Observations concerning MUSK .

THe MUSK-Cat is a Creature almost like a Goat , bred in the Kingdom of Pegu , in the Indies ; as also in Egypt , and other places . It has been brought into our Northern Countries , but through the disagreeableness of the Climat , it will not with us yield any MUSK , nor will it live long .

Schroder says , that MUSK is an Excrement , or matter included in a Cistis or Bladder about the Navel , while the Creature is full of Venery . When this Imp●sthume swells much , and puts him to Pain , he rubs it against Stones or Shrubs . and breaks it , upon which the Matter falling it sticks , and , by Virtue of the Sun-beams , it becomes sweet-scented MUSK .

Monsieur Thevenot tells us , That in the Province of Azmer , belonging to the Great Mogul , there is a Beast , like a Fox in the Snout , which is no bigger than a Hare : The Hair of it , is of the Colour of a Stags , and the Teeth like to a Dogs . He says , it yields most excellent MUSK ; for at the Belly it hath a Bladder full of corrupt Blood , and that Blood maketh the MUSK , or is rather the MUSK it self ; which they take from it , and immediatly cover the place where the Bladder is cut with Leather , to hinder the Scent from evaporating : But after this Operation is made , the Beast is not long-liv'd .

Monsieur Tavernier , in his Travels in India , says , That the best sort , and the greatest quantity of MUSK , comes from the Kingdom of Boutan , from whence they bring it to Patna , the chief City of Bengala , to truck it away for other Commodities : And that all the MUSK which is Sold in Persia , comes from thence : And that the MUSK-Merchants had rather deal with you for Coral and Tellow-Amber , than for Gold or Silver ; in regard the other is more in esteem among the Natives where they live .

Tavernier also tells us , That after they have kill'd the Creature , they cut off the Bladder that grows under the Belly , as big as an Egg , nearer to the Genital parts , than to the Navel : And that then they take out the MUSK that is in the Bladder , which at that time looks like Clotted-Blood .

He observes to us , That this Creature is not to be found in 65 degrees , but in 60 there are vast Numbers , the Country being all over cover'd with Forrests . But he says , that in the Months of February and March , after they have endur'd a sharp Hunger , by reason of the great Snows that fall where they breed , Ten or Twelve Foot deep , they will come to 44 or 45 degrees to fill themselves with Corn and new Rice . And then it is that the Natives lay Gins and Snares for them , to catch them as they go back : Shooting some with Bows , and knocking others o' the head . Nay , he says , some have assur'd him , That they are so lean and faint with Hunger at that time , that one may almost take them running

He also informs us , That none of these Creatures have above one Bladder , no bigger th●n a Hen's_Egg , which will not yield above half an Ounce of MUSK ; and that sometimes three or four will not aff●rd an Ounce ; and yet what a world of MUSK is bought up !

There are three sorts of MUSK , Black , Brown , and Yellow ; of which the First is naught , the Second is good , the last best ; which ought to be of Colour like the best Spikenard , that is , of a deep Amber Colour , inclosed with one only Skin , and not one over another , as it is oftentimes to 〈…〉 - moist , which make●● 〈…〉 but in a mean ; having som● 〈…〉 like Bristles , but not over many clear of Stones , Lead , or ●ther Trash intermix'd ; and of so strong and fragrant a smell , that to many it is offensive , and being tasted in the Mouth , it pierceth the very Brain with the Scent , and ought not oversoon to dissolve in the Mouth , nor yet to remain very long undissolv'd in any hand ; it must not be kept near to any sweet Spices , lest it lose the scent PVRCH. P●lgr . Vol. 1. Pag. 389.

That the Testicles of the Animal call'd MUSK-QUASS do smell strong of MUSK , as Mr. Iosselin in his Treatise of the Rarities of New-England affirms , is most certain ; for a certain Person , ( as you may see in the Philosoph. Transact ) t●lls us ,

There is a Plant , pretty common in England , viz. One kind of Cranes-Bill , call'd Geranium Moschatum , that smells just like MUSK , especially Morning and Evening .

There are several ways of adulterating MUSK . Sometimes with Roots of Angelica , a Kids Liver , or Goats Blood , p. iiii . , of it to i. p. of MUSK . As also with Nutmeg , Cinnamon , Cloves , Spikenard , ana , mixt with MUSKED Rose-Water . And sometimes with Benjamin , Storax , and Laudanum .

