BALANITES. BATRACHITIS. BAPTES. BELI OCULUS. BELUS. BAROPTENUS OR BARIPPE. BOTRYITIS. BOSTRYCHITIS. BUCARDIA. BRONTEA. BOLOS

Latine · Mayhoff 1906

Achates in magna fuit auctoritate, nunc in nulla est, reperta primum in Sicilia iuxta flumen eiusdem nominis, postea plurimis in terris, excellens amplitudine, numerosa varietatibus, quae mutant cognomina eius. vocatur enim iaspachates, cerachates, smaragdachates, haemachates, leucachates, dendrachates, quae velut arbusculis insignis est, antachates, quae, cum uritur, murram redolet, corallachates guttis aureis sappiri modo sparsa, qualis copiosissima in Creta. quae et sacra appellatur. quidam putant contra araneorum et scorpionum ictus eam prodesse. quod in Siculis utique crediderim, quoniam primo eius provinciae adflatu scorpionum pestis extinguitur. et in India inventae contra eadem pollent, magnis et aliis miraculis: reddunt enim fluminum species, nemorum, iumentorum etiam. essedariis staticula, equorum ornamenta inde medicisque coticulas faciunt, nam spectasse etiam prodest oculis. sitim quoque sedant in os additae. Phrygiae viridia non habent. Thebis Aegyptiis repertae carent rubentibus venis et albis, hae quoque contra scorpiones validae. eadem auctoritas et Cypriis. sunt qui maxime probent vitream perspicuitatem in his. reperiuntur et in Trachinia circa Oetam et in Parnaso et in Lesbo et in Messene similes limitum floribus et in Rhodo. aliae apud Magos differentiae sunt in iis: quae leoninis pellibus similes reperiuntur, potentiam habere contra scorpiones dicunt. in Persis vero suffitu earum tempestates averti et presteras, flumina sisti—argumentum esse, si in ferventes cortinas additae refrigerent—, sed, ut prosint, leoninis iubis adalligandas, nam hyaenae addita abominantur discordiam domibus. eam vero, quae unius coloris sit, invictam athletis esse, argumento, quod in ollam plenam olei coiecta cum pigmentis, intra duas horas suffervefacta, unum colorem ex omnibus faciat minii.

Acopos nitro colore similis est, pumicosa, guttis aureis stellata. cum hac oleum suffervefactum perunctis lassitudinem, si credimus, solvit.—Alabastritis nascitur in Alabastro Aegypti et in Syriae Damasco candore interstincto variis coloribus. haec cremata cum fossili sale et trita gravitates oris et dentium extenuare dicitur.— Alectorias vocant in ventriculis gallinaceorum inventas crystallina specie, magnitudine fabae, quibus Milonem Crotoniensem usum in certaminibus invictum fuisse videri volunt.—Androdamas argenti nitorem habet [ut adamas], quadratis semper tessellis similis. Magi putant nomen inpositum ab eo, quod impetus hominum et iracundias domet. argyrodamas eadem sit an alia, auctores non explicant. —Antipathes nigra non tralucet. experimentum eius ut coquatur in lacte; facit enim id murrae simile. inmensum quiddam in hac fortassis aliquis expectet, in tot exemplis uni possessione huius nominis data. contra effascinationes auxiliari eam Magi volunt.—Arabica ebori simillima est, et hoc videretur, nisi abnueret duritia. hanc putant contra dolores nervorum prodesse habentibus.— Aromatitis et ipsa in Arabia invenitur, sed et in Aegypto circa Philas, ubique lapidosa et murrae coloris et odoris, ob hoc reginis frequentata. —Asbestos in Arcadiae montibus nascitur coloris ferrei.—Aspisatim Democritus in Arabia nasci tradit, ignei coloris, et oportere cum cameli fimo splenicis adalligari, inveniri utique in nido Arabicarum alitum; et aliam eodem nomine ibi in Leucopetra nasci, argentei coloris, radiantem; cum..... contra lymphatum habentibus. —Atizoen in India et Persidis Acidane monte nasci, argenteo nitore fulgentem, magnitudine trium digitorum, ad lenticulae figuram, odoris iucundi, necessariam Magis regem constituentibus.— Augitis non alia videtur multis esse quam callaina.

Lapis amphidanes alio nomine chrysocolla appellatur, nascens in Indiae parte, ubi formicae eruunt aurum, in quo et invenitur auro similis, quadrata figura. adfirmatur natura eius quae magnetis esse, nisi quod augere quoque aurum traditur. —Aphrodisiaca ex candido rufa est.— Apsyctos septenis diebus calorem tenet excalefacta igni, nigra ac ponderosa, distinguentibus eam venis rubentibus. putant prodesse contra frigora.—Aegyptillam lacchus intellegit per album sardae nigraque venis transeuntibus, volgus autem nigra radice, caerulea facie. nomen a loco.

Balanitae duo genera sunt, subviridis et Corinthii aeris similitudine, illa a Copto, haec ab Trogodytica veniens, medias secante flammea vena.—Batrachitas quoque Coptos mittit, unam ranae similem colore, alteram et venis, tertiam rubetis e nigro.—Baptes, mollis alioqui, odore excellit.—Beli oculus albicans pupillam cingit nigram e medio aureo colore fulgentem et propter speciem sacratissimo Assyriorum deo dicatam. Belum autem aliam, quam sic vocant, in Arbelis nasci Democritus tradit nucis iuglandis magnitudine, vitrea specie. —Baroptenus sive baripe, nigra sanguineis et albis nodis, adalligata proicitur veluti portentosa.—Botryitis alia nigra est, alia pampinea, incipienti uvae similis.—Bostrychitin Zoroastres crinibus mulierum similiorem vocat.—Bucardia, bubulo cordi similis, Babylone tantum nascitur.—Brontea, capiti testudinum, e tonitribus cadit, ut putant, restinguitque fulmine icta, si credimus.—Boloe in Hibero inveniuntur, glaebae similitudine.

