the vessel by the reflection of the sun, subtle exhalations rising and forming light clouds, verily these are the first rudiments of the renascent plant. 9. In fine, of all this matter there ought to be formed a blue powder, and from this powder when it is excited by heat, there sprouts the stem, leaves, and flowers, in one word the whole apparition of the plant rises out of its ashes. As soon as the heat ceases, the whole spectacle disappears, and the whole matter becomes deranged, and precipitates itself to the bottom of the vessel to form there a new chaos. The return of heat always resuscitates this vegetable Phœnix which lies hid in its ashes; and as the presence of heat gives it life, its absence causes its death."
Mundus Subterraneus, L. XII.
Sect IV. Cap. 5, Exp. I
This imperial secret is as explicit as possible till it comes to the blue powder. The Abbe de Vallemont, in whose curiositez de la Nature et de l'Art sur la Ve-
