Of the Adamant Stone .

THe Adamant is a Stone of Inde , small and rare , in colour like to Iron ▪ but in cleare re●lection and representation of image more Christall like : It is founde in bignesse of a Walnut , and neuer aboue : It yeeldeth or giueth place to nothing , neither is it heat by yron or fire . Wherfore the Greekes call it Fickleforce , for that it can not be brought vnder . But whiles it is inuincible or can not be woonne that way : yet notwithstanding with the warme and freshe bloud of the Goate , it breaketh and riueth in sunder . It differeth , from the Lode Stone for that the Adamant placed neare any yron , will not suffer it to be drawen away of the Lode Stone . Diascorides saith that it is called the Stone of reconsiliation and loue : for ( saith he ) that woman that hath withdrawne hir loue from hir husband , by this , is brought to loue him anew : yea , it goeth furder : for it is said to giue proufe whether she be chast or no : for if she be say they , she shal whilest she is in sleepe imbrace hir husband through the working of this stone , if not , she shall flie and go back from him .

Of Alabaster .

ALabaster , as saith Isidore , in his .xvj. booke and fift Chapter , is a white kinde of stone died , and bespotted among with diuers & sundrie colours . Hereof are made vessels to kéepe and containe all Ointments vncorrupt , wherin they be most purely and safely preserued . It groweth about Thebis and Damascum , and especiallye that which is whitest . But the best of this kinde is brought from Indie . It being borne about one , say some , kéepeth him in amitie and charitie with all men .

Of the Amitist :

THe Amitist also groweth in Indie : It is Princes among those Gemmes that be Purple coloured . Diascorides sayth , that there be fiue kindes thereof : but that which is Purple coloured , hée reckeneth the chiefest . His force or vertue auaileth against drunkennesse , it kepeth a man waking , and driueth away ill cogitations and thoughts , it sharpeth the vnderstanding . And is also one of those sortes that is easie to engraue in .

Of Achates .

AChates is a kinde of Gemme , but black in colour , enterlined here & there with white vaines : and it is called Achates of a certaine floud of that name in Cicilie , about the which floud this Achates was first found . There is a certain kind hereof séene somtimes in Crete as Diascorides witnesseth , hauing strokes on eche side like to blew vaines . There is another kinde in Indie bespotted on euerie parte with spottes like bloud . That of Crete is said to make a man gracious , and to bring him in fauour . That of Indie is good for the eiesight it remedieth venome , and being put into the fire is odoriferus .

Of the Stone Albeston .

ALbeston is a stone of Archadie , in yron colour , hauing gotten his name of the fire , for that it being once set on fire , can neuer after be quenched or put out : Whereof in olde time was built that kind of worke Mechanicall , whereas the Gentiles being once taken in sacriledge , dyed . Isidore sayth in his .xvj. booke , that in a certaine temple of Venus there was made and hoong vp such a Candlesticke , wherein was a light burning on that wise , that no tempest nor storme could put it out , & he beleueth that this Candlesticke had somewhat of Albeston beset within .

Of the stone or Gem Alabandine .

THe Gem Alabandine , as sayth Diascorides , had first his name of Alabanda , a countries in Asia , whose colour sayth he resembleth the Hearbe Calcedonie : but it is somewhat more rare and in colour cleare .

Of the precious stone Absistos .

ABsistos is black , maruellous waightie , bestroked and beset with red vaines : This being once heate , kéepeth hote seauen whole dayes after , as Isidore recordeth .

Of Amatites .

AMatites is that kinde of Gemme , that touching a mans Uesture or Garment , it maketh it able to resist fire : so that it being afterwards cast into the fire hath no power to burne , but through the fires brightnesse becommeth more bright it selfe . Thus saith Isidore in his xvj . booke .

Of Argirites .

ARgirites is a kinde of Gem , that in colour and shew is like to Siluer , giuing also apparance of golden coloured Grauell , his figure or forme is foure square : his vertue such as the Adamants is . The Mages suppose that it had this name of his power or abilitie in brideling and kéeping in perturbations and troubles .

Of Asterites .

ASterites is a Gem : but white , keping close within it selfe light , and sheweth it forth but little , euen as the Starre doth : but to hym that beholdeth it throughly , it sheweth him the Sunnes manifolde reflexions .

Of Astrion .

AStrion is a Gem , founde first in Indie , of verie nigh consanguinitie with the Christall , in whose Centre or middle point : as saith Diascorides , a certaine light is seene shining , without reflexion much like to the Moone . The same Author also thinketh that this light that it hath ▪ it taketh of the starres , against the which it is helden .

Of the Berill .