Cadmitis eadem est quae ostracitis vocatur, nisi quod hanc caeruleae interdum cingunt bullae.—Callais sappirum imitatur candidior et litoroso mari similis.— Capnitis quibusdam videtur suum genus habere, pluribus iaspidis fumidae, ut suo loco diximus.—Cappadocia et in Phrygia nascitur, ebori similis.—Callaicam vocant e turbido callaino. ferunt plures coniunctas semper inveniri. —Catochitis Corsicae lapis est, ceteris maior et magis mirabilis, si vera traduntur, inpositam manum veluti cummi retinens.—Catoptritis in Cappadocia provenit candore imaginem regerens.—Cepitis sive cepolatitis candida est, venarum coeuntibus lineis in unum.—Ceramitis testae colorem habet. —Cinaediae inveniuntur in cerebro piscis eiusdem nominis, candidae et oblongae eventuque mirae, si modo est fides praesagire eas habitum maris nubili vel tranquilli.—Ceritis cerae similis est, circos accipitri, corsoides canitiae capitis, corallachates curalio, aureis guttis distincta, corallis minio; gignitur in India et Syene. —Crateritis inter chrysolithum et electrum colorem habet, praedura natura.—Crocallis ceras repraesentat.—Cyitis circa Copton nascitur candida et videtur intus habere partum, qui sentiatur etiam crepitu. —Chalcophonos nigra est, sed inlisa aeris tinnitum reddit, tragoedis, ut suadent, gestanda. —Chelidoniae duorum sunt generum, hirundinum colore, ex altera parte purpureae, in alia purpuram nigris interpellantibus maculis. —Chelonia oculus est Indicae testudinis, vel portentosissima Magorum mendaciis. melle enim colluto ore inpositam linguae futurorum divinationem praestare promittunt XV luna et silente toto die, decrescente vero ante ortum solis, ceteris diebus a prima in sextam horam.— Sunt et chelonitides aliarum testudinum superficiei similes, ex quibus ad tempestates sedandas multa vaticinantur, eam vero, quae ex iis aureis guttis aspersa sit, cum scarabaeo deiectam in aquam ferventem tempestates commovere. —Chloritis herbacei coloris est; eam in ventre motacillae avis inveniri dicunt Magi congenitam ei et ferro includi iubent ad quaedam prodigiosa moris sui.—Choaspitis a flumine dicta est, ex viridi fulgoris aurei.— Chrysolampsis in Aethiopia nascitur, pallida alias, sed noctu ignea.—Chrysopis aurum videtur esse.—Cetionides in Aeolide nunc Atarneo pago, quondam oppido, nascuntur, multis coloribus tralucentes, alias vitreae, alias crystallinae, alias iaspidis, sed et sordidis tantus est nitor, ut imagines reddant ceu specula.

Daphnean Zoroastres morbis comitialibus demonstrat.—Diadochos berullo similis est.—Diphyes duplex, candida ac nigra, mas ac femina, genitale utriusque, sexus distinguente linea.—Dionysias, nigra ac dura, mixtis rubentibus maculis, ex aqua trita saporem vini facit et ebrietati resistere putatur. —Draconitis sive dracontias e cerebro fit draconum, sed nisi viventibus absciso capite non gemmescit invidia animalis mori se sentientis. [igitur dormientibus amputant]. Sotacus, qui visam eam gemmam sibi apud regem scripsit, bigis vehi quaerentes tradit et viso dracone spargere somni medicamenta atque ita sopiti praecidere. esse candore tralucido, nec postea poliri aut artem admittere.

Encardia cognominatur enariste, in nigro colore effigie cordis eminente; altera eodem nomine viridi colore cordis speciem, tertia nigrum cor ostendit, reliqua sui parte candida.—Enorchis candida est divisisque fragmentis testium effigiem repraesentat.—Exhebenum Zoroastres speciosam et candidam tradit, qua aurifices aurum poliant. —Erythallis, cum sit candida, ad inclinationes rubescere videtur.—Erotylos sive amphicomos sive hieromnemon Democrito laudatur in argumentis divinationum.—Eumeces in Bactris nascitur, silici similis, et capiti supposita visa nocturna oraculi modo reddit. —Eumitren Beli gemmam, sanctissimi deorum sui, Assyrii observant, porracei coloris, superstitionibus gratam. —Eupetalos quattuor colores habet, caeruleum, igneum, minii, mali.—Eureos nucleo olivae similis est, striata concharum modo, non adeo candida.—Eurotias situ videtur operire nigritiam.—Eusebes ex eo lapide est, quo traditur in Tyro Herculis templo facta sedes, ex qua pii facile surgebant.—Epimelas fit, cum candida gemma superne nigricat.

