We find the Philosophers Stone to be variously defined with Philosophers in gene

ral,
amongst which definitions we will at length rehearse one or other of them.
Therefore, the Stone, as Clangor hath it, is a body composed out of the first e
ssence
of metals, which first essence is indeed termed other where Argentvive reduced f
rom the power
of them into acting by the art of chemistry, the mystery of all beginnings. Aga
in the Philosopher's
Stone is metallic matter converting the substance and forms of imperfect metals.
That this conversion
is not done but by its like is long ago agreed upon by all Philosophers. It is t
herefore necessary that the
Stone be got out of a metallic matter (to wit) our Mercury in which is all that
which is so sought for by the wise men,
and lieth hid in our Mercury,
although this Mercury may be termed threefold. From whence three principle Stone
s are known by philosophers, (to wit) the Mineral of the Wise men, or the Minera
l, Animal, and Vegetable Stone of them, threefold in name, one in being. Whereu
pon saith one of the Ancients, there are three Stones and three Salts of which t
he whole magistery consisteth, (to wit) Mineral, Animal, and Vegetable (Mercury
is mineral; the Moon is plant, because she receiveth into herself two colours, w
hite and red ; and the Sun is animal because he receiveth three, (to wit) constr
iction, white and red). But by the tree upon the mountain on the left hand flou
rishing and bearing fruit, is signified his vegetability, as by the leg of a man
raised out, his animality. By the third mountain upon which also a flourishing
tree grows out, two things are signified. First, that Saturn is hid only in hill
y places and it behoveth that he should be digged out of the Earth, which may be
understood to be noted by the circle, from whence especially his minerality app
ears.