IN THIS FIRST VO-

lume are contained.

i These are likely "signature marks," used by early modern bookbinders to ensure the pages were gathered in the correct order.
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1 Propositions or maxims of the Chemical art. original: "Chym[ica]."
2 The Assembly of the Philosophers. original: "Turba philosophorum." A foundational 12th-century Latin text that imagines ancient Greek and pre-Socratic philosophers debating alchemical theory.
3 Allegories on the Assembly.
4 Enigmas from the vision of Arisleus. Arisleus is a recurring figure in alchemical literature; this text describes a metaphorical journey of death and rebirth.
5 Exercises on the Assembly.
6 The Rising Dawn. original: "Aurora consurgens." A famous medieval alchemical treatise known for its rich mystical and biblical metaphors.
7 Rosinus to Bishop Saratanta. "Rosinus" is the Latinized name for Zosimos of Panopolis, a 3rd-century Greco-Egyptian alchemist.
8 The same to Euthicia.
9 The Book of Definitions by the same.
10 The Practice of Mary the Prophetess. Mary the Prophetess, or Maria Hebraea, was a legendary early alchemist credited with inventing the "bain-marie" or water bath.
11 The Book of Secrets of Khalid, son of Yazid. original: "Calidis filij Iazichi." Khalid ibn Yazid was an Umayyad prince believed to be one of the first historical figures to study alchemy.
12 The Book of Three Words.
13 Aristotle on the Philosopher’s Stone. This is a "pseudo-Aristotelian" text—attributed to the great philosopher to lend it authority, though written much later.
14 Avicenna on the Conglutination of the Stone. Avicenna (Ibn Sina) was a Persian polymath. While he wrote about geology, many alchemical texts were falsely attributed to him.
15 An unknown author on the Secrets of the Stone.
16 Merlin’s allegory on the secret of the Stone. The legendary wizard Merlin was often co-opted into alchemical literature as a symbol of ancient wisdom.
17 Rachaidibi on the Matter of the Stone.
18 Avicenna likewise on Alchemy.
19 The Path of Paths. original: "Semita Semitæ."
20 The Sound of the Trumpet. original: "Clangor Buccinæ."
21 The Correction of Fools. A satirical or cautionary title meant to distinguish "true" alchemy from the errors of "puffers" or fraudulent practitioners.
22 An uncertain author on the Chemical art.

Circular stamp of the Wellcome Library.