NB. If any one be desirous of more excellent benefits, let him dissolve, in that edulcoratory water, (B.) or (C.) and in the Lixivium (let him dissolve) (D.) then mix both Solutions: When the fermentation is over, he will have double the quantity of Nitre, than what he would otherwise have from the bare mixtion of the contraries together, and pouring them on the Arch; the reason of which thing is this; because (E.) is nothing else inwardly but Nitre, but it cannot come forth to light before the body be broken, and till that salt which sticks (or lies hid) within, be wholly freed (of its bonds) whereby it may be turned, together with the Corrosive Spirit into Nitre.
The like is to be understood of (F.) because even that also is broken (as I may say) to pieces by the Lee of the wood-ashes, and so the Salt that lies hid within, and which is nothing else but Nitre, shews it self to sight, and passeth with the other Salt of the Lixivium into Nitre.
Certainly this labour, viz. the mortification of the edulcorating water by a Lee of wood-ashes, and the concentration of Nitre, upon the Arches made of lime or mud, is an egregious invention; nor do I think that this business can be better managed any kind of way, than by what hath been here shewn, especially if the Species, here notified, be also thereto adhibited (or made use of) (I know not I say, any way) by which greater plenty of Nitre may be gathered; for the coagulation cannot be done in a Copper or Iron pan, because not only the Pan would be corroded and wasted, but the Nitre would be rendred impure. But if now the operation be instituted aright, we shall get more Niter than indeed is requisite for the extracting ☉ and ☽ out of the Metals; so that we may get us ☉ and ☽ without any costs: which invention verily is a most noble one even in all parts of the World, and a most high gift of God: for which, we have good reason above all things to render Him deserved thanks, and next Him, to those who open such a Noble and Unheard-of Invention, and which is so profitable to all Men.
But this Invention will be especially profitable in those places of the World, where Aqua-fortis is much used, and is presently after the first using thereof, thrown away as unprofitable, as it usually happens in the Mint houses, where abundance of ☽ and ☉ is separated in great quantity, and consequently abundance of Aqua-fortis consumed, so that by the benefit of this invention of mine, we might get much every year; but most of all in those places where are found such Stones and Sand which are endued with Gold, but yet will not yield any by the help of the usual melting.
Besides too, this invention is exceeding profitable for such kind of Metals of ☉ and ☽, that have not as yet gotten their due ripeness or fixity, and so fly away in the melting, and yield either none at all, or at best but very little of Gold. For the common melting fire forceth away the Volatile Gold, and ☽ that resides in the Metals (or Ores) which is not at all so here, for all (of it) is made fixt by the Aqua-fortis, and preserved.
I do believe that there is not a place to be found, where such kind of Stones, Sand, or Clay may not be gathered, as hold in them Gold and ☽, either fixt or Volatile, and which may be extracted thencefrom most easily, and with exceeding profit according to the way aforespoken of.
But, for as much as there are many, who pretend that such like Stones, Sand, Clay, and Minerals as have Gold in them, are no where to be found, and that consequently this invention of mine is altogether in vain: To such as these I thus apply, viz. That such like Subjects are therefore unknown, because few there are that seek after them, or are willing to experience ought, but remain contented with such things only as the Ancients have taught, and perswaded themselves that ☉ and ☽ cannot be separated out of the Metals, but only by the force of fire, where as notwithstanding the operation may be far easilier, and more profitably instituted, according to the method by me prescribed, but especially in those Metals (or Ores) of ☉ and ☽, which either require too much expence for their melting, or are as yet unripe and volatile, and so fly away in the melting; for a great quantity of ☉ and ☽ may be extracted with a little quantity of Aqua-fortis; yea the extraction being duly made, and to the best profit, there may be thereof made Salt-petre; so that such an extraction of ☉ and ☽ requires but very little costs.
If any one desires an easier way of extracting ☉ let him use Spirit of Salt prepared after the manner by me delivered, which said Spirit he may fortify by adding a fourth part of Salt-petre, which very same (when the Extraction is finisht) may be reduced into Salt-petre, like as we have said of Aqua-fortis that hath been already used.
NB. An easier operation yet then all these, is this, which may be performed the dry way.
Take the Metal, Stones, or Mineral, reduce them into powder, mix them with the Salt (G) and make them with clay into Balls about the bigness of a little Head. Make these balls red hot, and by this means the Salt will dissolve the Sol in the Fire, and attract it out of the Metals. This done, grind the Balls or Pellets, and extract thencefrom in a large Pot or Vessel a Lixivium with boiling hot water, for the Salt which hath attracted the ☉ in the Cementation, mixeth it self with the Water: Out of this Salt-water mayest thou afterwards catch the ☉ by the help of a Solution of ♄, added for the precipitation; now out of the Salt it self mayest thou make excellent Salt-petre. So that you may most easily extract out of the Earth both fixt and volatile ☉ and ☽ without any melting it. Nay not only ☽ and ☉ but even Copper too, whether we proceed the dry way or the moist way: For we may extract good Sol out of the scoria of Sol and Luna and Venus which are cast away, yea and out of Mars it self too, and by the afore-shown way.