Alchemical symbols. 18th-century listing of characters and symbols used by alchemists to represent chemicals,elements,and other objects and processes. The alphabetical listing is in French and includes astrological symbols. Examples here include lead (plomb),precipitation (precipiter),retort (retorte),saffron (safran),dragon's blood (sang de dragon),soap (savon),ammonium chloride (sel armoniac),salt (sel commun),black sulfur (soufre noir),earth (terre),glass (verre),wine (vin),vinegar (vinaigre),and urine. These symbols were replaced by modern chemical nomenclature,developed from the end of the 18th century onwards |