There is some considerable confusion among players as to just what is entailed by the term “Lab equipment”, so I thought it might be handy to explain what might be found in a standard (i.e. nonspecialised, standard quality, standard safety lab such as may be found in a moderately well-off covenant) lab. Note also that substitutes can often be found for several of the items below that will do just as well. The following is a section from the Archmage Palatine of Bonisagus’ seminal work on laboratory procedures, Liber Laboris Hermetica.
The late Archmage Palatine was a firm believer in bringing nonHermetic magi into the fold. Indeed, his last great work was to co-operate with Moorish Sha’ir magi to classify and codify the magic of the Jannee. He was lost to the Order in final Twilight in the late autumn of the year 1132 after a long, honoured and fruitful life, having occupied the Chair for NonHermetic Affairs on the Durenmar Faculty for ninety-eight years.
It is followed by a discourse given by the current Dean of Liberal Studies at Durenmar and noted experimenter, Archmaga Menacra. As can be seen, little has changed in the Hermetic laboratory over the years. Her book, Ars Arcanum, is an advanced text used by the more apt pupils at Durenmar and still referred to by many magi of other Houses in spite of it’s at times somewhat abstruse language.

An excerpt from LIBER LABORIS HERMETICA

by Archmage Palatine ex Bonisagus

A Discourse On the Hermetic Laboratory from ARS ARCANUM,

by Menacra of Bonisagus, Archmage and Dean of Liberal Studies at Great Durenmar

The following sections, on vis-hunting, interaction with other magi and the Code of Hermes, are all excerpted from Archmage Dionasius’ Hermetica, one of the seminal texts studied by apprentices close to their gauntlets. The text is well liked for it’s direct, no-nonsense approach to the practical aspects of life as a Magus outside the Master’s protection, even containing guidelines on etiquette and a brief description of such House oddities as Tremere chess and the so-called Criamon Slap Game. It is a favourite statement of young magi at Durenmar that while Palatine’s text (see above) prepares you for your own laboratory, Dionasius’ book lets you live long enough to build it. Archmage Dionasius is the leader of the Trianomist faction of House Bonisagus and Dean of Political Studies on the Durenmar Faculty. Hermetica is his magnum opus.

A Useful Guide to Vis-hunting

By Archmage Dionasius ex Bonisagus, Dean of Political Studies at Great Durenmar, excerpted from his book HERMETICA

Interaction with Other Magi From HERMETICA,

by Archmage Dionasius ex Bonisagus

On the Code of Hermes

Excerpted from Dionasius’ HERMETICA

A raging controversy is currently wracking the theoretical community of House Bonisagus over two competing theories explaining the working of Auras and how they are created and maintained. The Fluid Vis theory, first espoused by Infamitus, one of Bonisagus’ apprentices in 835ad, has stood as the basic line from which all magi research for centuries; recently, however, a young Greek Bonisagus magus named Aristophanes has challenged the theory, putting forward his Probability Well Theory as a credible alternative. Since his announcement of his theories at the last Grand Tribunal, Aristophanes has become the centre of a scholarly controversy that can become, at times, quite heated. The Durenmar magi still teach Fluid Vis theory, but several members of the faculty are willing to entertain Aristophanes’ theories, and hence both theories are explained here. The Fluid Vis theory comes from Infamitus’ Ars Magna, a well known and revered text, while the Probability Well theory is excerpted from Arcana Magia, Aristophanes’ revolutionary text. From his home covenant of Tiercel’s Nest in the uplands of Macedonia, Aristophanes promises to challenge any theory that House Bonisagus dares to accept as fact. His invigorating attitude meets with a mixed reaction among the great and the good of the House.

The Fluid Vis Theory

By Archmage Infamitus ex Bonisagus, Third Primus Bonisagus, excerpted from his book ARS MAGNA

The Probability Well Theory

By Aristophanes ex Bonisagus, of Tiercel’s Nest in the Thebes Tribunal, excerpted from his recent book ARCANA MAGIA