Spagyric Anatomy of Mercury

highly necessary for a medical philosopher to know and understand concerning the first origin or mode of generation of this mineral, as well as its nature, quality, powers, and use. I have striven to do this for no other end than to accommodate, in some part, those who are carried and swept away by a singular study or ardor of mind toward the most pleasant contemplation of natural things, and especially toward the knowledge of minerals or metals and the diligent investigation of their nature. Furthermore, I aimed to inflame and excite, by the publication of this writing, other philosophers and physicians, as many as there are, who are excellent in Erudition, Virtue, and Authority throughout Europe, toward a further, closer, and more exquisite investigation and scrutiny of this nature of so wonderful a metal, and toward adding more, perfecting with greater file and care, and more lucidly declaring the rest, which, by us here, were either entirely omitted and passed over, or not polished with sufficiently filed judgment, or were said less accommodatingly and congruently.