The King of Boutan fearing that 〈◊〉 Cheats and Adulterations of 〈◊〉 ●●SK would spoil the MUSK - 〈◊〉 order'd that none of the 〈◊〉 should be sow'd up , but 〈◊〉 they should be all brought to 〈◊〉 , and there , after due in●ction , be seal'd up with his Seal . 〈◊〉 notwithstanding all the wari●●●s and care of the King , they will 〈◊〉 , cunningly open them , 〈◊〉 put in little pieces of Lead to 〈◊〉 the Weight .

Observations concerning CIVET , and CIVET-CATS .

THe CIVET-CAT is a Beast almost as big as a good Dog ; it hath a sharp Snout , small Eyes , little Ears , and Mustachios like a Cat ; the Skin of it is all spotted Black and White , with some yellowish specks , and hath a long bushy Tail , almost like a Fox . It is a very Wild Creature ; and I believe the bite of it would put a Man to no small pain . There is great plenty of this sort of Animals in Aethiopia , but especially in the Kingdom of Naria , Tributary to the King of Aethopia ; where the Iews keep them in great square Wooden Cages , feeding them with raw Mutton and Beef , cut into small pieces . When they would get from them that which is call'd CIVET , ( and is the Sweat of this Beast , that smells so sweet , ) they make him go back with a Stick , which they thrust in betwixt the Bars of the Cage , and catch hold of his Tail ; when they have that fast , they take hold also of his two hind Legs , pulling him half out of the Cage by the Door , which falls down upon his back , and keeps him fast there , then another opens a certain ●od of Flesh , that these Beasts have , which is shaped like a split Gysern , and with an Iron-Spatula scrapes all the Sweat off it within . The Males have that piece of Flesh betwixt their Stones and Yard , which is like a Cats . The Females have it betwixt their Fundament and Privities ; and it is emptied of the Sweat but twice a Week ; each Beast yielding about a Drachm at a time . When that Sweat or Excrement is taken out , it is of a whitish Gray , but by little and little in some short space it turns to a very brown Colour . It smells very sweet at a distance , but near hand it stinks , and causes the Head-ach . There are as many Kinds of CIVET-Sweat , as there are of CIVET-CATS , for it is more whitish , grayish , or yellowish , and drier , in some than in others , and yet they mingle all together . After all , it is in vain to think to have pure CIVET , for the Iews falsifie it ; and if a Man imagine it to be pure , because he has seen it taken from the Beast , he is mistaken ; for the Iews ( before People come to their Houses ) rub the inside of that piece of Flesh , with a little Oyl , or some such stuff , that so the Sweat and it together may make more Weight ; but when no body is present , they take it out pure , and mingle it afterwards . The Iews hold this Beast very dear , the common rate for a CIVET-CAT being an hundred Chequins . THEVENOT's Travels , Pag. 239.

The Island of Socotora in the East-Indies does so abound with CIVET-CATS , that as Purchas , Vol. 1. Pag. 419. tells us , They often take them with Traps on the ●ountains , and sell them for Twelve Pence a piece , to such as will buy them .

Dr. Stubbes , in his Iamaica Observations , saith , That CIVET-CATS will live above a Month without drinking , as he himself once try'd on one that he kept : But that if they drink once a M●nth , they will then yield more CIVET ; and so , if they be fed with Fish . He also says , they Piss much , as do Rabbets . PHILOS. TRANSACT . Numb. 36 Pag. 704.

The Lord Bacon , in his Natural History , Cent. X. Pag. 204. says , That the smells of MUSK , Amber , and CIVET , are thought to further Venereous Appetite : Which , in his Opinion , they may do , by the Refreshing and calling forth of the Spirits .

It is a certain Receiv'd Opinion , That CIVET put into Wine adds much to the strength of it , and gives it a more Inebriating Quality .

CIVET is adulterated with the Gall of a Bull , liquid Storax , and Honey .

Observations concerning AMBER .

GReat variety of Opinions hath there been concerning AMBER . Some think it to be a Gum that distils from Trees : Others tell us , it is made of Whales Dung ; or else of their Sperm or Seed , ( as others will have it , ) which being consolidate and harden'd by the Sea is cast upon the Shore .

But Peter Heylin affirms , That AMBER is the Juice of a Stone , which grows like a Coral in Poland , in a Mountain of the North Sea , clean cover'd with Water ; and that in the Months especially of September and December , this Liquor is by violence of the Sea , rent from the Rock , and cast into the Havens of Poland , and the Neighbouring Countries : He likewise affirms , that being taken out of the Water , it hardens like to Coral : And that besides its Beauty , and the Quality it hath of burning like Pitch , and attracting Straws and Iron , like the Adamant , it is good for stopping the Blood , all kind of Agues , Falling Sickness , Dropsies , Stone , Colick , Weakness of Stomach , Head-Ach , and the Yellow Jaundise . PET. HEYL. Cosmog .

Tavernier says , that AMBER is nothing but a certain Congelation made in the Sea , like a certain Gum : And that Yellow AMBER is only found upon the Coast of Prussia in the Baltick Sea , where the Sea throws it upon the Sand , when such and such Winds blow . He affirms , that the Elector of Brandenburgh , who is Soveraign of that Coast , Farms it out for Twenty Thousand Crowns a Year , and sometimes Two and Twenty Thousand . And that the Farmers keep Guards on both sides of the Shoar , in regard the Sea casts it up sometimes upon one side , and sometimes upon the other , to prevent the stealing of it . TAVERN . Travels in India , Pag. 152.

In China , when any great Lord makes a Feast , it is for his Grandeur and Magnificence to cause three or four several sorts of Perfuming-Pots to be set upon the Table , and to throw into every one of them a vast quantity of AMBER ; for the more it burns , and the bigger the pieces are , the more magnificent is the Entertainment accounted . The reason of this Custom is , because they adore the Fire ; and besides that the AMBER casts sorth a scent pleasing to the Chineses , there is a kind of Oyl in it , that flames after a more unusual manner than other materials of Fire . This waste of AMBER makes it the best Commodity that could be imported into China , if the Trade were free for Strangers . At present the Hollanders have engross'd all this Trade to themselves , and the Chineses Authors ) affirm it to be a kind of Bitumen , issuing from Fountains , or Springs in the bottom of the Sea , and that by floating upon the Water it becomes hard , &c.

Iustus Klobius , in his H●storia Ambra● , reckons up no less than Eighteen several Opinions concerning this Noble Drug : But that which he embraces , is , That it is the Dung of a Bird , of the bigness of a Goose , found in Madagascar , the Maldives , and other parts of the East-Indies ; and that these Birds , flocking together in great Numbers , as Cranes ; and frequenting high Cliffs near the Sea-side , do there void their Excrement , from whence the Sea washes it , if it fall not of it self into it .

There is another Opinion also among the Eighteen , to which Klobius seems well inclin'd , but yet dares not wholly stick to it ; viz. That it is the Excrement of a particular sort of Whale . But that which makes him not rely upon this this Opinion , is , because he observes , there is none of this Drug to be had in those other places , where there is good store of such Whales .

The Honourable Robert Boyle , Esquire , in a Letter to Mr. Oldenburgh , Dated September 13. 1673. after he had declar'd how little satisfi'd he was with the common receiv'd Opinions of AMBER-GRISE , at last affixes to the said Letter an Extract out of a Dutch Iournal , belonging to the Dutch East-India Company ; which is in these words . AMBER-GRISE is not the Scum or Excrement of the Whale , &c. but issues out of the Root of a Tree , which Tree how far soever it stands on the Land , always shoots forth its Roots towards the Sea , seeking the warmth of it , thereby to deliver the fattest Gum that comes out of it : Which Tree otherwise by its copious fatness might be burnt and destroy'd . Where-ever that fat Gum is shot into the Sea , it is so tough , that it is not easily broken from the Root , unless its own weight and the working of the warm Sea doth it , and so it floats on the Sea . PHILOSOPH . TRANSACT . Numb. 97.

Tavernier in his Travels in India , says , There is no Person in the World that knows either what AMBER-GRISE is , or where , or how it is produc'd . But the fairest probability is , that it must be only in the Eastern-Sea : Though some Parcels have been found upon the Coast of England , and in some other parts of Europe . He says , that the greatest quantity is found upon the Coast of Melinda , but more especially in the Mouth of a River call'd Rio de Sena : That the Governour of Mozambique gets in the three Years of his Government above Three Hundred Thousand Pardo's of AMBER-GRISE , every Pardo containing 27 Sous of French Money : That sometimes they meet with very large and very considerable pieces , viz. Of Thirty or Forty , Pounds Weight . TAVERN . Trav. in India , pag. 152.

