If it be not known, whether the Adept means a Mineral (Acid) or Vegetable Menstruum, it must be enquired by the Particulars following:
First, Whether that Menstruum dissolves Bodies with force or heat, for them it must be Mineral, this Sign betraying the acidity of Minerals Salts: because Vegetable Menstruums dissolve Bodies always sweetly, and slowly.
Secondly, Whether the dissolution digested for a time be converted into a Black Colour, or Black Powder swimming upon the Menstruum, for that signifies a Vegetable Menstruum, because the dissolutions of Mineral Menstruums do contain Bodies twice dissolved, once with the Spirit of Philosophical Wine, wherewith they become Black, then with the corrosive or acid Spirit of Salts: Therefore the Black Powder and Colour are Signs of a Vegetable dissolution, whereto is added a Milky Opacity, common indeed to both Menstruums, for all weak or weakened Menstruums, containing as it were their aridity less dissolved and precipitated, as also Vegetable dissolutions longer digested after blackness, do become Opacous, and Milky, and so continue, till they are made diaphanous and most clear, by drawing of the Phlegm, the acid part, or the Spirit of Philosophical Wine being better concentrated: yet these three Signs we never observe in the use of the Mineral Menstruums.
Thirdly, Whether the Adepts admonish the Operator to beware of air or fume in Operation, or Poyson in the use of the thing already prepared; for that is a Sign that his Menstruum is, or was Mineral, because Poysons derive themselves Originally from acidity, for Pearls and Corals, yea Gold and all other Arids, though otherwise most Innocent, do, by being prepared with a Mineral Menstruum, become the worst of Poysons.
Lastly, If you see Mineral Bodies distinguished into two Oyls, swimming distinctly and severally upon the Menstruums, say, that also was a Mineral Menstruum, because this cannot be done by any Vegetable Menstruum, though never so strong.
2. If it be not known, whether either for a simple or compounded Vegetable Menstruum is to be taken, we observe the things following as to the use of them:
First, If in the dissolution of a Metallick or Mineral Body, a White Body or some residue be left, then may ye know it to be a simple Vegetable Menstruum, because it extracts only the Tinctures or Essences of things, dissolving the Oleosity, but not the Aridity of things, on the contrary Vegetable Menstruums compounded, as also Mineral Menstruums, which are stronger than the Simple, do dissolve the whole Body, not leaving any Fæces.
Secondly, If the whole Body of a thing dissolved be turned into Oyl, swimming upon the Menstruum, that was a Vegetable Menstruum compounded, for that only is able to do this: The simple Vegetable Menstruums are not strong enough, but Mineral Menstruums are too strong; those therefore dissolve not the whole Body, but these dissolve not only the whole Body, but reduce it, being dissolved into Oyl, not one only, but twofold: So the Temperatum of Paracelsus, (a Menstruum otherwise sufficiently unknown) is by use known, to be the Circulatum majus, or a Vegetable Menstruum compounded, because be reduceth Metals by it into a swimming Oyl, or Magistery.
Thirdly, If in the dissolution or digestion of the thing dissolved, you see it made Black, or cast forth a Black Powder, say it was a simple Vegetable Menstruum, because Vegetable Menstruums compounded, and Mineral, as being stronger, do better retain their Body dissolved in them.
3. But the doubt, whether the simple Vegetable Menstruum, or Spirit of Philosophical Wine is to be taken, length of time alone resolveth; for the sooner Essences are made in the Mineral Kingdom, the stronger are the Menstruums; and on the contrary: But in the Animal and Vegetable Kingdoms it is difficult, if not altogether impossible, to discern by the length of time alone the dissolutions of the Bodies as being more opened; of which sort are Oyls, Salts, as also the open Metal Mercury, especially sublimed, being more amply opened by the acidity of Salts.