Alchemical Manuscripts

HOLMYARD, E. J.

doi:10.1038/123520a0

Books Received
Published: 06 April 1929

Alchemical Manuscripts

E. J. HOLMYARD

Nature volume 123, pages 520–521 (1929)Cite this article

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Abstract

THE history of alchemy has a twofold claim on our attention. In the first place, it still has its adherents, who are found not merely in the Orient but also in America, Germany, France, and England itself. It was recently related that the philosopher's stone had been prepared at Los Angeles by a woman alchemist, who thus takes rank with Mary the Copt and Cleopatra; while M. Jollivet Castelot from time to time issues reports of his successful transmutations. That this art should flourish even in the twentieth century is a striking witness to human credulity, and as such may engage the notice of psychologists.

(1) Union Académique Internationale. Catalogue des manuscrits alchimiques grecs.

Publié sous la direction de J. Bidez, F. Cumont, A. Delatte, O. Lagercrantz et J. Ruska. Tome 5: i. Les Manuscrits d'Espagne, décrits par Prof. C. O. Zuretti; ii. Les Manuscrits d'Athènes, décrits par A. Severyns. Pp. v + 174. (Bruxelles: Maurice Lamertin, 1928.) 10 Belgas.

(2) Union Académique Internationale. Catalogue of Latin and Vernacular Alchemical Manuscripts in Great Britain and Ireland dating from before the XVI Century.

By Dorothea Waley Singer, assisted by Annie Anderson. Vol. 1. Pp. xxiii + 326. (Brussels: Maurice Lamertin, 1928.) n.p.

(3) Union Académique Internationale. Catalogue des manuscrits alchimiques grecs.

Publié sous la direction de J. Bidez, F. Cumont, A. Delatte, O. Lagercrantz et J. Ruska. Tome 6: Michael Psellus, Épître sur la Chrysopée; Opuscules et extraits sur l'alchimie, la météorologie et la démonologie, publiés par Joseph Bidez; en Appendice; Proclus, Sur l'art hiératique; Psellus, Choix de dissertations inédites. Pp. xiv + 246. (Bruxelles: Maurice Lamertin, 1928.) 15 Belgas.