CONCERNING THE NATURE OF THINGS.
BOOK THE FIRST.
Concerning the Generation of Natural Things.
THE generation of all natural things is twofold[1]: one which takes place by Nature without Art, the other which is brought about by Art, that is to say, by Alchemy, though, generally, it might be said that all things are generated from the earth by the help of putrefaction. For putrefaction is the highest grade, and the first initiative to generation. But putrefaction originates from a moist heat. For a constant moist heat produces putrefaction and transmutes all natural things from their first form and essence, as well as their force and efficacy, into something else. For as putrefaction in the bowels transmutes and reduces all foods into dung, so, also, without the belly, putrefaction in glass transmutes all things from one form to another, from one essence to another, from one colour to another, from one odour to another, from one virtue to another, from one force to another, from one set of properties to another, and, in a word, from one quality to another. For it is known and proved by daily experience that many good things which are healthful and a medicine, become, after their putrefaction, bad, unwholesome, and mere poison. So, on the other hand, many things are bad, unwholesome, poisonous, and hurtful, which after their putrefaction become good, lose all their evil effect, and make notable medicines. For putrefaction brings forth great effects, as we have a good example in the sacred gospel, where Christ says, "Unless a grain of wheat be cast forth into a field and putrefy, it cannot bear fruit a hundred fold." Hence it may be known that many things are multiplied by putrefaction so that they produce excellent fruit. For putrefaction is the change and death of all things, and the destruction of the first essence of all natural objects, from whence there issues forth for us regeneration and a new birth ten thousand times better than before.
Since, then, putrefaction is the first step and commencement of generation, it is in the highest degree necessary that we should thoroughly
- ↑ There is another aspect in which generation is also twofold, as, for example, that of wood and other things takes place naturally out of seed. But the worms which destroy wood are the product of a monstrous sperm. Hence there are two generations—natural and monstrous. Every sperm in living things has within it another sperm which is monstrous, and can promote its likeness. There is also a monstrous sperm in all minerals.—Paragraphorum Lib. II., Par. IV.
