PART ONE

passing into the bowl placed beneath. And because for the most part, in that first time, some powder also passes along with the spirit, you must pour that spirit onto the flints so many times until, after the obstruction is made, the spirit passes through clear. Afterward, pour this spirit also onto the flints contained in the second funnel, then onto the flints contained in the third funnel, and so consequently, until it has been percolated through the flints of each funnel; or pour it on so many times until it has been sufficiently colored. This you must afterward preserve until you have obtained a sufficient quantity required for distillation by a retort for the separation of the spirit from the gold. Then, to that spirit first percolated through the flints of each funnel in order and colored, pour fresh spirit onto the flints of each of the funnels, according to the order, namely, beginning from the first until you have reached the last, until it has been sufficiently colored. Which done, pour fresh spirit of salt again onto the flints (according to order) contained in each of the funnels. And when you see that the transcolated spirit is not tinged, it is a sign that all the gold has been extracted before. Therefore, do not pour any more spirit, but common water, for the sake of transcolation, and the water will attract the residue of the spirit of salt adhering to the flints so that nothing is lost; which water also preserve separately, slightly acidic, for the same and similar uses. Which also being finished, remove the extracted flints and refill each funnel with fresh ones as before, for the sake of extraction,