Sir Philiberto Vernatti , late Resident in Iava Major , says , That the best AMBER-GRISE in the World comes from the Island Mauritius in the East-Indies ; and is commonly found after a Storm : That the Hogs can smell it at a great distance ; who run like mad to it , and devour it commonly before the People come to it : That it is held to be a Zeequal Viscosity , which , being dried by the Sun , turns to such a Consistence as is daily seen . He mentions one Isaac Vigny , a Frenchman , who had been a great Traveller in his time , who told him , that he had sailed once in his Youth through so many of these Zeequalen , as would have loaded Ten Thousand Ships ; the like having been never seen ; and that his Curiosity drove him to take up some of those , which being dried in the Sun , were perceiv'd to be the best AMBER-GRISE in the World . Sir Philiberto , says , He has seen one piece which the Frenchman kept for a Memento , and another piece he sold for Thirteen Hundred Pounds Sterling : This being discover'd , They set Sail to the same place where these Zeequalen appear'd , and Cruised there to and fro , for the space of six Weeks , but could not perceive any more . Where this place is seituated , Sir Philiberto says , He knows not ; but Monsieur Gentillot , a French Captain in Holland , does . SPRAT's Hist. of the R. S. pag. 168.

There is AMBER-GRISE of four several Colours ; White , Gray , Red , and Black ; which comes according to the variety of Places or Regions where it is found ; the Gray is preferr'd before all the other , and is known to be good , if when pricking it with a Pin , it sends out a moisture like Oyl .

The Black or White AMBER-GRISE is adulterated with a little mixture of Musk and Civet with Storax , Laudanum , and Lignum-Aloes , but may easily be known by the scent .

Observations concerning CORAL .

THere are several sorts of CORAL , but the two Principal are the White and the Red ; but the Red is the best . It grows like a Tree in the bottom of the Sea , green when under the Water , and bearing a White Berry ; and when out , it turns Red. There is also a Black and Yellow kind of CORAL . Nay , Linschot in his Description of the East-Indies , says , That at the Cape of Bon-Esperance there are Rocks on which CORAL grows of all Colours .

CORAL , but little valued in Europe , is highly esteem'd in all the three other parts of the World . There are three places where they Fish for it upon the Coast of Sardigna . That of Arguerrel is the fairest of all . The second place is called Boza ; and the third is near the Island of St. Peter . There are two other places upon the Coast of France , the one near the Bastion of France ; the other at Tabarque . There is also another Fishery upon the Coast of Sicily , near Trepano , but the CORAL is small , and ill-colour'd . There is another upon the Coast of Catalogna , near Cape de Quiers , where the CORAL is large , and of an excellent Colour , but the Branches are short . There is a Ninth Fishery in the Island of Majorque , much like that near the Island of Corsica . And these are all the places in the Mediterranean Sea , where they Fish for CORAL ; for there is none at all in the Ocean . TAVERN . Trav. in India .

They Fish for CORAL , from the beginning of April to the End of Iuly ; to which purpose there are employ'd above two Hundred Vessels ; some Years more , and some Years less . They are built all along the River of Genoa , being very swift . Their Sails are very large for more swiftness , so that there are no Gallies can reach them . There are seven Men and a Boy to every Barque . They never Fish above forty Miles from the Land , where they think there are Rocks , for fear of the Pyrats , whom they easily escape through the nimbleness of their Vessels . Ibidem .

Monsieur Chapuzeau , in his History of the Riches of the East and West-Indies , says , That the manner of Fishing for CORAL , is with two big Beams of Wood , laid cross-wise , with a good piece of Lead on the middle , to make it sink , casting about it course Hemp , carelessly twisted , and tying this Wood to two Ropes , whereof one hangs at the Stern , and the other at the fore-part of the Boat ; and so letting this contrivance fall into the Current , along the Rocks , where the Hemp being turned about , and engaged in the CORAL , there is occasion sometimes for a great many Boats to draw away the Instrument .

The common Opinion , That CORAL is soft under Water , but waxeth hard in the Air , hath been sufficiently re●uted by several . Iohannes Begvinus , in his Chapt. of the Tincture of CORAL , undertakes to clear the World of this Error , from the very Experiment of Iohn Baptista de Nicole , who was Over-seer of the Gathering of CORAL in the Kingdom of Thunis . This Gentleman , saith he , desirous to find out the Nature of CORAL , and to be resolved how it grows at the bottom of the Sea ; caused a Man to go down no less than a Hundred Fathom , on purpose to take notice , whether it were hard or soft in the place where it grows . Who returning , brought in each Hand a Branch of CORAL , affirming it was as hard at the bottom , as in the Air where he deliver'd it . The same was also confirm'd by a Tryal of his own , handling it a Fathom under Water before it felt the Air.

