Alchemy

Delusive art, which with chemistry probably originated in Arabia, A. D. 700. The Smaragdine Table and all books attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, called the father of alchemy, were doubtle the production of monks of the Middle Ages. The alchemists believed in the transmutation of metals, and sought for the Philosopher's Stone, which would convert base metals into gold and silver, and the Elixir of Life, to prolong human existence. They worked in the utmost secrecy and with many mysterious books, most of which contained much incomprehensible and, to the scientist of the present day, nonsensical matter. These writings are in many languages Arabic, Greek, Persian and Latin. The sources of knowledge of the early alchemists were the writings of Aristotle, Dioscorides, Lucretius, Arch i me des, Hero and Pliny. Arabia was the seat of learning; the University of Bagdad in the 9th century, Cordova and Cairo in the 10th, were centers. Geber wrote one of the first works on alchemy. He had many chemical appliances, understood distillation and filtration, and made a number of chemical preparations. Among the more noted alchemists are: Avicenna, 11th century; Albert us Magnus, Thomas A quinas, Raymund Lully, Roger Bacon and Arnold us Plautus impennis. western Arctic Ocean, especially off Spitz bergen. They in habit caves or crevices, and feed on crustacea and worms. Some are seen out at sea off the coast of the n. U. S. in winter. The sides of the head, neck and chest are sooty brown in summer, but white in winter. Sometimes called Little Auk. (2) The true Auks ( Alca ) are sub-arctic, breeding on Newfoundland and adjacent shores, and in winter come as far south as Cape Cod or farther. They grow to a length of 17 in., about twice that of Alle . (3) The Great Auk or Gare-fowl ( Plautus impennis ) attained a length of 30 in., and is believed to have been exterminated 1844. It had normal wing quills, but was unable to fly. Of the 76 pricele skins of this bird now known, only five are in American museums. It was known as the Arctic Penguin (see PENGUIN). (4) Murres ( Uria ) and Guillemots ( Cephus ) swarm off rocky shores in Arctic regions. Five species come south in winter as far as New Jersey. (5) Puffins ( Fratercula ). These are all alike in having three webbed toes and no hind toe, and iu po e ing the characters of the Cecomorphœ . They lay their eggs in hollows, on rocky ledges, and are an important source of food for arctic peoples.