CHAP. 29. (18.)—OSSEOUS STONES. PALM STONES. CORANI. BLACK STONES.
Theophrastus and Mucianus are of opinion that there are certain stones which bring[2683] forth other stones. Theophrastus states, also, that a fossil[2684] ivory is found, both white and black; that the earth, too, produces bones, and that osseous[2685] stones are sometimes found. In the vicinity of Munda in Spain, the place where the Dictator Cæsar defeated Pompeius,[2686] there are stones found, which, when broken asunder, bear the impression of palm leaves.[2687]
There are some black stones, also, which are held in much the same esteem as the marbles; the Tænarian[2688] stone, for example. Varro says that the black stone of Africa is more durable than that of Italy; while, on the other hand, the white corani[2689] are harder than Parian marble. He states, also, that the silex of Luna admits of being cut with a saw; that that of Tusculum decrepitates in the fire; that the tawny silex of the Sabine districts, with the addition of oil, will yield a flame even; and that, at Volsinii, molar stones[2690] for grinding are found. Among the prodigies that have happened, I find mention made of millstones that have moved of themselves,
CHAP. 30.—MOLAR STONES. PYRITES; SEVEN REMEDIES.
In no country are the molar stones[2691] superior to those of Italy; stones, be it remembered, and not fragments of rock: there are some provinces, too, where they are not to be found at all. Some stones of this class are softer than others, and admit of being smoothed with the whetstone, so as to present all the appearance, at a distance, of ophites.[2692] There is no stone of a more durable nature than this; for in general, stone, like wood, suffers from the action, more or less, of rain, heat, and cold. Some kinds, again, become deteriorated by the action of the moon, while others are apt to contract a rust in lapse of time, or to change their white colour when steeped in oil.
(19.) Some persons give this molar stone the name of “pyrites,”[2693] from the circumstance that it has a great affinity to fire;[2694] but there is also another kind of pyrites, of a more porous nature, and another,[2695] again, which resembles copper. This last, it is said, is found in the mines, near Acamas,[2696] in the Isle of Cyprus; one variety of it being of a silver, another of a golden, colour. There are various methods of melting these stones, some persons fusing them twice, or three times even, in honey, till all the liquid has evaporated; while others, again, calcine them upon hot coals, and, after treating them with honey, wash them like copper.
The medicinal properties which these minerals possess are of a calorific, desiccative, dispersive, and resolvent nature, and, applied topically, they case indurations to suppurate. They are employed also, in a crude state and pulverized, for the cure of scrofulous sores and boils. Some writers mention another kind of pyrites also. Those among them have the greatest affinity to fire which we distinguish as “live”[2697] pyrites. They are the most ponderous of all, and are found remarkably useful for advance-guards when laying out encampments; for, on being struck with a nail or any other kind of stone, they emit a spark, which, received upon sulphur, dried fungus,[2698] or leaves, produces a fire almost sooner than it could be named.
CHAP. 31.—OSTRACITES; FOUR REMEDIES. AMIANTHUS; TWO REMEDIES.
The several varieties of ostracites[2699] bear a resemblance to shells. They are used by way of substitute for pumice-stone, for smoothing the skin. Taken in drink, they arrest discharges of blood; and, applied topically with honey, they are curative of ulcerations and pains in the mamillæ.
Amianthus[2700] resembles alumen[2701] in appearance, and suffers no diminution from the action of fire. This substance effectually counteracts all noxious spells, those wrought by magicians in particular.