The operative side deals mostly with something called " transmutation" – where the intent is to transform base metals, like lead, into gold.

操作方面主要处理所谓“嬗变”——目是将贱金，如铅，转变成黄金。

Base metals, like lead, iron and tin, were seen as more primitive than gold and silver, which were regarded as " noble" .

为铅，铁和锡等贱金比被为是 “贵重”金和银更原始。

Transmutation, as a branch of alchemy, sought to " improve" the state of these base metals, just as the speculative side of alchemy aims to seek truth and enlightenment.

al变作为炼金术一个分支，试图“改善” 这些贱金态 ，就像炼金术投机方旨在寻求真相和启示一样。

Alchemical… alchemilcal… that's the transformation of base metals into noble ones, like lead into gold.

炼金术… … 炼金术… … 就是将贱金转化为贵金，例如将铅转化为金。

107) Unbelieving Chemists: The reference is to the eighteenth-century fascination with alchemy and the perennial search for the " philosopher's stone, " which would transform base metals into gold.

107) 不信化学家：指是十八世纪对炼金术迷恋以及对“点金石”长期探索，这种石可以将贱金转化为黄金。

Baser metals would breakup under the beating." Airy" in this line refers to the buoyancy of gold leaf.

贱金会在敲打下破裂。Airy“指是金箔浮力。

The elixir was supposed to be the supreme, universal medicine, capable of prolonging life indefinitely as well as of transforming baser metals to gold.

长生不老药应该是至高无上万能药，能够无限期延长生命，还可以将贱金转化为黄金。