Sometimes there is found a certain earth, or bole, which hath no affinity with tartar, which being mixed with salt of tartar yields a spirit, but very little. But in this furnace may all fixed things be elevated, because the species not being included in it, but dispersed, being cast upon the fire, are from the fire elevated through the aire, and are being refrigerated in the recipients again condensed, which cannot be so well done by a close retort. He therefore that will make the spirit of the salt of tartar, need do nothing else than to call the calcined tartar into the fire, and it will wholly come over in a spirit: but then there are required glass recipients, because those that are earthen cannot retain it. And this is the way whereby most fixed salts are distilled into a spirit by the first furnace. In the second furnace (_viz._ in the furnace of the second Part) it may be done better, and easier, where together with the preparation shall be taught the use thereof. _The spirits, flowers, and salts of Minerals and stones._ By this way spirits may be raised from any mineral or stone, and that without the addition of any other thing: yet so as that the minerals, and stones, as flints, Crystal, talk, _lapis calaminaris_, Marcasite, Antimony, being ground be with an Iron ladle cast upon the coals, and there will arise together with a certain acid spirit, some salt and flowers, which are to be washed off from the recipients, and filtred, and the flowers will remain in _Charta bibula_, or filter for the water together with the spirit, and the salt passeth through the filter, all which may be separated, rectified and be kept by themselves for their proper uses. Now this you must know, that you must choose such minerals which have not been touched by the fire, if you desire to have their spirit. _How minerals, and metals may be reduced into flowers, and of their vertues._ Hitherto the flowers of metals, and minerals have not been in use, excepting the flowers of Antimony, and sulphur, which are easily sublimed: for Chymists have not dared to attempt the sublimation of other metals, and fixed minerals, being content with the solution of them with Aqua fortis, and corrosive waters, precipitating them with the liquor of salt of tartar, and afterward edulcorating, and drying them; and being so prepared they have called them their Flowers: but by Flowers I understand the same matter which is by the help of fire without the addition of any other thing sublimed, and turned into a most subtile pouder, not to be perceived by the teeth or eyes, which indeed is (in my judgment) to be accounted for the true flowers; when as the flowers which others make are more corporeal, and cannot be so well edulcorated, but retain some saltness in them, as may be perceived by the increase of their weight, and therefore hurtful to the eyes, and other parts.