Final answer:
The small crystal flask and yellow glass egg symbolize alchemical practices and quests for the philosopher's stone and the elixir of life, representing the transformation and pursuit of eternal knowledge and life.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the excerpts provided, the small crystal flask filled with liquid and a yellow glass egg likely symbolize elements from the practice of alchemy, which is historically the precursor to modern chemistry.
Alchemy aimed at the transmutation of base metals into noble ones, particularly gold, and the discovery of a universal cure or an elixir of life. This pursuit was a blend of science, philosophy, and mysticism, with practitioners like alchemists often depicted with mysterious flasks and tools, symbolizing their quest for knowledge and transformation.
The elixir of life is a legendary potion that grants the drinker eternal life or immortality, and it has been a common theme across various cultures and mythologies. The yellow glass egg could represent the mythical philosopher's stone, a substance which alchemists believed could turn base metals like lead into gold and grant eternal life, thus symbolizing the ultimate goals of their work.