is found in three ways: and is of two colors, namely black and saffron. But the saffron kind is pleasant, almost like a topazoriginal: "topasion". It is also found greyish and leaning toward a pale color joined with a citron hue. When rubbed, however, it attracts straws, and when set on fire, it burns like incense. It is said that it helps those with dropsyan old term for edema or swelling caused by fluid retention, and it firms loose teeth, as they say. From experience, it is known that when washed with water and
Virtues of Jet.

administered to women from below as a fumigation a method of medieval medicine where medicinal smoke was directed toward the body, it induces menstruation. It is also said that it puts serpents to flight and is effective against the upsetting of the stomach and belly, and against melancholic phantoms which some call demons. They also say it is proven by experience that if the strained washings of the stone and its shavings are given to a virgin to drink, she will retain her urine; if, however, she is not a virgin, she will urinate immediately. And thus it is tested whether one is a virgin.
Gagatronica.

They also say it is effective against the labor pains of a woman in childbirth. Gagatronica is a stone of diverse colors like the skin of a kid-goat. Avicenna a famous Persian polymath and physician says its power is that it renders those who carry it victorious. Experts say this was proven in the case of a certain Prince Alcides likely referring to Hercules, also known as Alcides, who, as often as he had this stone with him, always conquered on land and sea; whenever he lacked it, he is said to have succumbed to his enemies. Gelofia is said to be a stone having the shape and color of hail,
Gelofia.

similar in hardness to a diamond. And it is said to be of such great coldness that it can hardly ever be warmed by fire. The cause of this is the excessive constriction of its pores, not allowing fire to enter therein. They also say that this stone mitigates anger, lust, and other such "hot" passions and desires.
Galaricides, which some call galactitefrom the Greek 'gala,' meaning milk; likely a type of clay or chalk, is a stone similar to
Galaricides.

ash. It is mostly found in the Nile and Acoleo rivers. When ground, this stone gives the taste of milk, and its juice, when held in the mouth, disturbs the mind. It is also said in the Book of Physical Ligatures a medieval text on the medicinal use of amulets tied to the body that when tied to the neck, it fills the breasts with milk; and when tied to the thigh, it makes for easy childbirth. Egyptian shepherds also say that if it is ground and mixed with salt-water in the evening and sprinkled around the sheepfold, it fills the udders of the sheep with milk and drives away the mange from them; generally, it is also said to be effective against the mange. Gerachidem is a stone, as it is reported, of a black color.
Gerachidem.

The truth of this stone is tested in this way: the one carrying the stone smears his whole body with honey and exposes himself to flies and wasps; if he remains untouched by them, the stone is genuine. If he puts down the stone, the flies and wasps immediately land on the honey and sting him. They say that when carried in the mouth, it makes one judge opinions and thoughts well. It is also said that it renders the man carrying it lovable and gracious. Gecolitus is a stone, as the East reports,
Gecolitus.

similar to an olive pit. They say its power is that when ground and drunk with water, it breaks the stone kidney or bladder stones and expels it from the bladder and kidneys. Garnet original: "Granatus",
Garnet

as Constantine and Aristotle report, is of the genus of carbunclesa general term for red gemstones, usually rubies or garnets. It is a red and pleasant stone, similar in color to pomegranate flowersoriginal: "balaustijs". It is, however, somewhat darker red than a carbuncle, and when a black color is placed beneath it in seals, it then shines more brightly. And there is found
in this genus a certain type which has a violet color mixed with the red; for this reason, this kind is called "violaceous," and it is more precious than all other garnets. It is said to gladden the heart and drive away sadness, as according to Aristotle it is hot and dry. And what some say—that this is of the genus of the hyacinth—is false. This stone is found mostly in Ethiopia, and sometimes near Tyre among the sands of the sea.

Chapter Eight: On those beginning with the letter I/J

Jasper

I

asper Jasper is a stone of many colors, and it has ten species. However, the best is the green, translucent kind having red veins; it ought to be set in silver, and it is found in many parts. For it is proven by experience that it binds the flow of blood and menstruation. They also say that it prevents conception but assists in childbirth, and it prohibits the one carrying it from lust. In magical writings, it is also read that if it is enchanted, it renders one gracious, powerful, and safe, and it drives away fevers and dropsy.
Hyacinth

Of Hyacinths original: "Jacintoz," likely referring to Zircon or Sapphire in this context there are two kinds: namely, the watery and the sapphirine. The watery kind is a whitening yellow, as if through a mixture of water it bursts out from under a transparent yellow and strives to overcome it; this one is of lesser value. In this genus is also found a watery red in which the transparency of the water likewise prevails. The sapphirine kind is a very pleasant yellow, having almost no wateriness, and this is the better kind. Therefore it has three names: for it is sometimes called the sapphirine hyacinth; it is found mostly in Ethiopia. And some say there is a fourth kind which is a watery blue like a topaz, and this is generally the hardest and cheapest, which hardly allows itself to be engraved. From experience, it is known that it is cold like the green stone, and it strengthens the body, as does every cold thing that constricts the virtues of the body. In physical ligatures, its use is such that when suspended from the neck or
Virtues of the Hyacinth

carried on the finger, it renders a traveler safe and welcome to hosts, and it is effective against wild regions. It is proven by experience that it provokes sleep because of its cold complexion. The sapphirine kind is said to specifically have the power of strengthening. Jena Hyaenia is a stone from the beast called the hyena, so called because
Jena

it is taken from its eyes when they turn into stone. Ancient authors like Evax and Aaron say that when placed under the tongue, it grants the ability to predict the future through divination.
The Iris is a stone similar to crystal, and it is most frequently hexagonal original: "eragonus," meaning six-sided.
Iris.

Evax says that it comes from Arabia and is born in the Red Sea. We, however, have found a very great abundance of these stones in the mountains of Germany which are between the Rhine river and the city of Trier; they are of various sizes, but all are hexagonal. Born within white stones, when they are naturally round, the surrounding placement of the stone makes them hexagonal, just as the holes of bees honeycomb cells placed in the middle are made hexagonal, yet those on the edges are round. The stone is extremely dry, as its nature indicates...