had) that Paracelsus called Hematina: 
Pot. Medic. p. 479.  of which Helmont saith he had taught that which was sufficient, and therefore concludeth thus; Quapropter ejusmodi Hematina admirandas in re medica operationes perficiunt. Sensi ergo Hematina Solis & Lunae, quod etiamsi ex puritate sui balsami comfortarent: tamen 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 solvent: 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 and excellent medicines contained in their Salts and Sulphurs, separated from their Mercuries, which contain no medical efficacy at all.  
3. From hence may be resolved that great question, whether common Gold may be made so potable, as never to be reduced again into a metallic body? 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 oily 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 showed before) but the Mercuries of all the Metals in a white form or colour, which by itself may be reduced into a malleable and metallic body, but their salts and sulphurs never. For as no external metallic sulphur is a Metal, so every metallic Mercury is really a Metal. So that if they mean by aurum potabile, or any other Metal, the whole substance brought into a potable liquor, and never again to be reduced into a metallic 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 aurum potabile, or the tincture of Gold, the external sulphur (which containeth its salt) separated from its remaining white mercurial body (in which is contained its internal and inseparable sulphur, agent, or verus ignis naturae) than 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 possible either to Art or Nature, to reduce that sulphur or salt into a metallic body again; and this when the Philosophers speak of aurum potabile drawn forth of common Gold, is that only which in that respect they truly understand, and the only end they aim at. To confirm which take these particulars; for Helmont saith, 
Potest. med. p. 479.  Sensi quoque, remedia mineralia, in salis naturam mutata (non intelligo, quae per adjunctum condiuntur salem) secum gestare, sua semina, in gradum tamen exaltata. Quibus etsi totum metallum resolvatur 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 adjoining of salts unto them, but of their own interior and separable 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 mercurial part being separated, that dissoluble salt is not the internal and immutable kernel of the Metal, but only its sulphur. Therefore as he tells us in another place, 
Pharmacop. p. 461.  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 bottoms, 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 Chemists, because 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, 
Ibid. p. 467.  and that the Quintessence in which is the Medical virtue, remaineth in the bottom. And of this way of preparing, take helmont's 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 only subjoin what that learned and laborious Chemist joachimus Polemann hath taken notice of, 
Theatr. Chym. vol. 6. p. 636.  in relation to Paracelsus process of preparing aurum potabile, or the tincture 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 manu 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 affundatur, tunc animam auri extractma iri. Hac occasione 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 another subject; and this we touched where we spoke 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 the Primum ens auri, in his Book of Renovation and Restauration, and in divers other places, may (if they can understand that dark and subtle Author) find much satisfaction in this particular; to which we refer the studious and curious searcher of the Secrets of Nature.  
In the next place take what Rhumelius, a learned Germane Author, 
Antid. Chym. p. 231. & p. 239.  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 beginnings of Gold do grow, or arise, may aurum potabile be made, that is of more efficacy, and better than forth of common Gold itself. 
Ibid. p. 245.  Again, That aurum potabile may be made forth of the Primum ens vel ex auro imperfecto, vel è radice solis; that is, more perfect, more efficacious, and better than that which is made forth of common Gold itself. 
Ibid. p. 248.  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 imperfect 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. 
Man. de Lap. p. 138.  For so Paracelsus having taught the composition 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, nullum melius fundamentum esse medicinae totius, 
Ibid. p. 137.  quam 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 tedious Chapter concerning the universal solvent, by Paracelsus first, and after by Helmont called Alkahest; about which we shall be brief. For we intent not here to speak either of the subject forth of which it is prepared (which is one of the Adeptists greatest secrets, nay indeed the only 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 preparation, which Helmont saith is most tedious, nor of its manifold names, and Epithets, nor of the innumerable virtues of it in general, because (if it please divine Providence to grant us health and life) we have something in a readiness to all those purposes, that may come to public view hereafter, if we can judge the World worthy of it. Only here we shall say, that the Alkahest of Paracelsus and Helmont is the same specifically with that universal solvent or menstruum of Sendivogius, Lul and the ancient Philosophers, 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 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 specific nature in their effects, and operations. To which we shall only add one or two Authorities more, and urge the conclusions that may be drawn from them. The first is that of Helmont, 
Lid. de Febrib. c. 14 p. 52.  where speaking of the Arcanum Corallinum, which is prepared by drawing of the Alkahest from common vendible Quicksilver, which is done in one quarter of an hour: and there he quoteth Raymund Lul, 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 singular. 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 join the place in Lul hinted at by Helmont, 
Theatr. Chym. vol. 4. Theor. Lullii c. 87. p. 139.  who saith; Et pro certo, in praesentia, & voluntate certorum sociorum argentum vivum vulgare congelavimus, per suum menstruale, & alias uni de sociis nostris, in cujus eramus socie●ate express, quasi ad duas Leucas prope Neapolim, in quo loco in p●aesentia Physici regis, & unius fratris de sancto Io. de Rhodis, & Bernardi de la Bret, & aliorum, congelari fecimus argentum vivum per suam menstrualem naturam. Et quamvis hoc vidissent, & manifest palpassent, tamen non potuerunt scire quid esset, nisi simpliciter solummodo rustico more, regia majestate salva. Etsi realiter & Philosophice cognoscere potuissent per speculationem intellectivae virtutis dictum menstruale ac suas virtutes, artem ac scientiam absque dubio habuissent, prout dicti socii, qui per nos multum bene intellexerunt manifest, & habuerunt. Et tunc argentum vivum vulgare dimisissent ad creandum lapidem, & ad exuberandam suam humiditatem, & ideo nos cogit ratio, quodignoranti habeamus illud celare. From all which we may take these most remarkable observations. 1. That this coagulating common Quicksilver by two such grand Masters as were Lul 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 Raymund Lully's coagulating common Quicksilver, but only that it was to show that their menstruum was specifically the same in effect and operation, otherwise he would not by his knowledge of the Alkahest have numbered 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 only 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 number, weight, and activity, and was as prevalent in the thousand operation, as in the first: which is an admirable and stupendious quality.  
4. We may observe the great energy and penetrativeness of this liquor, that in so short a time as a quarter of an hour, could so perfectly fix, and coagulate Quick silver.  
5. It is as clear as the light of the Sun at noonday, that this that Lul calls a menstrual humour, was of the same specific 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 Philosopher's Tincture: for Lul tells us faithfully and truly, that if the standers by had known this menstrual liquor really and philosophically by the speculation of an intellective power, and its virtues, they had known without doubt, and had had the Art and Science itself.  
7. And therefore because this is the only 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 Quicksilver, when coagulated by the Alkahest, is sixth and endures all the blasts of the bellows, neither doth perish in the trial of Lead; and therefore hath as great a fixation and perfection as silver; which is most seriously to be weighed and considered.  
10. We may from hence note, That in the coagulating of common Quicksilver by the Alkahest, the Atoms of the homogenous Mercury, are brought more close together and joined per minima, than they were before; and the external and combustible Sulphur, which is less or more in all common Quicksilver, and in which is the medical virtue, is, by the radical piercing of the Alkahest the smallest particles of the Mercury protruded, and extroverted, which Sulphur 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 Quicksilver: only here we shall say a word or two concerning the compeer of their Alkahest, 
Ign. Act. Reg. p. 334  for Helmont saith, speaking of that great liquor, and its virtues: Quibus scilecet unicus & idem liquor Alkahest, omnia totius universi corpora tangibilia, perfect reducit in vitam eorundem primam, absque ulla sui mutatione, viriumque 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 bodies of the whole Universe into their first life, without the mutation of itself, or the diminution of its virtues, which is high and wonderful.  
2. But that it is brought under the yoke, and throughly changed, only by its compeer; and the question is, what that compeer is? To which we answer, 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, sulphur, agent, king, or male, is that which doth coagulate, work upon, subjugate, and change this their water into that which they call their ripened or exuberated sulphur, 
No Lum. Chy. Tract. 11. p. 333.  or tincture, before it be fermented; and this is confirmed by Sendivogius, who saith: Primum resolvetur terra in aquam, quae mercurius Philosophorum dicitur, & illa aqua resolvit illa corpora Solis & Lunae, & consumit ea, ut non remaneat nisi pars decima cum una parte: 
Theatr. Chym. vol. 1. p. 832.  & hoc erit humidum radicale metallicum. And Trevisan saith: Nulla aqua naturali reductione speciem metallicam dissolvit, nisi illa quae permanet cum specie metalli in materia, & forma, & quam metalla ipsa possunt recongelare.   

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, 
Last Will and Test. c. 4. p. 86.  and of it Basilius saith thus. Silver o'er is wrought in its own stone, of a perfect nature, and most noble earth, and of a fixed clear sulphur, salt, and mercury; which with a mixture doth join in a fixed and firm uniting, and appeareth of a degree lower than the Gold is, and is the best Metal next to Gold; and in the fining of it loseth very little, and is separated per se, or with other Metals joined in the fire. 
Nat. & Mor. Hist. ●nd. c. 5. p. 216.  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, because it is more durable, and less endamaged by the fire, and more malleable than 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, 
Spec. Alchym. c. 2. p. 259.  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 wanting a little fixation and colour, 
Phys. Herm. c. 4. p 335.  with weight. Pollius thus. Silver is a 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 Bacon's, and therefore needless here to repeat more of them. 
Mus. Worm. l. 1 Sect. 3. c. 3. p. 115.  The learned Wormius gives this description of it. This perfect Metal is next unto Gold, consisting of Mercury, and Sulphur almost fixed, extensible like unto Gold, but in weight lighter than it, as also then Led, 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 fluxed and refined, to be perceived by the nostrils. But that it doth not reach the fixedness of Gold, is manifest 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 only add what Paracelsus saith to this particular; 
Lib. de Min. Tract. 1. p. 348.  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 subtly, and made diaphanous, are rendered 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 Antimony, the caementum Regale, nor in the Quartation. All which passages do fully show 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, Matrices, or Cover: 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 attained 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 Led o'er 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 intermixed with white spar, and the silver mixed 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 josephus Acosta gives us this account very worthy to be regarded. 
Hist Ind. c. 5. p. 217.  The Mines of Silver are commonly found in Mountains, and high Rocks very desert, although they have been sometimes found in Plains, and Champaigns. There are two different kinds, the one they call straggling, the other fixed and settled. The straggling, are pieces of Metal found in certain places, the which drawn away 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 many in the same place. 
〈◊〉 supra p. 218  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, 
Ibid. c. 6. p. 219  he saith: The ground and soil of this Mountain is dry, cold, and very unpleasant; yea altogether barren, which neither engenders, nor brings forth any fruit, grass, nor grain; it is naturally inhabitable, for the intemperature of the heaven, and the barrenness of the earth. 
Ibid. p. 223.  He noteth another 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 thirteen foot broad, and that this remained bare and uncovered by the deluge. This Vein having resisted the violence and force of the Water, as the hardest part: The Metal was so rich as it was half Silver, and this Vein continued in his bounty fifty or threescore stades, which is the height of a man, and then it failed.  

Plin. lib. 33. c. 6.  3. Take this passage of Pliny, Englished by the same Acosta. They find Silver almost in all Provinces, but that of Spain is the best, which grows and engenders 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 Cliffs, 
Last Will and Test. c. 4. p. 87, 89.  Rocks, Stones, Earth, and such like other Coats or Cover. Because nothing is so fixed, next Gold, than Silver is in its perfection; and is the reason why Silver-passages are accompanied with white fluxes and mineral veins; next thereunto are such passages, in which are generated red mineral Sulphur, and red yellow juices of the noble Gold. Silver metalline Ore is wrought many times in a red goldi●hness, and cometh forth better than the other; a proof whereof may be had, if well ordered. White-gold o'er is naturally thus tinged of white-copper glass, which cause such Oars and passages, by reason of the food of their perfect Minerals; and with the Glass o'er black fumes are exhaled, and feed upon Wismuth, Led, and Tin o'er, wherein Minerals that strike upon the Lunar passages are greedily refreshed: thus groweth the firmest and compactest Silver o'er of its pure, proper, and unmixed Stone. They carry and produce also, not only mixed chambers, and Mine-chests, but also several hard and sturdy mixed Oars 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 colours thus qualified, and natural in its end, middle, and beginning. This is the reason why these Silver fruits and Oars are found differing in their colours and forms; the one being more compact, fairer, and of a better gloss than the other. Sometimes 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, Led, Iron, and Copper o'er in one union and juncture. And in one Mine is found Copper o'er, in another is found Silver o'er, 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. Silver passages show themselves also with blue gritty flowers, in hollowed fluxes, in sprinkled marbles, and carry flint-works of several colours; and these passages and cliffs are full of pleasant silver-colours, 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 colour worketh in nature either more closely, or more mildly than the other, in a curious order; and the one may be discerned before the other in their passing strokes, and shootings, together with their chamber colours and floats, as they fell severally, and apart in each Mine-Ore. 
Mand. Subter. l. 10. Sect. 3. c. 1, 2, 3, 4. p. 183, 184, 185, 186, 187.   
5. Athanasius Kircherus also gives us to understand of several sorts of Silver Oars found in the several Mines of Hungaria; from whence he had responsions to his questions sent to inquire about metallic bodies and minerals, some of which held only Silver, some Gold and Silver, some Gold, Silver and Copper, and some of other sorts; which may be of singular 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, 
Mus. Worm. l. 1 Sect. 3. c. 3. p. 118, 119.  where he showeth what silver Oars 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 only silver of its own colour.  
3. A white Marble, containing Galena in it, yielding 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 showeth like the Touchstone, 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 frequently 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 enough from Sneberg, which the Germans call Rotgylden ertz.  

Ut supra c. 4. p. 120.  11. He tells us, That from the Church of Heerrestad, about four Norway miles, at the top of a certain Mountain, there are found certain kinds of Earth's, 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 adjoining 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 only commend these two particulars to all diligent and inquisitive Artists.  

1. That seeing we have in England so many several places where store of Led Oars are gotten, and those Oars 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 Oars and Minerals, which because they yield no Lead, are commonly thrown away and not regarded; that these also might be tried to see what they hold; for it is often usual the better is cast away, and the worse kept.    

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 several Coats wherein they lie.  
WE have in the third Chapter, where we spoke of the growth and vegetability of Metals, showed that much silver is found pure by Nature, and that needs no refining by the Fire, but is (as they distinctly and properly call it) statim suum, which though we have seen now of it ourselves (though we have strained our abilities, and the interest of friends to procure 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, especially concerning what he wrote of his own Country of Germany, 
Geograph Munst. l. 1. c. 9 p 7.  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 joachim 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 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 Emperor is Great, and rich, but yet he hath not such a table as this. Agricola relating the same story tells us, 
De nat. Foss. l. 8. p. 641.  that none of those that remembered that famous Mass hath recorded its weight, which doubtless (he saith) was of many Talents. And Wormius reciting the same thing, 
Mu●. Worm. l. 1. Sect. 3. c. 3. p. 116.  saith: It was thought that this Mass was of many Talents weight. And subjoineth: That the King of Denmark, 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 Attic Talents, was digged forth of the Mines in the Valley of joachim, out of the Grove called Stella, and Sulcera or Suicera: which Agricola confirms, as but lately digged up in his time. 
Vid. ut supr.  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 Attic 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 witness too.  
2. To this very purpose these Authors tell us further; For Munster saith, And that many pieces, some greater, some lesser, were found in the cliffs 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 excellent Mass of silver that was statim sui, from the gift of the Lord Stenon Beck, the King's Treasurer, which weighed twelve ounces, that did imitate a Vine, with branches variously spread abroad. For divers little boughs did arise from the broad root, being full of fibres, which according to the rise did show more thick trunks, which were writhe 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 infected with a leaden colour, which with a slight friction would go away, and leave the Metal clean and neat.  
3. Agricola tells us: That in the cavities of the stones are found masses of pure silver, 
De nat. Foss. l. 8. p. 642.  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, sometimes of hairs: after which manner it is often found most white with flaws, like flakes of Snow, which 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, 
Mund. Subter. l. 10. Sect. 3. c. 4. p. 189.  and thus described. 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 flowering forth into its filaments, or little threads; that which shineth yellow is most pure gold, that which is of a blackish colour is silver mixed 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 silver in divers figures, which we have before quoted. And also Eucelius in the very same words adding, 
De re Metal. c. 5. p. 15.  that he had seen an whole Fish, a Serpent, a Scorpion, etc. so form in the bowels of the Earth, of such pure silver, which the Germans call Gedygen Silber.  

Mus. Worm. l● 1. Sect. 3. c. 3. ●. 1●6.  4. We shall now show the several sorts of pure silver, so produced by Nature, that Wormius had in his Musaeum, and were of less weight and bigness than 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 footsteps of the Axe or Hatchet, rendering the two sides plain and equal, did fully show it. When otherwise the remaining body of the Mass, approaching to a form of triangle, was rough, and unequal in its figure.  
2. Another piece he had that was branched, spreading itself like unto boughs, or twigs, after a certain manner resembling a Vine, abounding with the wonderful twist 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, showing its roots wonderfully wrapped or twisted together, 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 Heart's 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, sharpened at both ends, of a white silver colour, something yellowish like Ochre, 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 Crow's 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 endowed with divers extuberances on the one side, as though infected with Ochre, on the other showing in it certain most elegant Amethystine flowers, like gems.  
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 writhe together, the other consisting of more thick hairs, most subtle, 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 show a Dragon fight with a Lion, some the twisted locks of hair, some trees, some shrubs, and infinite sports of Nature, etc. And these are sufficient not only to show that Silver is found pure by nature, without mixture of any other Heterogeneous substances, but also may further illustrate the growth and vegetability of this Metal   
Now we are to handle those several sorts of silver o'er that is not pure of itself, 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 mixed with other Metals. 2. And those Oars that yield no other Metal but silver.  
1. Argentum rude, is that Ore that is digged forth of the earth, 
Mus. Worm. l. 1. Sect. 3. c. 3 p. ●18.  and hath mixed 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 differeth in colour; and ere it attain that colour of silver, requireth decoction by the fire; and some of these are mixed 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, showing 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 firestone, or marcasite; or in a more dilute colour, in an ash-coloured stone, having no purple spots mixed with it.  
2. A black Copper o'er 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 colour; but when broken, shining fairly, with almost a silver colour, and is of an unequal colour, showing various protuberances.  
4. Galena containing silver of a leaden colour, shining, and friable, that knocked with iron doth easily fly asunder. Some of them do contain silver invisibly, some of them have leaves and thin plates, that are thick enough.  
5. Sparks of silver is joined to Talc, 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 colours externally, 
Mus. Worm. ut supra p. 117.  as of a leaden colour, an ash colour, black, white, red, purple, liver colour, and yellow: yet notwithstanding within it hath its genuine colour, which doth shine and appear when it is broken with the hand stroke of a stone or hammer. And in this kind that is accounted the best, when forth of an hundred pound weight, 
Lex. Alchym. p. 56.  ninety pounds or more of pure silver is drawn, as was often found in the King's Mount of Norway. 
Agr. de nat. Fossil l. 10. p. 655.  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 likelihood Wormius had it.  