Galaxian aliqui galactiten vocant, similem proxime dictis, sed intercurrentibus sanguineis aut candidis venis. —Galactitis ex uno colore lactis est. eandem leucogaeam et leucographitim appellant et synechitim, in attritu lactis suco ac sapore notabilem, in educatione nutricibus lactis fecundam. infantium quoque collo adalligata salivam facere traditur, in ore autem liquescere, eadem memoriam adimere. mittunt eam Nilus et Achelous amnes. sunt qui smaragdum albis venis circumligatum galactiten vocent. —Gallaica argyrodamanti similis est, paulo sordidior; inveniuntur iunctae binae ternaeque.—Gassinnaden Medi mittunt, coloris orobini, veluti floribus sparsam; nascitur et in Arbelis. haec quoque gemma concipere dicitur et intra se partum fateri concussa, concipere autem trimenstri spatio. —Glossopetra, linguae similis humanae, in terra non nasci dicitur, sed deficiente luna caelo decidere, selenomantiae necessaria. quod ne credamus, promissi quoque vanitas facit; ventos enim ea comprimi narrant.—Gor gonia nihil aliud est quam curalium. nominis causa, quod in duritiam lapidis mutatur emollitum in mari. hanc fulminibus et typhoni resistere adfirmant.—Goniaeam eadem vanitate inimicorum poenas efficere promittunt.

Heliotropium nascitur in Aethiopia, Africa, Cypro, porraceo colore, sanguineis venis distincta. causa nominis, quoniam deiecta in vas aquae, fulgore solis accidente, repercussu sanguineo mutateum, maxime Aethiopica. eadem extra aquam speculi modo solem accipit deprenditque defectus, subeuntem lunam ostendens. Magorum inpudentiae vel manifestissimum in hac quoque exemplum est, quoniam admixta herba heliotropio, quibusdam additis precationibus, gerentem conspici negent. —Hephaestitis quoque speculi naturam habet in reddendis imaginibus, quamquam rutila. experimentum est, si statim addita fervens aqua refrigerata sit aut si in sole adposita aridam materiam statim accendat. nascitur in Coryco.—Hermu aedoeon ex argumento virilitatis in candida gemma vel nigra, aliquando et pallida, ambiente circulo coloris aurei appellatur. —Hexecontalithos, in parva magnitudine multicolor [hoc sibi nomen adoptavit], reperitur in Trogodytice.—Hieracitis alternat tota miluinis nigrisque veluti plumis.—Hammitis ovis piscium similis est, et alia velut e nitro composita, praedura alioqui.—Hammonis cornu inter sacratissimas Aethiopiae, aureo colore arietini cornus effigiem reddens, pomittitur praedivina somnia repraesentare. —Hormiscion inter gratissimas aspicitur ex igneo colore radians auro [portante secum in extremitatibus candidam lucem]. —Hyaeniae, ex oculis hyaenaelapides,.... inveniri dicuntur et, si credimus, linguae hominis subditi futura praecinere. —Haematitis in Aethiopia quidem principalis est, sed et in Arabia et in Africa invenitur, sanguineo colore, non omittendis promissis ad coarguendas Magorum insidias. Zachalias Babylonius in iis libris, quos scripsit ad regem Mithridatem, gemmis humana fata adtribuens hanc, non contentus oculorum et iocineris medicina decorasse, a rege etiam aliquid petituris dedit, eandem litibus iudiciisque interposuit, in proeliis etiam exangui salutarem pronuntiavit. est et alia eiusdem generis, quae vocatur menui, ab aliis xuthos. ita appellant Graeci e fulvo candicantes.

Idaei dactyli in Creta ferreo colore pollicem humanum exprimunt.—Icterias cuti mali luridae similis et ideo salubris existimata contra regios morbos. est et alia eodem nomine lividior, tertia folio similis, prioribus latior et paene sine pondere, venis luridis, quartum genus in eodem colore nigriore luridis venis discurrentibus.— lovis gemma candida est, non ponderosa, tenera. hanc et drosolithon appellant.—Indicae gentium suarum habent nomen, subrufo colore, sed in attritu purpureo sudore manant. alia eodem nomine candida, pulvereo aspectu.— Ion apud Indos violacea est; rarum ut saturo colore luceat.

Lepidotis squamas piscium variis coloribus imitatur, Lesbias glaebas, patriae habens nomen; invenitur tamen et in India.—Leucophthalmos, rutila alias, oculi speciem candidam nigramque continet.—Leucopoecilos candorem minii guttis ex auro distinguit.—Libanochrus turis similitudinem ostendit et mellis sucum.—Limoniatis eadem videtur quae smaragdos.—De liparea hoc tantun traditur, suffita ea omnes bestias evocari. Lysimachos, Rhodio marmori similis auratis venis, politur ex maiore amplitudine in angustias, ut inutilia exterantur. —Leucochrysos fit e chrysolitho interalbicante.

Memnonia qualis sit, non traditur.—Media nigra est, ab Media illa fabulosa inventa; habet venas aurei coloris, sudorem reddit croci, saporem vini. Meconitis papavera exprimit.—Mithrax e Persis venit et Rubri maris montibus, multicolor ac contra solemn varie refulgens.—Morochthos, colore porracea, lacte sudat.— Mormorion ab India nigerrimo colore tralucet, vocatur et promnion, cum in ea miscetur et carbunculi color, Alexandrion, ubi vero sardae, Cyprium. nascitur et in Tyro et in Galatia; Xenocrates et sub Alpibus nasci tradit. hae sunt gemmae, quae ad ectypas scalpturas aptantur.— Myrrhitis murrae colorem habet faciemque minime gemmae, odorem unguenti, attrita etiam nardi.—Myrmecias nigra habet eminentia similia verrucis, myrsinitis melleum colorem, odorem myrti.—Mesoleucos fit mediam gemmam candido distinguente limbo, mesomelas nigra vena quemlibet colorem secante per medium.

Nasamonitis sanguinea est nigris venis.—Nebritis, Libero patri sacra, nomen traxit a nebridum similitudine; alia e nigro generis eiusdem.—Nipparene urbis et gentis Persicae habet nomen, similis hippopotami dentibus.

