Diotimos Library · Esotericism & Spirituality Collection · Bilingual Edition
Nine Books on the Nature of Things
A fresh translation from the early Latin text with annotations and study apparatus
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English Page · Branch 341 of 642
Book 7 · Transmutations · Passage 16
Source reference
- Latin witness
- 1605 p. 234
Latin
Sunt autem aliae transmutationes imperfectiorum & impurtorum metallorum, ut transmutatio ♂ in ♀, quae variis modis fieri potest, primum si limatura ferri in aqua vitrioli coquatur, aut laminae ferreae cum vitriolo calcinato cemententur: tertio si candentes laminae ferreae oleo vitrioli extinguantur. His tribus viis ferrum in optimum & naturale ponderosumque cuprum transmutatur, quod quidem optime fluit, & suum pondus habet tam bene ac ullum nativum cuprum. Potest quoque limatura ferri quasi in plumbum reduci & transmutari, ita ut prorsus mollescat, ut nativum plumbum, sed non facile fluit, nempe ita: Recipe limaturae ♂ & tantundem optimi pulveris liquefactitii, misceantur, ponantur in tigillo & in furno venti, fiat ignis fortis talis, tamen ne ♂ fluat, sed quasi in cemento stet integram horam: postea fortifica ignem strenue, ut candescat & fluat: denique tigillum per se frigefieri sinito, & invenies regulum plumbi in tigillo, mollem & ductilem, ut nativum plumbum esse potest.
English
There are other transmutations of the less perfect and impure metals, such as Iron into Copper. This can occur in various ways: first, by boiling iron filings in water of vitriol; second, by cementing iron plates with calcined vitriol; third, by quenching glowing iron plates in oil of vitriol. By these three ways iron is transmuted into the best natural and heavy copper, which melts very well and has its proper weight as well as any native copper. Iron filings can also be reduced and transmuted as though into lead, becoming entirely soft like native lead, though not readily fusible. Take Iron filings and an equal quantity of the best fluxing powder, mix them and place them in a crucible in a wind furnace. Apply a strong fire, yet do not melt the Iron; let it remain as though in cement for a whole hour. Then vigorously strengthen the fire until it glows and melts. Finally allow the crucible to cool by itself: you will find a regulus of lead, as soft and ductile as native lead can be.
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Reading Nine Books on the Nature of Things · Book 7 · Transmutations · Book 7 · Transmutations · Passage 16
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The complete supplied Latin–English edition of the historical title, dedication and all nine books, with 363 separately labelled historical marginal notes, 117 modern annotations and the complete Diotimos study apparatus. The transmitted composite work is traditionally attributed to Paracelsus; individual authorship remains qualified.
Historical Text and Translation
The normalized Latin follows the complete 1605 Frankfurt Palthenian witness, volume six, printed pages 198–271, in SUB Göttingen PPN578052199, historical scans 182–255. Earlier textual tradition is German; the individual translator of the 1605 Latin text is not identified. The dedication’s 1537 date is transmitted text, not an established date for the composite work.
About Diotimos Editions
This historical edition credits Diotimos Editions as its English translator.
Rights
The historical Latin text is in the public domain. The fresh English translation and editorial material were prepared with AI assistance for Diotimos Editions in 2026 and are published with the site owner’s authorization.