656 Notice of the Ajaibal-Mukhlukat [No. 152. 



the power of growth ; and bodies not having the power of growth. Ani- 

 mals and vegetables form the first class, and minerals the latter. Ve- 

 getables again are distinguished from animals by wanting the powers of 

 motion and sensation : but all three are linked together by wonderful 

 and insensible gradations. 



Minerals, (Fi-al-Madaniat, t ■• ,Li «x*J|J>«) are divided into three 



classes ; viz. ores or metals, stones and oily- minerals. 

 Minerals were created before vegetables and animals. 



1st Class — Metals, (Filizzan, ^JvAS) 



Metals are seven in number, viz. : — 



1. Gold. — The particles of which are so close, that they cannot be 

 separated by fire. 



2. Silver. — Allied to gold, but checked in its progress by cold, and 

 convertible into dust by fire. 



3. Copper. — Allied to silver, but red, owing to the heat of its sulphur. 



4. Iron. — Its blackness is owing to the heat of its sulphur. It is 

 the most useful of metals. 



5. Tin. — Rub tin with salt and oil till the latter is black. This pre- 

 vents swords from rusting when rubbed on the blades. 



6. Lead. — Its properties the of gold, and breaking into frag- 

 ments. 



7. Zinc. — JU^As Khar-sini, from China. 



All the metals are supposed to be combinations of sulphur and quick- 

 silver in different proportions, acted upon by a force or stimulus, called 

 mineral heat, (Hararat-i-madan, ^^juoCIjJj^) electricity. The author 

 treats of their medicinal virtues. 



2d Class — Stones, (Al-Ahujar, Lr^-JIn 



Transparent stones are supposed to be formed from rain drops, and 

 opaque stones from water and earth, acted on by the sun and the Ha- 

 rarat-i-madan. Their colours depend on the matrix, or on the planets. 

 Black is ascribed to Saturn ; green to Jupiter ; red to Mars ; yellow to 

 the Sun ; blue to Venus ; variegated, Mercury ; white to the Moon. 



