St. Andrews University Library MS. 38188 [Read]. ix + 555 pages. Paper. 183x230mm. 18th Century [c. 1750.] Lapis Philosophorum. [Alchemical manuscript in German with no title. Scribe unknown. Contains 13 coloured illustrations, 3 large drawings of apparatus by G. Schuch. 8 vignettes, and a drawing representing the generation of the metals as a frontispiece.] f iv [Rounded corner rectangle. three crowned lions stand on clouds above planetary mountains. Four winds blow from corners. At centre above the lions, is a sphere crowned. From a cloud on the left a Bird sends a ray, while from a cloud on the right a Lion sends a ray from its breast. In the centre above is seen Mercury in a cloud with 'aurora' below him, and the six other planets around him.] p1-30 [Series of 14 coloured drawings with corresponding 'canons'.] p1 1st Figure. [Within a square frame a yellow circle is set, within which is inscribed an inverted and crowned seven pointed golden star with sun face at the centre, the points of which have symbols of the four elements and the three principles. Around the circumference are inscribed the other six planets with symbol of cross above circle.] p2 2nd Figure. [With a square frame is set a circle with small cross at the top. Inside this circle we see a winged lion, with bird head, and coiled and pointed dragon tail. Above this figure birds are seen flying.] p3 3rd Figure [Within a square frame is set a circle upon which stand a male naked male and female figure holding symbols of sulphur and mercury respectively. On the left is a golden Sun disc and on the Right a Moon disc. Inside the circle a Lion is seen holding and about to devour the symbol of a circle, cross on top, with arrow head. Above the lion a black and a gold circle with cross above are seen together with a number of flying birds.] 4th figure. [With a square frame, a circle with inscribed inverted seven pointed star is seen similar to the first figure. The circle has a small cross at the top beside which stand Mercury and Sulphur symbols. The points of the star have inscribed upon it the symbols as indicated in the first illustration.] 5th figure [Within a square frame a circle is seen with small cross at the top. Inscribed in the circle is an inverted triangle with sun and Moon in the two uppermost corners. Salt, Sulphur and Mercury are around this triangle and 'Solve Quagula (sic)' are written at the lower sides of the triangle. Inside this triangle is a smaller circle and a hexagram inside that, with a crown at the centre.] p11 6th Figure. [Within the square frame is a circle crowned at the top. Out of this crown rises a small cross around which are set 7 small stars. Inside the circle is a triangle with a golden mercury symbol at its centre. 'Aqua sica sophorum' is written around the circle.] 7th Figure. [Within the square frame a circle is seen with a cross above. Resting on top of this cross is a Lunar crescent lying on its side. Inside the circle is a golden Sun with seven rays forming a heptangle.] 8th Figure [Within the square frame is set a circle with a small cross at the top. At the top left is a Sun, and on the top right a Moon. Inside the circle is a large mercury symbol - a gold cross upon which is set a grey circle on top of which lies a lunar crescent on its side. Funnels or banners connect the end of this lunar crescent with the sun and moon to the top left and right.. The circle has the words 'Unita Virtus fortior'.] p17 9th Figure. [Within the square frame a whit bird is seen its legs outstretched. The talon on the left hold the symbol of a cross above circle, while that on the right holds a caduceus topped with cross above circle and with two inter-twinned snakes. A semicircle rises behind its outspread wings containing sun and moon.] 10th Figure. [Within the square frame we see a circle with a cross at the top. Upon this cross is perched a peacock. Inside the circle is a black crow standing on the ground and looking at the sun on the left.] 11th Figure. [Within the square frame a circle is set with a cross at the top. Above this is a sun raying out. Inside the circle is a white crowned swan its neck is the characteristic 's' shape.] 12th figure. [Within the square frame a circle is seen with a cross at the top. Upon this stands a Pelican feeding is young upon a nest. Inside the circle is a salamander in flames of fire. Encircling the outer circumference of the circle is a snake or dragon breathing out a steam of fire at the base. It holds a rod in its claws, and little flames or leaves sprouts from its body.] 13th figure. [With a square frame we see a circle with cross at the top which radiates light. At the base of this circle we see gold circular face sprouting wings. Inside the circle is a garden laid out beneath some mountains. The Sun and Moon shine out above the garden. At the centre of this is a circle with double cross on top ,like a fountain with grey streams pouring down. Inside this fountain circle are the symbols of salt sulphur and mercury.]