Mus. Worm. ut supra.  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 hundred pound weight, of which more than 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 o'er, of a leaden colour, which the Germans call Glass ertz; which appellation (he saith) Agricola doth not unworthily carp at, when plainly it hath no affinity with Glass, but doth emulate Lead, or Plumbago in colour, being a little more obscure; so that by the sight of the eye, no man ignorant of metallic affairs, can discern it, though in nature they much differ. For Plumbago or Galena is composed of Lead and Stone; but rude silver o'er 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 Ore will be dilated, and spread abroad. Although sometimes this Ore is found hard, which is only ●ried by the Touchstone, and useth to be of a more dilute colour, and is found in divers and sundry forms.  
3. The third is crude silver o'er that is black, called Swartz Silber ertz, and is a blackish stone, shining with frequent sparks of pure silver, and seemeth rather to have obtained a grey than a black colour. He saith he hath also a black silver Ore, to which is mixed in thin leaves pure silver, joined with firestone, and silver of a leaden colour.  
4. The next is crude silver o'er 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 firestone joined unto it.  
5. He had raw-yellow silver o'er, 
Worm. ut sup▪  of an earthly and porous substance, to which some Galena was admixed, showing a colour like Ochre, more soft than other sorts of Ore contained in stones. And so saith that he omitteth Oars of a red, purple, and other colours, because he was not possessor of them. And almost to this purpose the Author of the Musaeum Veronense acknowledgeth that he had seen some such sorts, which were needless here to relate.  
In the next place we shall show what sorts of silver Oars, that are raw and crude, the experienced Rulandus doth reckon up. 
Lex Alchym. p. 56, 57  For he saith that of those Oars 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 colour, and the like; of all which he reckoneth many sorts, some of which we shall here transcribe, to satisfy the curious inquirer, because (he saith) that six of these sorts were known to the Germane Miners.  
I. And first, he reckons silver o'er of a white colour, and that of these several sorts. 
Ib. p. 61, 62.   

1. White silver o'er that was glebous, or cloddy, found at Sneberg, which might be cut with a knife, or bearen with an hammer.  
2. White silver o'er in a most white Marble, found at Anneberg, and also found there o'er 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 threads, and other crisped together, 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 transparent, 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.   
II. Silver o'er of a leaden colour, that must be purified 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.  
2. Of this colour in a most hard white firestone, also in fire-stones that were joined together, 
Ib. p. 63.  and foursquare.  
3. Of this colour in white spar, that was of six angles, likewise in purple-coloured spar, that was pellucid, and quadrangular.   
III. Silver o'er of an ash colour or grey was found at Anneberg in metallic Cadmia, or Copper Ore, as also in a mass, and in white flint.  
IV. Silver o'er that is black, in which sometimes shineth silver o'er of a leaden colour, sometimes also it containeth little sparks of red silver o'er, and sometimes 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 metallic matter (as it is sometimes) it is to be accounted merely black earth.  
V. Ore of this sort that is yellow, is found: 

1. In yellow earth like hairs.  
2. Fire-stones like to a purple colour, to which do adhere little grains of a leaden colour.  
3. o'er of this sort found at Marieberg like to a transparent horn, which holden to a candle doth dissolve or melt.  
4. Of an iron colour, 
Ut supra p. 65.  which smitten with an hammer, doth shine or sparkle, and is not known by its species, but by the fire.    
VI Silver o'er of a blue colour.  

1. That which containeth in itself in the middle, as though it were marrow, crude red silver Ore.  
2. Mixed with white cloddy silver o'er, of a leaden colour.  
3. o'er found at Anneberg of a green colour, digged forth of the Vein called the Celestial Army; as also o'er of a purple colour in the same Vein.   
VII. Now we come to the last that we shall mention, to wit, crude silver o'er 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 o'er 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 adhere to the stones, and that sometimes simply, or after a simple manner. On the contrary, sometimes for the other part of it, which hangeth forth in a Point or Pyramid, rounded as a Top, it embraceth some other matter then the Vein containeth: and that in a foursquare 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 exercise Geometry in the bowels of the Earth, by a wonderful 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 delight herself with such colours, which Art with its greatest endeavours cannot attain unto. And these sorts of Oars were (as most of others) utterly unknown to Dioscorides, yea to Pliny and all the Ancients.  
Of this and the preceding sorts, 
De nat. Fossll. l. 10. p. 656.  that diligent Mineralist, 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 only like to the Carbuncle in colour, but also with a transparent facility. But notwithstanding they differ betwixt themselves, for the Carbuncles for the most part do shine more fully, and this more weakly. The Carbuncles cannot be filled, 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 sometimes square as a Die, sometimes sixangled as Crystal, and sometimes it hath many angles. Also it's most thin plates or leaves do adhere to the Rocks and stones. But that silver o'er that is pellucid, is like to the Carbuncle; that which is not pellucid, is like Rubrica, or Ruddle, and doth much vary in colour. 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 o'er, had yielded great store of this sort. But crude silver o'er 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 Cremnitium: and was digged forth of the Grove in the Valley of joachim, that is called Rich Barbary. That obscure 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 hammer, doth fly asunder.  

Lex. Chym. p. 64, 65.  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 firestone of an ash colour, and in native yellow sulphur.  
3. Like the prickles of an earth Hedgehog, in metallic 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 oriental Granates.    
Of the sorts of red silver o'er not pellucid, he reckoneth these: 

1. Blood-red, of seven angles, called red golden Ore.  
2. Glebous or cloddy found in a white metallic Marble.  
3. Glebous in a firestone of a golden colour, like unto native Minium or Cinnober.  
4. Found in six●angled spar, like to the external coat of a Chestnut.  
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 firestone of an ash colour.  
10. Found in Galena inani, which the Germans call Blend; and our Miners in the North, Blue Blindake.  
11. Another sort that contained Gold in it.  
12. That which was red, inclining to blackness.  
13. That which was of a Liver colour.    
From all this that hath been spoken concerning the crude Oars of silver, especially those of a red colour, we shall commend these ensuing particulars to be considered of by the Learned and Ingenious.  
1. We should heartily desire that the learned Mineralists may be pleased to compare what is here quoted from these Authors, with what several sorts of crude silver o'er 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 disdain to communicate it unto others, for the general improvement of this part of Mineral knowledge.  
2. We would entreat all noble and generous spirits that affect this kind of Learning, and have interest and abilities, to try if the several sorts of Oars of this 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 relied upon.  
3. We entreat all Bermen, Overseers of Mines, or other ingenious persons employed about such Works in his Majesty's Dominions, to take serious notice of all sorts of Oars 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. Besides the two Authors Agricola and Rulandus, persons experienced in what they writ, there are some others that do testify that Ore is found red, and also transparent. As johannes Rhumelius (whom I have quoted before, though not to this very purpose) doth confess in these words: 
Antidotar. Chym. p. 248.  That his Tinctura Solis was made forth of a Rubie-coloured, red, thorough-shining, or transparent, bright golden Ore, etc. And that his Aurum vitae was prepared forth of a certain, 
P. 261.  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, 
Theatr. Chym. Vol. 4. p. 306.  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, produced from the Star, of the gum of the Earth; and that 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. Although 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 fruitful 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 very easy 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 intended, was an Ore that was fertile of gold, but not gold; which for some weighty reasons we shall not here determine, but leave it to be discussed by others. 
Fascie, Them▪ Corollar. c. 2. p. 41.  And the learned Arthur Dee (who in his younger years 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 certain mineral mass, coagulated, lucid, red, and ponderous, being perfect metal in the nearest power, containing in itself vive-spermatick sulphur, and vive immature Mercury, multiplicable in itself. Of which 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 Oars that are found in the bowels of the earth, that are red, or yellowish, 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 Oars. 
Lex. Chym. p. 458.   
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 silver o'er, red, and pellucid; some other, like native Cinnober, 
De re Metal. c. 2. p. 10. De Metal. l. 1. c. 28. p. 62.  red, and transparent. And Eucelius speaking of native vive sulphur, of all other sorts commends that most that was translucid, resplendent, and flourishing. 
Mus. Worm. l. 1. c. 11. p. 26.  And the very same is confirmed by Caesalpinus. 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 Crystal, and of a golden colour, plainly like to that which the Author of the Musaeum Calceolarium calls Vive sulphur, 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. 
Pharmac. Tom. 2. Not. 13. p. 672.   

3. josephus Quercetanus speaking of native Cinnober, tells us: That Nature did bring forth in certain gold Mines in Hungary, a certain kind of mineral Cinnober most ponderous, and of a far more red colour then artificial Cinnober. And that it was so far transparent, and thorough-bright, that it was of no less price and esteem then Gold itself. And this sort, (though I have used mine ultimate endeavours) I never yet could procure nor see any, though I am informed by a learned Germane 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 cannot be but with difficulty and much diligence) may doubtlessly 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 neither Quicksilver, nor any other Metal, as the other do, the one containing Quicksilver, 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 inflammable, 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 easy fire yield Quicksilver, which the other Ore of Silver will not.     
6. The last thing we shall observe is, that whereas Agricola and Rulandus do tell us that some of this transparent silver o'er, 
Vid. Anselm. Boetium de Boodt. l. 2. Gem. & Lap. c▪ 8, 9▪ p. 70, 71.  that is red, is often found form very like unto Carbuncles, which (I suppose) they mean of Rubies or Granates (that which they call a Carbuncle, being nothing but the greatest and purest sort 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 inquire after; whether these be not of that kind that Paracelsus calleth Granates, 
Lib. de Miner. Tract. 1 p. 349.  that did contain some Metal; of which he saith thus much. Besides these there is another 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 itself is to be melted, or fluxed, and may be hammered, but not to the aptitude of instruments. This is of no great use, neither is its propriety known, what it may contain. And if herein Alchemy discover nothing, it will not easily appear what at last it may be. It sustaineth many adulterations 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 perspicuous in the form of Crystal, in which Silver and Gold do lie hid. Here he seemeth plainly to intimate, that these which he nameth Granates, did contain an Anonymous Metal, that was neither silver nor gold; neither doth he mention that these were perspicuous 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 Enquirers.   

CHAP. XV. How they refine Silver o'er at the Indies, and of some other such things.  
BEcause the Natural and Moral History of the Indies written by that learned and experienced Spaniard, is not in the hands of many, I shall therefore transcribe some particulars that may be of very good use to an ingenious Mineralist, as followeth, where he saith thus: 
H●st. of the Ind. c. 9 p. 232.  The Veins, as I have said, where they find silver, runs betwixt two Rocks, which they call the Chase, whereof the one is commonly as hard as flint, and the other soft and easy 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 silver; 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 inclines 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 presently 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 that is most leady, by reason whereof it is most subject 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 furnaces, 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, until 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, 
Ut Supra c. 12. p. 243.  is by Quicksilver; as also in the Mines of Cacatecas, and others of New-Spain. Then after, having related the manner of their getting and purifying of Quick silver, he showeth how with it they refine silver o'er after this manner. We must understand (he saith) there are divers sorts of Metals, for some yield much Silver, and waste little Quicksilver; others consume much Quicksilver, and yield little Silver; and there are others which consume much Quicksilver, and yield much Silver; and others that consume little Quicksilver, and also yield little Silver: and as men encounter in these matters, so they grow rich or poor in their traffic. Although commonly the rich Metal yields much Silver, and consumes much Quicksilver; 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 Tanmills; and being well beaten, they searce it in a Copper searce, making the powder as small and fine, as if it were Horsehair. These searces being well fitted, do sift thirty quintals in a day and a night; then they put the powder of the Metal into the Vessels upon Furnaces; where as they anoint it and mortify 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 Quicksilver may the more easily draw the silver unto it. After they put Quicksilver 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 incorporate. Before the invention of these Furnaces of fire, they did often mingle their Metal with Quicksilver in great Troughs, letting it settle some days, and did then mix it, and stir it again, until they thought all the Quicksilver was well incorporate 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 incorporate Silver with Quicksilver the sooner, they invented these Furnaces, whereon they set Vessels to put in their Metal, with salt and quicksilver; and underneath they put fire by little and little, in Furnaces made for the same purpose; so as in five or six days the quicksilver 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, Led, and Copper, with the which it is engendered. Then afterwards they separate it likewise from the quicksilver, the which they do in this sort; they put the Metal in Caldrons, and Vessels full of Water, where with certain Wheels they 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 quicksilver, 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 quicksilver well cleansed. 
Ut supr. p 244, 245.  There slips away also some small portion of silver and quicksilver, with the earth and dross, which they call washings; the which they after wash again, and draw out the remainder. When the silver and quicksilver 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 quicksilver 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 oil. 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 commonly make of a hundred pound weight. Then to separate the silver from the quicksilver, they put it into a violent fire, which they cover with an earthen vessel like to the mould of a Sugar loaf, or unto a Capuchin or Hood, the which they cover with coals, and set fire unto it, whereby the quicksilver exhales in smoke, the which striking against the Capuchin of earth, it thickens and distils, like unto the smoke of a pot covered, and by a pipe like unto a limbeck they receive the quicksilver which distils, the silver remaining 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 enforced to allay it, putting some mixture to it, as they do likewise in their Mints where as their money is stamped.  
In the next Chapter he showeth the manner of their making of Assays, 
Ib. c. 13. p. 247.  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 smoke, 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 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 base diminisheth much; and according to the waste he sees what alloy he bears, according to the which he marks every bar punctually. Their balance 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 balance. For of this little the price of the whole bar dependeth.  
Now though this way of the refining of silver o'er by quick silver cannot, in great quantities, be practised in Europe, by reason of the scarceness, and high price of quicksilver: 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 base Oars 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 base Oars by quicksilver 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 nobler Metals from the base, and one from another, was well known unto that learned and experienced Philosopher and Chemist, 
Lib. de Separ. ●er. natur. 8. p. 103.  Paracelsus, who very curtly and acutely (according to his accustomed manner) doth mention the several ways of purifying several Oars by means of quicksilver, giving therein exquisite Rules, and excellent cautions, to which I commend the curious 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 Silver 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 refine 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 Chemists 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 Epilepsy, and other nervous distempers: but they must pardon me if I give no credit to their hyperbolising fancies; for I dare affirm that they are nothing but vain and ignorant brags, and will perform no more than the small filaments or powder of Silver laminated, which (indeed) is nothing at all, except prepared by the universal solvent, or Alkahest, as was that blue or azure coloured tincture or oil, containing the saline and sulphureous part of the Metal, the mercurial and indestructible part being left behind untouched, 

Archidox. l. 2. de Separ. Elem. p. 7.  
Helm. Butl. p 594.   which Paracelsus mentioneth. And the reason of this my so positive assertion, I shall give from the experience of that learned Chemist 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 forementioned key of the Alkahest to open them) so as when they think they are most of all opened, they have remitted nothing at all of their former bars or clausure. And that quicksilver, 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 effectual remedies forth of Gold, Silver, or Mercury; but the other four do more easily and freely obey the desires of Operators. 
Ut supr. p. 594.  And further he saith, That metallic 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 rendered familiar. And therefore concludeth thus: 
De Lithias. c. 3. p. 24.  Quoties namque à mercuriis, sales & sulphura distinxt, admiratus sum illorum ignaviam, horumque 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.   

