The Sixth Part of the Books and Writings of the Noble and Highly Learned Philosopher and Physician Paracelsus

not in all metals the same elements; rather, from gold, the element of earth and water remained in the bath; the air is in all three, and the element of fire remains at the bottom: because the substance and tangibility of gold is coagulated from fire, therefore the substance agrees in the substantial.

From silver, the element of water will remain at the bottom, and the element of earth and fire remain in the bath; for from the cold and moist the substance and corporality of silver is taken, which is of a fixed nature and cannot be raised. From mercury, fire remains at the bottom, and earth and water are elevated. From copper, fire also remains at the bottom, and earth and water remain in the bath. From lead, the element of earth remains at the bottom, fire and water are held in the bath. Now it is concerning tin; air remains at the bottom, and fire, earth, and water are elevated from it. And it is to be noted there that the air gives the body in tin, and otherwise in no metal. And although it also rises up in some parts, and remains mixed unseparated in the other three elements, it is not the corporeal air, but the concurrent one, which cannot be separated. Now it is thus to be noted that the remainder, that is, the corporeal element at the bottom, should again be reduced into an oil with a fresh Aquafort through the bath, so that same element is then complete and perfect, which also retains a portion. And the others in the bath separate thus: set them in sand, drive gently, so water goes first, afterwards fire. That is recognized by the colors when the two have remained over. But if it were the element of water and earth, then water goes first, and earth afterwards. But if it were earth and fire, then earth goes first, afterwards fire. And if water, fire, and earth were together, then water goes first, afterwards fire, afterwards earth. Thus the elements may be kept in separate glasses, each in its nature: as from gold a hot and dry one, without all other properties, likewise also a cold and moist, and cold and dry: thus also understand from the others. Thus it is also to be understood that the corrosive nature of the Aquafort should be drawn out of the elements, just as we see de Quinta Essentia concerning the fifth essence.

Concerning the Separation of the Elements from the Marcasites.

Just as we have set forth before de Separatione Elementorũ concerning the separation of the elements in metals, so follows hereafter the separation from the marcasites, and it is thus:

Take one pound of whatever marcasite you wish, bismuth, talc, or cobalt, garnetic, and those which are of the like, and add to it one pound of saltpeter, rub and pound them small together. Afterwards, adurirs burn it in a retort through the alembic, and what water comes over there, keep that; and what remains at the bottom, pound that, and lay it in an Aquafort so that it dissolves into water. Afterwards, pour the collected water to it, and distill it all into oil, as we have recounted concerning the metals. And in that same process, separate the elements from one another. Thus, golden marcasite is to be understood as equal to gold, silvery marcasite equal to silver, bismuth equal to lead, tin-ore equal to copper, talc equal to tin, cobalt equal to iron. Et sic sufficit de Separatione Marcasitarum generum in omnibus And thus it suffices concerning the separation of the types of marcasites in all things.

Concerning the separation of the elements in stones.

Therefore, to be understood concerning the Separationibus separations upon the stone and gem, the same happens in this way:

Take the stone, well rubbed, add to it