The Chemical Writings of Brother Basilius Valentinus: The Treatises of Heinrich Eschenreuter

...held, and have never revealed. Now this must be put together into the previously mentioned vessel, and the vessel must have fire The triangle symbol 🜂 represents the element of Fire (Ignis)., otherwise the internal Matter Materia The physical substance being worked upon in the alchemical process. will smash the vessel with a loud noise; set it in the sand bath The triangle symbol 🜃 represents the element of Earth or a sand bath (arena), used for providing steady, indirect heat. until it begins to froth, and the foam or scum swims on top; then this is a sign that the Matter is beginning to rise, and that it has stood long enough in the air. If this is not fermented and altered through fermentation, it may well strike like exploding gold Aurum fulminans A highly unstable explosive gold compound known to early chemists; the warning refers to the volatile nature of the chemical reaction. during distillation and cause damage. Beware. original: "Cave," a Latin warning for the chemist to take caution.

Now place this in a gentle water bath MB Abbreviation for Mariae Balneum (Bain-marie), a method of gentle heating using hot water. and let it pass over softly and gently; then a dust will settle at the top; the extracted portion must be put back among the dregs Feces original: "Feces," referring to the solid residue or sediment remaining after distillation. until the distilled water The inverted triangle symbol 🜄 represents Water (Aqua). tastes like a sharp vinegar The symbol 🜊 represents Vinegar (Acetum).. Then take fresh sal ammoniac The symbol 🜹 represents Sal Ammoniac (ammonium chloride), a salt used frequently in alchemy to dissolve metals. and pour this vinegar The symbol for Vinegar 🜊. over it to a height of two fingers; then this vinegar The symbol for Vinegar 🜊. dissolves solviret From the Latin solvere, to break down or dissolve into solution. the sal ammoniac The symbol for Sal Ammoniac 🜹. and it becomes a beautiful brownish-red; put it into a glass vessel The symbol represents a retort or similar distillation flask. and draw off the watery part from it, and give it stronger and stronger fire The triangle symbol 🜂 for Fire (Ignis)., so that a blood-