Marengus — Chemical Pallas, ca. 1675 Multilingual MS

Whether it is possible will be established by what is to be said: for the destruction of one is the generation of another original: "corruptio enim unius generatio est alterius". Therefore, just as the Creator of all things created the roots of different natures for this purpose, so that each might multiply according to its own substance, He likewise denied specific seeds to metals. Instead, He granted them mercurius mercury and sulphur sulfur as their own seeds with which they might multiply in their own mines and successively produce metals. This occurs while the mineral mercurius and sulphur of these substances unite with pure or impure earths and are fixed with them.

The true propagation of metals is a power that has not yet been distinguished by its own specific name, since the reality of Philosophy is richer in things than in names. It is commonly called "mineral power," "metallic virtue," "stone-making juice," "the seed of the metal," and finally the "propagative power" which exists within the Mercurius and Sulphur of the metals. Hence, within the bowels of the earth, while a certain watery humor and Mercurius pass through metallic earths, they attract certain purer parts from them which are called sulphur. These are said to be mixed with the earth by the power of internal heat, and they are further condensed by cold. Thus, metals are made perfect or imperfect, depending on whether the components are more or less purified and joined in the proper proportion. For in gold alone are the components found purified and joined in the proper proportion.

Metals are generated in this way. Since nature is never idle, by the power of the internal heat of the earth's bowels, a certain moist vapor is raised. As it rises, it passes through various places in the earth. If it passes through hot and pure places where the fatness of sulphur adheres to the walls, that vapor (which is dissolved into water and is called the Aqua Philosophorum Water of the Philosophers) accommodates itself and joins with that fatness. It then carries that fatness with it, and once mixed, it is called the "unctuosity and fatness" which consists of mixed mercury and sulfur. Depending on whether this fatness is more or less purified, or whether it joins with earth that is more or less purified, the perfect or imperfect metals are generated through continuous decoctions processes of boiling or heating, according to how much purified earth they contain. Therefore, the seed of all metals is the same, which is the same viscous humor. However, the locations in the earth are different, and the components are more or less purified. If anyone desires to know more concerning the generation of metals in the bowels of the earth, let them read the Bibliographical reference: Palladis Chymica edition of the Chemical Pallas.

Regarding the properties of metals: It is now established that all metals are hard and solid, some more and some less, with the exception of argentum vivum quicksilver or mercury, which is found in a liquid matrix source-environment. It preserves its fluidity perpetually because it arises from a state in which the watery moisture is in great excess.