_Of the naturall principles, and procreation of Minerals._
Secondly, I will perfectly declare the naturall principles &
procreations of Minerals: where first it is to be noted, that the
naturall principles in the mynes, are _Argent-uiue_, and _Sulphur_.
All mettals and minerals, whereof there be sundrie and diuers kinds,
are begotten of these two: but I must tel you, that nature alwaies
intendeth and striueth to the perfection of Gold: but many accidents
comming between, change the mettalls, as it is euidently to be seene
in diuers of the Philosophers bookes. For according to the puritie
and impuritie of the two aforesaide principles, _Argent-uiue_, and
_Sulphur_, pure, and impure mettals are ingẽdred: to wit, Gold, Siluer,
Steele, Leade, Copper, and Iron: of whose nature, that is to say,
puritie, and impuritie, or vncleane superfluitie and defect, giue eare
to that which followeth.
_Of the nature of Golde._
Gold is a perfect body, engendred of _Argent-uiue_ pure, fixed, cleare,
red, and of _Sulphur_ cleane, fixed, red, not burning, and it wanteth
nothing.
_Of the nature of Siluer._
Siluer is a body, cleane, pure, and almost perfect, begotten of
_Argent-uiue_, pure, almost fixed, cleare, and white, & of such a like
_Sulphur_: It wanteth nothing, saue a little fixation, colour, and
weight.
_Of the nature of Steele._
Steele is a body cleane, imperfect, engendred of Argent-uine pure,
fixed & not fixed cleare, white outwardly, but red inwardly, and of the
like Sulphur. It wanteth onely decoction or digestion.
_Of the nature of Leade._
Leade is an vncleane and imperfect bodie, engendred of Argent-uiue
impure, not fixed, earthy, drossie, somewhat white outwardly, and red
inwardly, and of such a Sulphur in part burning. It wanteth puritie,
fixation, colour, and fiering.
_Of the nature of Copper._
Copper is an vncleane and imperfect bodie, engendred of Argent-uiue,
impure, not fixed, earthy, burning, red not cleare, and of the like
Sulphur. It wanteth purity, fixation, and weight: and hath too much of
an impure colour, and earthinesse not burning.
_Of the nature of Iron._
Iron is an vnclean and imperfect body, engendred of Argent-uiue impure,
too much fixed, earthy, burning, white and red not cleare, and of the
like Sulphur: It wanteth fusion, puritie, and weight: It hath too much
fixed vncleane Sulphur, and burning earthinesse. That which hath bene
spoken, euerie Alchimist must diligently obserue.