Oica barbari nominis e nigro et fulvo viridique et candido placet.—Ombria, quam alii notiam vocant, sicut et ceraunia et brontea, cadere cum imbribus et fulminibus dicitur eundemque effectum habere; praeterea hac in aras addita libamenta non amburi.—Onocardia cocco similis est, neque aliud de ea traditur.—Oritis globosa specie a quibusdam et sideritis vocatur, ignes non sentiens.—Ostracias sive ostracitis est testacea, durior ceramitide, achatae similis, nisi quod illa politura pinguescit. huic tanta duritia inest, ut fragmentis eius aliae gemmae scalpantur.—Ostritidi ostrea a similitudine nomen dedere.—Ophicardelon barbari vocant, nigrum colorem binis lineis albis includentibus.—De opsiano lapide diximus priore libro. inveniuntur et gemmae eodem nomine ac colore non solum in Aethiopia Indiaque, sed etiam in Samnio et, ut aliqui putant, in Hispania litoribus eius oceani.

Panchrus fere ex omnibus coloribus constat.— Pangonus non longior digito, ne crystallus videatur, numero plurium angulorum facit.—Paneros qualis sit, a Metrodoro non dicitur, sed carmen Timaridis reginae in eam, dicatum Veneri, non inelegans ponit, ex quo intellegitur adiutam fecunditatem. hanc quidam paneraston vocant.— Ponticarum plura sunt genera: est stellata nunc sanguineis, nunc auratis guttis, quae inter sacras habetur. alia pro stellis eiusdem coloris lineas habet, alia montium convalliumque effigies.—Phloginos, quam et chrysitim vocant, ochrae Atticae adsimulata, invenitur in Aegypto.— Phoenicitis ex balani similitudine appellatur, phycitis algae. —Perileucos fit ab oris gemmae ad radicem usque albo descendente.—Paeanitides, quas quidam gaeanidas vocant, praegnantes fieri et parere dicuntur mederique parturientibus. natalisiis in Macedonia iuxta monimentum Tiresiae, species aquae glaciatae.

Solis gemma candida est, ad speciem sideris in orbem fulgentis spargens radios.—Sagdam Chaldaei vocant et adhaerentem, ut ferunt, navibus inveniunt, prasini coloris.—Samothraca insula dat sui nominis, nigram ac sine pondere, similem ligno.—Sauritim in ventre viridis lacertae harundine dissecto inveniri tradunt.— Sarcitis bubulas carnes repraesentat.—Selenitis ex candido tralucet melleo fulgore imaginem lunae continens, redditque ea in dies singulos crescentis minuentisque sideris speciem, si verum est. nasci putatur in Arabia. —Sideritis ferro similis est; maleficio inlata aliquis discordiam facit. nascitur in Aethiopia. sideropoecilos ex ea fit variantibus guttis.—Spongitis nomen suum repraesentat.—Synodontitis e cerebro piscium est, qui synodontes vocantur.—Syrtitides in litore Syrtium, iam quidem et Lucaniae, inveaiuntur, e melleo colore croco refulgentes, intus autem stellas continent languidas.— Syringitis stipulae internodio similis perpetua fistula cavatur.

Trichrus ex Africa venit, nigra, sed tres sucos reddit, ab radice nigrum, medio sanguineum, summo ochrum.—Thelyrrhizos, cinerei coloris aut rufi, candidis radicibus spectatur.—Thelycardios colore..... cordis Persas, apud quos gignitur, magnopere delectat; mucul eam appellant.—Thracia trium generum est, livida aut pallidior, in tertio guttis sanguineis. —Tephritis lunae novae speciem habet curvatae in cornua, quamvis in colore cineris.—Tecolithos oleae nucleus videtur, neque est ei gemmae honos, sed lingentium calculos frangit pellitque.

Veneris crines nigerrimi nitoris continent in se speciem rufi crinis.—Veientana Italica gemma est, Veis reperta, nigram materiam distinguente limite albo.

Zathenen in Media nasci Democritus tradit electri colore et, si quis terat in vino palmeo et croco cerae modo lentescere odore magnae suavitatis.—Zamilampis in Euphrate nascitur, Proconnesio marmori similis, medio colore glauco.—Zoraniscaeos in Indo flumine Magorum gemma narratur, neque aliud amplius de ea.

English · Bostock & Riley 1855–57

Achates was a stone formerly in high esteem, but now held in none. It was first found in Sicily, near a river of that name; but has since been discovered in numerous other localities. In size it exceeds any other stones of this class, and the varieties of it are numerous, the name varying accordingly. Thus, for example, we have iaspachates, cerachates, smaragdachates, hæmachates, leucachates, dendrachates, marked with small shrubs, as it were; autachates, which when burnt has a smell like that of myrrh; and coralloachates, spotted all over, like sapphiros, with drops of gold, and commonly found in Crete, where it is also known as “sacred” achates. This last, it is thought, is good for wounds inflicted by spiders and scorpions; a property which I could really believe to belong to the stones of Sicily, for, the moment they breathe the air of that province, scorpions lose their venom.

The stones, too, that are found in India are possessed of similar properties, and of other great and marvellous properties as well; for they present the appearance in them of rivers, woods, beasts of burden, and forms even, like ivy and the trappings of horses. Medical men, too, make grinding-hones of these stones, and indeed the very sight of them is beneficial for the eyes: held in the mouth, they allay thirst. Those found in Phrygia have no green in them, and those of Thebes in Egypt are destitute of red and white veins. These last are good as a counterpoison to the venom of the scorpion, and the stones of Cyprus are held in similar repute. Some persons set the highest value upon those stones which present a transparency like that of glass. They are found also in Trachinia, in the vicinity of Mount Œta, upon Mount Parnassus, in the Isle of Lesbos, in Messene, where they resemble the flowers that grow in the hedges, and at Rhodes.