BErill is a Stone rare , but not so precious , for it alone groweth in Indie : it is founde greene like to the Smaradge . It is first found also raw and rude without eyther good looke or pleasant shewe , but afterwards it is better polished of them of Indie , and they vse to polish it in maner and forme of Angle or Corner , to the intent that through the dulnesse of his owne colour , this maner might shew some glittring the light hauing his stay in euerie eche corner : Some say , they fashion it a● the first , seauen cornered : and otherwise they say it shimmereth not . There is also another kinde of Berill , which of the Gréeke worde is called Golden Berill , as sayth Diascorides , whose interchaunged gréene colour resembleth almost the wan and yelow colour of Golde . They say that this being borne aboute a man , and being put now and than to his eies , kepeth a man out of perill of his enimies .

Of Brasse .

BRasse is a kind of mettal , one of those seauen that are compounde of Brimstone & Quicsiluer ▪ and is called Es of the Ayres resplendeshing : The Brimstone that is proportionally wrought in this ( as in all other Metalles ) is most earthie , nothing pure , hauing his colour red and as it were burned : Quicksiluer , it hath but meanely , grosse also and nothing subtile . Yet this kinde of Mettall being well purged & scoured , sodden also and washed from all his infections may be made regular , & brought to what point you will . Of all other Metalles , this is most soundable for his shrill and harde noise : With this therfore , as that which was most plentiful in the former time , they eared and tilled their ground , but after that Iron and the residue of Metalles by succession were found , this kind ceassed in that and such like vses . So euen as the yeares chaunge : so also doth things themselues chaunge , as well and wisely sang the Poet.

Of Calcedon .

CAlcedon , is a kind of stone pale and wan , of dull colour , almost a meane betweene the Berill and the Iacinct . It hath three onely kinds : whereof euery one of them is almost impossible to be grauen in . It being well chafed and warmed will draw to it , a strawe or a rushe . It is as they say , the Lawyers and Orators friend , and others who pleade causes .

Of Ceraunium .

CEraunium is a stone like to the Christall , bespotted with blew , and is found in Germanie : There is another of this founde in Spaine firelike and like to a flame : his sufferaigntie is , that being safely and chastly borne aboute a man , kepeth him safe and preserueth him from Thunder and Lightnings , likewise the house wherin he is : and is otherwise effectuous to bring a man in swéete sléepe .

Of the Corall .

THe Corall groweth in the red Sea , and so long as it is and hath his being in the waters , it is a kinde of Wood , but by and by after that it is taken forth of the water and commeth into the ayre ( and his reach ) it hardeneth , and becommeth a stone . His boughes vnder the water are espied white and tender : and being by chaunce through holdefast Nets in part or parcell brought to lande , chaunge also their colour and become red , and for their feeling , are as hard stones . Isidore in his .xvj. booke . The Mages reporte that it resisteth Lightninges . Therefore euen as much worth and of estimation as is the precious Margaret , that , that commeth from Indie , so much worth and in estimation , likewise is the Coral with them of Indie . Hereof are said to be two onely kindes , the one red & the other white : this last is neuer found in bignesse & in length more than halfe a foote : that other often bigger and longer . They say that it is of power to rid vs from all diuelishe dreames and pieuish fantasies .

Of the Cornellis .

THe Cornellis is one of those sortes that be somewhat rare also , but not so precious , and is in colour red almost like to the Corall . It being hoong about the neck , or worne vpon the finger , is said , in all kinds of reasoning and disputation , to appease the partie that weareth it , and to kéepe him from childish brawlings .

Of the Carbuncle .

THe Carbuncle is a stone very precious , so called for that ( like to a fierie cole ) it giueth light , but especially in the night season : it so warreth with the pupill or the eiesight , that it sheweth manifolde reflexions . It hath as some say .xij. kindes : but those most precious that come nigh the Carbuncles nature : it is found in Libia .

Of the Cristall .

THe Cristall is one of those stones that shyneth in euerie part , and is in colour warrie . Isidore saith , that it is nothing else then a congeled Ise by continuance frosen whole yeares . It groweth in Asia and Cyprus , and especially vpon the Alpes and highe Mountaines of the North Pole . It engendreth not so much of the waters coldenesse , as of the earthinesse mixt withall . His propertie is to abide nothing in qualitie contrarie to it selfe : therefore it is delighted onely with colde .

Of the Chrusopasse .

THe Chrusopasse is a Stone of Ethiope , which in the day light shimmereth not , but in his qualitie lieth hid : In the night time when darcknesse ariseth , it then bewrayeth his owne and peculier qualitie . In the night time it is flamelike , in the day time yelow or wan .

