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Mandragora from BL Harley 5294, f. 43
Summary
Pen drawing of the mandragora plant (mandrake), supposed to have a human-shaped root and which can be uprooted by tying a dog to it. Image taken from f. 43 of Illustrated pharmacopeial compilation including a herbal, imperfect (see Notes for contents). Written in Latin.
The "BL Harley Manuscript" refers to a collection of medieval manuscripts held in the British Library in London. The Harley Manuscripts are part of the larger collection known as the Harley Collection, which was assembled by Robert Harley (1661–1724) and his son Edward Harley (1689–1741). Robert Harley was a prominent English statesman and bibliophile, and he began amassing a vast collection of books and manuscripts in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.
The Harley Manuscripts are known for their diversity and include a wide range of texts, including historical chronicles, illuminated manuscripts, legal documents, literary works, and scientific treatises. The collection contains over 7,000 manuscripts, and it is considered one of the most important manuscript collections in the British Library.
The Harley Manuscripts are numbered with the prefix "Harley," followed by a specific manuscript number. Each manuscript in the collection has its own unique content and history, and they cover a broad spectrum of topics and time periods. Some of the manuscripts in the collection are beautifully illuminated, with intricate illustrations and decorations.
Alchemy is an ancient practice that aimed to transform base metals into noble ones, find a universal panacea, and create an elixir of life. Alchemists used various tools and equipment to perform their experiments and achieve their goals. Here are some of the most common alchemical tools: 1. Alembic: A vessel used for distillation, consisting of a pot or flask with a long neck that leads to a condenser. 2. Mortar and pestle: Used to crush, grind, or mix substances. 3. Retort: A glass or metal vessel used for distillation, consisting of a bulbous base with a long neck that curves downward and then upward to a beak-shaped outlet. 4. Crucible: A heat-resistant container used to melt or fuse metals or other substances at high temperatures. 5. Athanor: A furnace used for alchemical operations, particularly slow heating and calcination. 6. Balneum Mariae: A double boiler used for heating substances indirectly. 7. Filtration apparatus: Used to separate solids from liquids, consisting of a funnel and filter paper. 8. Aludel: A glass or earthenware vessel used in distillation, typically tall and conical in shape. 9. Mandrake root: A plant root used in many alchemical and magical practices. 10. Philosopher's stone: A mythical substance that alchemists believed could turn base metals into gold and confer immortality. These are just a few of the many tools and materials that alchemists used in their experiments. Many of these tools and substances were also used in other areas of science and medicine, and some are still used today in various forms.
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