On Minerals

Properties of the Eagle Stone

The best kind of this stone is the herodion original: "herodion," a variant of "echites" or the Eagle Stone, which some call herodes; it is said to be found sometimes in Persia. Its nature is such that it contains another stone inside it, which rattles within when it is moved or shaken by hand. It is reported that if it is hung from the left arm, it assists pregnant women, prevents miscarriage, and eases the dangers of childbirth. Some state that it prevents the frequent falling of those with the "falling sickness" epilepsy. And what is more marvelous than this, the Chaldeans ancient Babylonian scholars/magicians report that if someone is suspected of administering poison and a piece of bread original: "abas," likely a corruption of "offa" or "panis" is placed in their food, this stone prevents that piece from being swallowed; if the stone is removed, they soon swallow it. Why it is said that eagles place this stone in their nests is not fully known. We have observed by experience that cranes do not care what kind of stone they place among their eggs; rather, they place one kind one year and another kind another year. However, some say they do this to moderate the heat of the eggs or of the eagle's body so the eggs do not become too hot, and this is probable. Yet some say it contributes something to the formation and quickening of the life within. As for what some say—that the stone is placed among the eggs to prevent them from breaking—this is entirely false, for they would break sooner by striking against the stone than against each other. Some also say that if someone is suspected of administering poison and the stone is placed in any of their food, they are immediately choked by the food; when it is removed, they swallow the food if they are guilty; if they are innocent, they swallow the food in which the stone was placed.

Heliotrope

Heliotrope original: "Eliotrophia" is a green stone almost like an emerald, sprinkled with blood-red spots. The necromancers say this is called "Heliotrope" and the "Babylonian Gem," because if it is rubbed with the juice of the herb of the same name and placed in a vessel full of water, it makes the sun appear blood-red, as if it were undergoing an eclipse. The cause of this is that it makes all the water boil into a mist which, by thickening the air, prevents the sun from being seen except as a reddish glow through a thick, dewy cloud; afterward, that mist descends like drops of rain. It is required, however, to be consecrated with a certain chant and mixed with certain symbols; and if those in a trance are then present, they predict certain things by divination. For this reason, the priests of the temples used this stone, especially during the festivals of idols.

Properties of Heliotrope

It is said to give a person a good reputation, health, and a long life, and to be effective against the flow of blood and poisons. It is also said that when rubbed with the herb of its own name as we said before, it deceives the sight to such an extent that it prevents a person from being seen invisibility. It is found most often in Ethiopia, Cyprus, and India.

Hematite

Hematite original: "Ematis tes" is a stone found in Africa, Ethiopia, and Arabia; it is of a rusty color, having blood-red veins mixed in. Its power is very "styptic" contracting or binding, which is why it has been proven by experience to be effective against fluxes of the bladder, the belly, and menstruation when it is ground, mixed with water, and drunk. It also heals the spitting of bloody saliva when mixed with wine. Its powder heals ulcers and wounds, and it even eats away at "superfluous flesh" proud flesh or overgrowth growing in wounds.

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It also strengthens and heals dim vision caused by moisture and tempers the roughness of the eyelids.

Enhydros

Enhydros original: "Etyndros" is a stone similar in color to crystal, which continually drips drops of water. These are said to be effective for those with fevers, and yet the stone does not grow smaller nor is it consumed. The cause of this is surely not that these drops distill from the substance of the stone itself, but because of its extreme coldness, it continually changes the air touching it into water, just as hard and polished stones do after the breaking of a cold spell condensation.

Epistite

Epistite original: "Epistrites" is a stone born in the sea, glowing and reddish. It is said in the books of charms and physical ligatures medical amulets that when worn before the heart, it keeps a person safe and restrains seditions; it is also reported to restrain locusts and birds, and to drive away barren mists, hail, and storms from the fruits of the earth. It has also been proven that when held against the "eye of the sun" direct sunlight, it emits fire and fiery rays. It is also said that if this stone is thrown into boiling water, the boiling ceases and it afterward grows cold. The cause of this can only be that it is certainly extremely cold, and when moved by the heat of the boiling, the coldness of its temperament begins to act.

Eracolitus

Eracolitus is said to be a variegated and "dissolving" stone, as the experience of physicians says; for this reason, when mixed with wine and drunk, it is said to be effective against the pains of colic and the "iliac passion" intestinal obstruction.

Draconite

Draconite original: "Eracontalitus," likely Draconites or Dragon-stone is a stone distinguished by sixty colors, of a very small size, which is found most frequently in Libya and among the Troglodytes cave-dwellers. It is very harmful to the nerves, for which reason it is also said to make a person’s eyes tremble.

Chapter Six: On those beginning with the sixth letter, which is F.

Orpiment original: "Falcones," here referring to Arsenic/Orpiment, which is called by another name "arsenic," and commonly "auripigmentum" gold-pigment, means the same thing. It is of the genus of stones, yellow and red, which the alchemists call one of the "spirits" volatile substances. It has the nature of sulfur in heating and drying. When it is calcined burned to powder by fire, it becomes black, and immediately by sublimation, it becomes very white. If it is calcined again, it becomes black again, and by repeated calcination, it becomes very white. When this is repeated three or four times, it becomes so caustic that if it is placed on copper, it immediately makes holes through it. It vehemently burns away all metals except gold alone. When applied to copper, it changes it to a white color; for this reason, counterfeiters use it when they want to make copper look like silver, because it has a great effect in this. They also say of gems that the gem called "phylacterium" is the same as chrysolite and has the same power.

Chapter Seven: On those beginning with the seventh letter, which is G.

Jet

Jet original: "Gagates" is catabe a Greek-derived name for jet; indeed, I consider this stone to be one of the gems. It is found in Libya and Britain near the seashore, and it is found abundantly in the sea that touches the northern part of Germany. Also in England, it is frequently...