Some said that this stone might be found not only in the eagle’s nest, but also in that of the stork. This idea was, however, entirely erroneous in Bausch’s opinion, for though he had caused diligent search to be made by all those who encountered such nests, no “eagle-stone” could ever be found. To the supposed “stork-stones” had been given the name lychnites, as they were believed to be luminous, their light serving to frighten off any snakes which might be seeking the new-laid eggs.[[362]]
Bausch enumerates and rejects a number of explanations to account for the supposed presence of the ætites in the nests of eagles. One theory was that these stones served to give stability to the nest, and enabled it better to resist the assaults of the wind; others asserted that the coolness of the stones lowered the unduly high temperature of the eggs and of the parent bird’s body; others again were inclined to attribute to them a mysterious formative and vivifying power exerted on the eggs, or else a talismanic power protecting these from injury. While rejecting all these notions, as we have stated, and indeed denying the truth of the assertion that such stones were ever found in eagles’ nests, Bausch cites the authority of St. Jerome, in his commentary on Isaiah, chap. lxvi, that the amethyst had been found with the young of the eagle, being placed with them in the nest to protect them from venomous creatures.[[363]]
That the “eagle-stones” were not always hollow is shown by a specimen owned in the eighteenth century by the English family Postlethwayte. This was solid, and had been cut into the shape of a heart, a hole being pierced at the upper end so that the stone could be worn suspended. In a curious letter written April 25, 1742, by Martha Postlethwayte, sister of Sir Thomas Gooch, who successively presided over the episcopal sees of Bristol, Norwich and Ely, to her daughter Barbara Kerrick, the writer advises her correspondent, in order to avoid a repetition of former misadventures, to “wear the eagle-stone and take Mrs. Stone’s receit,” and adds: “I hope it may have good effect and make me a good grandmother.” The result was favorable, and must naturally have affirmed the faith in the powers of the stone.[[364]]
An inventory of the furniture, plate, jewels, etc., of Charles V of France, made in 1379,[[365]] describes two stones preserved in a case of cypress-wood which the king always carried about with him. One of these was called the “holy stone” and aided women in childbirth. This was probably an “eagle-stone.” It was set in gold and the setting was adorned with four pearls, six emeralds and two balas-rubies. The other stone, which cured the gout, was an engraved gem bearing the figure of a king and an inscription in Hebrew characters. This description suggests one of the Gnostic gems so common in the early Christian centuries. The gem was suspended from a silver cord, so that it could be worn on the neck, or perhaps attached to some other part of the body. We find in the comptes royaux of 1420 an electuary composed of powdered precious stones, for the cure of the infirmities of Isabel of Bavaria, who was fifty years old and had been for several years obese and a valetudinarian.[[366]]
In some parts of the Orient the superstitious notion exists that the ætites occasionally emits a wailing sound during the night, and this is said to be either an expression of the birth-pangs of the mother stone, or else the cry of its new-born offspring, the small stones enclosed within the geode, for the story goes that each night some of these are generated.[[367]]
These “eagle-stones” still retain their repute in Italy, where they are called pietre gravide, or “pregnant stones,” and are considered by many of the peasants as almost indispensable aids to parturition. They are in such demand that the lucky owners rent them for the nine months during which they are worn. As soon as one case has been happily concluded, the amulet is passed on to some other woman who is in need of it. A fee of five lire, or one dollar, is paid in each case, and a pledge worth a hundred lire ($20) is required before the stone is handed over. Some amulets of this class bear Christian symbols.[[368]]
Geodes of this description consisting of limonite are to be found in many places. Some of them are of relatively recent formation, and one of these shows curiously enough that in addition to its other virtues the ætites can on occasion perform the functions of a savings-bank. This strange specimen was found in 1846, at Périgueux, department Dordogne, France. On opening the geode there appeared within some 200 silver coins dated in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries; all of these were encrusted with the material forming the enclosing mass.[[369]]
Long, white, rough stones, calcareous shell growths, were sometimes taken from snails and cockles. These were believed to have a marked diuretic action, and were therefore strongly recommended for certain diseases of the kidneys and the bladder. They were also believed to be helpful in cases of difficult parturition. Although no details are given, it seems most probable that the stones were reduced to a powder from which some sort of potion was concocted,[[370]] this having no more action than so much ground shell or marble dust.
Extracting an alectorius. From Johannis de Cuba’s “Ortus Sanitatis,” Strassburg, 1483.