The magicians make other distinctions in reference to these stones: those, they tell us, which have spots upon them like the spots on the lion’s skin, are efficacious as a protection against scorpions; and in Persia, they say, these stones are used, by way of fumigation, for arresting tempests and hurricanes, and for stopping the course of rivers, the proof of their efficacy being their turning the water cold, if thrown into a boiling cauldron. To be duly efficacious, they must be attached to the body with hairs from a lion’s mane. The hair, however, of the hyæna is held in abomination for this purpose, as being a promoter of discord in families. The stone that is of an uniform colour renders athletes invincible, they say: the way of testing it is to throw it, along with colouring matter, into a pot full of oil; after being kept for a couple of hours gently on the boil, if genuine, it will impart an uniform colour of vermilion to the mixture.

Acopos is a stone like nitre in appearance, porous, and starred with drops of gold: gently boiled with oil and applied as an unguent, it relieves lassitude, if we choose to believe it. Alabastritis is a stone which comes from Alabastron in Egypt and Damascus in Syria: it is of a white colour, spotted with various other tints. Calcined with fossil salt and pulverized, it is a cure for affections of the mouth and teeth, it is said. Alectoria is the name given to a stone that is found in the crop of poultry, like crystal in appearance, and about as large as a bean in size: Milo of Crotona, some will have it, was thought to be in the habit of carrying this stone about him, a thing that rendered him invincible in his athletic contests. Androdamas has the shining colour of silver, like adamas; it is always quadrangular, like small cubes in shape. The magicians are of opinion that it was thus named from the fact that it subdues anger and violence in man. Whether argyrodamas is the same stone or not, authors do not inform us. Antipathes is a black stone, and not transparent: the mode of testing it, is by boiling it in milk, to which, if genuine, it imparts a colour like that of myrrh. A person might probably expect to find some extraordinary virtues in this stone, seeing that, among so many other substances possessed of antipathetic properties, it is the only one that bears this name. The magicians will have it that it possesses the power of counteracting fascinations.

Arabica is a stone which closely resembles ivory in appearance, and, indeed, might easily be taken for it, were it not for its superior hardness: persons who have this stone about them, it is thought, will experience a cure of diseases of the sinews. Aromatitis, too, is a stone that is found in Arabia, as also in the vicinity of Phiræ in Egypt: it is always full of small stones, and like myrrh in colour and smell, a thing that makes it much in request with ladies of rank. Asbestos is found in the mountains of Arcadia, and is of an iron colour. Democritus informs us that aspisatis is a native of Arabia, that it is of a fiery colour, and that patients should wear it attached to the body with camels’ dung; he says, too, that it is found in the nests of certain birds in Arabia. The same writer also mentions another stone of this name, that is found at Leucopetra in the same country, of a silver colour, radiant, and an excellent preservative against delirium. In India, he says, and on Mount Acidane in Persia, there is a stone found that is known as “atizoë,” of a silver lustre, three fingers in length, like a lentil in shape, possessed of a pleasant smell, and considered necessary by the Magi at the consecration of a king. Augetis is thought by many to be identical with callaina. Amphidanes, which is also known as “chrysocolla,” is a stone found in that part of India where the ants throw up gold, and in it there are certain square pieces, like gold in appearance. The nature of this stone, it is asserted, is similar to that of the magnet; in addition to which, it is said to have the property of increasing gold.

Aphrodisiaca is a stone of a reddish white colour. Apsyctos, when heated by fire, retains the warmth so long as seven days; it is black and ponderous, and is streaked with red veins. It is good too, it is thought, as a preservative against cold. According to Iacchus, Ægyptilla is a kind of white and black sarda, intersected with veins; but the stone commonly known by that name is black at the lower part, and azure on the surface. It takes its name from the country that produces it.

Of balanites there are two kinds, the one of a greenish hue, and the other like Corinthian bronze in appearance; the former comes from Coptos, and the latter from Troglodytica. They are both of them intersected by a flame-like vein, which runs through the middle. Coptos, too, sends us batrachitis; one kind of which is like a frog in colour, another has the tint of ebony, and a third is blackish inclining to red. Baptes is a soft stone, and of a most excellent smell. Beli oculus is a stone of a whitish hue, surrounding a black pupil in the middle, which shines amid a lustre like that of gold. This stone, in consequence of its singular beauty, has been consecrated to the deity held in the highest veneration by the people of Assyria. According to Democritus, there is also a stone called belus, and found at Arbela; it is about the size of a walnut, and looks like glass. Baroptenus or barippe is black, and covered with knots of a white and blood-red colour: the use of it as an amulet is avoided, as being apt to produce monstrosities.

Botryitis is sometimes black and sometimes purple-red, and resembles a bunch of grapes in form, when making its first appearance. Zoroaster says, that bostrychitis is a stone which is more like the hair of females than anything else. Bucardia resembles an ox-heart in appearance, and is only found at Babylon. Brontea is a stone like the head of a tortoise, which falls with thunder, it is supposed: if too, we are to believe what is said, it has the property of quenching the fire in objects that have been struck by lightning. Bolos is the name of a stone found in Iberia, similar to a clod of earth in appearance.

Cadmitis differs only from the stone that is known as ostracitis in being sometimes surrounded with blisters of an azure colour. Callais is like sapphiros in colour, only that it is paler and more closely resembles the tint of the water near the sea-shore in appearance. Capnitis, in the opinion of some, is a peculiar species of stone: it is covered with numerous spiral streaks, of a smoky colour, as already stated in the appropriate place. Cappadocia is a native of Phrygia, and resembles ivory in appearance. Callaica is the name given to a stone like a clouded callaina; a number of them are always found united, it is said. Catochitis is a stone found in Corsica, of larger size than the other precious stones; and of a more wonderful nature, if the story is true, that it retains the hand like gum, when placed upon it. Catoptritis is found in Cappadocia, and, from its whiteness, reflects figures like a mirror. Cepitis or cepolatitis is a white stone, with veins upon it uniting together. Ceramitis has a colour like that of earthenware.