Boetius , in his accurate Tract de Gemmis , is of the same Opinion ; not ascribing its Concretion unto the Air , but to the coagulating Spirits of Salt , and the petrifying Juice of the Sea , which entring the Parts of that Plant , overcomes its Vegetability , and converts it into a Stony substance . And this , says he , doth happen when the Plant is ready to decay ; for all CORAL is not hard , and in many Concreted parts some parts remain unpetrified , that is , the livelier parts remain as Wood , and were never yet converted . BROWN's Vulg. Errors .

The Lord Bacon , in his Natural History , tells us , there are very few Creatures that participate of the Nature of Plants and Metals both ; but that CORAL is one of the nearest of both Kinds . But the Ingenious Monsieur Guisony seems to be of another Opinion , for he utterly denies CORAL to be a Plant , affirming that it is a meer Mineral , composed of much Salt , and a little Earth ; and that it is formed into that substance by a precipitation of divers Salts , tha● ensues upon the Encounter of the Earth with those Salts . PHILOSOPH . TRANSACT . Numb . 99. pag. 6159.

Of the Nature and Generation of CORAL , it is affirmed by the Honourable Mr. Boyle , That whilst it grows , it is often found Soft and Succulent , and propagates its Species . And by Georg. de Sepibus , That of those who had been us'd for many Years to dive for CORAL in the Red-Sea , Kircher learned thus much ; That it would sometimes let fall a Spermatick Juice , which lighting upon any [ Steady ] body , would thereupon produce another CORAL . And further , by Wormius and Tavernier , from the Relations of others , That this Juice is White or Milky . Which may seem the more Credible , when we consider that the like Milky substance is found in divers Mines . Sometimes inclosed , ( as is observed in the Philos. Transact . Numb. 100. by Mr. George Planton , ) in great Hollows of the Metallick Rock . And that Mr. Beamont ( Philos. Transact . Numb . 129. Pag. 730. ) hath found in the Hollows of some Stones call'd Entrochi , and Rock-Plants , or a-kin to them , an evident Concretion of such Milky Juice . GREW's Mus. Regal . Societ .

Paracelsus makes an Amulet of CORAL against Fears , Fright , Melancholly , Epilepsie , Inchantment , and Witch-Craft .

The Learned Dr. Brown , in his Vulgar Errors , seems to suspect , That the Custome of Childrens wearing CORAL , was at first superstitiously founded ; and that ( possibly ) in former times , it might be lookt upon as an Amulet or Defensative against Witch-Craft .

Observations concerning BEZOAR .

THe Deer-Goat , is a Creature bred both in the East and West-Indies : That from Persia and the East-Indies yields the Oriental BEZOAR , being partly like a Deer , partly like a Goat . That of Peru is like the former , but without Horns , yielding the Occidental BEZOAR . The BEZOAR Stone is of an Oval Form , or round , hollow within , ( the Oriental having Chaff , Hair , Sticks , Grains , Filth , or the like , in its Capacity , the Occidental Not ) shining and smooth without , having a Coat ●olded like an Onion , of a various Colour , but generally of a Blackish● Green , Pale , Ash●Colour , or Hony-Colour , without scent , and much about the bigness of a Walnut . The Occidental is rough without , Whitish , Ash-Colour'd , Black , or Blackish Green , and generally bigger than the former .

BEZOAR , ( says Tavernier ) comes from a Province of the Kingdom of Golconda , toward the North-East . It is found among the Ordure in the Paunch of a Wild-Goat , that browzes upon a certain Tree , the Name whereof Tavernier had forgot . This Shrub bears little Buds , round about which , and the Tops of the Boughs , the BEZOAR Engenders in the Maw of the Goat . It is shap'd according to the form of the Buds , or Tops of the Branches or which the Goats eat : Which is the reason there are so many shapes of BEZOAR Stones .

The Natives ( as Tavernier informs us ) know by feeling the Belly of the Goat , how many Stones she has within , and sell the Goat according to the quantity . This they will find out by slideing their hands under their Bellies , and then shaking both sides of the Paunch ; for the Stones will fall into the middle , where they may easily count them all by their feeling .

