For Gold, let Salt; for Silver, let Salt-peter be dissolved in the
Water [or _Aqua Fortis_] and let be thereto added as much Oil of
Vitriol as half the Salt as you put. This Water extracteth Gold and
Silver out of the poor Minera’s Sand and Stones, and requireth the same
operation as the precedent ones doe. It is likewise augmented even to
infinity, insomuch, that Gold and Silver may be extracted out of the
poor Mines without Costs, if you except but the fire.
_N. B._ Oil of Sulphur does the same that Oil of Vitriol doth, and
therefore may it serve instead thereof in such Extractions of Gold and
Silver.
44. _Another far easier way of plentifully Extracting Gold and
Silver out of the poor Minera’s or Oars, with very little or in a
manner no Costs at all._
Mix the Oars or Minera’s with their due Waters, and therewithall fill
small Pots or Crucibles made of the best Earth, which put near one
another in a great Iron pot. Put an Alembick upon the Pot, and draw
off the Spirits by distillation, which [Spirits] will requite all thy
disbursements, and will so give thee Gold _Gratis_, which you are to
wash out of the Oars with Water, and get it [or corporifie] by _Saturn_.