CHAP. XVI. Of the descriptions of Copper, of its Ore, Stone, Operation, and striking Passages.  
AES, 
Eucel. de re Metal. c. 13. p. 22.  or Copper (which was so called from the Isle of Cyprus, where it was first gotten in great plenty) is a metallic 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 fixed, earthy, burning, red, not clear, and of such a sulphur, it wants fixation, purity, and weight.  
And Casalpinus tells us: 
De Metal. l. 3. c. 5. p. 179.  That Copper doth in colour imitate Gold; for if its redness be a little diluted, it becomes Aurichalcum, most like to Gold. And that it imitates Silver in its tractable substance, and slowness 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 universally 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. Besides, 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, 
Last Will and Test. c. 5. p. 88, etc.  and passages, we shall give it from Basilius Valentinus, 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 o'er 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 throughout, not quite freed from a superfluous humidity, in an affinity with iron; because their dwellings, 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 appeareth in a red or brown form, and is seen also like limestone, in black, and yellow slat-works, like unto Coals, in green flinty passages, in a twofold manner, 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 Copper-glass, flinty, and iron shot, or of a white food. The Copper o'er in its passages, is sometimes rich of Gold and of Silver; as it is accompanied with curious Zachstones, and enclosed with passable stones, if so be that other Metals and Minerals do not entrench upon them, which corrode and consume them. And Copper o'er is a slat-work also, mixed with foliated Earth, and the mercurial Copper 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 Oars are found in Hungaria, Bohemia, Silesia, Thuringia, Hassia, and Voightlandia; the like is found about Trantevan, where it is every where in the manner of a float mixed with Sand o'er; and where it breaketh vehemently in the slat work, they call that Slat of Cliffs: they are poor in silver, and such must be roasted, or calcined: in some places it breaks in a fair blue and brown colour, or it looks ruddy, of a Copper-glass, and like unto green Ochre: 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 Ochre; is Copper, glassy, and flinty, in great and huge rocky and marble passages, being mixed with a white marble. They are rich in silver, in green slat stones, which are clear and brittle. It lieth dry and green in cliffs, 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 cliffs of marble, and of white Veins; yellow flint is insprinkled, and mixed with Copper passages, which yield much Silver, have few flowers, are of a ponderous form, break very flinty, of a red glass, of a green colour mixed with yellow flowers; these flints are joined with white gold marble, of a green colour, beside the rocky passage. There is sound also Copper o'er which is rich of Silver, flinty and not white-goldish is of a white shining glass, mighty in dry hollow flat Mines, some whereof are mixed with iron or sorts of Wismuth, or fire-stones. At the one hanging of some passages, is wrought the Chrysocolla, and Copper o'er; on the other hanging of the Mine, is wrought pure flint, all according to the quality and condition of the Ore. And it is to be observed, seeing that Copper Oars are usually mixed with sulphur, easily unite with the nether Metal, and join with their stones; therefore green flinty copper Oars, which carry in the dry 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 o'er; 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 Led 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 Allom, 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 enclosed 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 lest how to distinguish 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 Daywork, because they cover all the rest, and turn quite to stone. The third place they come unto, they call Nightwork, 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: 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 o'er at the Silver breathing, lieth also on the rocky, horn-stony combustible Oars, 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 Hungaria and Carinthia the passages yield Copper Oars, which Copper is very malleable, and is at a dearer rate than any is in the whole Europe; as their minerals 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 virtues, 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 answerable, many expenses, hard work, and good time could be saved; and it comes only from hence, because Gold breaks so near it, and of the same Oars is found, where that earth is impregnated with goldish seed, and make use of the same food in many subtle unitings. Minerals in their generating qualities, are better supported among perfect Metals, where they are higher and more effectual, and are best used for both such perfect Metals, in case Nature 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 Oars, and partly from Copper Oars; they are Minerals and Metals, each have their particular nature, and being, among which some Oars 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 than others, and some are more obscure, dark, muddy, and some more green, and so forth.  

De Mineral. Tract. 1. p. 349.  To this we shall only add what Paracelsus saith of this Metal, which is this; Copper is generated of a purple sulphur, a reddish salt, and a yellow Mercury. These three colours if they be mingled among themselves, than 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 reduced, than the male doth appear. But this is the nature of them both, that the male doth not suffer itself 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 essence, species, kind, and propriety. And further saith, that though commonly the male and female go together, yet they ought to be separated.   

CHAP. XVII. Of some signs where Copper Ore may be found, as also of its several sorts, and the divers preparations it undergoes ere it be pure.  
AThanasius Kircherus doth give us these signs to know where Copper Ore may be found. 
Mund. Sub●●r. l. 10 Sect. 4. c. 9 p. 216.  1. That where plenty of the cliffs and sissures of stones are, that show of a yellow and bluish colour, there is latent 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, than 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 foliated offspring of a Marchasite, or firestone, that it obtaineth the next discovery of an hidden vein of Copper Ore. 4. Furthermore, when the vitriolate waters flowing from the Mountains, are of a somewhat green colour, and of a metallic smell, and which cover over the bottoms of the floods or rivers, with a certain putrid, green, tenuious, and slimy matter, as with a skin; it doth show that the Mountains from whence the water comes, are pregnant with Copper Ore.  
Now for the sorts of Copper o'er, they are twofold, 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 often ere it be brought into pure clear Copper.  
For the first sort which the Germans call Rein gediegen Kupfer; it is affirmed by several experienced 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: 
De re Metal. c. 13. p. 24.  That there is found pure Copper in the Copper and Silver Mines, that is such of itself, 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: 
De nature. Fossil l. 8. p. 643.  That pure Copper was not only found in its proper Veins, but also in the silver 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 firestone. 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 further 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 icicles, of little rods, or little roundlets, or globes. Also it's most small leaves or plates do cleave to the stones. But this native Copper, for the most part, containeth somewhat of Silver in it. 
Mus. Worm. l. 1. Sect. 3. c. 5. p. 121.  Wormius tells us that he had a piece from the Mines of Osterdale in Norway, of the figure of little masses, laminated plain, consisting as it were of most small grains joined together, of a rubicund colour, and truly Copper-like, but exceeding brittle. And although it did seem to consist of most small grains joined 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. 
Mus. Calceol. Sect. 4. p. 444.  And he saith that very 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 Poppy. Rulandus tells us also, 
Lex. Alchym. p. 10, 11.  some sorts of pure Copper 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 cleaving to an hard stone, of a whitish ash-colour, other cleaving to a slat stone at Mansfield, of its own colour; and from Moravia, 
Philos. Trans. N. 19 p. 337. Q. 50.  that was statim suum. The honourable 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 jamaica, and the other by an acquaintance of mine, that took them out of the ground himself in New England.)  
2. For Copper o'er that must be often melted in the fire ere it be brought into the form of good Copper; 
Britan. p. 767.  there are divers sorts, some of which kinds were formerly found at Keswick, and Newland in Cumberland, 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 ponderous. Another sort I have, that seems a bluish 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. 
R●r. nature. Pinax. p. 208.  And Dr. Merre●t tells us, that Copper was digged up at Wenloch in Staffordshire; and that in the time of Richard the Second there was a rich Copper Mine at Richmond in the Bishopric of Durham. But now I do not hear of any gotten thereabouts.  

Mas. Worm. l. 1. Sect 3 c. 5. p. 121.  Wormius tells us thus much, saying, Crude Copper o'er obtaineth various differences, in respect of its colour, consistence, goodness, and coction. For the most part it is drawn forth of a Marchasite, or Firestone, 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 difference in respect of goodness and fertility, though they all arise forth of a granulated firestone or Pyrites. 1. One kind of this golden Pyrites is plainly barren, yielding no Copper at all when it is excocted in the 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. Another 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. Another nine pound and three quarters. 9 Another ten pounds. 10. Another fourteen pound and an half. 11. Another fifteen pound. 11. Lastly, another sixteen pounds, which is the highest.  
1. For several sorts of Oars he reckoneth first that which is yellowish, in which is inserted whole plates or leaves, in an ash-coloured stone, tending to blackness, being very fruitful of Copper, and having particles adjoined in certain places of a whitish-coloured flint.  
2. A purple Ore of Copper, or of a violet colour tending to blue, called of the Miners Braun ertz, having little crumbs or grains of a firestone of a golden 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, 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 colours.  
4. A golden Pyrites friable, or crumbling, shaped like dice, having certain spots of a purple and hyacinth colour admixed with it. And from Osterdale in Norway he had brought without square, and shining with divers colours.  
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 Ochre.  
6. An ironish Ore of Copper, in which a Vein of a square golden firestone doth shine, and here and there portions of rubiginous iron▪ I have by me very many sorts of these squared or diced golden Marchasites, and some of other figures; but whether they hold Copper or not, I have not tried.  
The Author of the Musaeum Calceolarianum mentioneth these four sorts of copper o'er: 

1. One that is red, containing some silver in it, from the Carpathian Mountain, which is most fruitful of Metals.  
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 Copper.  
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 growing, an hundred pound weight of which yields twenty pounds of copper.  
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 only sixteen pounds of Copper. We have enumerated these several sorts of copper Oars, that the laborious Miners may be better enabled to judge of the several sorts of Oars. Now for the several preparations that the Ore of copper undergoeth before it be made good valuable copper, 
Mas. Worm. ut supr.  Wormius tells us thus, saying, I have six differences in respect of the excoction of copper. 

1. Of which the first is the crude Pyrites or firestone itself, 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 rendered 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 Furnaces, 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 work.  
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 become pure Copper.       

CHAP. XVIII. Of native and factitious Orichalcum, of Corinthian Copper or Brass, and of some other Compositions 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 Copper, 
Rer. Deperdit. Guid. Pancirol. Hen. Salmuth. Comment. Tit. 8. p. 26, 27.  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 commixture of Terra Cadmea, or the Lapis Calaminaris with it) not as mixed of Gold and Copper, but a certain 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 Ancients, except Pliny in these words speaking of Copper, that (he saith) was first found in Cyprus. 
Hist. nat. & Plin. l. 34. c. 2. p. 471.  Reperto in aliis terris praestantiore, maxim 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 admiration; neither was it to be found for a long time before the age of Pliny. But Salmuth saith there did remain of it certain sorts or masses, and many fragments. And that it was of so great esteem with the Ancients, that when it was no where to be had, notwithstanding as if it were to be had, it was esteemed more excellent than gold; and gives thereof some notable proofs, that the Inquisitive may find in the place before cited. 
Ubi supr.  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 Corinthian Brass; but falsely: 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 Emperor, 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 Ancients, but Copper mixed with certain powders that give it that splendour. 
Exerc. 88 Mund. Subter. l. 10 Sect. 4. c. 9 p. 218.  And Scaliger (who would seem to know all things) and also Kircher tell us, that betwixt Mexico and Darien natural Orichalcum was digged 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 forecited place of Kircher, 
Mus. Wo●m. ●t supr.  and we shall only mention one way set down by Wormius forth of Agricola. They put (he saith) the fragments of the best Copper, and of Cadmia nativa (I suppose he meaneth the Lapis Calaminaris) by course (or as the Chemists say, stratum super stratum) into long pots, 
Vid. Albert. Mag. de Reb. Metal. l. 4. p. 352.  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, tractable with the hammer, and to be drawn forth into thin plates or leaves, which being tinged with gall, becomes like gold, and is called of Pliny, Aurum Coronarium, 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, Shows, and such like pastimes. And of this sort some is more malleable than other, and will suffer itself 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 Orichalcum or Brass, some that (as I believe) will abide the hammer in some measure, of which is made fire-tongs, fire-shovels, snuffers, Mathematical instruments, and of many other sorts and kinds, that I cannot 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, Candlesticks, and abundance of such like utensils, some of a fair golden colour, some more whitish, and some more inclining to redness, according to the proportion of the commixture. Again, Copper is mixed often with Iron, Led, 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 little 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 Copper, with other Metals and Minerals, we shall leave as sooner to be learned by practice, and sight, from Artificers and Mechanics, then from Books and reading. As for the making of Copper white it is practised sundry ways, some do it with Talk, some with the Magne●is, or Catsilver; and that which we have seen done, was with Arsenic and Nitre; the way of doing which may be found in many Authors, as also in Manuscripts, and written Processes; but I do not account the knack so much worth, as to be at labour to transcribe it. For both Copper when it is whitened, or made Orichalcum, or of a golden colour, will with often fluxing, and keeping long in the fire, burn out the Minerals commixed with it, and return to red Copper again as it was.  
Now whatsoever common Chemistry may boast of the medicaments prepared from Copper, as its Sulphur, 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 more of them. Only we shall add this; That even Vitriol, such of the blue transparent sort that is brought forth of Germany, and commonly called Roman Vitriol, and by Quacks, and others, called Lapis Coelestis, which is of great affinity with Copper; nay, indeed the very offspring of Venus; and that which many account the best, that holds the most Copper, is a most noble Mineral, and even of itself affords much help to an expert Chirurgeon; for it is one of the mildest Corrosives that an Artist can use for making of Fontanels or Issues, and is far better than any actual Cautery, and serves better than any thing else for stopping fluxes of Blood, especially in Amputation, or dismembering, 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 astringency leaves a good ground for breeding new flesh, and healing. The waters of it also are exceeding profitable for many distempers in the Eyes, sore and inflamed mouths, and for all Erysipela's and the like. And the Phlegm, and oil of it, as also the Colchotar freed from its Salt, will do a Chirurgeon much credit in desperate ulcers and old sores, though but prepared by the way of common Chemistry, if he know how to apply them with judgement and discretion. I speak this to encourage young practitioners, having myself 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 Chemistry, do attribute unto them; for except that the oil 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 helpful in Epileptical diseases, I have known or seen little effect by it. The Vitriolum vomitivum (I confess) being duly prepared, and purified, is a laudable Vomit against Phlegm, and such like crude humours annoying and over-burthening the stomach; and is a remedy 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) than any of those that are prepared by common Chemistry; 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 separated, 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 separated from it, by which that universal medicine called by Paracelsus and Helmont Mercurius Diaphoreticus, and Aurum Horizontale, by mixing with Praecipitate prepared after Vigo's order, is made; we shall give here, as far as concerneth the Copper in helmont's own words, and the rest we shall mention when we come to speak of Mercury; and thus he saith. For the Sulphur of Venus, 
De Lithias. l. 1. c. 8. p. 64.  after its separation from its body, and arising again, is made as it were a glorious sulphur, and therefore it tingeth the sulphur of Mercury (which in the powder of johannes de Vigo, by corrosive Mineral spirits is extroverted) immediately, and do mutually embrace themselves in an inseparable bed: and therefore the force of both sulphurs do then stand outwardly. And a little further he saith. Therefore the fire of Venus, is not the spirit of Vitriol, however tightly rectified: But this fire is the volatile sulphur of the Copper, in form of a green oil, more sweet than honey, and fully separated 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 become 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 itself. Which, however it be made volatile in the form of oil, notwithstanding with an easy 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 itself, because as no sulphur is a Metal, so every metallic Mercury is a true Metal. For the Adeptists teach, that the sulphureous part of a Metal cannot be separated from its mercurial and metallic 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 the white anonymous and mercurial Metal, and maketh it ductible under the hammer: when otherwise the Mercury without the Sulphur could never be coagulated into a Metal. But that external sulphur of Venus, is that green sweet oil which cannot be brought back again into a Metal. Therefore the Symmistae or Secrataries of this Philosophy, do univocally testify, that the external sulphur cannot be separated from its body, no not by fire in imperfect Metals, but also the mercurial part doth perish together with it. Therefore seeing that external sulphur (such as is drawn forth of Copper) is not necessary to the perfection of the Metal: but that sulphur 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 metallic perfection.  
From which we shall commend some considerations to the sons of Art to revolve over, and seriously to weigh them in the balance of a right understanding, and not slightly to pass them over.  
1. To take careful notice of the effects of this incomparable liquor the Alkahest, both in working upon Vegetables and Minerals; for without it no true natural or radical dissolution can be made of either of them. Which if they duly 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 subject is but one in the whole Universe, and is commonly known, and may (as Basilius saith) with great praise be had, and is not any particular of the animal, vegetable, or mineral Kingdom, but in itself (though to outward appearance a base and despicable matter) is of the nature of them all, but not any common or known salt, as many deem, nor no kind of earth (except metaphorically so called) nor any universal or catholic salt or water (as many that do think themselves 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 only mind them of what Raymundus Lullius tells us, 
Codicil. p. 13  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 principiis radicalibus.  
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 oil, never again to be reduced into a metallic body, and that in this the whole medical virtue lies. 
C. de Metal. p. 7, 8.  And this is doubtless the same green oil that Paracelsus in his Book, De Separatione Elementorum, saith is altogether 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 oil, or Arcanum vitrioli that Paracelsus so highly commends in curing the Epilepsy, 
De Morb. Ament. l. c. 1. p. 575, 576.  whose preparation he in many places mentioneth; but according to his wont manner, tacitly concealeth the Alkahest, without which it cannot be truly had or prepared. And forth of this green oil was prepared that rare soporiferous Medicine which he calls Sulphur Anodynum Veneris, of excellent virtue, so that it would sopifie, pacify, or cure a whole troop of diseases: 
In verb. herb. & lap. l. p. 577.  Of which, and other metallic Sulphurs, he gives us these ensuing commendations. 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 than the whole company of Vegetables, and in the mean time do obtain 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 complete, 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 compliment of the intention of Physicians. Therefore I exhort young Tyronists or Freshmen to despoil sulphurs of their strange and virulent force, under the custody of which verily the vital fire is hidden, leading the Archaeus most pleasantly into desired ends. For there are certain 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 Archaeus, as into the fist of a man fight. From whence we may note: 

1. That the farther a Medicine is from being changed, or brought into aliment, the more it is to be accounted Medical, and may more vigorously spread its rays to the very centre of the diseases.  
2. The chief point in curing diseases, consists not so much in the purging of humours, as in the pacifying of the Archaeus.  
3. That the chiefest medicaments for curing the generality (if not all diseases) consists in mineral sulphurs, 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 Chemists, whereof the one is fixed by a Lixivium or Alcali; and the other volatile, of another way of preparation, though they will do some pretty things, especially that which is volatile; yet come they far short of the virtues of that of Helmont and Paracelsus preparations: for this sulphur I take to be his Tinctura Lili Antimonialis, and account it one of the Arcana's of Paracelsus: 
Arcan. Parac. p. 790.  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 offspring 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 metallic 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 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 description 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 whether 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 Nature's Secrets, seriously to consider of, and ponder this white anonymous Metal of Copper, after the external sulphur is separated 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 Quicksilver; 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 forecited 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 remain white, and may be reduced into a metallic body, which cannot be known of what species any of them are of. If this be well considered, it will manifest that the Adeptists were not men led by Opination and fancy, (as many that would seem Masters of no little Learning, do vainly dream and object) but men that fundamentally and experimentally understood 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 combustible sulphurs, be and remain Metals still, although of a white colour; as appeareth plainly from the unquestionable 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 Alchemy 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 Metal, willing the Reader to look upon what Sebastian Munster hath said in his Geography, 
Geograph, c▪ de Aerc. p. 8.  concerning Copper and its kinds; and so we shall descend to the next of the harder sort of Metals, which is Iron.   