Cinædia is a stone found in the brain of a fish of a corresponding name. It is white and oblong, and possessed of marvellous virtues, if we are to put faith in what is said, that it announces before-hand whether the sea will be tranquil or stormy. Ceritis is a stone like wax: circos resembles the plumage of the hawk: corsoides is like white hair in appearance. Coralloachates is very similar to coral, marked with drops of gold; and corallis, a native of India and Syene, resembles minium in appearance. Crateritis is in colour a medium between chrysolithos and amber, and is remarkable for its hardness. Crocallis is a gem like the cherry in its tints. Cyitis is a stone found in the vicinity of Coptos; it is white, and to all appearance has an embryo stone within, the rattling of which may be heard on shaking it. Chalcophonos is a black stone, but when struck it clinks like brass: tragic actors are recommended to carry it about them. Of chelidonia there are two varieties, both resembling the swallow in colour: one of them is purple on one side, and the other is purple besprinkled with black spots. Chelonia is the eye of the Indian tortoise, and is the most marvellous of all the stones, if we believe the lying stories told by the magicians. For, according to them, this stone, placed upon the tongue after rinsing the mouth with honey, will ensure power of divination, if this is done at full moon or new moon, for one whole day. If, however, this plan is adopted while the moon is on the increase, the power of divination will be acquired before sun-rise only, and if upon other days, from the first hour to the sixth.

Chelonitis, too, is a stone that resembles the tortoise in appearance, and the many virtues of which are talked of for calming storms and tempests. As to the one that has all the appearance of being sprinkled with spots of gold, if thrown with a scarabæus into boiling water, it will raise a tempest, they say. Chloritis is a stone of a grass-green colour: according to the magicians, it is found in the crop of the motacilla, being engendered with the bird. They recommend also that it should be set in iron, for the purpose of working certain portentous marvels which they promise, as usual. Choaspitis is a stone so called from the river Choaspes, of a brilliant, golden colour mixed with green. Chrysolampis is a native of Æthiopia, and is pale by day, but of a fiery lustre by night. Chrysopis has all the appearance of gold. Ceponides is found at Atarna, a borough, and once a city, of Æolis. It is transparent, presents numerous tints, and has sometimes the appearance of glass, sometimes of crystal, and sometimes of iaspis. Indeed, the stones of this kind that are tarnished even, are possessed of such singular brilliancy as to reflect objects like a mirror.

Daphnea is mentioned by Zoroaster as curative of epilepsy. Diadochos is a stone that resembles the beryl. Of diphyes there are two kinds, the white and the black, male and female, with a line dividing the characteristics of either sex. Dionysias is hard and black, and covered with red spots. Triturated in water, this stone imparts to it the flavour of wine, and it is generally thought to be a preservative against intoxication. Draconitis or dracontia is a stone produced from the brain of the dragon; but unless the head of the animal is cut off while it is alive, the stone will not assume the form of a gem, through spite on the part of the serpent, when finding itself at the point of death: hence it is that, for this purpose, the head is cut off when it is asleep.

Sotacus, who tells us that he once saw a stone of this kind in the possession of a king, says that persons go in search of it in a chariot drawn by two horses; and that, the moment they see the serpent, they strew narcotic drugs in its way, and then cut off its head when asleep. According to him, this stone is white and pellucid, and admits of no polishing or engraving.

The stone encardia is also called “ariste.” There are three varieties of it; one of a black colour, with a figure in relief upon it like a heart; a second of a green colour, and like a heart in shape; and a third, with a black heart upon it, the rest of the stone being white. Enorchis is a white stone, the fragments of which, when it is split asunder, resemble the testes in shape. Exebenus, Zoroaster tells us, is a white, handsome stone, employed by goldsmiths for polishing gold. Erythallis, though a white stone, assumes a red hue when viewed at an inclined angle. Erotylos, also known as “amphicomos” and “hieromnemon,” is highly praised by Democritus for its use in the art of divination.

Eumeces is a stone of Bactriana, like silex in appearance; placed beneath the head, it produces visions in the night of an oracular description. Eumithres is called by the Assyrians “gem of Belus,” the most sacred of all their gods; it is of a leek-green colour, and greatly in request for superstitious purposes. Eupetalos is a stone that has four different tints, azure, fiery, vermilion, and apple-colour. Eureos is similar to an olive-stone in form, streaked like a shell, and moderately white. Eurotias has all the appearance of concealing its black colour beneath a coat of mould. Eusebes is the stone, it is said, of which the seat was made in the Temple of Hercules at Tyrus, from which the pious [only] could raise themselves without difficulty. Epimelas is a white gem, with a black hue reflected from its surface.

