Page:Hermetic and Alchemical Writings of Paracelsus Vol I (IA cu31924092287121).djvu/277



Besides these, there is another peculiar metal which is found in streams and marshes, in the form of a seed like a large or small bean. It is founded and wrought by itself, but not so as to fit it for making instruments. It is of no practical use, nor is it known what properties it comprises. Unless Alchemy shall disclose its nature, it is not likely to be made clear at all. It allows many mixtures of silver and gold, which penetrate it as they do copper or lead. It is produced from citron-coloured Sulphur.

There are other transparent granates in the form of crystal, wherein are latent both silver and gold.

There is, moreover, a certain genus which is neither hammered nor founded; and it is a mineral water of metals. As water is to other substances, so is this with reference to metals. So far it should be a metal as Alchemy reduces it to malleability and capacity of being wrought. Commonly it has no consistence, but sometimes it has. The right opinion about it is that it is the primal matter of the Alchemists, who know how to get from it silver, gold, copper, etc., as the event proves. Possibly also tin, lead, and iron can be made from it. Its nature is manifold and marvellous, and can only be studied with great toil and constant application. This, at all events, is clear, that it is the primal matter of the Alchemists in generating metals, and, moreover, a remarkable medicine. It is produced from Sulphur, Mercury, and Salt, with this remarkable nature that it is a fluid, but does not moisten, and runs about, though it has no feet. It is the heaviest of all the metals.

So far, then, all the metals have been thus described, up to the point that they are known to me, according to their substance and origin, following that guide, and based upon that foundation, which is supplied by the ultimate matter. By means of this the first three are found out, what is their species, and whence they are derived. Indeed, the generation of the others cannot be explained in any way save by experience, which is finally proved by the primal matter in Vulcan. In this way none can err.

Attention should be paid to a certain genus of minerals which is, indeed, of a metallic nature, but is not a metal. The things which belong to this genus possess peculiar qualities, of which I shall give several instances. For example, all marchasites, which are multifold, red and white, as also pyrites, which are also multifold, white and red, and of another genus than marchasites. There are, moreover, the genera of antimony, which are many, perfect and imperfect; next the varieties of arsenicalia. To these also pertain