CHAP. XIX. Of the descriptions of Iron, its Ore, or Mine, Operation, Stocks, Floats, and Passages.  
THe other imperfect Metal, 
Mus. Worm. l. 1. Sect. 3. c. 6. p. 123.  famous in its hardness, called of the Greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, of the Germans Eisen, is a metallic body consisting of little Mercury, and much fixed Sulphur, abiding ignition long, and very slowly fusible, easily contracting rustiness, of a something whitish livid colour. 
Lex Alchym. p. 206.  Rulandus gives it thus.  
Iron is a metallic body, much livid, little red, hard and participating of a whiteness not pure. For if a fixed 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 fixed substance, 
De Mineral. p. 348.  Iron is generated. Paracelsus saith of it thus: But on the contrary, Iron is generated of a sulphur, Salt, and Mercury; of all the least fluxible, contrary to the nature of Tin and Lead; and is coagulated into an hard Metal, and is coupled in itself. 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 employed to its uses, and the female also to hers. 
Last Will and Test. c. 6. p. 92, 93, etc.  Basilius Valentinus gives us its description, and the manner of its Ore lying after this order. Ironstone and Iron o'er 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 earthliness, therefore it is a difficult labour to mollify 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 joined 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 quickened and renewed with Iron filings, in which he lieth like an Hedgehog, and is endued of Sol in Nature with glorious gifts and Adamantine virtues; at one place and side it attracteth, and at the other side it refuseth; which virtues may be augmented and increased in it. A true type of just judgement, it showeth after the Sun the true hour in the body of the Compass, by Water and by Land.  
Secondly Steel, the hardest and purest, most malleable Iron, of its proper light draining place, wherein it lieth close tied and knit together in all its parts most compactedly, which in all Iron-works is usually put to the edge and point.  
Thirdly, there comes the common Iron o'er, ordered together by its earthly sulphur; which three ministered good thoughts to the first expert Naturalist, 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 Ironstone wrought in several ways, namely upon standing passages, and floats, fall, and proper pieces tinged after the four Elements, and colours of the Rainbow. Then he considered exactly its flowers, according to the condition of each stonework, 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 bloodstone, 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 ironstone is come to its perfectness, than it breaketh off by piece-meal, through the Stone, and Rock, that there are found whole mines of ironstone, such is the Iron o'er in Styria. The best ironstone 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 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 ironstone in tartareous and limy Mines; and the most running is on the standing passages, in cristy sandy Dalk stones. The gross cleft 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 Ironstone; because it assumeth, and taketh in other Oars, and setteth it thorough: thus often it changeth its colour and nature; after it there ensues Glass-heads, Hemasites, Brown Stone, Osemund, Bolus, together with the Red Ochre, and Iron-shell, all these assume the nature of Iron; and the Ironstone receiveth the highest Metals, Gold, Silver, Copper, Tin, Led, 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 passages an huge flint, partly porous like unto a black slat, which beside the Ironstone, yieldeth another grosser or subtler Iron. Thus the Ironstone is associable unto other stones, be they metalline, or mineral. At Musbach there is Copper shot Iron, which hath a Lead joining thereunto. Founder's must be expert to deal with such Oars in their melting. Iron-stones have in many Countries decreased, all other metalline stones are upon their decay, only Gold, Silver, Copper, and Led, keep their multiplying condition all the World over.   

CHAP. XX. Of the several sorts of Ironstone, 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, 
Mus. Worm. l. 1. Sect. 3. c. 6. p. 23.  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 show a Violet colour. That there were many other pieces showing the best Iron, for the most part black of colour, and ponderous, which did not stand in need of a longer description. 
Lex Alchym. p. 208.  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 Rivers.  
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 satisfy 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 Ironstone, 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 Majesty's Dominions, that we account it needless to enumerate them, being so commonly and vulgarly known. Only 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 excocted, do melt so that they may be poured out, which when it is cooled, the dross and recrements being removed, it is heated in the fire, and doth grow so soft, that it may be beaten with the hammer, and doth suffer itself to be extended into Plates, and sometimes into 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 household, 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 accounted more base. Another sort holds itself 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 intent 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 Mechanics that work in this Metal, then to me. 
Mus. Worm. ut supr.  Now for Steel, which Paracelsus makes but the male, and Iron the female; some make it to have a proper Vein, or Ore of itself, others to be but the purest part of iron, drawn from the other that is more drossy 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 extinguished in certain waters, that thereby it may be made very hard, but ever thereby loseth much of its weight.  
Rulandus tells us, 
Lex. Alchym. p. 448.  that a pure Vein of Steel, was found in Voidtland near to Fichtelberg, and also that it was excocted forth of a Steel o'er, as also drawn forth of pure Iron. Our Workmen at the Forge do usually distinguish it into two sorts; one they call Coldsel, and another Redsel.  
Lastly, as to this point I shall only mind the Worker in this metal of a passage in Diodorus Siculus, 
H●st. l. 5. c. 9 p. 145.  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 suffer 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 than the best new Knife that could be found. But this I leave to be considered of by Artificers.  
For the medicaments that are by common Chemistry prepared forth of this Metal, they are either used in outward applications in Chirurgery, or are inwardly administered. For those that are used externally, as the Crocus martis, it will in some measure help to stop small Haemorhages or fluxes of blood by its conglutinative quality, or help phlegmatic and watery ulcers by desiccation. Also there is an oil made sometimes of it, with the help of Salt Armoniac, 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 of an oily substance, will with long keeping decay; and the Salt will separate itself 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 oil from the Steel, but wrought by the sharpness and pungency of the Salt, more than by its own nature, except some of the atoms of its Salt might commix with the Shall Armoniac. But there is another oil of Mars to be prepared according to the order set down by that learned and experienced Chirurgeon, Felix Wurtzius, which appeareth in the true form of an oil, and will swim upon the top of water; that will much honour a Chirurgeon in curing malignant and desperate ulcers.  
Now for the medicaments prepared forth of it by common Chemistry, neither the Crocus for astringency, 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 Chemist) 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 confident that those medicaments drawn forth of this Metal, so extremely extolled by Basillus and Helmont, 
Butler. p 594.  were not had but by the help of their universal dissolvent 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 radical moisture, as the first ens or Being of Copper; nor that is more benign, or beneficial to long life, than the sulphur of Vitriol, which notwithstanding doth indigitate the sulphur of the Philosophers. Compare this with what we have before written concerning the sulphur of Venus.  
Lastly, Mars, though most vile in price, and despised by reason of a numerous issue, notwithstanding is not reputed by Paracelsus, the last in a warlike nature. Let this be seriously considered of, and examined.   

CHAP. XXI. Of the description of Lead, its Oars, Mine, Condition, 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 coagulated form (not to mention Quicksilver 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 Tinglass, which they called Plumbum Cinereum, because of its colour. And many accounted these three sorts to be all but Led, 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 Led, without any other addition, 
Lex. Alchym. p. 263.  and of Rulandus is thus largely described. Lead is a metallic body, livid, earthy, and 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 than Lead. And Led hath more of the substance of fixed sulphur to its composition than Tin hath. For Lead is an impure body, imperfect, procreated of Argent-vive, not fixed, earthly, and feculent, a little white in appearance, but red in secret, and compounded of such a like adustible 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, 
Mus. Worm. l. 1. Sect 3. c. 7. p. 124.  as in likelihood he did. Wormius describeth 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 sulphur, and comes nearest unto Gold in weight and gravity. And Caesalpinus saith: 
De Metal. l. 3. c. 7. p. 180.  For Lead doth imitate Gold in heaviness, and giveth forth no sound, therefore they call it mute. I desire those that have opportunity, 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, Tinglass, or ash-coloured Lead, and this common Lead, which they call black Lead; according as Agricola hath set them down: 
Lib. Fossil. 7. p. 644, 645.  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 than the black, the ash-coloured holds the mean betwixt them. The black is most easily melted, and doth not long endure 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 easily 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 Ceruse 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 Ceruse. Also of the black being burned, or calcined, is made a sort of artificial Minium, sometimes 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 dryness, the black more of moisture. Therefore of the ash-coloured and the white, without the mixture of the black, vessels, or utensils can hardly be made; but with the mixture 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 burnishing 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, 
Vid. Agricol l. Fossil 9 p. 651.  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 more red-goldish colour, that it is lethargy (and that, to speak in English, is but stone-silver, or stone of silver) of Gold and Silver, when it is known to all experienced persons, that it is nothing of Gold or Silver, but only the Lead, that in the separating of the Silver 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 show something what Basilius Valentinus saith of this Metal, 
Last Will and Test. c. 7 p. 95, 96, etc.  its Oars, and the manner of their passages in the earth.  
The Led o'er (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 glittering Lead colour in that Ore, which is called Glass o'er (the Germans call it Glantz ertz, because being broken, it is smooth and shining, though Agricola rejects 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 o'er is) breaking in many rocks, containeth Gold and Silver, yields gross and lasting Mine-works. Some Lead-stones are very broad, because Glassy Oars are mixed with it, with flints, or marchasites, partly they are glassy, red-goldish, white-goldish, silvery, Copper-glassie, and of Copper. Some Led Oars 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; some are of a brown black, some are yellow-red like Minium, some is pure and compact, some is insprinkled 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 level 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 Glassy in Lime-stones, and some is very rich of Silver in huge marble passages. There is a twofold Marble; the silver passages have an earthly mixed gross marble, white, red-goldish, red-glassie, and ponderous. But the Led passages have a subtle light, and glassy brittle marble, which looks like the glass upon Gold Mine-works, is of a curious white glittering quality.  
Led o'er is wrought several ways, and the colour of it changeth after the manner of the Oars, especially in the sorts of Glass Oars. For if Saturn lieth below, or is in subjection unto others, than 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, than it is Water-lead glass, of the which is found in Gold juices, and Tin Oars, a kind of Iron-glass, or Iron-mole, but is heavier and more brittle than Iron-glass, by reason of its terrestreity or earthliness, which keeps in the Metal, and is neither too soft nor too hard, and is glassy, white-goldish, red-goldish, and falls into the best metalline Oars. True Lead-glasses and Oars afford half, or the third part of Lead, mixed with some other Metal, and if one of the other Metals be found in the Glass, which keeps the predominancy, then Led passages are simply good, and Lead is united with Gold, and these are mixed stones; for the Stones of Mine-Ores are more wonderful in their singular accidents.  
Thus is here the Lead also in its fall, and bleak, after the heavenly impression, which the Highest hath so endued, that it is subject to other Metals, and is the supreme Finer in the essential fruits of others. It easily mingleth naturally with other Metals, and the qualities of other Oars, 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 division of all his Works, in which he showeth himself in a clarified transparent soul, runneth into Antimony with its sweetness, which should merely embrace the Gold: This is done so, not without a cause, for in its ponderosity it yieldeth the lightest remedy to all melancholy and heavy blood. As heavenly Astrals are several, the clouds under them are of all sorts of colours; so the one Lead is purer and more malleable than others, as that in England, and at Villach; it is seen in the Lead-stones also.  
For Led Oars which are mixed with other stones, especially with such as contain Silver, Iron, or Copper, yield much of light stones and Led work, which are picked out for separating, and the rather if they be rich of Gold. Such worthy Metals there are in Hungary; less pains are taken about them in their fining mineral flints with their unripe juices in the weak joinings of Led o'er, unite the Saturnal Glass; if without any mixture, affords to Potter's a green glazure, if all be not melted into Lead: but if you get a brittle mixed flint, there the glass is half upon Iron, and such that are most pliable afford melting glass, for fining 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 Man's health.  
If slate Oars 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 God's 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 endued 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 wrapped or wound about with moving passages, almost not unlike unto Silver Oars. Some Led Oars are of a white, scaly, Talk-slate, full of wild Granats, in which Led o'er doth appear, which is rich of Silver.  
If the Reader think we have been tedious in transcribing so much forth of Basilius, he may very well believe it was not done without cause, neither in respect 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 o'er, their Coats and Matrices, and of Medicines prepared forth of this Metal, and of such things.  
LEad hath such several sorts of Oars, and is accounted 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. 
Lex. Alchym. p. 365.   
Rulandus reckoneth these: 1. Led o'er, 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 metallic flint, in which little veins of live Sulphur appear, and forth of Poland mixed with native Ochre.  
The experienced Ercker enumerateth these sorts.  


Lib. Mineral. 4. p 113.  1. That which the Germans call Glantz ertz; and it is commonly called, or rendered Glass o'er, or Glassy 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 than half Lead.  
2. Also a white Led o'er, which they call wiess Bley ertz, like unto a Sand-stone.  
3. Also a red Led o'er, which they call Rot Bley ertz.  
4. Also yellow Led o'er, mixed with grey; also found in Pebbles, which they call Riess.   
For the Oars of Lead that are gotten in England, they are very many and of divers sorts, Mr. Boyl reckons these, Frim Ore, Steel o'er, Pottern Ore, etc.  
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 commonly call Potter's Ore, because therewith (being beaten to powder) the Potters do glaze their pots, of a greenish, pale bluish, 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 easy 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 o'er: and this is generally the most rich of Lead, and easy to be molten.  
2. The Ore that they call Steel o'er, either of its blackish dark colour like Steel; or because of its hardness, being more hard than any other sort of Led o'er, and very ponderous, and sometimes containeth something of Silver in it, and is so hard to melt, that 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 o'er, 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 Led itself, and is far softer than 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, otherwise they could not get it beaten small enough for their purpose; and this sort often containeth good store of Lead.  
5. There is o'er 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 Northern parts, and so there is of all the other forts.   
There is besides these named, which may have many subdivisions, and are of exceeding great variety, a sort of Ore found in the Led Mines, that looks well, and in appearance is like other Led o'er, but yieldeth no Metal at all, but being mixed 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, than they beat and mix this with the good Ore, and oftentimes Spar or Cauk beaten with 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 than it yields not so much Led in the fusion, as in proportion the Ore would do, if it were separated from it. And this kind of barren o'er 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 discoloureth the hands far more than 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, 
Britan. p. 767.  or hardened 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 Ochre, a kind of earth so burnt with heat, that it becometh black; or whether it were unknown to the old Writers, I cannot certainly aver, and let others for me search it out. But I am persuaded with Dr. Merret, 
Rer. natural. P●nax. p. 218.  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 styles it Nigrica fabrilis.  
The Oars that are commonly gotten in these parts 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 trunk; and these are enclosed sometimes in one sort of Coat or Matrix, and some in another. 
Ut supr●  In Darbyshire these commonly lie near the Lead, Cauk, Bastard Cauk, Black Chert, Wheatstone, 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-colour. The Spar is something transparent, the Cauk not so, but more ponderous, and both help the fluxing of the Ore.  
For Spars which the Latins call Fluores, the Germans Flusse, they are Stones found in the Mines like unto Gems, 
Lex. Alchym. p. 217, 218.  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 rudiments of Gems, and the like, and are of these sorts.  

1. Of a Red colour, and seem at the first view crude red silver o'er, although this be sometimes translucid. 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 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 Diamonds growing in them, finely angled, and more bright than the Spar in which they seem to grow.  
2. I have some that is black as Jet, with fine angled and pointed Diamonds, (if I may so call them) of the same colour, that notwithstanding the blackness, will against the light show a kind of lustre, or resplendency.  
3. I have Spar purely transparent, that is of a fair blue skye-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 soil or water, were able to deceive a very skilful Lapidary.   
Now though we have spoken something before concerning Gur, that is a peculiar mineral juice, and little know nor enquired after; we shall here add something concerning the Medulla lapidis, or Lapidea, which the Germans call Stein mark; some of which is agreeable to the Gur, or of its nature, and some of a different temper; of which sorts Rulandus reciteth these.  

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 metallic matter growing in the Veins of silver, which when it is first taken forth, it is in colour 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 metallic 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 Rochlicense, which they use with great profit, in stead of Bowl of Armenia.   
Lastly, As for Medicaments prepared forth of Lead, there are some store used in Chirurgery, as Litharge of both sorts, Ceruse, Red Lead, Plumbum Ustum, and the like, which are common and vulgar.  
For Medicaments prepared forth of Lead by common Chemistry, 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 Saccharum Saturni, which I confess in inflammations and the like distempers, will do very handsome and commendable things. But yet if we will believe Ripley, Lul, and some others, we might be induced to believe that in this Metal there are contained far more noble secrets and Medicines: For Lul tells us this in few words. 
Epist. Accu●●at. p. mihi, 371.  Scire debes quod ex plumbo Philosophorum ex●rahitur oleum quoddam aurei coloris, vel quasi, cum quosi lapidem mineralem, vel mixtum, vel animalem post fixionem primam solveris tribus vel quatuor diebus, vel vicibus, excusabit te ab omni labore solutionum, & coagulationum. Ratio est, quia hoc est oleum occulium, quod facit medicinam penetrabilim, & amicabilem, & conjungibilem omnibus corporibus, & augmentat 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 Oil of extraordinary virtue 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; 

XII. Gates Pr●fac.  An Oil 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 Latin quoted by the aforesaid French Author, and with the Latin set forth by Combachius, 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 searchers into the secrets of mystical Chemistry, we must affirm that neither the ancient Poets nor Philosophers did speak such great things of Saturn and his off spring, without just and great cause, whatsoever the most censorious Critic may say to the contrary; and the reasons are sufficiently known to the Secretaries 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 candidly enough to the Sons of Art, saith thus: 
Remember also how the gods began, 
Theat. Chym. B●it. p. 333.   
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 deride, which we shall leave to their own extravagant fancies) we shall give you the testimony of two eminent persons, of the secrets contained in this Metal. And first that of Paracelsus, 
Coel. Philos. p. 122.  who though a dark Author (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 possum facere calleret: Alchymistarum artes omnes deserens, hoc solo, quod in me est, & per me fieri potest, uteretur.  

