For by means of water and fire, the Earths will be calcined, untill they have drunk up and retained all their water: or the greatest part: which will be done at the six or seventh reiteration. This done, give it the fire of sublimation, and it will elevate it self a pure earth, clear and Crystalline fastened in the Center. The water hath great proprieties and vertues, but this Earth hath yet more, whereof I will endeavour to speak more at large. There may be also Salt extracted by the dissolutions of its water and glasse, of the Earths that shall remain after the elevation of the said Virgin Earth. For every private thing by its proper humidity doth perform nothing but vitrificatory fusion, saith _Geber_. And there are here three: two volatiles, water, and oil, and the third fix’d and permanent; which is congealed, namely Salt: which beyond all other moistures expects the conflict of fire, saith the said _Geber_. For there is nothing more moist, and more unctuous then Salt, nor that better endures fire: Also all metals are nought else but fusible salts; whereunto they are easily resolved: common Salt melteth also, after it hath been recalcined, and dissolved, three or foure times, whereof wee will speake more plainly in its place. [Sidenote: _Coupelles._ pag. 86. The little ashen pot, wherein goldsmiths melt and fine their metals.] I have here a little extended my self upon Soot, as upon a Subject, where rare secrets appear remarkable; & the same upon charcole, made of stone, and of that vitrification of sky colour, that remains of Iron whereof wee see great heaps in furnaces and forges, and being so dry, yet there may be water, and oil drawn therefrom: wee will yet say the same concerning Soot: Fire burning wood, or other adustible matter, chaseth away the waterish humidity, therein contained, and feeds it selfe with oil, or aereall substance. The terrestriall part, which are the ashes, remaining in the bottom calcined, where the Salt resides, which thereby being separated by the washings, and dissolutions of the water, the remainder is nought but slime, which is drawn away by frequent ablutions, and the Sand remains at the last proper to be vitrified; observe in respect of one of the excrements of fire, which is not contented therewith, but by its impetuosity, and heat tending naturally upwards, carries on high with violence a part of the subtiliated substances. Let us adapt this to the _Coupelles_.