The Second Part of the Mineral Work

For metals were not all created at the beginning of things, but were generated over the passage of time from the bosom of the Elements Fire, Air, Water, Earth. And upon their being created by the Almighty, this command was enjoined upon them, and this power implanted, that they should grant growth to all things by their own powers; for which purpose, one cannot in the least lack the meeting of another. For the Stars, or the Element of Fire, excludes the metallic seed from its own bowels, which the Air carries downwards into the Water, where it adopts for itself a palpable form or body, which the Earth embraces, fosters, nourishes, and increases from form to form until it arrives at a perfect metal.