SCORPION

LAPIDARY

DIAMOND, SAPPHIRE, AMETHYST, GERATITE, CHELI-

DONIUS, CORAL, HELIOTROPE, PEARL, PANTHEROS;

SYMBOLISM OF THE CARBUNCLE; SYMBOLISM OF

THE TWELVE STONES

EXTRACTS FROM LAPIDARIES 1

Evax, king of Arabia, sent to Nero, the emperor of
Rome, a book which he had written concerning the nature
of stones, telling their kinds, their names, their colors, in
what lands they are found, and the virtues that they have.
Many of their virtues are hidden, but others are well known.
Doctors who know the powers of gems find them of great
aid in their medicines. No wise man can doubt that God
has placed great virtue in stones, as He has in herbs.

Diamond

The diamond is as clear as crystal, but it has also the
aspect of steel. It is found in India. Such great hardness
it has that neither with iron nor with fire can it be cut,
but if it is soaked in the hot blood of a goat, a man can
work it on the anvil with a hammer. The sharp splinters
which are broken off are used to cut other gems. This
stone is no bigger than a hazel-nut. In Arabia there is a
kind of diamond, not so hard, which can be cut without
goat's blood. It is not so beautiful nor so valuable as the
other, although it is larger. A third species comes from
Cypress, and a fourth from Greece. Each one has the
power of attracting iron. Enchanters use this stone in
their enchantments. It gives to the man who carries it
strength and virtue ; it protects him from bad dreams,

1 See Notes.
Ill



H2 LAPIDARY

from phantoms, from all poisons, and from all hates and
discord ; it cures madmen, and defends a man against his
enemies. It should be set in gold or in silver, and worn
upon the left arm.

Sapphire

Sapphire is fit for the fingers of kings ; it is resplend-
ent and like the sky when free from clouds ; there is no
other stone which has greater virtue or beauty. Men call
it Syrtites because it is found in the sand of Libya near
the Syrtes. The best is that which is found in Turkey,
for this is not translucent. It is of such great virtue that
it is by right called the gem of all gems. It comforts the
body and keeps its members whole ; it overcomes envy
and treachery, and it drives away fear. It frees a man from
prison and looses heavy fetters ; it is good for effecting
reconciliation, and is better than any other stone for see-
ing in the water the signs which reveal things hitherto
not known. As medicine it is valuable because it cools an
internal fever ; if a person dissolves it in milk it will cure
bad diseases. It is good for the eyes, and for headache, and
for disease of the tongue. He who carries it must be chaste.

Amethyst

The amethyst has a purple color, or sometimes is like
violet or like drops of wine or like a rose. Some there
are which turn almost white, others are like red wine
mixed with water. From India it comes ; it is easy to
work, and it prevents intoxication. It would be precious
if it were not so abundant, but it is commonplace since
there is so much of it. There are five kinds.



EXTRACTS FROM LAPIDARIES 113

Geratite
Geratite is black. It is of such a nature that if a man
opens his mouth and puts the stone under his tongue he
will divine what another person thinks of him, and can
win any woman's devotion. This stone can be tried as
follows : let a man anoint himself with milk and honey,
go out into the sunshine where insects swarm, and if he
has the stone in his mouth the insects will not attack
him ; if he removes the stone they will at once sting him.

Chelidonius
Chelidonius is a stone which one finds in the stomach
of a swallow. It is not very beautiful, but it surpasses all
the beautiful stones in usefulness. It is of ten sorts and
of two colors — black and red. The red is good for the
frenzy which seizes people who are moon-struck ; it re-
stores their sanity to madmen and cures those who are
pining away. He who carries this stone will be a good
orator and will be much beloved. One must carry it
wrapped in linen cloth and suspended under the left arm.
The black, if worn in the same way, aids a man to ac-
complish important things he has undertaken ; it is also a
help against the threats and rages of kings and princes.
The water in which it is washed is helpful to diseased
eyes. If wrapped in linen cloth of saffron tint, it drives
away fever and restrains the humors which injure the body.