Galaxias, by some called “galactitis,” is a stone that closely resembles those next mentioned, but is interspersed with veins of blood-red or white. Galactitis is of the uniform colour of milk; other names given to it are, leucogæa, leucographitis, and synnephitis, and, when pounded in water, both in taste and colour it marvellously resembles milk. This stone promotes the secretion of the milk in nursing women, it is said; in addition to which, attached to the neck of infants, it produces saliva, and it dissolves when put into the mouth. They say, too, that it deprives persons of their memory: it is in the rivers Nilus and Acheloüs that it is produced. Some persons give the name of “galactitis” to a smaragdus surrounded with veins of white. Gallaica is a stone like argyrodamas, but of a somewhat more soiled appearance; these stones are found in twos and threes clustered together. The people of Media send us gassinade, a stone like orobus in colour, and sprinkled with flowers, as it were: it is found at Arbela. This stone, too, conceives, it is said; a fact which it admits when shaken; the conception lasting for a period of three months. Glossopetra, which resembles the human tongue, is not engendered, it is said, in the earth, but falls from the heavens during the moon’s eclipse; it is considered highly necessary for the purposes of selenomancy. To render all this however, still more incredible, we have the evident untruthfulness of one assertion made about it, that it has the property of silencing the winds. Gorgonia is nothing but a coral, which has been thus named from the circumstance that, though soft in the sea, it afterwards assumes the hardness of stone: it has the property of counteracting fascinations, it is said. Goniæa, it is asserted, and with the same degree of untruthfulness, ensures vengeance upon our enemies.

Heliotropium is found in Æthiopia, Africa, and Cyprus: it is of a leek-green colour, streaked with blood-red veins. It has been thus named, from the circumstance that, if placed in a vessel of water and exposed to the full light of the sun, it changes to a reflected colour like that of blood; this being the case with the stone of Æthiopia more particularly. Out of the water, too, it reflects the figure of the sun like a mirror, and it discovers eclipses of that luminary by showing the moon passing over its disk. In the use of this stone, also, we have a most glaring illustration of the impudent effrontery of the adepts in magic, for they say that, if it is combined with the plant heliotropium, and certain incantations are then repeated over it, it will render the person invisible who carries it about him.

Hephæstitis also, though a radiant stone, partakes of the properties of a mirror in reflecting objects. The mode of testing it is to put it into boiling water, which should immediately become cold. If exposed to the rays of the sun, it should instantly cause dry fuel to ignite: Corycus is the place where it is found. Hermuaidoion is so called from the resemblance to the male organs which it presents, on a ground that is sometimes white, sometimes black, and sometimes of a pallid hue, with a circle surrounding it of a golden colour. Hexecontalithos receives its name from the numerous variety of colours which, small as it is, it presents: it is found in Troglodytica. Hieracitis is entirely covered with mottled streaks, resembling a kite’s feathers alternately with black. Hammitis is similar in appearance to the spawn of fish: there is also one variety of it which has all the appearance of being composed of nitre, except that it is remarkably hard. Hammonis cornu is reckoned among the most sacred gems of Æthiopia; it is of a golden colour, like a ram’s horn in shape, and ensures prophetic dreams, it is said.

Hormiscion is one of the most pleasing stones to the sight; it is of a fiery colour, and emits rays like gold, tipped at the extremity with a whitish light. Hyænia is derived from the eyes of the hyæna, it is said, the animal being hunted to obtain it; placed beneath the tongue, if we believe the story, it will enable a person to prophesy the future. Hæmatitis, of the very finest quality, comes from Æthiopia, but it is found in Arabia and Africa as well. It is a stone of a blood-red colour, and we must not omit to mention the assurance given [by the magicians], that the possession of it reveals treacherous designs on the part of the barbarians. Zachalias of Babylon, in the books which he dedicated to King Mithridates, attributing the destinies of man to certain properties innate in precious stones, is not content with vaunting the merits of this stone as curative of diseases of the eyes and liver, but recommends it also as ensuring success to petitions addressed to kings. He also makes it play its part in lawsuits and judgments, and even goes so far as to say that it is highly beneficial to be rubbed with it on the field of battle. There is another stone of the same class, called “menui” by the people of India, and “xanthos” by the Greeks: it is of a whitish, tawny colour.

The stones called Idæi dactyli, and found in Crete, are of an iron colour, and resemble the human thumb in shape. The colour of icterias resembles that of livid skin, and hence it is that it has been thought so excellent a remedy for jaundice. There is also another stone of this name, of a still more livid colour; while a third has all the appearance of a leaf. This last is broader than the others, almost imponderous, and streaked with livid veins. A fourth kind again is of the same colour, but blacker, and marked all over with livid veins. Jovis gemma is a white stone, very light, and soft: another name given to it is “drosolithos.” Indica retains the name of the country that produces it: it is a stone of a reddish colour, and yields a purple liquid when rubbed. There is another stone also of this name, white, and of a dusty appearance. Ion is an Indian stone, of a violet tint: it is but rarely, however, that it is found of a deep, full, colour.

Lepidotis is a stone of various colours, and resembles the scales of fish in appearance. Lesbias, so called from Lesbos which produces it, is a stone found in India as well. Leucophthalmos, which in other respects is of a reddish hue, presents all the appearance of an eye, in white and black. Leucopœcilos is white, variegated with drops of vermilion of a golden hue. Libanochrus strongly resembles frankincense, and yields a liquid like honey. Limoniatis would appear to be the same as smaragdus; and all that we find said about liparea is, that employed in the form of a fumigation, it allures all kinds of wild beasts. Lysimachos resembles Rhodian marble, with veins of gold: in polishing it, it is reduced very considerably in size, in order to remove all defects. Leucochrysos is a kind of chrysolithos interspersed with white.

