VI 



THE FIXATION OF MERCURY 



HIS is really one of the processes supposed to 

 be involved in the transmutation of the metals 

 and might, therefore, perhaps, with propriety, be 

 included under that head. But as it has received 

 special attention in the apocryphal works of Hermes Tris- 

 megistus, who is generally regarded as the Father of Al- 

 chemy, it is frequently mentioned as one of the old scientific 

 problems. Readers of Scott's novel, " Kenilworth," may 

 remember that Wayland Smith, in his account of his former 

 master, Demetrius Doboobius, describes him as a profound 

 chemist who had " made several efforts to fix mercury, and 

 judged himself to have made a fair hit at the philosopher's 

 stone." Hermes, or, rather, those who wrote over his 

 name, speaks in the jargon of the adepts, about " catching 

 the flying bird," by which is meant mercury, and " drown- 

 ing it so that it may fly no more." The usual means for 

 effecting this was amalgamation with gold, or some other 

 metal or solution in some acid. 



To the ancient chemists mercury must have been one of 

 the most interesting of objects. Its great heaviness, its 

 metallic brilliancy, and its wonderful mobility, must all have 

 combined to render it a subject for deep thought and an 

 attractive object for experiment and investigation. 



Living in a warm climate, as they did, there was no 

 means at their command by which its fluidity could be im- 

 paired. This subtle substance seemed to defy the usual 



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