So by the star of Silver all White Metalls are changed into Silver: by the star of Copper into Copper: by the star of Quicksilver into Mercury of the body; and so of the rest. But now how all these stars are prepared according to the Spagiricall Art, it is not our purpose at this time to declare: but the explication of them belongs to our bookes of the Transmutation of Metalls. [Sidenote: The nature of the red Tincture.] But as for that which concerns their signes, I would have you know, that our Red tincture, which contains the stars of Gold to bee of a most fixt substance, of most quick penetration, and of a most intense redness, in powder resembling the colour of Saffron, but in its whole body the colour of a Rubie; I say it is a Tincture as fluxil as Wax, as transparent as Crystall, as brittle as Glasse, and for weight most heavy. [Sidenote: The nature of the white.] The white tincture, which containes the star of the Moon is after the same manner of a fixt substance, of an unchangeable quantity, of wonderfull whitenesse, as fluid as Resine, as transparent as Crystall, as brittle as Glasse, and for weight like to a Diamond. [Sidenote: The star of Copper.] The star of Copper is of a wonderfull citrine colour, like to an Emrald, as fluxill as Resine, much heavier then its Metall. [Sidenote: The star of white Tin.] The starre of white Tinne is as fluid as Resine, of a darke colour with some mixture of yellow. [Sidenote: The star of Iron.] The star of Iron is very red, as transparent as a Granate, as fluxil as Resine, as brittle as Glasse, of a fixt substance, much heavier then its Metall. [Sidenote: The star of Lead.] The star of Lead is like Cobaltum, black, yet transparent, as fluxile as Resine, as brittle as Glasse, equall to Gold for weight, heavier then other Lead. [Sidenote: The star of Quicksilver.] The star of Quicksilver is of a wonderfull white, sparkling colour, like to snow, in the extreamest cold weather, very subtile, of a penetrating, corrosive acrimony, as transparent as Crystall, flowing as easily as Resine, very cold to the tast, but very hot within, as if it were fire, but of a very volatil substance in the fire. By this description the stars of the Metalls are to be known, and understood. Also you must understand, that for the preparation of both tinctures, _viz._ of the Red and White, you must not in the beginning take of your work the body of Gold, or Silver, but the first being of Gold, and Silver. For if in the beginning there be an errour committed all your pains, and labour will be in vain. So also you must understand of Metalls, that every one of them receives a peculiar signe in the fire, by which it is known. Of this kind are sparks, flames, glisterings, the colour, smell, taste of fire, &c. So the true signe of Gold, or Silver in the test is glistering. That appearing, it is certain that Lead, and other Metalls that were mixed are fumed away, and that the Gold, and Silver is fully purged.