Also metallick bodies are transmuted by another means, namely by the benefit of a tinging metallick spirit, as one may see in _aurum fulminans_, sometimes kindled upon a smooth clean metallick plate, fixing a very deep golden tincture upon the plate, so that it may bear the Touch-stone. The same also happens in the moist way, where plated metals put into a gradatory spirit made of Nitre, and certain minerals, being pierc’t by the spirit, obtain another kind agreeing to the spirit. But if one doubt of the metallick gradation, made with _aurum fulminans_; he may try the certainty from the often fireing of fresh _aurum fulminans_, upon the same plate; for he shall see that it is not the colour of the metal, and outwardly gilded, but deeply tinged. Likewise one may try the certainty by a humid spirit, if the transformed metals are tryed, whence the mutual action and passion of subtilized spirits plainly appears, for the power of spirits is very great, and incredible to one not exercised; and this gradation of inferiour metals, Philosophers both ancient and modern, doe not only confirm, but also diggers of minerals taught by experience, that mineral vapours by penetration change courser into purer metals, _Lazarus Ercker_ being witness, that iron is changed into a good natural copper in green salt waters, & that he saw a pit, in which iron nailes and other things cast in, by the penetration of a cupreous spirit were turned into a good copper. I do not deny that metallick dissolutions of some metals do stick precipitated to the plates, and to make them of a golden, silver, or cupreous colour; for it is well known, that iron cast into a vitriol water not to be turned into copper, but to draw copper out of the water, of which thing we treat not here, confirming the possibility of metallick transmutations by a tinging and piercing spirit; therefore I again maintain that great power is in metallick spirits; look only upon course and opake earth, and besides that clear and limpid water with which the clearer and more powerful air proceeding from the water cometh from the earth. Are not whole Countries drownded with water, sometimes Towns and Cities taken away? Cannot the air destroy the strongest Houses; especially shut up in the Earth, shake the Land for some miles, and afterward demolish whole Cities and Mountains with the death of Men? all which things are done naturally. Wind artificially raised by Nitre threatens a far greater danger, which no man can deny. Although that corporeal Elements exercise so great power, yet they cannot pierce metals without hurt, nor stones and glass, and things soon penetrated by fire. Therefore not by an occult but a manifest power of Sun and Fire, which it hath over metals, stones and glass, which are easily pierc’t by them without any impediment: and why should not metals compact of a certain metallick subtile and piercing spirit be penetrated by help of fire, and changed