89 
word is identical with ^r}piov, as the writers of the 
Alexandrine school called the philosopher’s stone, ^ while the 
same name was employed by the physicians for a healing 
powder, used for sprinkling over wounds, i.e., Si desiccative 
powder (from ^rjpog, dry).*[- 
Now the correlate to dry is moist or liquid, 
from this is derived yu/itia, a moist substance corresponding 
to Xi^eia, a material formed of or Kcpajusta, the 
occupation with Kipajiog. 
Ibn Khaldun, who lived in the 14th century, says that 
from the philosopher’s stone a liquid or a powder might be 
prepared called ihsir, which, when thrown on molten copper 
converted it into silver, and molten silver into gold. In 
opposition to its etymology the word is here used for a 
liquid, because at that time Idmiyd no longer meant the 
transmuting substance, but the science of transmutation, 
and explains why to-day we may understand by elixir a 
liquid. 
We also find that the philosopher’s stone is often called 
the red tincture, from tinguo, to moisten. 
It appears, therefore, very probable that the name of our 
science is derived from xvfxog, and the proper spelling would 
therefore be Chymistry, as the “ Times ” newspaper for 
a long time insisted upon. As however this derivation has 
not yet been proved quite satisfactorily, the time-honoured 
term Chemistry will remain in use, and I think be retained 
even if it should be shown that was the original 
spelling. 
* Kopp, loc. cit. 209. 
t Zosimus calls tlie substance by which copper is tinged yellow or 
converted into brass : ro ^ovSlas ^^ptov, a powder prepared by means 
of tutia ; now tutia (zinc oxide) is still to-day used in medicine as a 
desiccative. 
