The Triumphal Chariot of Antimony. 135 



fools suppose that all is easy, because 

 they do not understand it but my true 

 disciples will in course of time, and by 

 dint of steady thought, apprehend my 

 meaning. 



Another extract is obtained by 

 means of caustic water in the following 

 manner : Take equal parts of vitriol and 

 of common salt ; from these distil a water 

 through the side.* The product, after 

 violent heat, is a substance like melted 

 butter, or olive oil. Reserve it for use. 

 Pulverize the caput mortuum very finely, 

 dissolve in water, strain through paper ; 

 take Hungarian Antimony, pulverize 

 finely, place in broad-bottomed cucurbit, 

 add to it water, and subject to heat. 

 After remaining there for a certain time, 

 it becomes like an amethyst, of a dark 

 violet ; increase the heat of the fire till 



* I will tell you how to do this, in order to avoid burst- 

 ing your vessels, during the distillation of the spirits of 

 metals. Put the substance into an earthen retort A, through 

 opening B, but gradually ; close up the opening ; the spirits 

 then pass into recipient C, thence through D into recipient 

 E, and thence again into receiver F ; the grosser spirits (G) 

 remain at the bottom of receiver C, the more subtle spirits 

 settle at the bottom of receiver F. See page 136. 