Coral

Coral is a stone which grows in the sea like a tree. It
is green there where it grows, but when it is exposed to
the air it hardens and becomes red. It is like a bush



114 LAPIDARY

hardly half a foot high. It is very good to carry about, as
say the authors Zoroaster and Metrodorus, for it protects
one from lightning and tempest, and if one scatters it on
vines or among olive trees, or upon a seeded field, it will
be a protection from hail and other storms. It makes
fruits multiply, it drives away phantoms, it gives a good
beginning and a prosperous conclusion.

Heliotrope

Heliotrope is of such a nature that if one puts it in a
basin of water opposite the sun, it makes the sun become
red and creates an eclipse. In a little while it makes the
water boil up over the basin's edge, and fall like a shower
of rain. He who wears this can prophesy many things.
It gives a man praise and good health, it stanches the
flow of blood, it overcomes poison and treachery. Any
one who takes the herb called heliotrope and binds the
two together with the proper incantation can walk where
he pleases and no one will see him. This stone comes
from Ethiopia, from Cypress, and from Africa. It is very
much like the emerald, but has red spots.

Pearl

The pearl is found in a shell, and it is called unto
(union), because it is always found alone. The wise say
that the oyster shells are open at certain times, and they
receive the dew of heaven ; the morning dews become
white and clear pearls, while the evening dews are obscure.
The young shells produce clearer pearls than the old ones
do. The more dew the shells receive, the larger is the
pearl, but no one is ever more than half an ounce in



EXTRACTS FROM LAPIDARIES 1 15

weight. If there is thunder when the dew is received,
then the pearls perish. They grow in India and in Great
Britain.

Pantheros

Pantheros is of various colors, — black, red, green, gray,
purple, and rose color. All these shades appear in combina-
tion. Whoever sees it in the morning will not be defeated
in battle, that day, nor in any other undertaking. In India
there is a beast, of divers colors, called the panther, of whom
other beasts are afraid, and this stone is named after him.

Symbolism of the Carbuncle 1

The carbuncle is red, and surpasses the wonders of all
other stones. The books tell us that the gentle carbuncle,
fine and clear, is the lord of all stones, the gem of all
gems, and has the virtue of precious stones, above all. It
is of such superiority, that when he who wears it comes
among people, all accord him honor and grace, and rejoice
in his coming. The books tell us that the beasts who drink
of the stream where carbuncles have been washed, are
cured of their malady ; and the wretched who in good
faith look at this stone are comforted and forget their
adversity. By the virtue which God has sent, it soothes
the eyes, comforts the heart and the body, and gives man
lordship more than do those stones which are larger. Car-
buncles are found in Libya in the river of paradise. The
book of Moses says that God commanded that the car-
buncle should be first in the second row of twelve stones.
By night and by day it illumines all, and restores and
lightens the heart. Sunlight does not take away any of its

1 See Notes.



1 16 LAPIDARY

great and joy-giving color. Moses tells us that it signifies
Jesus Christ, who came into the world to lighten our dark-
ness, and Saint John, speaking of the coming of Jesus
Christ, said He is the true Light who gives light to all
men and to all the world. Isaiah the prophet said of Him
that the people who walked in darkness have seen a great
Light. Saint John did not find the carbuncle among the
foundations of the celestial kingdom of Jerusalem, for all
who desire to behold the carbuncle and the clearness of
the true sun must turn to the true light of Jesus Christ.

Symbolism of the Twelve Stones l

Twelve stones there are in this world which have great
significance. I shall not fail briefly to say what each one
signifies. Red jasper signifies love ; the green, faith ; the
white, sweetness. Sapphire means that he who has faith
shall reign together with God. Chalcedony, which is the
color of fire, shows who will be neighbors with God.
Emerald signifies the faith which the Christians have in
Him ; sardonyx, chastity and humility among the saints ;
sardius, the sorrows which they had on earth for their
love of God ; chrysolite, the life celestial that they have
after the life terrestrial ; beryl, purification, which the
saints pronounce to the people. Topaz signifies to us the
crown of holy life ; chrysoprase, the reward which holy
men will hold very dear ; and jacinth is a sign of the
light which the saints have from the Creator. Amethyst
shows the martyrdom which God suffered.

Translated by M. H. S.
1 See Notes.