CHAP. 63.—MEMNONIA. MEDIA. MECONITIS. MITHRAX. MOROCHTHOS. MORMORION OR PROMNION. MURRHITIS. MYRMECIAS. MYRSINITIS. MESOLEUCOS. MESOMELAS.
What kind of stone memnonia[3359] is, we do not find mentioned. Medea[3360] is a black stone, said to have been discovered by the Medea[3361] of fable: it has veins of a golden lustre, and yields a liquid like saffron in colour and with a vinous flavour. Meconitis[3362] strongly resembles poppies. Mithrax[3363] comes from Persia and the mountains of the Red Sea: it is of numerous colours, and reflects various tints when exposed to the sun.[3364] Morochthos[3365] is a stone of a leek-green colour, from which a milk exudes. Mormorion[3366] is a transparent stone from India, of a deep black colour, and known also as “promnion.” When it has a mixture of the colour[3367] of carbunculus, it is from Alexandria; and when it shares that of sarda,[3368] 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.[3369] Murrhitis[3370] 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[3371] is black, and has excrescences upon it like warts. Myrsinitis[3372] has a colour like that of honey, and the smell of myrtle. “Mesoleucos”[3373] 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.”[3374]