Table of Contents

TITLES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS PREFACE REFERENCES AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS CHAPTER I BEGINNINGS Concerning the Nature of Things. Concerning the Application of Things. CHAPTER II THE EMERGENCE OF ALCHEMY Rise and Spread of Alchemy. The Nature of Alchemy. Alchemical Theory. The Sulphur-Mercury Theory. Alchemical Representations of the Sulphur-Mercury Theory. The Emerald Table of Hermes. The Tria Prima of Paracelsus. CHAPTER III THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE The Mainspring of Alchemy. Preparation of the Stone. Processes of the Great Work. The Vase of Hermes. CHAPTER IV ALCHEMICAL CRYPTICISM AND SYMBOLISM The Symbols of Alchemy. Alchemical Enigmas. The Figures of Abraham. An Alchemical Epic. The 'Mighty King' of Alchemy. The Twelve Keys of Basilius. CHAPTER V STRANDS IN THE ALCHEMICAL WEB Religion. Mythology. The Saturnine Mysticism. "Number, Harmony, and Music." CHAPTER VI THE DIVERSITY OF ALCHEMISTS Pseudo-Alchemists. 'Labourers in the Fire.' Sons of Hermes.' The Practical Tradition. CHAPTER VII THE PARTING OF THE WAYS Paracelsus. The Paracelsians. Continuation of the Practical Tradition. Wholly Scientifical Chymistry'. CHAPTER VIII THE SWAN SONG OF ALCHEMY Chemistry and the Scientific Revolution. The Theory of Phlogiston. The Earlier Period of Phlogiston. Forerunners of a New Age. The End-and the Beginning. CHAPTER IX THE DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN CHEMISTRY Interregnum. The Atomic Theory. Some First-fruits of the Atomic Theory. Classification and Nature of the Elements. CHAPTER X THE RISE OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY Branches of Modern Chemistry. The Beginnings of Organic Chemistry. Organic Molecular Structure. Chemistry in Space. The Onward March. Envoi. GLOSSARY INDEX