Of the Diamond .

THe Diamond is one of those that be counted something precious , it is in colour almost Christallike but somewhat more resplendishing , and is as good ( if it be of any bignesse ) as a looking glasse . Iorach calleth it an other eie : such certaintie & truth giueth it in things done in his presence .

Of the Dionise .

THe Dionise is black or rather browne , all bestrowed with bloudie strokes or vaines . It being put faith Isidore in Wines , maketh them fragrant , or wel smelling , and is thought with his smel or sauour to remedie dronkennesse .

Of Dracontides .

DRacontides as his name also mentioneth , is plucked forth of the heade or braine of a Dragon , which onely is in bright and fierie colour ( as sayth Isidore , ) as long as , it is come by , the Dragon being aliue : wherfore the Mages skilled in this point , cut it forth out of the Dragon his braine , he being by meanes cast in to sleepe . The moste bolde and aduenterous men , are said , to seeke out the lurking holes of the Dragon , and whilest that the Dragon is from home , these men bestrew his Lodge with certaine Graine , which being receiued of the Dragon , bringeth him into a deade sleepe . And whilest they haue thus brought their purpose to passe they rippe in sunder the noddle of his head to take forth the Gem , and after that sow it vp againe and so depart .

Of Dradocos .

DRadocos is a kinde of stone verie pale , yet as shimmering withall , as the Berill . It is saide to bring to a man feare of Diuels and other straunge thoughts fantasticall : It being applyed and layde vpon a dead man , looseth his operatiue vertue . Wherefore they call it , the holy stone , for that wheras Death frequenteth or taketh , it vtterly abhorreth .

Of Echites .

EChites is a stone both of Indie and Persia , which in the shore and Sea banckes of the Ocean , in the verie bosome of the Indian and Persian Sea , it is found : it is in colour Uiolet like : And there is a paire of them , Male & Female , and be most commonly found both togither in the Eagles nest , without the which the Eagle can not bring forth hir yong : and therfore kepeth them , as most necessarie in this behalfe alwaies in hir Nest. These stones bound to a womans bodie , being with childe , do hasten childe birth . And Iorach saith , that if any man haue these or one of these , and put it vnder that mans meate or trencher that he suspecteth to be in fault of any thing : If that he be guiltie , he shall not be able through this to swallowe downe his meate : If not saith he , he may .

Of Efestides .

EFestides is in colour and Phisiognomie verie shamefast and childish , which béeing had and caried about the stomack , or heart , kepeth a man safe from all perill and endamaging . Diascorides sayth , that if it be helden against the Sunne beames , that then it is verie firie , but being throwne into the water , it leaueth boyling , & by little and little waxeth very colde .

Of Elutropia .

ELutropia is a Gemme , in colour gréene , or grassie , in part coloured and bespotted with Purple speckes & bloud coloured vaines . This is a maruellous Iugler , for it wil cause things obiect to be presented to our eies as it listeth . It being put into a Basan of water chaungeth to a mans eiesight the Sunne his beames , and giueth them a contrarie colour . Being also mooued and beaten in the ayre , maketh to appeare a bloudie Sunne , and darkneth the ayre in maner of an Eclipse : and therefore it is called Eloutropia as you would say , the Sunne his enimie . There is of this name also a certaine Hearbe which Enchaunters & Witches haue oftentimes vsed , and doe vse , as also that aboue said , whereby they haue mocked and deluded many , which by meanes and working of enchauntment , haue so dazeled the beholders eies , that they haue gone by them inuisibly .

Of Ematites .

EMatites is a stone somewhat ruddie , somewhat sanguine , found both in Affrick , in Indie and in Arabie : so named for that it resolueth & chaungeth oft into a bloudie colour : and is called of some stench bloud , for that it stoppeth his vent or course of flowing .

Of Enidros .

ENidros , is meane or small in bignesse , continually sweating or dropping , neither doth it for all this melt away or is lessened : of the which the Lapidare hath this note and tune as followeth .

Perpetui fletus lacrimis distillat Enidros qui velut ex pleni Fontis scaturigine manat . Distilling drops and teares full oft That Enidros the Stone doth drop : Which as out of a Fountaine full , Doth alwayes runne and neuer stop .

And here question might be moued why it doth not vanish or wax lesse , through such dayly flowing . The aunswere is for that his vertue or working doth bind and thicken the aire , that which is next to it , and so bringeth it to his owne nature , part by part in his order .

OfGagates .