What kind of stone memnonia is, we do not find mentioned. Medea is a black stone, said to have been discovered by the Medea of fable: it has veins of a golden lustre, and yields a liquid like saffron in colour and with a vinous flavour. Meconitis strongly resembles poppies. Mithrax comes from Persia and the mountains of the Red Sea: it is of numerous colours, and reflects various tints when exposed to the sun. Morochthos is a stone of a leek-green colour, from which a milk exudes. Mormorion is a transparent stone from India, of a deep black colour, and known also as “promnion.” When it has a mixture of the colour of carbunculus, it is from Alexandria; and when it shares that of sarda, it is a native of Cyprus. It is found also at Tyrus and in Galatia; and, according to Xenocrates, it has been discovered at the foot of the Alps. These stones are well adapted for cutting in relief. Murrhitis has just the colour of myrrh, and very little of the appearance of a gem: it has the odour also of an unguent, and smells like nard when rubbed. Myrmecias is black, and has excrescences upon it like warts. Myrsinitis has a colour like that of honey, and the smell of myrtle. “Mesoleucos” is the name given to a stone when a white line runs through the middle; and when a black vein intersects any other colour, it is called “mesomelas.”

Nasamonitis is a blood-red stone, marked with black veins. Nebritis, a stone sacred to Father Liber, has received its name from its resemblance to a nebris. There is also another stone of this kind, that is black. Nipparene bears the name of a city and people of Persia, and resembles the teeth of the hippopotamus.

Oica is the barbarian name given to a stone which is pleasing for its colours, black, reddish yellow, green, and white. Ombria, by some called “notia,” falls with showers and lightning, much in the same manner as ceraunia and brontea, the properties of which it is said to possess. There is a statement also, that if this stone is placed upon altars it will prevent the offerings from being consumed. Onocardia is like kermesberry in appearance, but nothing further is said about it. Oritis, by some called “sideritis,” is a stone of globular form, and proof against the action of fire. Ostracias, or ostracitis, is a testaceous stone, harder than ceramitis, and similar in all respects to achates, except that the latter has an unctuous appearance when polished: indeed, so remarkably hard is ostracitis, that with fragments of it other gems are engraved. Ostritis receives its name from its resemblance to an oyster-shell. Ophicardelon is the barbarian name for a stone of a black colour, terminated by a white line on either side. Of Obsian stone we have already spoken in the preceding Book. There are gems, too, of the same name and colour, found not only in Æthiopia and India, but in Samnium as well, and, in the opinion of some, upon the Spanish shores that lie towards the Ocean.

Panchrus is a stone which displays nearly every colour. Pangonus is no longer than the finger: the only thing that prevents it from being taken for a crystal, is, its greater number of angles. What kind of stone paneros is, Metrodorus does not inform us; but he gives some lines, by no means without elegance, that were written upon this stone by Queen Timaris, and dedicated to Venus; from which we have reason to conclude that certain fecundating virtues were attributed to it. By some writers it is called panerastos. Of the stone called “pontica” there are numerous varieties: one is stellated, and presents either blood-red spots, or drops like gold, being reckoned in the number of the sacred stones. Another, in place of stars, has streaks of the same colour, and a fourth presents all the appearance of mountains and valleys.

Phloginos, also called “chrysitis,” strongly resembles Attic ochre, and is found in Egypt. Phœnicitis is a stone so called from its resemblance to a date. Phycitis receives its name from its resemblance to sea-weed. Perileucos is the name given to a gem, in which a white colour runs down from the margin of the stone to the base. Pæanitis, by some called “gæanis,” conceives, it is said, and is good for females at the time of parturition: this stone is found in Macedonia, near the monument of Tiresias there, and has all the appearance of congealed water.

Solis gemma is white, and, like the luminary from which it takes its name, emits brilliant rays in a circular form. Sagda is found by the people of Chaldæa adhering to ships, and is of a leek-green colour. The Isle of Samothrace gives its name to a stone which it produces, black and imponderous, and similar to wood in appearance. Sauritis is found, they say, in the belly of the green lizard, cut asunder with a reed. Sarcitis is a stone, like beef in appearance. Selenitis is white and transparent, with a reflected colour like that of honey. It has a figure within it like that of the moon, and reflects the face of that luminary, if what we are told is true, according to its phases, day by day, whether on the wane or whether on the increase: this stone is a native of Arabia, it is thought. Sideritis is a stone like iron, the presence of which in lawsuits creates discord. Sideropœcilos, which is a variety of the same stone, is a native of Æthiopia, and is covered with variegated spots.

Spongitis has its name from its resemblance to sponge. Synodontitis is a stone found in the brain of the fish known as “synodus.” Syrtitis is a stone that used formerly to be found on the shores of the Syrtes, though now it is found on the coasts of Lucania as well: it is of a honey colour, with a reflected tint of saffron, and contains stars of a feeble lustre within. Syringitis is hollow throughout, like the space between the two joints in a straw.

Trichrus comes from Africa: it is of a black colour, but yields three different liquids, black at the lower part, blood-red in the middle, and of an ochre colour at the top. Thelyrrhizos is of an ashy or russet colour, but white at the lower part. Thelycardios is like a heart in colour, and is held in high esteem by the people of Persia, in which country it is found: the name given to it by them is “mulc.” Of thracia there are three varieties; a green stone, one of a more pallid colour, and a third with spots like drops of blood. Tephritis is crescent-shaped, with horns like those of the new moon, but it is of an ashy colour. Tecolithos has all the appearance of an olive stone: it is held in no estimation as a gem, but a solution of it will break and expel urinary calculi.

Veneris crines is the name given to a stone that is remarkably black and shining, with an appearance like red hair within. Veientana is an Italian stone, found at Veii: it is black, divided by a line of white.

Zathene, according to Democritus, is a native of Media. It is like amber in colour, and, if beaten up with palm-wine and saffron, it will become soft like wax, yielding a very fragrant smell. Zmilampis is found in the river Euphrates: it resembles marble of Proconnesus in appearance, and is of a sea-green colour within. Zoraniscæa is found in the river Indus: it is a stone used by magicians, it is said, but I find no further particulars relative to it.