Cleanse the white of Egges through a spunge, as purely as may bee, then mingle with it the fairest white Talke, or Mother of Pearle, or Mercury coagulated with Tinne, and brought into an Alcool, then grinde them all together on a Marble, so that they become a thick Amalgama, which must bee dryed in the Sunne, or behind a furnace so long, untill it bee like Cheese, or a Liver. Then of this masse make Pearles as big as thou wilt, which hang upon the bristles of a Hog, and being thus boared through, dry them as Amber, and then thou hast finished them. If they are not beautifull enough, anoint them over with the white of an Egge, and dry them again, and they will bee most goodly pearls, in form like the naturall, but not in vertue. In the like manner are Coralls made, with which men endeavour to deceive one the other as with Pearle. The processe is this: [Sidenote: How counterfeit Coralls may be made.] Take Cinnabar, grinde it on a Marble, with the white of an Egge, for the space of an houre, then dry it, as Potters doe their Earth, then make it into what forme thou pleasest: Afterwards dry them as much as may bee, and noint them over with the white of an Egge, as thou didst Pearle, and dry them by themselves again. So thou shalt have Corall like to the naturall in form, but not in vertue. [Sidenote: A Golden or Silver varnish.] Thou must also know, That the white of an Egge may bee of it selfe coagulated into most cleer Vernish, in the coagulation of which Silver, or Gold may bee strewed. There are also many other, and various Transmutations of Naturall things: Whereof those which I know, and have had experience of, I will by the way set down, and briefly declare to you. [Sidenote: How wood is made a stone.] And first of all know, That any Wood, if it bee put for a certaine time into the water of Salt Gemme, is turned with much admiration into a Stone. [Sidenote: Coales of stones.] Also Stones in the Ætnean fire are transmuted into Coales, which are called stony Coals. [Sidenote: Glew of skins.] Also Glew is boiled out of Skinnes. [Sidenote: Paper of Linnen-cloath.] Of Linnen cloth is made Paper. [Sidenote: Silke of Flax.] Of Flax boiled in sharp Lie made of the Ashes of Wood is Silke made. [Sidenote: Feathers may bee Spun.] Also the feathery parts pulled off from quills, and boiled in that Lie, may bee spun, and weaved like Cotton. Any Oyle or Spermatick mucilage may bee coagulated into Vernish. Any Liquor into Gumme, &c. All these are Transmutations of Naturall things, of which Science wee have spoken enough, and there wee shall here make an end. [Illustration: *decorative divider*] OF THE NATVRE Of Things. _THE EIGHTH BOOK._ _Of the Separation of Naturall things._ [Sidenote: The Chaos the Matter of the World.] In the Creation of the world, the first separation began from the foure Elements, seeing the first matter of the world was one Chaos.