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The essay presents experimental observations and theoretical reflections on mercury's role in the generation and transformation of metals, outlining alchemical claims that metals develop within mineral matrices and are nurtured by a metallic seed. It explores the idea that a common mercurial substance together with a sulphureous principle yields distinct metals, considers the difficulty of purifying mercury from adhering impurities, and offers practical laboratory guidance such as enclosing reacting matter in glass vessels and applying gentle, sustained heat. It also discusses why alchemical writings appear obscure and emphasizes empirical work and careful purification as the basis for their assertions.
I put thirteen Grains of this last fix’d Powder (VIII.) into a Crucible, and set it over an open Fire before the Bellows: I increas’d the Heat of the Fire, by blowing till the whole Crucible was red hot: I kept it so for a Quarter of an Hour. The Powder remain’d fix’d in the Bottom, but swell’d up like a Spunge, and of a dark Colour. From hence I learn’d that this Powder had acquired a considerable Degree of Fixedness by Fire alone.