GEBER THE ARAB,

A MOST SKILFUL PHILOSOPHER, AND MOST EXPERT IN NATURAL THINGS (ESPECIALLY METALLIC ONES), A LITTLE BOOK ON ALCHEMY, WHICH HE TITLED:

On the Investigation of Perfection. Translator uncertain.

PREFACE, IN WHICH HE EXPLAINS WHY HE WROTE THIS BOOK. Chapter I.

I shall hand over to you the investigation of this most noble science, which has emerged from continuous and frequent diligence in the work, from excessive study comparable to this, and also from our most profound thoughts and various related matters: so that the subsequent volumes may be better and more clearly understood by you, and so that once understood, and once the things designed and researched regarding them are grasped, they may be brought to completion more easily and promptly. And because it is one thing to investigate the reason for the art, and another to attempt and test the subtleties and inventions of these things: until, by working, researching, and experimenting, one arrives at the intended completion. Therefore, in this book of ours, we have written down whatever we have investigated through the aforementioned means, according to the reason of our own mind, I say, the things that perfect the art. Let no one think, however, that we composed this investigation before our book which is titled Summa perfectionis magisterii Sum of the Perfection of the Mastery: in which we completely determined whatever we saw and touched, according to the order of the science, and according to the experience and certain knowledge which we noted through our own research into natural and mineral effects, and the various transforming things appearing in the work. And we have endeavored to clarify our science, which was composed first, with this investigation