GAgates is of the precious sort also , which was first found in Sicilie in a certain floud called Gagatus of the which it tooke his name : although that in Britannie , it is a good geast & somewhat common as Isidore saith : It hath two kindes , the one russet in colour , and the other black , this last easie to be fiered , and as smokie as Frankinsence . It being left in the place where Serpents bréede , driueth them cleane away . And Diascorides saith , that this being put into the drink of a Maide or Uirgin will easilye giue you iudgement whether that she be a true and right Mayde yea or no. For saith he , after that she hath drunke of this and doth not anone after make water , but can continue , then take hir and estéeme hir a pure Uirgin , and contrariwise , if she doe not continue and stay herein some season , iudge of hir otherwise .

OfGalactites .

GAlactites is a stone in colour ashie , in taste verie swéete & pleasant , which being pressed or grouned , yeeldeth and giueth a certaine Milkie and watrish humor , as saith Isidore : This being kept in close , and shutte vp in the mouth , desturbeth and letteth the minde . Furder , it being bound to a Womans thigh , causeth easie deliuerance in childe bed .

Ofthe Gem.

I Must needes before I iourney any further or hasten to other , somewhat speake of the Gem : for that we haue beene occasioned and shall be hereafter to vse it as the generaltie or notion of the name and stock in these kindes . It is called a Gem saith Isid. for that it shyneth and is smooth as the Gum. This hath his best beautifying in the varietie and interplacing of colours , & it is called precious , for that it is rare : all things that be rare are precious . Neither is it to be marueiled why eche Gem is precious , sith that al and singuler are not without their diuine vertue . Of Gemmes , some are found in the earthes vaines , & are digged vp with Metalles : some are cast vp to lande and brought thither from the Sea his bottom , and their place of generation is vnknowen : other some are bred and found in the bodies & bellies of Foules , Fishes , Creatures & Beasts of the earth , Serpents and such as creepe myraculously by God & prouident nature in their maner of working tasked . But in this kinde as in al others we must take heed of Sophistication : for to discerne & iudge truely the right Gem from the counterfayted , is the signification of a most cunning man . It hath bene séene that in stead of a Smaragde some haue had sophistred and counterfayted Glasse : Wherfore let not colours deceiue thée : aswell gréene to eiesight is the Glasse as the Smaragde , thou must take héede as the Poet ●iddeth , much colouring is there and many decei●es .

Of Gelacia .

GElacia is a Gem verie white , hauing the figure or shew , likewise the bignesse & quantity of an Hailestone , and is of such excessiue coldenesse that by no meanes of fire had and applied thereto it becommeth who●e .

Of Geratites .

GEratites is a kinde of stone black , but his vertue excéedeth and is aboue his colour : If any man carrie this in his mouth close , he may tell what euerie man thinketh of him : as sayth the Lapidare . It also maketh amiable and bringeth him into others fauour that hath it about him .

Of Golde .

GOlde is the heade of all other Mettalles , and is in the chiefest degrée that Nature instituted Mettals by ripenesse and perfection at the last to come vnto : but euen as by stoppes and lets , partly by such imbecilitie as is within vs , and about vs , partly by enuious & cleane contrarie disposition of the Ayre and Planets in their Orbes , fighting and striuing with vs somewhile , & anone against vs : we be many of vs cut off before we come to olde age , the last degrée of Nature , so that we can not attaine to this last , through such our hinderances and impediments : so there is order and wayes to order in al Mettals from the first to the last , from the most vile and base , to the most precious & richest : which kinde of order and degrée euerie Mettal although it were of the rawest and basest sort , should attain to in his due time , were it not for impediments and hinderances , either of colde and barraine ground , or for lack of the Sunne his purifying and ripening , or for infection of rustie and copperous Mineralles being nigh neighbour to them : or for such other stoppes , whereby they stoppe and stay , and so become grosse for lacke of their naturall and first growth and tidinesse in ripening . Isido . sayth that it is called Golde of the Ayre for that that the Ayre being stroked shimmereth the more . It is naturall to all Mettalles that they shine and looke bright , especially being moued and helden in the light . The Hebrewes call this Mettall Ophar , the Gréekes Chrusos . Aristotle sayth in his fourth booke of Meteores , that this kinde as all the rest procedeth and is compound of Brimstone the verie subtillest and red , and Quicksiluer also as subtile , but white , and this last verie smallie and proportionally . Amongst al Mettals there is none more solide , more compact then this is : and therefore it being put into the fornace doth not euaporate ( as other thinges doe ) neyther doth it léese of hys waight . It is more du●tile & easie to be brought to what poynt you will then any of the other . For vpon a Stith with a Mallet it is brought into most thin leafe or plate without rupture or breaking . There is nothing to looke to so beautifull as this , neyther is their any thing so pure . The Phisitions say that it comforteth and expelleth all superfluities in the bodie , and is effectuous against the Leprosie . Likewise his leafe buried in wine maketh it auaylable against diseases & consumption of the Splene , and other perturbations Melancholike . Likewise Incision or Adustion done with an Instrument of Golde is better than of any other Mettal or matter , for it kepeth the place of vstion , frée and cleare from yll smelling and rancoring . There is also a certaine vaine of the earth , or whether a man might call it a kinde of stone , easily digged vp and broken , hauing the verie looke and face of Golde , and of some is the stone Arsenick , & is wrought as I thinke of Arsenicum , which also they call the golden earth . But this Arsenicum is double , one ashie colour , and the other as we aboue saide , in colour like Golde . The first is vsed to medicine , for it hath power to dissolue & to purge : And besides that , they say it is vsed to Oyntments depilatiue .

