first creation of all things.

introduces them into the proper mother, and there digerire digests or ripens through heat and specificire specifies or gives particular form to them, and thus fulfills the office of procreation and multiplication. Therefore, the root of the male faculty is attributed to this sulfur. 3. That it attracts the mercurial part from the Mercury to itself, which is why it is called the magnet, the steel, etc. The special properties of living mercury are:

1. That it contains a more digested and fully disposed mercury. 2. That it receives the effect and Fermentation the process of internal transformation and leavening of the seeds (therefore the female property is attributed to this mercury). 3. That it is transformed with nourishment into the substance of all growing things. And therefore it is called the Menstruum solvent or medium of life of the world.

VI. From these two principles, through the most intimate union of all the properties mentioned above, God has made one, which is called the Mercury of the Sages. It is called Mercury because moisture has the upper hand in it and is more visible. It changes its name, sign, and figure, however, according to the different degrees of Digestion alchemical refinement through heat that it attains. When it comes to the boiling of the salt, it is called Salt, and receives