Two Treatises on the Nature of the Elements and the Fifth Essence

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ON THE ELEMENTS (DE ELEMENTIS).

...no difference remains between the oil (oleum) and the flame (flamma). Indeed, the oil becomes the flame, and the flame the oil; and the oil permeates the flame; yet not long after, it is restored by cold (frigor) (the contrary of fire) into the pristine form of the element (elementum), as I stated not long ago. Wherefore, he who will more carefully ruminate upon the nature of the flame will not only notice the reduction (reductio) and restoration (restitutio) of the Elements into their pristine integrity, but also their separation (secretio) from the first matter (materia prima); which itself surpasses all wonder and is most worthy of note. But concerning these things at another time.

CHAPTER IV.

If you have properly weighed and properly understood those things which we have related above, it cannot be but that you perfectly know the cause of Winds (Venti), Thunders (Tonitrua), and Lightnings (Fulgura). Whenever the rays of the Sun (Sol) penetrate and heat the air (aer) and the water (aqua) without obstacles, the air [is changed] into the natu-[...]

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