On Minerals

has the greatest fissility: it is formed from a dry, watery substance that emerges from the matter of the stone which is generated from red clay; and because this watery substance is strongly seized by the dry, the stone is very dry and hard. When one part of it is placed under the light of the sun and another part is held in the shade, it projects by reflection the most beautiful colors of the rainbow original: "yridis" upon the opposite wall or upon any body, for which reason it is called Iris original: "pris"; likely a typographical error for "Iris". The cause of this has been assigned above. Another stone similar to this is born in gypsum likely referring to selenite or mica, which is also transparent at the edges and very dry; some people use it in place of glass for windows.

Iscultos

Iscultos (as Isidore and Aaron report) is likewise a stone found most frequently in the farthest parts of Spain near the Pillars of Hercules, in the third or second climates beyond that Spain which we now call Spain. It is a fissile stone meaning it can be easily split into thin layers because of a stickiness dried within it; and if garments are made from it, they do not burn but are cleansed and made bright by fire; perhaps this is what they call the "salamander's feather," for this is a kind of down like the down of a moist stone This refers to asbestos, which medieval writers often associated with the mythical fire-proof salamander. Why it is not consumed by fire has been explained in the Meteorologica a reference to Aristotle's work on natural phenomena. He says a certain species of this is a stone that some call the "white carbuncle" and others the "white pebble." It imitates the carbuncle in this: that it resists phantasms and magical deceptions. It is also effective against pain in the eyes caused by moisture, and when reduced to powder, it heals the itch. The same Isidore says of the Jewish Stone original: "lapide iudaico" that it is white in the manner of an acorn in size, marked with certain inscriptions, as if with letters which the Greeks call grammata original: "gramas". Avicenna calls this the "Jewish" stone because it is most frequently found in Judea.

Chapter Nine: Concerning those beginning with the ninth letter, which is K.

Kacabre is the same as what we called Jet original: "gagates", but nonetheless some say that Kacabre is better, though it differs from it neither in color nor in virtues. Kakabres, however, is a stone similar to crystal, of which they say it grants eloquence, honor, and grace, and that it is effective against dropsy edema or swelling. Kakaman is a stone frequently white in whole or in part. It is very often varied in color and found mixed with onyx. Its virtue is said to come from the images and carvings found within it, and from the seals of which a treatise will be provided in the following sections.

Chapter Ten: Concerning those beginning with the letter L.

Liguria's lyncurium.

Lyncurius is a stone that is formed from the urine of the lynx; and Pliny says these animals belong to the East, though they are frequently found in great numbers in the forests of Germany original: "theutonia" and Slavonia. Pliny also says that this kind of animal hides its urine under the sand as if it envies the benefit that comes from the stone. Bede says that this stone is born in the kidneys of a man. Pliny says it is a sparkling red like a carbuncle, except that it does not shine at night. It is more frequently found as saffron-colored, tending slightly toward blackness. It has been proven by experience that when rubbed, it attracts straws, which happens to almost every precious stone. It is also said to be effective against stomach pain, jaundice, and diarrhea. Lippares original: "Lippares" or "Lipparis" is said to be a stone found most frequently
Lippas

in Libya. The virtue of the stone is said to be miraculous: for every beast harassed by hunters and dogs runs to it and looks upon it as a protector. And as they say, the dogs and hunters cannot recognize the beast as long as they have the stone present. If this is true, it is very marvelous, and without a doubt to be attributed to celestial virtue, which Hermes says are miraculous in stones and also in plants; through these things, whatever is done in the magical sciences could happen naturally, if those virtues were well known.

Chapter Eleven: Concerning those beginning with the letter M, which is the eleventh.

Magnes the lodestone or magnet or Magnetes is a stone of a rust color which is most magneslodestone often found in the Indian Sea; it is said to be so abundant there that it is dangerous to sail in ships that have iron nails. It is also found in the regions of the Troglodytes. I have seen it found in parts of Germany, in that province called Eastern Franconia original: "francia orientalis"; one was of great size and maximum efficacy, and it was very black, as if it were rusty iron burned with pitch. Its virtue is marvelous in the attraction of iron, so much so that it transmits its power into the iron so that it also attracts; sometimes many needles are seen suspended to each other in this way. However, a stone smeared with garlic does not attract, and if a diamond original: "adamas" is placed upon it, it again does not attract, so that a small diamond binds a large magnet. In our times, a magnet was found that attracts iron from one corner and repels it from another; Aristotle posits this to be another kind of magnet. One of our companions, a curious experimenter, told me that he saw the Emperor Frederick likely Frederick II, known for his interest in science have a magnet that did not attract iron, but conversely, the iron attracted the stone. Aristotle says there is another kind of magnet that attracts human flesh. In magic, it is taught that it moves phantasms wonderfully, principally or especially if it has been consecrated with an incantation and a character a magical symbol, as is taught in magical books. They also say that this, taken with mead original: "mulsia", cures dropsy. They also say that if this stone is placed under the head of a sleeping woman, it immediately moves her to the embrace of her husband if she is chaste; if, however, she is an adulteress, she is said to fall out of bed from excessive fear of phantasms. They also say that thieves entering a house place coals in the four corners of the house and sprinkle this stone ground up over them; then those sleeping in the house are so held by phantasms that they leave the house in flight, and then the thieves steal what they wish.