Of the Iasper .

THe Iaspar is a Gem verie gréene , like to the Smaragde , but of a litle more grosse colour . Isid. saith that this hath . xvij . seuerall kinds and he calleth it the gréene stone . That of Cypria , ( saith Harmolaus ) is more duskie coloured and grosse : That of Persia is like to the Ayre , for the which it is called Aerizula : That of Phrygia is purple coloured : There hath bene in auncient time séene a Iaspar in waight .xj. Ounces . There is also in the heade of the Serpent Aspis found a little stone much like to the Iasper of maruailous vertue , which some by cutting away the first letter , haue called Aspis . It is thought to haue so many wayes in working as it hath kindes .

Of the Iacinct .

THe Iacinct is blew , and of nigh neighborhoode with the Saphire . This is a maruellous turncote , for that it doth conforme it self to all settes and dispositions of the Ayre , for being helde in the cloudie and darke Ayre , becommeth also cloudie and darke : and béeing in the bright and cleare Ayre , becommeth also both bright and cleare . It is taken to be medicinable , to giue vigor and strength to the lims , to encrease the sinewes , and to prouoke quiet and sound sléepe .

Of Iris.

IRis is a kinde of Stone Mathematicallye wrought , as being digged vp in forme sixe cornered , which at the first was found nigh the red Sea : but is now found in many places , as in Germanie , in Irelande , and in the North parts and quarters , and is of colour as cleare as the Cristall . It is called Iris for likeloode to the Rainebow , which being touched & stricken of the Sunne his beames , vnder any couert , doth represent and shewe both the figure and colours of the Rainebow vpon the wall next to it , and that oppositely as Diascorides saith . It hath the same force and working that the Berill hath , but is not in quantitie so great .

Of Iron .

IRon in Latin is called à feriendo Ferrum , for that through his hardnesse it stryketh , molifieth , and bringeth vnder all kind of mettals . This kinde according to the manifolde difference of earthes and quarters of the earth . is diuersly called . It is engendred ( as Aristotle sayth ) of Quicksiluer verie grosse , nothing pure , vncleane and earthie : and of Brimstone also as grosse , as vnpure , as earthie . In composition whereof there is more of the Brimstone : so that through the temperature of cold which is in the Quicksiluer , of the drought and earth , which is in the other , it is so wrought & compact on that wise . Iron through bloud touching waxeth rustie , and getting within him , can scarcely , or not at al , be rid of it , corrupting within otherwise . Rust therefore is nothing else but a defaulte and an offence in the vncleannesse and impurenesse of any substaunce , whether it commeth eyther by fellowship and placing next to the earth , or through any yll qualitie of mans bloud , or of moyst and infectuous vapour . As Isidore recordeth . Of Iron Mans bloud is soonest reuenged , for that by nothing so soone , Iron is brought to his corruption . It hath a naturall amitie with the Adamant , which Adamant ( as we before mentioned ) draweth it to it , and this last followeth and obeyeth . Iron being polished is very like to Brasse . There is a certaine Iron which is for the most part white , which if it be buried a certaine space in a Uessell eyther of Wine or of Milke , remedieth diseases in the Splene , & is otherwise auaileable . If you go to vse and wade no further , this kinde of Mettall is principall amongst the rest , which thing necessitie teacheth , and is the best proufe : which we also doe approue then , when as we are constrayned and driuen to Weapon and Armourie : for without thys coulde wée neyther be quiet at home amongst our selues , neyther could we kéepe off , from our Countrie borders and limits , other our outward enimies . Further ( to stay our selues in things at home and not to seeke other ) there could be no mans Arte practised , no commoditie had by occupation & science : further , not so much as the earth could be either sowen or reaped to any increase without this . Therefore in this behalfe it mought be called all graine and fruites Nurse .