These stones the name of which is derived from the Persian PAD-ZAHR, poison-expelling (Zahr, poison; Pad, to dislodge) are concretions found in the stomach of the stag or goat, and are credited with great medicinal virtues, being said to dislodge poisons and to remove poisonous diseases. In India and Persia the belief in the virtue of Bezoars is very widespread; it is said that those taken from the stomach of the wild goat of Persia (Caprea Acyagros), especially if large specimens, are sold for their weight in gold. Dr. Anthony Todd Thomson, M.D., quotes Garner, an old writer, who gives the following curious origin of the Bezoar which he obtained from the Arabians: “When the hart is sick and hath eaten many serpents for his recoverie, he is brought into so great a heate that he hasteth to the water and there covereth his body unto the very ears and eyes at which distilleth many tears from which the stone (the Bezoar) gendered.” These Calculi are composed chiefly of superphosphate of lime, but concretions of phosphate of ammonia or magnesia are also found. The Bezoar was highly esteemed as a remedy for diseases of the bladder and kidneys. Dr. Anthony Todd Thomson says that the belief in the curative power of these Bezoars “affords an addition to the many thousand proofs of the influence of mind over body, and how truly efficacious Imagination may prove in removing disease.”
It was usual to bind the Bezoar to the part affected where that was possible. In China the MO-SOH or Bezoar was credited with the power of renewing youth and bestowing beauty, and similar beliefs prevail in parts of India. The Malays obtain this stone from monkeys and porcupines, and its magical virtues are held in great esteem. Known as the GULIGA the Bezoar is exported in great quantities from Sarawak to Hindustan especially, where it is used as a remedy for asthma. It is said that the Guliga is procured from a red-coloured monkey of the Semnopithecus species, and the Guliga Landak which is rarer and more highly valued from the porcupine. Jean Baptiste Tavernier (Baron d’Aubonne) during his travels in the East in the 17th century became acquainted with the Bezoar stone which he describes in his writings. “Genuine stones,” it is stated, “if placed in the mouth spring up and attach themselves to the palate, or if placed in water will make the water boil.”
DRACONITE. The Draconite is described as a white brilliant gem which must be cut from the head of a living dragon if its lustre and virtue are to be retained. Philostrates writes that the seekers for the Draconite weave certain letters in gold into a robe of scarlet and infuse opiates into the letters. The Dragon lured out of his cave by musical charm succumbs to the power of the soporific robe. Immediately he does so the Indians rush on him and cutting off his head take from it gems of bright hues and indescribable virtues. But a dragon has often seized the man and his weapons and drawn him into his den. The Draconite is associated with the zodiacal Scorpio and is partly, if not wholly, symbolic.
ENHYDROS or HYDROLITE. This is a well-known water stone and within its crystal cover water can usually be seen clearly. Marbodus says that this stone “ceaseless tears distils.” The Enhydros is said to be a cure for gout and affections of the feet, and a charm for bestowing inspiration and clearness of thought. The water contained within the Enhydros is said to be highly poisonous if taken internally. The stone is under the zodiacal Pisces.
GNOSTIC STONES. Besides the figure of the mystic Abraxas the talismanic stones of the Gnostics were engraved with various devices. A large loadstone in the King collection is engraved with a figure of Venus dressing her long hair. Venus stands for the mystic Sophia or Achamoth and as such represents Truth.
IRIS. The “Iris resplendent with the crystal’s sheen” which the “swarthy Arabs glean” is now known as Rainbow Quartz. The iridescence is produced by the reflection of light from the cracks in the stone. The same effect is produced if the crystal is first subjected to heat and then plunged quickly into cold water. The Iris obtained its name from the beautiful companion of Juno, who travelled on the rainbow with wings extended clothed in glorious colours, radiant lights around her head. She was the guide and helper of the souls of women released from their bodies.
LAPIS ARMENUS, or Armenian Stone, is a copper carbonite used as a medicine against infection. It is related in Arab books that a solution of this substance will retain its power for 10 years. In the East copper has been long used as a safeguard against cholera, and it has been observed that workers in copper mines have enjoyed immunity from the disease. Dr. Richard Hughes notes the value of copper in Asiatic cholera, adding: “There is now abundant evidence of its efficacy both among the workers in the metal and in those who have worn a plate of it next the body during the prevalence of the epidemic.” The Lapis Armenus, like all copper compositions, is under the rulership of the planet Venus.
LAPIDES FULMONIS. These Thunder stones which are believed to be formed by the lightning in the clouds (see Obsidian) are known by the peasants of Calabria as CUOGNI DI TRUONI. The traditional belief is that they are plunged by the lightning stroke six feet into the earth and that every time it thunders they are drawn one foot nearer the surface. After the sixth or seventh thunder storm it is said that the stones are raised to the surface. The peasants test them by suspending them above a fire, attached to a blue thread; if the thread does not burn the stone is adjudged a true thunder stone and is carefully treasured as a potent talisman against the lightning stroke.
LAPIS MEMPHITICUS. This stone of Memphis is described as a sparkling round body of about the size of a hazel-nut. It is mentioned by Pliny as deadening the pain of surgical operations if taken in wine and water beforehand. If it be reduced to powder and applied, according to Dioscorides, as an ointment to that part of the body to which a surgeon was about to apply either fire or the knife, it produced insensibility to pain. This is an early instance of the recorded action of a local anaesthetic.
LUZ or LUEZ. This is said to be a stone or indestructible bone in the human backbone. Dr. John Lightfoot, a great Hebraic scholar of the 17th century, details the following legend: