The Summary of Physics Restored

155Minerals are believed simply to exist rather than to live, although metals, the foremost among minerals, may in some measure be called endowed with life. One reason is that in their generation there occurs a kind of intercourse and mingling of two seeds, male and female—sulphur and mercury. Revolved through long and manifold circulation, purified, seasoned and fermented with Nature’s salt, and perfectly mixed in the subtlest vapour, those two are formed into mud and a soft mass, while the spirit of sulphur gradually congeals mercury. That mass at last solidifies and is strengthened into a metallic body.