Nature, Reason, Experience and Reading must be the Guide, Staff, Spectacles and Lamp to him that is employed in Chemical Affairs. Michael Maier's alchemical emblem book Atalanta fugiens was first published in Latin in 1617. It incorporated 50 emblems with epigrams and a discourse, but extended the concept of an emblem book by incorporating 50 pieces of music the 'fugues' or canons. This image is Emblem 42: The woman represents Nature. The old man represents the alchemist. Her footprints are visible but he needs a lamp, walking stick and spectacles to follow her.