Treatise on the Nature of the Philosophers' Egg

Bernard Trevisan or Bernard of Treviso, supposedly living between 1406 and 1490 is now thought to be a contrived figure. His biography was devised by the editors and commentators of alchemical texts from the 16th century. It is said that he was born into a noble family in Padua and spent his entire life spending his family fortune in a search for the Philosophers' Stone.

Despite the contrivance, the writings issued under his name are, however, significant works in the unfolding of alchemy through the 16th and 17th centuries.

Unlike Bernard's more familiar allegorical writings, this is a densely argued description of the idea of there being a Philosophers' Egg, a particular substance out of which the Philosophers' Stone was born.

Translated by Adam McLean from the 1624 French version.