This book was first published in the seventeenth century and concerned a now-discredited practice which nonetheless inspired an entire branch of science. The latin title described the book's unique attribute. What is the book, and what is so peculiar about it?

lanfranco

Dp, quite a few "unusual" scientific and quasi-scientific treatises were published under Latin titles in the Early Modern period beginning ca. 1600. Could you offer a clue to narrow this down a bit? Sep 22 06, 8:19 PM

darkpresence

What was peculiar was that there was something missing, something that would normally be in a book. This was reflected in the title. Sep 22 06, 9:08 PM

elburcher

A choice collection of rare secrets and experiments in philosophy. As also Rare and unheard-of Medicines, Menstruums, and Alkahests; with the True Secret of Volatilizing the fixt Salt of Tartar. Collected And Experimented by the Honourable and truly Learned Sir Kenelm Digby, Kt. Chancellour to Her Majesty the Queen-Mother. Hitherto kept Secret since his Decease, but now published for the good and benefit of the Publick, by George Hartman. 8° London: Printed for the publisher 1682 Sep 22 06, 11:40 PM

elburcher

Sorry forgot the refrence... http://www.levity.com/alchemy/books/bk1133.htm Sep 22 06, 11:50 PM

peasypod

Not sure about any one else, but I'm still intrigued by this one... Sep 23 06, 6:38 PM

kaylofgorons

Salt of Tartar...Isn't that needed to turn base metal into gold? (In alchemy?) Sep 24 06, 4:41 PM

darkpresence

Kayl is on the right track. I tried this one on my brother the other night, he didn't know it but guessed what it was that was missing from the book. I should have stressed that it's something that you would practically ALWAYS find in a book, almost by definition. Give it one more go! Sep 26 06, 4:48 PM

darkpresence

Ok, here's the answer. The book is the "Mutus Liber", the silent book. So called because it had no words, it was an alchemical work presented only in pictures which were meaningless to the uninitiated. Alchemy, of course, was the forerunner of chemistry just as astrology was to astronomy. Sep 28 06, 2:28 PM

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