Page:Hermetic and Alchemical Writings of Paracelsus Vol I (IA cu31924092287121).djvu/188

 river water, or with hot salt water, so that it will occupy the bottom of the glass vessel like sand.

The separation of hidden gold from any metal is effected by the degree of extraction through aqua regis; for this water does not approach for the purpose of resolving any metal but fine gold alone.

This same aqua regis also separates fine gold from gilded clenodia. If it be smeared over these, it wipes away and sunders the gold.

Moreover, also, two metals mixed together can be separated one from the other with a cement by the degree of reverberation, especially if they are not in a similar degree of fixation, as iron and copper. A metal which has very little fixation, such as tin and lead, is altogether consumed in the cement by the degree of reverberation. The more fixed any metal is the less is it affected or consumed by the cement.

It should be known, too, that fine gold is the most fixed and perfect of all metals, and can be consumed by no cement. Next to this is fine silver. But if gold and silver be mixed together in one body, which is generally called "part with part," or if silver contains gold, or gold silver, in itself—if these mixtures, I say, be cemented and reverberated together, then the gold always remains entire and inviolate, while the silver is consumed by the cement, and is extracted from the fine gold; and so is copper from silver or iron, or tin from copper and iron, or lead from tin; and so on in order with the others.

So far we have explained the separation of metals from their earth and matter, and of one metal from another; and have shewn how it was to be done, using the greatest brevity consistent with accuracy, and following the alchemical art and practical experience. Now, next in order, it will be necessary also that we treat of those things out of which metals grow and are generated, such as are the three principles, Mercury, Sulphur, and Salt, and other minerals, among which is found the first essence of metals, that is, the spirit of metals, as is evident in marchasites, granites, cachimiæ, red talc, lazurium, and the like. In these the first essence of gold is found by the degree of sublimation. So, too, in white marcasite, white talc, auripigment, arsenic, litharge, etc., the first essence of silver is found. In cobalt, zinctum, etc., the first essence of iron. In zinctum, vitriol, atramentum, verdigris, etc., the first essence of copper. In zinctum, bismuth, etc., the first essence of tin. In antimony, minium, etc., the first essence of lead. In cinnabar is found the first essence of silver.

Concerning this first essence, it should be known that it is a fugitive spirit, still existing in a volatile state, as a child lies hidden in the womb of its mother. It is sometimes assimilated to a liquid, sometimes to alcohol. Whoever, therefore, is anxious to have the prime essence of any body, and to separate it, needs great experience and knowledge of the Spagyric Art.