Butler p. 594.  Lastly, to bring up the Rear, as a most stout Champion, we shall give the witness of the experienced Adeptist Helmon●; who having showed the difficulty to obtain medicaments forth of Gold, Silver, common Mercury, saith thus: Sunt ergo praeterea quatuor Metalla, 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 Oars, Operation, Stocks, Floats, Fall, and striking Passages, and the like.  
IT seems that betwixt the Stannum or Tin of the Ancients, and that which later Authors call Plumbum 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, 
Mus. Worm. l. 1. Sect. 3. c. 7. p. 1 24.  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 Led, scarcely contracting rust, and will ring, or make a sound.  
Rulandus thus, Tin is a metallic body, white, not pure, 
Lex. Alchym. p. 445.  livid, participating of little earthliness, of Argent-vive, pure fixed, and not fixed, clear and white in its outside, and red in its inside, and of such a sulphur, it only wants decoction or digestion.  
Basilius writeth thus of it. 
Last Will and Test. c. 8. p. 99, 100  Tin o'er is wrought in a Sand-stone, having its influence from jupiter 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 body of Tin. This unkind fume is the cause of the brittleness of Tin, and maketh all other Metals that are melted with it, unkind and brittle. This Tin or Quitter 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 colours are black slate, brown, and yellow. These Sand and Quitter Oars, are environed or enclosed 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 Catsilver, which is a food unto Quitter, and loveth to stay there; some there are which groweth in a Glimmer, or Catsilver, and is Iron-mold; others also do strike in a Firestone or Flint, so that fire must be applied thereunto, others are in a soft stone, and as it were swimming along: some are richer than others. That which groweth pure, and in black small stones, and heapeth together that natural work, that giveth the greatest gain. And because jupiter is the potent Lord of it, therefore it hath a mighty Throne and seat, that is, a mighty huge 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 Footstool, maketh for itself a twofold 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, fall, floats, passages, shoals, and cliffs, which incline one upon another, and do join. Many times a mighty Tin-stone is wrought, which sinketh down among its own cinder and slate, and at its sinking purgeth itself, 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 despicable the stone is in that place, be it red, brown, fresh, or stale, broad or small, it will press into, and mingle itself with it, and will not be forced out of it, making itself great, little, gross, mild, tame, subtle, and pliable, even as the rest will have it, and all this in a natural way. It loveth to border upon Silver, and Ironstone, that Tin and Iron be united in a mighty fixed Silver and Copper o'er; all which are found at their several marks. Tin o'er 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 Led work, without any fair glass. Some of it is so mild and soft, that when they are cleared, and calcined, still lose something; for flints and sulphureous matters which are volatile, and cannot endure 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 extremely in calcining. It is strange to some why they shrink together to so small a quantity, being they get a greater quantity of Lead, with good Qwitter, at first brought out of the Mine.  
As for the several sorts of Tin o'er, I find little mention of them in Authors, 
Rer. nature. Pinax. p. 208.  only Doctor Merrett saith that the Mine-men in Cornwall and Devonshire do distinguish their Tin into that which they call Pyran, Murdick, and Block Tin, and that they call their Tin-stones Shoad. 
Philos Trans. n. 19 p. 337.  And the learned Mr. Boyl doth tell us, that store of excellent Tin is said to be found in some parts of Cornwall, 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 Cornwall and Devonshire, which have been so ancient, that it may well be an argument that Nature neither decays, nor that Minerals cease to grow, 
Brit. Cornw▪ p. 185.  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 trenching they follow the Veins of Tin, and turn aside now and then the streams of water coming in their way: 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 o'er 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 Britan's practised these Tin-works (to omit Timaeus the Historian in Pliny, who reporteth, that the Britan's fetched Tin out of the Isle Icta in Wicker Boats, covered and stitched about with Leather) appeareth for certain out of Diodorus Siculus, who flourished under Augustus Caesar. For he writeth, that the Britain's who inhabited this part, digged Tin out of stony ground, and at a low Water carried the same in Carts to certain Islands adjoining.  
Now I shall give the Reader such informations as I received from one Thomas Creber of Plimpton St. Marry 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 o'er, 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 o'er that is softer, and lies in a dun stone, and is of a yellowish colour, but will melt near 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 o'er 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 o'er, 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, sometimes 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 melt was forced from the fire.  
8. The Corn o'er 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 underneath, 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, sometimes 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, 
Philos Trans. n. 19 p 317.  is blackish and hard. Of it Mr. Boyl saith thus. Mundick I have had of a 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 poisonous nature.  
12. They have a thing they call Maxy, mixed with the Ore, which cannot be separated by the water, but by the fire, and then smells very ill, and is of a bluish 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.   

CHAP. XXIV. Of the several sorts of Mercury's according to the Mystical Philosophers, or Adeptists.  
THough I may be censured variously by several sorts of men for intermeddling in such a mysterious 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 fancy 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 communius.  
2. There is that which he calleth Mercurius Corporis, which is made astraliter by the Tincture forth of another Metal, as when Led, Tin, or Copper is transmuted into true running common Mercury, or Quicksilver; 
Ret. nature. l. 9 p. 113.  or it may be (as Libanius recordeth of Kelley) that common Gold is changed into Quicksilver; of which he thus speaketh. Sic etiam Mercurius 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 Quicksilver.  
And of two of these we shall speak, to wit, of the Philosophers Mercury, and of common Quicksilver.  
1. Concerning the Philosophers Mercury, we would admonish the studious searcher after Nature's 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 divulged. But to declare the truth in riddles and parables; 
Arcan. Herm. p. 168.  therefore let them take this rule from a learned Author, 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 understood, especially in mystical names and secret operations; for truth lies hid in obscurity, nor do Philosophers ever write more deceitfully, then when plainly, nor ever more truly then when obscurely. And therefore Geber tells us, Ubicunque aperte locuti sumus, ibi nihil diximus, sed ubi sub Aenigmate aliquid posuimus, & figuris, ibi veritatem occultabimus. Again, 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 evidence, and Truth consists only in unity. 
Bern. Trevisan. de Alchym. p. 756.  For Trevisan 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 speeches (as it should seem) Philosophers vent their mysteries, with a desire of keeping and hiding, not sophisticating or destroying the truth. 
Ut Supr. p. 188.  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 only handle.  
1. They do sometimes call perfect Elixir, and colouring medicine their Mercury (though with some impropriety, as to other appellations of it, being perfectly fixed, and not volatile) because of the likeness and great conformity it hath with heavenly Mercury, or with the Planet so called, which accommodateth itself, to the nature and quality of every thing it is joined withal. 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. And in this sense for the most part the Philosophers understand it, and not in respect of common Mercury, or its volatility. For Sendivogius saith thus: 
Nou. Lum. Chym. Tract. 6. p. 320.321.  Dicitur Mercurius propter ejus fluxibilitatem, & uniuscujusque rei conjunctionem, non propter essentiam, assimilatur sulphuri propter internum calorem, & post congelationem est humidum radical. For the Philosopher's Sulphur or Tincture before Fermentation is (in this sense) truly mercurial and universal; but after it be fermented, that universality is determined, and specificated according to the nature of the Metal with which it is fermented, and so it is no more an universal, 
Theatr. Chym. Vol. 4. p. 471, 472.  but a particular. Et ante fermentationem tamen est catholica ac universalis vere, & in omnia sublunaria agit universaliter, & catholic. Post fermentationem autem est specificata ad naturam metallicam. And again; Et est vere universalis 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 generations, and productions, and this they called Hyle or Chaos, and Raymund Lul the genus generalissimum of all things. And doubtless was no other than Aristotle's materia prima, fifth Essence, or fifth 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 learned Grecian 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, neque quale, neque quid, neque quicquid eorum, quae cernuntur; and this the ancient Sages known and understood 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 epitomised by Combachius, writ that learned Treatise, 
De sal Philos. c. 4. p. 158.  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 generalissimum genus generum, à Raymundo Lullio adeo celebratum. 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 mad'st all of nought, 
The 12 Ga●es Prefac. p. 122, 123.   
A Globous matter, and dark under confusion  
By the beginner marvellously was wrought,  
Containing naturally all things without division,  
Of which thou mad'st in six days dear distinction.  
As Genesis aperily doth record,  
Then Heaven and Earth perfected were with thy Word.   

So thorough 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 Philosopher's 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 only the description of this matter that he calleth Globous, known, and understood of so few, as also the comparison 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, than at their knowing of it after they do understand it; for the Ancients have declared the proper marks and tokens so fully, that 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 metallic seed (and indeed is really so) and have given it so many various names and descriptions, according to its furthest, mid, or near nature, that without divine assistance, or a faithful Master, it is hardly to be comprehended, or known. Therefore Sendivogius tells us, 
Nou. Lum. Chym. Tract. 6. p 318, 319.  Semen Metallorum vel minerale create natura in visceribus terrae, propterea non creditur tale semen esse in rerum natura, quia invisibile est. And, 
Tract. de sal. Philos. p. 7, 8.  Minerale semen à Philosophis cognoscitur. And again, Semen Metallorum tantum filii doctrinae noverunt. And Combachius saith, Metalla similiter suum habent semen, sed hoc videri non potest nisi a ver is Philosophis, qui illud ex subjecto suo proprio magna industria ex●rahere norunt, quanquam illud etiam facilius ratione concipi, quam corporis oculis videri possit. Here if thou understand, I have said enough; 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 Lul often tells us, never left prepared by nature, but must be made by the Artist. 
Nou. Lum. Chym. Tract. 11. p 332, 333.  And of this, thus Sendivogius speaketh in his practice: Sed hoc admonitus sis, ne accipias aurum & argentum vulgi, nam haec sunt mortua, accipe nostra quae sunt viva, postea pone in ignem nostrum, & siet inde liquor siccus; primum resolvetur terra in aquam, quae Mercurius Philosophorum dicitur, & illa aqua resolvit illa corpora solis & lunae, & consumit ea 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 Solemnising 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 than common Fire can do; according to their maxim, Vulgus cremat per ignem, nos per aquam; and this is that Water which Helmont calleth ignis Gehennae, and ignisaqua, which he calls an immortal and immutable liquor, 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 Lul fixed common Mercury, and is by Lul 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 substantia.  
3. That after their earth be dissolved in their Fire or Water, than it is called the Mercury of the Philosophers, and so doth but at the best differ gradually when the earth is dissolved in it, from the Fire or Water that did dissolve their earth.  
4. That this Water doth dissolve those bodies of Sol and Luna, and consume them, and then it is humidum radicale metallicum.  
5. Observe that in saying there remaineth but the tenth part with one part, he truly teacheth the proportion of the earth and water in this conjunction, if thou canst rightly understand him.  
Lastly, 
Aenig. Philos. p 351.  He tells us of this Water thus much in another place. Et hoc vobis dico, quod opus est rem quaerere 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 quamvis 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 Philosopher's desire and stand in need of. But it is the Philosopher's Skill, Art, and Industry, that exalts them to this pre-eminence, 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 virtues and excellencies known to any but to true Philosophers, who well understand the nature and qualities of it. And that other Mercury which Nature produceth of itself without Art, and is the principal matter, and seed of which Metals are generated in the bowels of the earth, they also call (as they do 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 virtues 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 believe 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: 
Nou. Lum. Chym. Tract. 6. p. 320, 321.  For Sendivogius tells us plainly in these words, Et quamvis corpus metallorum, ex mercurio 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 & dictus vulgi mercurius, suum in se habeat semen. Therefore to put this forth of doubt, we shall give the differences of the Philosophers Mercury, from common Argent vive, forth of their own mouths.  
1. The Mercury of the Philosophers is a mere product 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 Chemical Fountain, or Philosophers Mercury, doth produce all things, and vivisie all things; and on the contrary, it destroyeth all things, corrupteth all things, and worketh all other things that concern life and death; but so doth not common Mercury.  
3. The Chemical Fountain is fiery and hot, but common Argent vive is cold and moist.  
4. The Chemical Fountain with the most easy distillation is changed into a spirit, and a volatile body. But the common Argent vive is all spirit, and in distillation is not changed into a watery spirit, but ascendeth corporally, no whit changed from itself.  
5. The spirit drawn from the Chemical Fountain, is fiery, and pontic, and so penetrating and subtle, that it also dissolveth Metals, and being so dissolved, doth deliver them to death. But common Argent vive cannot be converted into a watery, pontic spirit by distillation, nor kill or destroy the Metals, but only hides them in its belly, and doth vomit them up again, by separating itself from them, with any easy heat.  
6. The Chemical Fountain doth dissolve itself, and congeal itself, and perfect itself, without any other thing added unto it. But common Quicksilver doth not dissolve itself, unless it be dissolved of another; nor congeal itself, nor by any means perfect itself.  
7. The Chemical Fountain hath in its belly and inward parts, salt fixed, red, and white, yea it is totally 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 Chemical 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 Chemical Fountain, without any thing added to it, is made the Elixir, and true Philosophic Tincture: which by no means we can obtain from common Argent vive.  
10. The Chemical Fountain hath in itself 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 Chemical Fountain doth compound precious stones in the bowels of the earth, and all those others which Nature hideth in her bosom, by the congelation, 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 dissolve Gold and Silver, that it is never again separated from them, but is as water commixed with water.  
13. Vulgar Mercury hath combustible and evil sulphur, with which it is made black. But the Philosophers Argent vive hath in itself sulphur incombustible, fixed, 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 precipitation is turned into a Citrine or red powder, and an evil sulphur. But the Philosophers Mercury by virtue of heat, is changed into most white sulphur, good fixed, and fluxible.  
16. Vulgar Mercury, by how much more it is decocted, by so much the more it is made volatile, and fluxible. But the Philosophers Mercury by how much it is more decocted, by so much more it is thickened, and made fixed. Sendivog. Tract. de Sulphur. & de tribus principiis.  
These are the differences that these two Authors quoted have given of the differences of common Mercury, and that of the Philosophers, but indeed are so full of equivocations and evasions, one while meaning their Elixir, another while the catholic 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 little more candid, we shall show some agreements betwixt 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 metallic root and principle.  
2. They differ in this, the Philosopher's matter is the true root, seed, and principle of all other Metals, as is known by observation and experience; but vulgar 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 Philosopher's matter is no one of the vulgarly known Metals, but is rather omnia metalla, and the true Lunary and Solary Tree; but common Mercury hath ever been taken for one of the vulgar Metals, and is no true Electrum, nor hath plurality in it at all.  
4. The Philosopher's matter is a thing that is far more common than 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 fixed and volatile parts, and so hath not Quicksilver.  
2. We come now to the second main point that we proposed in this Chapter; to wit, to the considerations 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 itself three bodies. 
Chir. magn. p. 152.   

1. The first is that out of which it is generated, before 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 prepared into the form of an adust, or burnt Metal.  
In another place he tells us almost the same thing; 
Morbill. l. p. ●43.  Mercury, he saith, is concluded with three bodies.  

1. First, As it is in its Mineral, or Ore, with its blood, and is to be as Mercury prepared by Art.  
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 hereafter, only here we shall say something of the first, which seemeth a strange matter; for he seemeth to show 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: 
Ut supr. p. 244.  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 liquor 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 mineral secret, there may no doubt some excellent Medicine be made forth of it.   

CHAP. XXV. Of the Description of Quicksilver, of Cinnober, a●d its several Oars, 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 matter from whence their Mercury is taken. For asserting Sulphur and Mercury to be the principles of Metals, 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.  

Art. Aurifer. vol. 1. p. 260.  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 therefore we leave it to the Reader to consider of according to the quotation in the Margin.  

L●x Alchym. p. 67.  Rulandus describes it thus, It is no other but a viscous water in the bowels of the earth, of a subtle substance 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. This description any one half-eyed may see will not altogether agree with the nature of common Quicksilver, but so they use to mock with freshwater Soldiers.  
The learned Wormius of it tells us thus; 
Mus. Worm. l. 1. Sect. 3. c 9 p. 126.  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 metallic water, and a sulphureous earth, full of spirit, volatile, cold to the touch, but endued with an hot virtue, ponderous, of the colour of silver, fluid as water, but not wetting the hands. And of this he reckoneth 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 metallic stone, as at Hartenstein. 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 Marpurg. The other is more black, of a liver-colour, also ponderous, being like the stone Haematitis, or Schistus, 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: 
Last Will and Test. c. 9 p. 10●.  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 with a most subtle, red sulphureous digested earth, with a most weak slow binding, like an unripe pleasing fruit, of all particular Metals. Mercury showeth its virtue in many things admirably, and worketh effectually upon Minerals and metalline Sulphurs, and upon such which border upon Antimonial stones or Oars, it loveth to be in such places where the Tin Oars lie higher than Silver passages. It requireth many iterating effectual operations unto other Oars, 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, Goldsmith's amalgame and gild with it. It is used also for metalline colours, and is prepared to an oil, and water, for man's health, and is sublimed to corrode the worst of poisons, 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 effectual in Medicines, especially for outward ●ores; he is naught to naught, and good to good; and is not every body's 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 glassy, grayish or porous Glimmer, or Catsilver, which lie beneath betwixt the slates, in a float way, which are mingled in their metalline passages with onsled matchasites, and with the subtlest small streaked white Talk, and are thorough grown with two sorts, standing and float-striking passages, in which is wrought a curious red-shining Quicksilver o'er, not unlike unto red Mine Sulphur, and sometimes floweth purely out of the cliffs, 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. 
De Miner. l. p. 346.  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, etc. It is a peculiar product of Nature, gifted with its body, 
De Element. Aq. Trac. 3. c. 7. p. 281.  and endowed with its proprieties, as the rest. Again he saith, Argent vive is Mercury, not admitting ductibility, but opposing itself against it. This the Archaeus doth cast forth, changing it into a singular Metal void of ductibility. And though of all Metals it be most especially assimilated 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 entering into it, in too little quantity. From hence it is manifest that by Spagyrical practice, to wit, of addition, it may be made a ductible Metal, as the Philosophy of transmutation doth demonstrate. For it may be turned and changed into every, or any Metal: Therefore, to wit, because it remaineth from the operation of all Metals that may be drawn into ductibility. 
De Mineral, Tract. 1. p. 349.  In another place he describeth it (almost to the same purpose) in this manner. Moreover there is a certain kind of metallic 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 aught to be a Metal, because it is reduced by Alchemy into malleation and fabrication: notwithstanding commonly it is not constant, sometimes it is constant. It is to be holden that it is the first matter of the Alchemists, who of it do prepare Silver, Gold, Copper etc. which the event showeth. And perhaps Tin and Lead may be made of it: for its nature is manifold, and wonderful, neither altogether to be sought out with easy pains or labour. But this notwithstanding is evident, that it is the first matter of the Alchemists, in the generating of Metals; and furthermore, is a most noble medicine. It groweth by such a subtileness 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 all 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 Alchymistry, 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 metallic 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 Mercurii, and that it had not its compeer in Nature.  
3. That when he saith that it is the first matter of the Alchemists 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, 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 Metals by the rules of Art. 
Progy●●. Mer. 70.  For Helmont tells us, and that truly; Eo quod Aeternus, non creaverit humiditatem, constantia sui, Mercurio metallico assimilandum. And again he tells us, 
Tria prim Chym. p. 408.  Si Mercurius esset divisibilis in parts Heterogeneas, ars Chymica non esset vera: ac ipse Mercurius ineptus operi esset. Etenim nisi mercurium vidissem, ita subsistentem, negarem artem esse veram.  
4. Where he saith that Quicksilver is the most heavy of all Metals, is must be understood with a grain of Salt.  
Rulandus and Eucelius tell us of two sorts of Native Quicksilver. 
Lex. Alchym. p. 69.   
1. That which is of its own colour without excoction, which is found such among Metals, in the cavities 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 o'er, that was brought from the Valley of joachim.  
3. Like to Scarlet in a firestone of Gold.  
4. Like to the same in an ash coloured slate, or cleaving-stone.  
5. A Vein rich of Quicksilver, of a Liver colour.  
6. Like unto crude red, transparent silver o'er, in Catsilver, 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 firestone of a golden colour.    
Much what agreeable to these doth Agricola mention, 
Agricol. Berm. p. 698.  to whom I remit the Reader. 
Anat Spagyr. Mercur. l. 1. c. 5. p. 415, 416, 417, 418.  Mathias 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 accord at certain times of the year doth break forth to the superficies of the Earth, but especially about Autumn, although also about the Feast of St. john Baptist, the Author of the Tyrocinium Chymicum doth testify, 
Tyr. Chym. l. 2. c 13. p 305.  that he had gathered many grains like Pease, in the roots of the Grass, and saith that notwithstanding that Mercury was too waterish, and inferior far in goodness and virtue to that of Spain and Slavonia. And of Native Cinnober or Minium he reckoneth the same sorts, and colours, and nameth the places where they are gotten, and saith that Native Cinnober, and the Lapis Schistus, are as it were the Parents of Argent vive; to which, to eschew repetition, I refer the inquisitive Reader.  

