XLI. A more easy manner as yet by far, of plentifully extracting Gold and Silver out of poor mines, as Sand, White-Clay, and other the like minerals, by fire without fusion.
The mine or mineral Argilla, or White-Clay, &c. containing a volatile and fixed Gold, being rosted or calcined, and broken in pieces in a mill, fill thou a glass gourd therewith fenced with clay, or made of the best earth, half full, and pour so much of the following menstruum on that matter, as that it may be well moistened: but as soon as that menstruum is poured thereon, it presently begins to give a smoak, wherefore it is altogether necessary, that thou presently put a head on the gourd or body, which is to be set in sand, and all the moisture separated by distilling, and that while the distillation is performing the gold may be dissolved, but the solving matter it self is to be collected in a receiver by it self, the which hath the virtues of Aq. Regis, and may be again applyed for use, as shall by and by be shewn.
After that all the humidity is come forth, take the gourd (being cold) out of the sand, and pour some water on the matter that it may become soft, and that a Salt may be extracted from it, wherein the Gold lurketh, which was contained in the mine; coagulate the Lixivium being full of Gold, into a Red-Salt, the which by adding Litharge, is to be melted in such Crucibles which are not broken.
The Litharge draws the Gold unto it out of the Salt, which is to be separated from the Lead, after that manner which shall be shewn in the following Chapters or Treatises.
XLII. The preparation of a Water necessary for the extracting of Gold.
Take of this water of small charges, which thou shalt prepare plentifully without trouble, pour upon mines, and again separate it by distillation, to be again used in new labours, that there may be no need to prepare it again anew, because this doth not onely alwaies remain effectual, but also is increased in every operation: So that thou mayest be able to extract mines and minerals ad infinitum, if so be thou shalt prepare but one pound or pint at the first.
N. B. By this means all Gold how little soever it be, is plentifully extracted out of flints, sand, and any other minerals, without any cost excepting fire.
XLIII. Another water for extracting silver.
Take this water extracteth silver out of the poor mines of silver, sand, and stones; the operation of the same, is like the former one, and its increase is like the increase of the former water, so that after this manner silver may be plentifully extracted out of poor minerals, and no other cost is required besides fire.
N. B. Instead of may be taken since it performs the same thing in extracting, which the other performeth.