Solis gemma[3404] is white, and, like the luminary from which it takes its name, emits brilliant rays in a circular form. Sagda is found by the people of Chaldæa adhering to ships, and is of a leek-green colour. The Isle of Samothrace gives its name to a stone[3405] which it produces, black and imponderous, and similar to wood in appearance. Sauritis[3406] is found, they say, in the belly of the green lizard, cut asunder with a reed. Sarcitis[3407] is a stone, like beef in appearance. Selenitis[3408] is white and transparent, with a reflected colour like that of honey. It has a figure within it like that of the moon, and reflects the face of that luminary, if what we are told is true, according to its phases, day by day, whether on the wane or whether on the increase: this stone is a native of Arabia, it is thought. Sideritis[3409] is a stone like iron, the presence of which in lawsuits creates discord. Sideropœcilos,[3410] which is a variety of the same stone, is a native of Æthiopia, and is covered with variegated spots.
Spongitis has its name from its resemblance to sponge. Synodontitis is a stone found in the brain of the fish known as “synodus.”[3411] Syrtitis is a stone that used formerly to be found on the shores of the Syrtes,[3412] though now it is found on the coasts of Lucania as well: it is of a honey colour, with a reflected tint of saffron, and contains stars of a feeble lustre within. Syringitis[3413] is hollow throughout, like the space between the two joints in a straw.
CHAP. 68.—TRICHRUS. THELYRRHIZOS. THELYCARDIOS OR MULC. THRACIA; THREE VARIETIES OF IT. TEPHRITIS. TECOLITHOS.
Trichrus[3414] comes from Africa: it is of a black colour, but yields three different liquids, black at the lower part, blood-red in the middle, and of an ochre colour at the top. Thelyrrhizos[3415] is of an ashy or russet colour, but white at the lower part. Thelycardios[3416] is like a heart in colour, and is held in high esteem by the people of Persia, in which country it is found: the name given to it by them is “mulc.” Of thracia[3417] there are three varieties; a green stone, one of a more pallid colour, and a third with spots like drops of blood. Tephritis[3418] is crescent-shaped, with horns like those of the new moon, but it is of an ashy colour. Tecolithos[3419] has all the appearance of an olive stone: it is held in no estimation as a gem, but a solution of it will break and expel urinary calculi.
CHAP. 69.—VENERIS CRINES. VEIENTANA.
Veneris crines[3420] is the name given to a stone that is remarkably black and shining, with an appearance like red hair within. Veientana is an Italian stone, found at Veii: it is black, divided by a line of white.
CHAP. 70.—ZATHENE. ZMILAMPIS. ZORANISCÆA.
Zathene, according to Democritus, is a native of Media. It is like amber in colour, and, if beaten up with palm-wine and saffron, it will become soft like wax, yielding a very fragrant smell. Zmilampis is found in the river Euphrates: it resembles marble of Proconnesus in appearance, and is of a sea-green colour within. Zoraniscæa is found in the river Indus: it is a stone used by magicians, it is said, but I find no further particulars relative to it.