The First Part of the Mineral Work

A most useful process for the separation of gold from flints, sand, clay, red and black talc, and other fossils containing very subtle, rare, and spongy gold, which cannot otherwise be separated either because of its scarcity, or the reluctance of the ore due to the costs incurred; indeed most easily with the spirit of salt.

Know first, benevolent Reader, that not every sand, clay, nor every flint, and other fossils possess gold, but only some of them, knowledge of which must be had, without which this secret is worth nothing. And because knowledge of these is most necessary to the artist, I will show how they are to be tested whether they contain gold or not, so that one does not labor in vain, losing oil and effort, but with profit and benefit.

The wonder of human madness in seeking uncertain things, while neglecting the certain ones exposed to the eyes of all. For many seeking the perfection of metals for the sake of riches are occupied with uncertain matters, because from thousands, scarcely one can reach the desired goal. Even though imperfect and impure metals can be perfected and purified, so that good gold and silver can be elicited from them, that art is given to few, nor are all and singular apt to perform it, because it requires an ingenious and practiced artist. The thing