40 The Triumphal Chariot of A ntimony. 



in the first place, become acquainted with 

 the manner of its solution, so that he 

 may be able to seize it in the right place, 

 and proceed in the right way, without 

 entering into devious paths. In the 

 second place, he should learn how to 

 regulate the fire, so that it shall be 

 neither too fierce nor too feeble. Fire 

 is the root of the whole matter. By 

 means of fire the vitalizing spirits are 

 extracted and dissolved for the purposes 

 of our operation. But care must be 

 taken not to mortify and destroy the 

 spirit by means of too much heat. 



The third point for consideration is 

 the proportion of the substance, the dis- 

 covery of the proper measure, as I have 

 already noted, when enumerating the 

 five points which are requisite in Al- 

 chemy. It is necessary to enlarge 

 further upon this matter. 



The substance is prepared by means 

 of dissolution ; it is perfected by means 

 of coction in fire. This is the axe that 

 kills the ox, and divides it into parts. 

 But men cannot partake of the flesh till 



