76 
MESSRS. H. E. STAPLETON AND R. F. AZO ON 
the desired operations are to be found in the Books on Weights that form part of 
the Sirru-l-Maknun. He also states that only a prophet could have discovered the 
operation he is describing, and that the members of the family of the Prophet have 
handed down this knowledge to each other. After mentioning Sal-ammoniac and 
Camphor as ‘ Spirits/ the extract ends: “ Alchemists prefer the salt of alkali to all 
other salts for purifying the ‘ Spirits/ since this salt purifies but does not fall in love 
with them. The ‘Spirits’ alone are desired ” (etc., benedictions). 
A disconnected prescription of 4 lines (apparently to fill up the remaining lines 
of the page) occurs after this. 
XVI. An alchemical Treatise by Ibn Sina, the well-known philosopher, for his 
master Al-Barqi (Folio 99 r., top, to f. 100 r., bottom). 
The object of the treatise, and the circumstances under which it was written, 
are explained in the Title and Introduction. 
“ This is the treatise of the most excellent of the Moderns, Ash- Shaikh 
Ar-Ra’is Abu ‘All Al-Husain ibn ‘Abdillah ibn Sina Al-Bukharl — 
May God give peace to his tomb and sanctify his spirit ! 
For the Imam Abu ‘Abdillah Al-Barqi — May God have mercy on him ! 
On the Sublime Art. 
“In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate! Vouchsafe Thy aid, 
0 Gracious One ! 
“May God incline thee to pious deeds, guide thee into the paths of righteousness, 
and protect thee from being led astray by the spirits of Evil, both in affairs of the 
world, and in matters of religion ! 
“You have asked — May you never cease to investigate the truth of things ! — that 
1 should explain to you the truth regarding the Elixir made from Yellow Sulphur. I 
have therefore answered as one who has your pleasure at heart, and who is ever 
zealous to comply with your desires. 
“To begin. The chief aim of the process is to extract the Red Tincture from the 
Yellow Sulphur by strong water. After separating it from that water, you treat the 
Tincture in such a way that it shall not become corrupt and burnt. The Residue in 
a similar manner should be whitened to the highest degree, so that it may melt 
without combustion. Next you calcine the Gold or the Copper — but preferably 
Gold — and separately dissolve the reddened Mercury and the whitened Sulphur. 
Finally you compound the Tincture with the dissolved Mercury, and having mixed 
together all these dissolved substances, you coagulate them. The product is an 
Elixir, which imparts the properties of Gold, colouring and conferring density, while 
it is recovered (unchanged) when the work is accomplished.’’ 
Brief accounts of the following 12 operations are then given : — 
1 The preparation of a certain Water which is employed in the Art. 1 
2. The preparation of a certain Water called Z adu-r-Ra gh wah: 1 
I A solution of .Sodium Hydrate. 
2 A solution of Calcium Polysulphide. 