The rarity of BEZOAR is in the bigness ; though the small BEZOAR has the same Virtue as that which is larger . But there is more deceit in the large BEZOAR ; for the Natives have got a trick to add to the bigness of the Stone , with a certain Paste compos'd of Gum , and something else of the Colour of BEZOAR . And they are so cunning too , to shape it just like Natural BEZOAR . The cheat is found out two ways ; the first is by weighing the BEZOAR , and then sleeping it in warm Water : If neither the Water change Colour , nor the BEZOAR lose any thing of its Weight , the Stone is right . The other way is to thrust a red hot Bodkin of Iron into the Stone ; If the Bodkin enters , and causes it to fry , there is a mixture . TAVERN . Trav. in India , Pag. 153 , 154.

As well in the East , as West , there are a great quantity of BEZOARS that breed in the same m●nner in Cows ; of which there have been some that have weighed Seventeen or Eighteen Ounces ; for there was such a one that was given to the Great Duke of Tuscany . But those BEZOARS are little esteem'd , Six Grains of the other BEZOAR working more powerfully than Thirty of this .

As for the BEZOAR which breeds in Apes , as some believe it , it is so strong , that two Grains work as effectually , as Six of Goat's-BEZOAR : B●t it is very scarce , as being only found in those Apes , that breed in the Isl●nd of Macassar . This sort of BEZOAR is round , whereas the other is of several Fashions . And as the Apes-BEZOAR is stronger , and scarcer than the Goat's , so it is dearer , and m●re 〈…〉 ; a p●●ce as big as 〈…〉 worth a 〈…〉 The Portugals 〈…〉 ●f this BEZOA● 〈…〉 upon their 〈…〉 Pe●son'd . TAVER●● 〈◊〉 154.

There hath always 〈…〉 Dispu●e am●ngst the 〈◊〉 , concerning the part wh●re the Stone grows . Tav●●nier d●clares , he could not find it out , though he labour'd all he could .

The Arabians write , That the Goat-●eer , and all other sorts of Deer , fi●ding ●●emselves Old and Sick , ●y their breath draw Serp●nts out of their Holes and devour them , that ●o thereby they ●ecome youn● and well again ; after which , ●inding themselves heated by this ●ood , th●● 〈◊〉 into the Water , and 〈◊〉 there thou t drinking till their 〈…〉 ; during which stay 〈…〉 , this St●ne is bred in the Corne●● of their Eyes , whence 〈…〉 .

But Monardes , more probably , learnt from the Inha●itants of the Mountains of China , that in the Indies near the River ●anges , these Goat-Deer , after their ●●●ing of Serpen●s , go about the Tops of the Mountains , seeding on such Herbs , as Nature hath taught them resist Poysons ; of the Quintessence whereof , mixed with that of the Poysons , the BEZOAR is by some particular Virtue , produc'd in some cavity of their Bodies ; Garsias ●b Horto , and Acosta say , in their Stomach ; Others , as Fragosus , in the Kidneys , because some Stones have the Figure of that p●rt , which also is the most Lapidi●ick of the whole Body ; and others too , as R●bbi Moses the Aegyp●ian , in the Gall ; which Opinion Monardes himself is o● , though he admits too that it is found in the Ventricle , Intestines , and other 〈◊〉 of the Body : As , indeed , there is no place in the Bodies of Animals , but Stones may be generated in them . PHILOS. CONFER . of the Virtuosi of France . Vol. 2. Pag. 365.

This word [ BEZOAR ] some think is deriv'd from the Hebrew Bel , which signifies King , and Zaars , Poysons , as if it were the King or Master of Poysons , which are subdu'd more powerfully by this than any other Remedy . According to Scaliger , BEZOHARD is taken by the Arabians for that which preserves Life , and so the Stone will have borrow'd its Name from its Effect . Cardan says , There is a Poisonous Root of this Name , which bears a Fruit called Nirabri , which is an Antidote to it . Plants and every thing good against Poysons , is commonly term'd BEZOARDICAL . Ibidem .

Tavernier says , That he once sold a BEZOAR of four Ounces and a half , for two Thousand French Livers .

He affirms , That it is Death without Mercy , to transport any of these Goats out of the Country .

The BEZOAR Stones are adulterated with Pitch , dried Blood , Stones powder'd fine , Ashes of Shells , Antimony , Cinnabar , Mercury , mixt with small BEZOAR-Stones exquisitely pulveriz'd , and made up with a proper Mucilage .

The Persian BEZOAR is best ; then that of Peru ; then that from New-Spain . The Oriental BEZOAR is the most Sudorifick ; the Occidental most purging .