Philos. Trans. n. 2. p. 21, 22, 23, etc.  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 john Wilkins, concerning the Mines of Mercury in Friuli. Where he exactly relateth that about a days Journey and an half distant from Gori●ia Northwards, at a place called Idria, situated in a Valley of the julian Alps. There he describeth the nature of the soil, 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 itself. Only 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 particles 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 than 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.  

De difficult. Alchym. l. in Theatr. Chym. Vol. 1. p. 144.  Theob. de Hogheland of Middleburgh, tells us a Story not unlike this recited; that travelling to view, and examine Mines with their several Oars, he came to the Mountain Idria, where by good fortune at that time, Argent vive, which of its own accord had flowed 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 obtained 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.  

The History of the Indies, c. 11, 12. p. 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, etc.  Also josephus 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 Crystal Miniades, which are painted with Quicksilver. After he saith, It is a rock of most hard stone, interlaced 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, etc.  
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 radish in some parts, but 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 than beans, of a very rubicund colour, and shining, which being broken, do show 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. 
Pharmacop. c. 10 Not. 13. p. 672.  Quod ad nativum & naturale Cinabrium attinet; natura nobis in quibusdam Aurifodinis in Hungaria, profert genus quoddam Mineralis Cinnabaris ponderosissimae, ac longe artisiciali rubicundioris: Imo etiam quae usque adeo transparens, ac dilucida est, ut non minor is pretii, ac major is viam ipso auro aestimetur. And commends it highly in vertiginous and epileptical distempers, even taken by itself, without any preceding preparation.   
Now for either Argent-vive, or the stone it groweth 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, only 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.   

CHAP. XXVI. Of several sorts of Medicaments prepared forth of common Mercury, both by the way of vulgar Chemistry, as also by the mystical way. And of the Praecipiolum of Paracelsus and Helmont.  
THere are so many several Medicaments prepared by common Chemistry forth of Quicksilver, that it would be very tedious, and too large to recite them all; as is easy to be seen in Crollius, Beguinus, Hartman, Schroderus, Quercetan, Vutzerus, and the like; and therefore we shall only 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 Antimony, or solely of the Mercury, is not so easy to determine, 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 administered 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 only in some Phlegmatic distempers, 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 mineral Vomits, that are far more safe, and of more effectual operation than it; and I wish all Tyronists to take care of its preparation.  
2. The next we shall name is their Turpethum Minerale, which is indeed a mercurial one, and that sharp and desperate enough, if not very carefully and skilfully handled. In our younger years when we had too high an esteem of Chemical Medicines, we have often used, and administered the same, and that with no bad success, especially in some sorts of Epileptical distempers: But shall warn all young Physicians to be both careful in their preparing of it, and in their administration of it also, especially in that great point de ratione victus. And all I can commend it for (if that may be called a commendation) is for that woeful 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 Chirurgery, and may to sundry good purposes be mixed with Plasters and Unguents; and is of singular effect in Ointments against all Verminous distempers, and taken inwardly doth the same; and is a pretty purger, or promoteth the working of other cathartics; but heed must be taken, that it be not administered too often near together, for fear of a sore mouth, looseness of teeth, or a flux. And yet for the Worms may the crude Quicksilver itself, or the water wherein it is boiled, be taken with as much or more safety, and as good effects.  
4. The last we shall name, is some sorts of Praecipitates 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 precipitated per se; which notwithstanding 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 liquor Alkahest; and though it be vomitive in some measure, and be far short of the eminent virtues of the other Arcanum, yet will it never disgrace a skilful Artist, that knows its due preparation and way of administering, but will without vomit or purging (if rightly handled) even cure desperate Agues by sweeting only.  
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 only opens the Rosary of the Philosophers, and revealeth the hidden secrets of the Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral kingdom; without the 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 quam quis discerpserit arbore foetus.  
Of these Arcana's prepared by this liquor forth of this Mineral of Mercury, Helmont first mentioneth the Mercurius Diaphoretius, 
Arcan. Paracel. p. 790.  of which he saith thus, Quarto loco est Mercurius Diaphoreticus, melle dulcior, & ad ignem fixus, solis horizontis omnes proprietates habet. Perficit enim quicquid Medicus & Chirurgus possint optare sanando: non tamen tam potenter renovat, ut praecedentia. In his answers to the questions propounded unto him concerning this, he maketh this responsion, 
De Lithia●. l. c. 8. p. 69.  to wit; That as the Sun is thought to spring up in the Horizon of the Hemisphere: so Mercury, while it is made Diaphoretic, sweet as Honey, and fixed 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 Sulphur of Venus being raised again doth tinge the Sulphur of the Mercury (that in the Powder of john de Vigo, by sulphureous corrosive Minerals was extroverted) immediately, and did mutually embrace one another in an inseparable bed: And that therefore the virtue of both the Sulphurs did stand outwardly. And therefore by this conjunction the Diaphoretic Mercury from thence arising, did perform whatsoever the Physician or Chirurgeon could wish, either in respect of curing acute or chronical diseases. Again, 
De Febrib. l. c. 14. p. 52.  in another place, he largely describeth the virtues and effects of this Mercurius Diaphoreticus, in relation both to Internal, and External Distempers. And of its Preparation tells us thus much; Its description (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 john de Vigo, prepared with thine own hand: For otherwise it is adulterated with artificial Minium or red Lead; as the most Chemical medicaments that are to be sold, are full of deceit. This Powder, the element of fire extracted from the Vitriol 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 cohobated 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 Tabarzet, which soundeth Sugar, not that it is sweet in itself, 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 prepared it the first time, is of huge labour, and its direction dependeth of his hand, to whom all honour is due, because he revealeth these secrets to little ones, which the world knoweth not of, and therefore disesteemeth. 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 medicine, that is so noble, that in operation it effecteth whatsoever a Physician or Chirurgeon can desire: And therefore may well instigate all of those Professions, that they may bend all their studies and endeavours both day and night to the obtaining of the same.  
2. That it is no wonder that they call it Horizontal Gold, which if one seriously consider the great medical virtues, is an apposite name, and to be esteemed far more precious than common Gold, that cannot afford such rare and almost incredible effects.  
3. To remember that it cannot be perfected without 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 itself, 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 metallic 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 john 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 form of a green Oil, as both he and Paracelsus do make manifest. But one chief point is here tacitly 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 question what sort of Aqua Regis this Author meaneth, but it is plain that it is the common sort, and no mystical 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, than 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 showed things that are sufficient to understand its Preparation by, and hath omitted nothing in the forecited places, but only the naming of the Alkahest, which in all his great Preparations he commonly leaveth out: Though in other parts of his Writings he hath spoken more fully, (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, will hardly understand it in other. Authors.   
The next great Arcanum to be had forth of common Mercury, is that which he calleth Arcanum Corallinum, or Corallatum, of which he saith this. And there is the purgation Diuceltatasson, which cures the Gout no less than Fevers. 
De Febr. l. c. 14. p. 52.  And its Arcanum is called Corallinum, which is prepared out of the essence of Horizontal gold, after this manner: Draw off the liquor Alkahest from vulgar vendible Mercury, which Paracelsus remembreth 2. the viribus membrorum, 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 being so coagulated, without any remnant of the thing coagulating, then make small powder of it: and distil 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 bellows. 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 bladder, of the Larinx, 
Arcan. Par. p. 790.  and Oesophagus. And in another 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 Corallinum, 
Vol. Vivent. etc. p. 387.  doth destroy the Gout in its seed. But this Arcanum is not the colour or tincture of Coral, (as the ignorant company of Chemical Writers, to be laughed at, do interpret) because the apposite words of Paracelsus (which is of the essence of Gold) do sound another thing.  
Also the colour of Gold, the Sulphur, or Tincture, do not lose the belly, or purge: but this Arcanum is in substance, metallic; 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 Sulphur is sweet, and to be commixed with our Constitutive 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 Chemists 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 understood him otherwise (and that according to the truth of his meaning) than many hundreds have done besides.  
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 coagulated by the liquor Alkahest, hath its Sulphur extroverted: but if it be melted down into a white metal, that then it loseth its medical virtue. The reason 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 burned 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 sometimes 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 Reader 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 separated from it dead; 
De Hydropis. l. p. 623.  for so it is not Argent-vive, but Mercury: for when dead, it is Mercury; but living, it is Argent-vive. If therefore, as the prescribed manner of its preparation, it be mortified; its dose is two grains, the process being observed, that the School delivereth, neither need it be included in the Text.  

Ignor. Hydrop. p. 521.  The relation of Helmont is thus. But Paracelsus approveth his Praecipiolum or Mercury, drawn forth dead out of its Mineral or Ore, above other remedies: but other simples, for the degree of affinity, by which they come near this metallic Mercury. And a little after he saith, In the mean time I confess, that that same Mercury hath always answered to my desires. Truly its acquisition is difficult, but the dose of two grains three or four times exhibited doth suffice. 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 conversed, or had intercourse by Letters, that are of opinion that this Praecipiolum, or dead Mercury, is some artificial preparation by the Alkahest: but saving the judgements 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 likelihood 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 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 Diaphoretic Mercury with it, and extols it far above it, as able to serve the Physician and his posterity, being once but had, but doth not say so much of the Praecipiolum.   
Therefore I would entreat all ingenious and learned 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 than 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 Long alius est sensus Sophorum, quam vulgarium literatorum.  
2. To move all inquisitive persons that either travel where Mines of Quicksilver are, or have correspondency 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.    

CHAP. XXVII. Of Antimony or Stibium. Of Wismuth, Bismuth, or Plumbum Cinereum, or Tinglass. Of Zinetum, Zinck or Spelter. Of Cobaltum. And of their Qualities, Oars 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 repute 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.  

M●s. Worm. l. 1. Sect. 3. c. 8. p. 125.  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 Metal, if thou mark the rise, manner and place of Generation: But they differ in certain proprieties that are agreeable to true Metals, for they are not ductile or malleable, but brittle or frangible.  
Antimony or Stibium, which the Germans call Spiessglass, 
Ubi supra.  seems to be a Metal of its own kind, although Paracelsus put it in the number of Marchasites, lib. 6. Archidox. where he calleth it the Marchasite of Lead, doth consist of a combustible mineral substance, and of a suliginous Mercury, coagulated of a certain earthly matter. It's Ore is found in the 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 Bohemia. 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 colour, for the most part infecting the fingers; within, full of capillary veins, glistering and shining as polished Iron; in bursting and breaking, easy: but when it is made into powder, it loseth its splendour, 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, etc. 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, rendering the mass divers coloured, the gift of Doctor Custerus.  
The like to those in a manner doth Agricola write of Antimony, 
De na●. Fossil: l. 10. p. 657.  and saith, That it is something like in colour to the Lapis Plumbarius, or Led o'er, 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, 
Lex. Alchym. p. 417.  and was soft, and black, and crusty, or shelly, like Catsilver.  
2. Digged up that was friable, or would crumble, like to polished Iron, from the Island Ilna in the Tyrrhene Sea.  
3. Digged up in Bohemia, in a white Flintstone.  
4. At Isfeld in Hercynia, which is as it were conglutinated together with little, long, and round-angled little crusts, in a white Flint.  
5. At Stolberg, in which there are white sixangled 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 Firestone or Marchasite, of the colour of Silver.  
9 A Vein of Iron, in which is found Stibium.  
10. Growing near the Stone Schiston besides Priburg in Misnia. 
Darbyshire, p. 556.  Cambden tells us, neither only Lead, but Stibium also, called in the Apothecary's shops Antimony, is here found by itself in Veins. And Doctor Merrett saith, 
Pin. re. nat. p. 209.  that Antimony is found in the Led 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 bluish 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 desire 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, wrought of little Salt, 
Last Will and Test. c. 10. p. 102.  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 excellent 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 intrinsical 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 Chemistry, which are very numerous, the Reader may find them in Sala, Hammerus, Poppius, Schroderus, and almost in every Dispensatory: so that we need not enlarge 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 Paracelsus and Helmont prepared forth of it by the Alkahest.   
1. The first Medicine that Helmont nameth, prepared 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 absorbet. Which though he call Mercurius vitae, as having Mercury joined with it in its Preparation, yet is the offspring of the whole Stibium, and none of the Mercury joined with it. And doubtless is not the Mercurius vitae prepared by common Chemistry, 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 diseases, but in some measure, renew Nature also. The m●nner of its Preparation he no where (that I can observe) doth mention, 
L p. 5. p. 20. Lib. de Vit. Long. c. 6. p. 64.  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 questionless is the Tinctura Lili Antimonialis, 
Arc. Parac. p. 790.  for Helmont saith, Tertio loco est Tinctura Lili, etiam Antimonialis, almost of the same virtue with the former, although 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, 
Resp. Anth. p. 524.  who saith, Probabo primò, quod liquor Alkahest, ens primum salium, Lili, primus metallus, Mercurius Diaphoreticus, sive aurum Horizontale, unum inquam, qualecunque ex illis (nam cuncta unius dissolventis consanguinitate, conspirant in unisonum) sat sit ad quorumlibet morborum sanationem, utut momis crepent ilia. Imprimis norunt Adepti mecum, quantum hinc distent dispensatoria Seplsiae, in ò & quam remoti absint scriptores, qui Basilica, 
Chir. Mag. tr. 3. c. 5. p. 67.  & Tyrocinia Chymica ingenti gloriolae pruritu, adhuc ipsimet Tyrones ediderunt. But the Preparation of the Tinctura Lili, that is Antimonial, you may find in the Writings of Paracelsus.  
Plumbum Cinereum was known to the Ancients, but little said of its use, or virtues, and by this name Agricola calls it, 
Mus. Worm. l. 1. S●ct. 3. c. 8. p. 125  the Miners call it Bismutum, Caesalpinus a Silver Marchasite, the Germans Bismut, Mythin, and Sergeant. It is rather, I think (saith Wormius) a Metal of its own kind, than to be referred unto Leàd. For it differeth from both Tin and common Lead in colour, and hardness. It sometimes 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 sometimes 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 friable. It is found in England, and Misnia in the Silver Mines. They use to mix it with Tin, that it may confer splendour 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 colour.  
As for the Ore of this Metal, or Semi-metal, which they call Bismuth, or Wismuth, and our Artificers in England Tinglass, I could never hear of any that was gotten in his Majesty's Dominions; and therefore should desire all ingenious Gentlemen that are inquisitive after Minerals, and all other persons that seek or dig for Oars, to inquire if any may be heard of or discovered in this Nation, for it would be a commodity of great worth, for the Metal is very dear. Neither have I ever been so happy, as to be able to procure any of this Ore, and therefore cannot of mine own knowledge give the Reader any satisfaction about 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 soldering 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: Neither have I seen any Vessels made of this Metal only, and if they be, they must be made by moulding or casting, for of itself it will not abide the hammer.  

De Nar. Fossil. lib 1. p. 575.  Agricola numbereth this amongst Metals, and reckoneth up many places where the Ore is gotten, both in its own Mine, and also where it is found among other Metals, 
De Vet. & no. Metal. l. 2. p 677.  much-what after the order before rehearsed, 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, 
Last Will and Test. c. 10. p. 101, 102.  not quite freed from a protruding Silver, or Tin-stone, of an imperfect, pure Quicksilver with Tin-salt, and fluid silver Sulphur, of a brittle immiscible earth, partly of a crude fluid Sulphur, partly of a mixed exsiccated Sulphur, according as it hath got a matrix, after it was conceived: Then it turneth a bastard of a brittle nature, easily uniteth with Mercury, and is wrought naturally in a twofold form, the one is fluid and metalline, is melted with dry Wood, being mixed with Clay, yieldeth much of white Arsenic. The other is small streaked and spissie, remaineth an unripe substance, yields a fixed Sulphur instead of Arsenic; both these are silver Wismuth.  
Of these two foregoing, 
Coel. Philos. Can. 5. p. 122.  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 Bisemutum. This hath the greatest affinity with Tin. As for any Medicines drawn forth of this Mineral either by the way of common Chemistry, or otherwise, I do not know of any.  
The next we come unto, is that which Paraecelsus 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 mention 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 imagine (as some do) that it should be that Mineral of which he saith thus, when he speaketh of Minerals and Metals: 
Of the great Stone of the Ancient Philosophers, Preface.  Among these I happened to get one Mineral, composed of many colours, which had many and rare virtues 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 knowledge 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, 
De Elem. Aq. c. 9 p. 282.  to wit, when the true metallic flux, and ductibility, is taken away, and is distributed into the seven Metals, a certain residence doth remain in the Ares, like the births or offsprings of the three first things. Of this Zinck doth grow, which is a Metal, 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 spurious offspring of the Metals, that is to say, they are like unto Metals, but are not Metals. Zinck for the greatest part is the spurious offspring of Copper, and Bismuth of Tin. Of these two there are of all others the greatest dregs and remnants made in the Ares.  

