De alchimia opuscula complura veterum philosophorum, quorum catalogum sequens pagella indicabit

ables, or it is nearly similar to some malleables. And therefore, because of the concordance in some way of them in generation, sulfur is mixed with Mercury, and one alters the other in nature. Wherefore every metallic body is known to possess sulfur expressly within itself; when it melts with the heat of fire, Mercury and sulfur appear there, Mercury in substance, sulfur in color, and in the red skin floating above. Thus, it is proper to one that it be the adherence of the other, since one cannot be generated into metal without the other. And insofar as sulfur is more simple, so much the more it rejoices and coheres to simple and clean Mercury, and is more strongly joined with the other, and thus more perfect metals are then generated from them.

Question.

Since the philosopher speaks generally that sulfur coagulates, it must be said that it does not. Because all common sulfur, according to the philosopher, is extraneous and contrary to metals. Avicenna: That which is not born from it does not enter into the magisterium the Great Work. Because it always infects, blackens, and corrupts, in whatever way it is prepared by artifice. For it is itself an infected fire, therefore it hinders fusion. But if it is calcined, it returns to an earthy substance, like dead dust. In what way, then, can it inspire life into others? For it has a twofold superfluity, namely an inflammable substance and earthy filth.