De M●neral. Tract. 1. p. 349.  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 itself is fluxible, because it is generated of the three fluxible Principles. But it doth not admit malleation, but only fusion. Its colours are divers 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 near of all unto Argent vive. 
Chron. Can●ith. p. 247.  It doth not permit permixtion: nor doth it permit the fabrications of other Metals, but is by itself, or alone.  
3. He hath a notable passage of this Metal, which though the Latin 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 of the Metals and Minerals that are found in Carinthia. There are found also certain Mines of the Ore of Zinck, the like whereof Europe itself knoweth not. This is a singular Metal, and truly admirable by its rarity. But for its virtues in Medicine or Bismuth either; 
Of the usefulness of Experimental Philosophy, part. 2. p. 130.  neither this Author Helmont, nor few of the common Chemists 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 Chemists (as particularly Glauberus) have of late prepared remedies not unuseful out of Zinck, or Spelter. Of the other he saith thus; 
Ibid. p. 134.  And though Bismutum have not, that I know, till very lately been used, unless outwardly, and especially for a Cosmetick, yet the industrious Chemist Samuel Closseus, by Calcination and addition of Spirit of Vinegar, and Cremor Tartari, makes two Medicines of it, which he highly extols in the Dropsy; And (to reserve for another place, what I have tried upon, Tinglass) a very expert Chemist of my acquaintance, doth by preparing it with common Sublimate (carried up, by which I remember, it hath afforded 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 gently, without being at all (as Mercurius vitae is wont to prove violently enough) emetic. I know not what use is made of this Spelter, but only that the Braziers do mix it with Copper, and thereof make their Cement or Soldier, 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.  

C. Starkey, nar. Explic p. 306.  I cannot pass by one thing, which a learned person, and a great Chemist, now dead, affirms to the World, 
Pyrotech. asserted, p. 148.  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 Parenthesis, I tell thee is Zinck) and so out of Lead and Tin. But though we might assert that the Metallus masculus, 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.  
The next is that which Paracelsus calleth Cobaltum, and in my judgement doth not understand it, 
De re Metal. l. 1. c. 21. p. 33.  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, otherwise he could not have described it, as he doth. For of the Copper-stone, or Cadmia nativa, Schroderus saith thus; 
Pharmacop. l. 3 c. 18, p. 123.  The Cobalt, native Cadmia is metallic, and digged forth of the Earth, and is an earthly Mineral, 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 Poisons. 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, 
M●s. Worm. l. 1. sect. 3. c. 10. p. 128.  calling it Cadmia Metallica, to distinguish it from the Lapis Calaminaris, which he calleth Cadmia Fossilis, of which we shall say more hereafter. Now Paracelsus description is after this order: 
De Mineral. l. Tract. 1. p. 349.  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 splendour or metallic shining, 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 Metal, drawn from this that he calleth Cobalt, is neither in colour nor other properties like the Metal of Copper that is drawn from the metallic Cadmia, or Copper-stone, though they may call it Cobalt also. And Rulandus description of Cobalt seemeth to agree to this, 
Lex. Chym. p. 271.  from whence (perhaps) he had it, which is thus: Kobolt, or Kobalt, or Collet, is a metallic matter more black than Lead or Iron, sometimes Ash-coloured, wanting a metallic colour, yet it is melted and brought into places; therefore it is not sixth, but carrieth away the better Metals with it by smoke.  
Concerning native Electrum, that it hath been produced by Nature, 
Rer. deperdit. ●it. 33. p. 120, 123.  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 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: only 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 Oars being but rarely found, they are not known, and therefore thrown by, as hath happened 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 splendour and eyesight may satisfy, though it want the intrinsical virtue; and so that which is native is not so much sought after, as hath happened in the native Orichalcum, seeing that by Art it is now counterfeited. 
Pet. Martyr. Decad. 1. li. 4. p. 27.  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 sufficiently evince, who saith thus: I saw also a great piece of pure Electrum, of the which Bells, and Apothecaries Mortars, 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 remove 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 Predecessors. And albeit that in the days of the inhabitants 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 show them the place, they bore them such privy hatred; yet at the length they brought them to the Mine, being ruinated, 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 spoken of, 
Of Nat. Bath. c. 9 p. 43, 44.  but that Doctor Iorden saith thus of it: Calaem 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 metalline 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 which the Author before-cited saith thus: Bell-metal is thought to be a mixture of Tin and Copper Oars, as Kentman judgeth, and is found in our Tin and Copper Mines in Cornwall. As for Granates that hold Metal, we have spoken of them before.   

CHAP. XXVIII. Something more of Galena, Lapis Plumbarius, native Cadmia, etc. As also of Chrysocolla, or native Borax, Caeruleum, native Blue, Aerugo, native Green, Talk, Magnes, the Loadstone, Haematites, the Bloodstone, Schistus; The Lazul-stone, and of Metallary stones, and the like.  
ALL that we shall say he reconcerning Galena, Plumbago, Lapis Plumbarius, and Molybdena, (Eucelius, Rulandus, 
Vide Eucel. de re Metal. l. 1. c. 34. p. 66. & Ruland. Lex. Alchym. 374. & Mus. Worm. li. 1. Sect. 3. c. 10. p. 127. Agricol. li. de na●. Fossil. 10. p. 655.  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 Led o'er is found so poor, but that it containeth something of Silver, (as all experience will make good) yet often so little that it is not worth the charges of refining; and oftentimes in so an extreme 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 purify 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. And therefore the most experienced Essay-masters will not use any Lead that hath not been calcined into lethargy, 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 regard 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 accounted Galena when it holdeth a sensible quantity of Silver, or however when it holdeth as much Silver as may make it a Mine Royal: but if it hold no sensible quantity of Silver, than it may be called Plumbago; and this I wish every Test-master and every Miner seriously to mind and consider of.  
Besides what we have before said of native Cadmia, which we have showed that the Germans call it Robalt, and containeth Copper most commonly, sometimes Copper and Silver, and sometimes Gold, Silver and Copper. 

M●s. Worm. Ut supra, p. 128.  
Vid. Lexicon Alchym. Ruland. p. 120, &c   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 thing 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 here) which by the Greek name signifieth as it were the glue of Gold, because its use was to glue or cement Gold; 
Mus. Worm. Ut supra.  the Germans call it Steingrun, Schifergrun, Bergtgrun. This Nature produceth in fibres and holes, and it is sometimes found like to Sand, sometimes a metallic matter doth cleave unto it. 
Lex. Alchym. p. 146.  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 Viride aeris rasile.  
The native Chrysocolla is only in Metals that hold Copper, 
Mus. Worm. Ut supra, p. 129.  and is only made out of Copper; and if it be sometimes found in Gold, Silver, or Led Mines, the Veins of those Metals are mixed with Copper. It's 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: othersome 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 crevices and little holes of stone, that seemed like unto Cadmia or Copper-stones, and were gotten in a Led Mine, a little distant from the Led o'er, and had a vein or rake of stones or Copper o'er of the same nature. And great plenty of it might have been got, but that the Workmen seeking only for Led o'er, 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 show no distinction except the names, of which more anon.  
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 artificial, and made forth of the Lapis Lazulus, or Armenus) is found in many several places, and Rulandus reckoneth these sorts.  

1. That which is ultramarine, or from Cyprus, 
Lex. Alchym. p. 161.  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, something cloddy and hollow within, which is digged forth of a white sandy earth.  
3. From Milan, which is found in clods of earth of a deep Ash-colour.  
4. Native, from Thuringia, which is digged up besides 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 appear.  
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 Firestone, out of which Silver is drawn; it is mixed with a concrete green juice, and sometimes placed like Girdles or Zones, out of which it flowereth with pleasantness forth of the Vein. 
De re Metal. c. 22. p. 123.  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 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 Hazelnuts, 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 contained 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, 
De re Metal. l. 1. c. 27. p. 53.  or Spangrune, I find little of it, only Eucelius tells us, it is found in the Metals of Cyprus, 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 determine, but leave it to the experience of others, though I should rather incline to believe that they are but all one.  
Concerning Talk, there are many opinions among Authors about it, some taking it generally, and comprehending under it the Lapis Specularis, Amianthus, and Talcum strictly taken; Agricola calls it Magnetis, but seems to confound it with Mica, Catsilver, or Glimmer; and that description that Rulandus gives of it, agreeth rather to Mica, than to that Talk that we have sold in shops; and therefore we shall only take what Schroderus and Wormius say of it, and the former thus: 
Phorm. M●d. Chym. l. 3. c. 8. p. 40.  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 fixed. It is called of some the stare of the earth, and by the Germans Talc; 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. 
Mus. Worm. l. 1. Sect. ●. c 7. p. 57  Wormius saith thus of it: It is a soft stone like to the Lapis Specularis, to be divided into plates, bending, and variously intricate, of a Silvery white colour, bluish grey, sometimes blackish, 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 Germany and Norway, and its kinds are distinguished according 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 threads, and doth long resist the fire, and hardly to be consumed by it. It is a good vendible Commodity, and therefore may concern the Miners to take care to inquire and search after, for there is little question but some of it may be met withal in some of our Mines in England. Paracelsus reckoneth three sorts, white, red, and black Talk.  
As for the Magnes or Loadstone, we mean no further to treat of it here, but as far as may enable our own Country-Miners to know and search after the same. 
Mus. Worm. l. 1. Sect 2. c. 9 p. 62.  Wormius describes it thus: It is an hard Stone, ferrugineous, or irony, and blackish, which draweth or rejecteth Iron, or another Loadstone, and showeth 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 itself. For all that body that doth attract, is not the Magnet, but there is in it a Magnetic 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, within when it is broken waxing black, and a little tending to blewishness though obscure; in attracting very efficacious, while it is smitten it trembleth, being covered 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 joachim, Swartzberg, Sneberg, etc. Also (he saith) they had it brought from Norway of great strength, of which he could show 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 excellent force and virtue. And I make small doubt, that seeing we have so many Mines of Ironstone in his Majesty's 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 so called either because it is of a sanguineous colour, 
Mus. Worm. l. 1. Sect. 2. c. 9 p. 64.  or else being rubbed against wet Whetstones, it yieldeth a bloody colour, or because it is prevalent in staunching of blood. It is a stone of the colour of coagulated blood, but more obscure, hard, and endowed 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 compacted into a stony substance, from the shave or sediment which the water hath worn from Ruddle, or some red stone. It is in divers places in Germany, betwixt the Mines of Red Ochre or Ruddle and Iron, as in the Valley of joachim, and near Hildesheim; but above the rest, that which cometh from Spain is commended; that which is brought from Compostella is of an angled figure, having the colour and splendour of blackish Iron. It is decocted into Iron, and containeth Ruddle in the cavities, sometimes it is observed to attract Iron obscurely: of this Rulandus reckoneth these sorts.  

1. That which is of a black colour, found at Goslaxia, 
Lex. Chym. p. 250.  yielding a yellow juice most hard, and is unknown 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 of Salfield. This the Goldsmiths commend, because it is most hard upon the Whetstone to polish Gems. It is black, and sharp like a Top. So the most that we have from the shops is of the aforesaid figure, and of a bloody or Liver-colour.   
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 Amianthus, 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 Caesalpinus to be a certain kind of the Haematites, 
Mus. Worm. Ut supra.  or Bloodstone; and Agricola would that the name of Schistus be attributed unto it, not either that it is easy to be cloven, or that it is cloven, but that after a certain manner that it seemeth so▪ For by the mutual Composition of its parts, which have increased strait 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 Bloodstone is almost always in the figure of a clod; but the Schistus, either in one part or both, is form like a Wedge. The sum is as much as may be gathered from Agricola, that he acknowledgeth no difference betwixt them, but that which consisteth in the figure.  
To this (as near a kin) we may subjoin the stone called Smiris, 
Mus. Worm. Ut supra. p. 64, 65.  in the High-Dutch Smirgel, and we after the French name call it Emerg from its absterging faculty. It is a ferrugineous or irony stone, inclining to blackness, so very hard, that the Lapidaries do use it to engrave in Gems, and to polish Arms. Because to the watery Touchstone or Whetstone it yieldeth a sanguineous juice; 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 Country, it would be of great profit unto many.  
The Lapis Lazuli, which the Germans call Lasurstein, is an hard stone of a blue colour, adorned with little pricks, 
Ut supra.  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 enduring 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 Africa, and is called Oriental, and is known by its fixedness. 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, because it is a good Commodity, and sold dear, and it may be that some of it might be found in our Nation. 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.  
For metallary Stones they are of divers sorts; growing or cleaving to the Metals, sometimes on one side, 
Mus. Worm. l. 1. Sect. 3. c. 11. p. 150.  sometimes on another, and sometimes on both, and are as it were the Matrices, or Coats, wherein the Metals lie enclosed: Forth of which also Metals 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 Firestone, 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 sometimes 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 Mineral, white, and cut into pieces. Some mixed with Firestone, or is with barren Galena, or with Galena, Firestone, and Silver. By which we may discern what various mixtures Nature exerciseth in the Mines.  
4. The fourth is Saxum Corneum, or Flint, Hornstein, which appeareth most hard, of the colour of Horn, whose parts are sometimes so continuate, that one cannot discern one from another, sometimes conspicuous by some Intersection.  
5. Lapis Arenosus, as though compounded of Sand, called Sandt-stein: this is that which we call Freestone, 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 metallic 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 Catsilver, 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 Firestone, a third in Sand. That it is not fixed, but is consumed with the fire, and is almost of no use. 
De re Metal. l. 3. c. 29. p. 213.  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 assumeth 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 glorious 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.   

CHAP. XXIX. Of the Transmutation of Metals.  
COncerning this great dispute of the transmuting of one Metal into another, we intent not here to demonstrate the possibility of it, for as the Philosopher said well: Qnae experimento oculari videntur, probatione non indigent. Only we shall labour to examine, and open the nature of Transmutations, and to show some sorts of Transmutation, that are common and obvious, and full as strange as this of Metals, and thereby show that it is no such impossible or wondrous 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 sufficiently 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 Generation, 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 miss it (to give them their due, where, and when they deserve it) that all Generation is some kind of Mutation, and so must needs be a species of motion: But yet by all this we come not perfectly to know what Generation is in its true nature and intrinsical essence and operation, 

Arist. 5. Phys. c. text. 4.8. Physiol. Jo. Magyri. l. 1. c. 5.  
Jac. Z●barel. l. de gener. & interit. c. 3.4, etc.   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 puzzled 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 margin 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 incomparable johannes Marcus Marci, in that curious piece of his styled Idaea Idaearum Operatricium, by our never-sufficiently-praised Countryman 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 ourselves into a closer compass to fall upon some mutations, (or transmutations rather) produced by Nature, or Art, that will sufficiently serve to make forth what we intent concerning the Transmutation of Metals, only we shall premise this,  
That all Transmutations are made some of these three ways, or by two of them, or all joined together.  

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 before.  
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 Transmutation 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 Juices, or steams turning the forementioned things into a stony matter or substance. The first we shall name (as being most known unto us) is that famous Dropping Well near the ancient Town of Knaresborough in the West-riding of Yorkshire, mentioned in our British Authors, by our learned Antiquary Mr. Camden, and of late written by Dr. Dean, 
Yorkshire Spa, c. 16. p. 117, 118.  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 continuing of the same nature as before. But any soft spongy substance, as moss, leaves of Trees, etc. into which the Water can enter, will thereby in time become 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 separating from them all accidental humidities, and fixing them into their proper species. When the water with which this Succus lapidesceus is mixed, is in part wasted by the Sun and Air, it doth then deposit it, as being too heavy for it any longer to bear it. And when that is deposited, and fallen down, it doth by a continued addition and concretion in time amount to a considerable stony moss, etc. From whence we may note▪  
1. That by his observation and judgement, the stony substance bred by the water, is nothing but the apposition and fixing of the small stony particles hid in the water one unto another, which is merely Aggregation, and so comes to increase the bulk or quantity by continual addition. And thus far according to this ingenious person and learned Chemist, here is nothing at all of Transmutation, but that the moss, leaves, etc. become seemingly of a perfect stony nature and hardness.  
2. Yet if we look a little more warily, we shall find not only an Aggregation of these small stony particles, and an Incrustation upon the outside of the moss and leaves, but even that the substance of the moss and leaves, and the small atoms of them are merely petrified as far as our eyes, or the best 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 Water 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, etc. 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 position of the particles of the body changed. But because the stress of the matter lies what Transmutation is, which we are searching after, and yet it may be doubted whether or no there be any real Transmutation at all, quoad naturam, sed solummodò, quoad nos, as when by a due proportionable commixture of Sand and Ashes, Glass is made, which quoad nos, and in relation to our sight is transparent, which neither 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 separated from it, as is known unto every expert Goldsmith: it may very well make us doubt whether there be any real Transmutation or not, but what is by addition, diminution, or altering of parts. 
Hector. Boctii Scot regn. descript. p. 9 Sect. 50.  And therefore we shall quote some more instances, 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 entire 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 persuade) 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 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, 
De Lithias. l. c. 1. p. 13.  who telleth us; For so the handglove of Frederick the Emperor was petrified in that one part of it that lay wet in the Spring, but the other part being fenced with a seal, remained Leather: so that not only Herbs, Woods, Bread, Iron, Eggs, Fishes, Birds, and Quadrupedes, were by a wonderful Metamorphosis petrified; but by the testimony of Ambrose 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 substrate, 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 preserved, without any intervening putrefaction, or dissolution of the matter, doth petrify 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 incorporeal 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 incorporeal, I take him by incorporeal, not to mean merely that the steam is altogether spiritual, as the Schoolmen and Metaphysicians understand, but that it is so subtle, 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 incrustation, or adhesion of the stony matter to the external parts, but by a real changing (in Animals) of the bony, sinewy, musculous, and fleshy parts intrinsically and throughout, into a stony substance; to verify which, 
Micrograph. observ. 17. p. 107, 108, etc. Vid Philos. Trans. n. 6. p. 101.  more Authorities may be added to Helmont, as that of Pensingius historia infantis, in abdomine inventi, & in duritiem lapideam conversi. And something 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 noted, or the rest, it will appear that this saxeous Odour, 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 session of another body, which can be nothing but the Airy Atoms, or Aethereal Steams, contained before in the porous parts of 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 fluid 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 petrification 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 metallic Transmutation; and so as we go, show their accord or disagreement.  
And first, in the Philosopher's Transmutation of Metals, they have their subject which they intent to transmute, (to use that common word, though truly the thing that they do, is only to maturate and meliorate) which is some of the more base Metals (as they are commonly styled) 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 cannot 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 wondered at more than the other: but there are two properties wherein they differ.  
1. For first, in the petrification wrought by Nature, 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 Mineral nature, and (according to common opinion) neither contained within the Animal nor Vegetable Kingdom, and yet are wrought upon by that petrifying agent, when in the Philosophic Transmutation, the thing changed is under the same proxime genus, with the nature of that which it is changed into, being both of a metallic root and nature, and so is less wonderful than the change made by Petrification.  
2. Secondly, the things wrought upon by the petrifying agent, are more remote from that stony nature into which they are changed, whether they be Animals or Vegetables, as having had no praevious Preparation, to fit them for the susception of the Operation 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, according to that true and certain rule of our Countryman Ripley, who saith: 
For who that joineth not the Elixirs, with bodies made clean,  
He woteth not sickerly what Projection doth mean.   
Secondly, And as the agent in the change wrought by Petrification, 

12 Gates, p. 18●.  
De Li●hias c. 1. p. 13.   is (according to the doctrine of Helmont) a petrific Seed, consisting only in a saxeous odour, or invisible ferment: So the agent in metallic Transmutation, is a Seed of an aurifick or argentifick nature, for it is known to all that are Masters, that the Elixir or small part of that which they call the Philosopher's Stone, or Tincture, hath a seminal power, able to produce its like, according as it was specificated by Fermentation. Which is sufficiently confirmed by that faithful description that the experienced Polonian hath given us, 
No Lum. Chym. Tract. 10. p. 330, 331.  who saith, Lapis Philosophorum, seu Tinctura nihil aliud est quam aurum in supremum digestum, nam aurum vulgi est sicuti herba sine semine, quando maturescit producit semen, sic aurum quando maturescit, dat semen sive Tincturam. And again, Aurum potest dare fructum & semen, in quo se multiplicat industria sagacis artificis, qui scit naturam promovere, sed si absque natura, id velit tentare, errabit. To which doth agree that often quoted saying of Augurellus. 

Theatr. Chym. Vol. 3. p. 203.  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 labour.  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 except 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.  
Thirdly, They agree in the manner of their Operations, for in the act of Petrification, there is the saxeous odour or seminal ferment added to the thing 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 Philosopher's Tincture unto the Metal (as suppose it Led, 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 Scoriadrosse, 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 testimony of helmont's experience, 
Arbour. vit●e. p. 793.  who saith, Cogor credere lapidem aurificum, & agentificum esse, quia dist●nctis vicibus manu meâ unius grani pulveris super aliquot mille grana argenti vivi ferventis, projectionem feci, etc. And that a great multitude standing 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 night's acquaintance, and had at the least so much as was sufficient to change two hundred thousand pounds into 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.  

Vita ae●ern●. p. 543.  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 Crucible. And forthwith the Quicksilver with a certain noise, stayed from the flux, and settled like a yellow 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 itself 19186: which was a most noble Multiplication exceeding the former.  

Demonst●. Thes. p. 671.  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 accurately made into Powder, and that once the fourth part of a grain was given him of it. And this he enclosed 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, stayed from the flux, and settled to the bottom like a lump. And that the heat of the Quicksilver was but so much as might hinder melted Lead from recongealing. Then by and by the fire being increased under the blast of the bellows, the Metal was melted, and the melting Pot being 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 virtue.  
2. It is probable that in the last mentioned projection, 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; 
Rer. Nature. l. 7. p. 97.  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 itself, and where there is no Ingression there can be no Transmutation. Yet here Helmont tells, that it need but be easily hot, and 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 metallic Transmutation, though in that wrought by Nature in Vegetables, or Animals, in petrifying 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 Vegetables or Animals into Stone, doth often work pedetentim, and by degrees, as also sometimes subitaneously and quickly, as may appear by that story of Helmont, 
De Lithias. c. 1. p. 15.  which he thus relates. About the year 1320. betwixt Russia and Tartary, in the altitude of 64 degrees, not far from the Pond or Fen called Kitaya, it is read, that an Hord of the people called Baschirdi with their whole herd of cattle, their Wagons and Carriages were altogether transmuted into Rocks or Stones. And that yet to this day the Men, the Camels, the Horses, the flock or herd of cattle, and every other kind of thing that did accompany the Wagons or Carriages, do yet stand by an horrible spectacle, in the daylight turned into Stone, and that this was done in one night, without any preceding putrefaction. The like story (if my memory fail not, for I have not the Author by me) is in Ol●●s Magnus, an Author of good credit and reputation, and the like may be found confirmed by some other Writers. Which (if true, and no miracle) showeth 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 before 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 near Knaresborough, because that is done by Incrustation, but whether it happen to be so in all other sorts of Petrification (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 metallic Transmutation, if the exact degree of the virtue of the Powder transmuting be known, and so be projected upon a just and due proportion, the ponderosity will not much differ from what the Metal changed was of before, as appear 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 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 combustible and separable Sulphur) that was separated or wasted away in the fire: or that so much of the Homogeneous 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 separable and combustible Sulphur, which in projection is separated and wasted. But howsoever that there be little difference of weight in the metallic body changed from what it was before, yet it always becometh less in bulk, and possesseth lesser room, or place, as appear by this of Helmont, that the Quicksilver settled with a certain noise to the bottom of the Crucible, and so became of less bulk, and possessed less room. And that this is, and must be so in all metallic Transmutations, is most clear, not only from the authority of the Adeptists, but from their convincing reasons, showing 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 subtle penetrability and ingression of their so much purified and exalted Tincture, and thereby all things in it whatsoever that are of an Heterogeneous 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, 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 extension under the hammer, whereby it will be foliated farther, and be thinner than any other Metal whatsoever; and so a base 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 manifest this great work of Transmutation of Metals, we may consider, that though in petrification by the seminal Order, or saxeous Ferment, it works upon most bodies as it finds them, either more susceptible, or more apt to resist, which might render its operation and effects more difficult and strange. But here the matter is rendered 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 easy fire; 
Spec. Al●hym. c. 7. p. 269.  but also our Learned Countryman Roger Bacon doth show plainly that we having nearer Metals unto the more Noble, are excused from the more remote: for seeing that Saturn, jupiter 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 Descriptions of it, as little valuing such trifles and niceties, but contented themselves with the true understanding of 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 Transmutation in general, than the most of those that went before him; some of which we shall here recite, where he saith thus: 
Lib. ter. natur. 7. p 97.  If we shall write of the Transmutation of all natural things, it is equal and necessary, that before all things we first show 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 Logic; 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 instance 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 metallic Transmutation. Is it not hard to open the true causes how Antimony, that is a metallic body, is per se (which every common Chemist can perform) brought into Glass, which is a transparent body, the matter considered, will not be found so easy? 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 metallic Transmutation, let us a little consider the virtues and properties which they ascribe 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 upon the Patient may be the better perceived; and they are thus enumerated and described by that ingenious and experienced person johannes Spagnetus, 
Arch. Herm. Can. 125. p. 249.  who saith, There are five proper and necessary qualities in the perfect Elixir, that it be fusile, permanent, penetrating, colouring, and multiplying; it borroweth its Tincture and fixation from the Leaven, its penetration from the Sulphur, its fusion from Argent-vive, which is the medium of conjoining 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 operation. 

1. For, first, we are to note that all that are properly 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 Tincture which is the efficient changing, were not of a fusile and flowing nature, it could never mix or conjoin itself with the Metal to be changed; for where there is no ingression, there can be no mutation.  
2. That it must be permanent and fixed, that is, that the force of the fire cannot make it fly; for otherwise it could cause no Transmutation, for nihil dat quod non habet; and by these two properties all heedful 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 extrude 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 itself with the metallic 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 Nature, and doth that in a short time, that Nature cannot perform in many hundred of years, as saith the learned Philosopher in these words: Et haec est auri forma, 
Mus. Herm. tracked. de lap. c. 7. p. 418.  summum & optimum, quod ad metallicam naturam spectat. Si itaque pura isti●smodi forma, quae per artem, mediante natura, praeparari potest, imperfectis Metallis addatur, tunc impurum imperfectorum Metallorum superatur. Non enim impurum, sed pura materia illi est similis: Prima siquidem est ●orma ad quam materia ista facta fuit. Idcircò par cum pari tempore incomprehensibili conjungitur, impurum separant, quasi 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 metallic 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 slighted, yet do they hold forth the certain and absolute truth: 

1. As first, that of Bacon, 
Spec. Alchym. c. 3. p. 260.  which they all allow of as the Basis of all Philosophic verity, which is this, speaking of Sulphur or Nature's Fire, and Mercury natural or radical moisture, he saith, Sed ex praedictis 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: 
Ibid. c. 2. p. 258  Sed dico quòd natura semper proposuit, & contendit ad perfectionem auri. Sed accidentia diversa supervenientia transformavit metalla, sicut in multis invenitur Philosophorum libris satis aperté.  
3. A third is this: 
Mus. Herm. c. 2. p. 411.  Est itaque omnibus in Metallis verus Mercurius, rectumque Sulphur, aeque tam in imperfectis, quam perfectis Metallis: Saltìm contaminatus, & impurus factus est in imperfectis Metallis, & quae sola perfecta maturatione destituuntur. Et ex iisdem causis ad aurum, argentumque redigi possunt, h. ●. ut ab aurea, vel argentea natura, quae in illis est, separetur impuritas, 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 metallic Mercury 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 easy; ●or than the Heterogeneous matter, or combustible Sulphur, Scoria, or Dross, being removed, and some of the Tincture added, the parts are most closely 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 metallic Mercury wants nothing of the degrees and nature of Gold; but removing 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: 
Phil. Trans. n. 41. p. 823.  To conclude, I shall presume to give you some of my thoughts concerning the so much discoursed-of Transmutation of Metals; concerning which I am of opinion, that the change is erroneously apprehended by many, imagining that the whole imperfect Metal is totally transformed into the more perfect by the substance mixed with it; whereas the mixture added to the melted Metal, joins itself (as I conceive) to those parts, which being Homogeneal, symbolise together with the nature of the more perfect, whereby the pure metalline parts are separated from the other Heterogeneal 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 divers Vitriolate Waters do change Iron put into them into Copper, which Helmont doth deny to be any Transmutation, and saith thus: But that Vitriol-bearing Juice is thought to change Iron into Copper, 
De Spadan. font. l. paradox. 3. p. 692.  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 regarding that as Copper doth render or make Silver dissolved in Aqua fortis, that otherwise was invisible, to appear to the view, and be corporeal. So that it is the propriety of Iron dissolved in the Vitriol to manifest the Copper by drawing it to itself, and together in the same act, that the Iron itself is dissolved, and doth vanish in the Fountain. My Witnesses (he saith) are the Fountains themselves; because verily the Vitriolate Waters are far more poor in Copper than they were before the Iron dissolved in them, and the Copper thereby recovered from them. Therefore to wit verily out of the very Fountain (where it is often continued, the flux of new Copper doth fail in the Pit or Spring) the putatitious Transmutation of Iron doth otherwise not happen. The manner of doing of which in the Mines of Hungaria, called Herrengaundt, Athanasius Kircher doth thus describe: 
Mund. Subter. l. 10. Sect. 4. c. 10. p. 223, 224  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 Anvil 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 plaster, and these exposed to the Air and Winds, is hardened into Copper of the best account. And it is so used at Neosel in Hungaria: 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 myself. For seeing that in Vitriol infinite Copperish Corpuscles do inexist, and as those have the greatest sympathy with Iron, so that also it cometh to pass, that forthwith they flow unto the Iron, and do most intimately insinuate themselves into its pores; but seeing that they abound with Spirits of great Acrimony, from hence being insinuated into the 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 into dust, or a rusty powder, the Vitriolate Corpuscules substituting themselves into the place of the Iron being consumed, and the native particles 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 before: before verily by the dispersion of its Corpuscles 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, almost as much as the irony mass did weigh before. And after he showeth an experiment, by a rod or thread of Iron put into some of this Vitriolate 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 matter 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 persons touching this kind of change, which they will not allow to be a true Transmutation, from whence we shall move some considerable Observations, and submit them to the judgement of those that have Learning and leisure to examine the pertinency 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 Metal, but also really had that which all account the properties of that Metal, as to endure ignition, 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 endure ignition even to fusion, and that more easily than any Iron, and is become more extensible than Iron, and admitteth of more easy fabrication into instruments. So that this change, (of what sort soever it be taken to be) is a meliorating of the thing, a graduating and exalting of it both in intrinsic and extrinsic virtue, the metallic 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 graduating of them, the metallic root still remaining: 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 to be changed, are every and all of them transmuted, without separating of any of them, or adding any thing unto them, than we must say, that (as far as we either know or understand) few such Transmutations will be found in rerum natura, brought to pass either by Nature or Art. And for the metallic change that the Philosophers speak of, they never held that all the Atoms or Particles of Lead and Mercury are transmuted into Sol or Lune, but that the Homogeneous parts only are, and the Heterogeneous parts separated by the addition of some part of their Noble Stone, which is not much differing from this mutation of Iron into Copper.  
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 also in the Vitriolate Water, and the Water by its Acrimony corroding the Iron, and thereby separating the Atoms of the Iron, those of the nature of Copper residing in the said Water, do substitute themselves in the place of the Atoms of Iron, being separated; and so being Atoms of a congruous Figure, Size, and other Properties, do easily couple themselves together, as being Homogeneal, 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 indeed brought and wrought from a Golden Seed; and that the Homogeneous Mercury of all Metals, 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 certainty, whether all Iron, or the Ore from whence it is drawn, have something of the corpuscles of Copper 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 commixture, or that they come to be so by progressive Generation. And then it may be considered, that where there is particles of Copper and Iron mixed 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 commonly called Coelum Philosophorum, or Liber Vexationum, though some of great judgement call it Liber Fixationum, which here may well be considered of, 
Can. 1 p. 121.  and that in this, Omnia sunt in omnibus occultata. Unum ex ipsis omnibus est occultator eorum, & corporeum vas, extrinsecum, visibile, & mobile. This hint with divers others in that obscure and enigmatical Writing, though not regarded 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 show, that the nature of Metals is not yet perfectly understood. And to me by this he seemeth to intimate 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 judgement 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 metallic body, and yet is and may be by Art brought into a firm, close and fixed body, 
De Febrib. c. 14. p. 52.  as Helmont declareth thus at large. There is also the Purgation Diuceltatesson, quae Podagram non minùs, quam febres radicitus curate. Ejusque arcanum corallinum vocatur, quod paratur ex essentia auri Horizontalis, hoc modo. A Mercurio vulgo venali, abstrahe liquorem Alkahest, cujus meminit 2. de viribus membrorum, ●, de ●hepate. Quod fit unius horae quadrante. Name, inquit Raymundus, astantibus amicis & praesente Rege, coagulavi argentum vivum, & nemo praeter Regem, scivit modum. In quâ coagulatione istud est singular. Quod liquor Alkahest idem numero, pondere & activitate tantum valet millesima actione, quantum primâ. Quia agit sine reactione patientis. Mercurio igitur sic coagulato, absque ullâ coagulantis remanentia, fac indè pulverem minutum, & destilla ab illo quinies aquam ab albuminibus onorum destillatam, atque 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 Experiment and most strange Mutation may also be found in the Theory of Raymund Lul 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, settled 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 endure.  
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 atom remaining with the Mercury: Whereas in the Transmutation 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 Transmutation 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 extroverted and turned to the outside, by the operation of the Alkahest, which Sulphur containeth in it the Medical virtue, which by melting down is wasted, consumed, or separated, and so the change in both is made by separating something from the body changed, that was in it before.  
4. By this it is manifest that in both these Mutations, 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 Homogeneous atoms of the Mercury, and thereby they become more closely united per minima, which is the cause, or rather the fixation itself: 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 symbolising and homogeneous quality and condition.    
FINIS.   

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DEus justificatus: or, The Divine Goodness vindicated and cleared, against the Assertors 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 Jesuits Morals, Collected by a Doctor of the College of Sorbon in Paris. Fol.  
The Church's Peace, asserted on a Civil account in a Sermon before the Lord Mayor. june 4. 1669. By A. Littleton, D.D. 4.  
Institutionum Chronologicarum Libri duo, unà cum Arithmetices Chronologicae Libellis. Per Guilielm. Beveregium. M. A. E Coll. S. joh. Cant.  
Dissertatio de Vrim & Thummim, in Deuteron. 6.33. v. 8. in qua de earum Natura, & Origine, non Paucorum Rituum Mosaicarum rationes; & Obscuriora quaedam Scripturae Loca Probabiliter Explicantur. Authore joanne Spencero, S. T. D. 8.  
A Letter in answer to certain Queries and Objections made by a Learned Galenist against the Theory and Practice of Chemical Physic. By George Acton, Doctor in Physic. 4.  
Buchleri Elegantiae Poeticae. 12.