On the Virtues of Stones

THE MOST WISE AND EXCELLENT PSELLUS. A TREATISE ON THE VIRTUES OF STONES.

^A I would scarcely dare to promise that I shall provide you with the causes of the virtues that reside in stones, nor shall I in this regard imitate the insolence and temerity of the Dogmatics, although I could speak much, eloquently, and copiously about each of them. However, I will reveal to you the virtues of the stones that are known to us, and which we humans most cherish, so that you may use them in their proper time and reap some benefit from them, while leaving aside the stones that are unknown to us—namely, the onocardium, the olcas, the spongites, the leimoniatis, the lyncurium, the triglites, the triophthalmus, the socondium, the scringites, the schistus, and as many others of this kind whose names alone we hold, but which we never encounter. I shall therefore begin with those that are better known to us.

Adamas presents itself at once; it has a glassy and bright color, and is solid and difficult to break. When suspended or tied on, it quenches semitertian fevers.

Ematites is so called because, when wetted with water, ^B it emits a blood-like color; it cures ophthalmia when applied as an ointment with water.

^A Amethyst is hyacinthine in color; it sedates headaches, and it keeps wine-drinkers abstemious and sober, whence it also derives its name.

The carbuncle ^B has its origin in India; it is similar to coals, and one kind shines from afar, while another is blacker on account of its smallness. It is found in mountains, responding to the sun's rays, and is variegated. Gem-cutters know this well, but they do not know its virtues at all, unless it be the anthrakitis found among the Thesprotians, which has a duller fiery splendor. They say it cures headaches if a fumigation of it is offered to the sufferer.

Eschates ^C is diversely colored and splendid; one kind is pale, another is reddish or flesh-colored. It cures fluxes of the eyes and headaches, and it stops the menstrual flow of women; it is entirely opposed to moist dropsy, and has such a desiccating power that it can absorb water and leave a vessel empty.

Beryl ^D. There are three forms of this stone; one of them has the color of dark oil, another is the color of the sea, another...

is brilliant in its rays and uniform, and shines from afar. This stone therefore cures tensions, and spasms, and pains of the eyes, and jaundice ^A (29).

Galactites (30) gushes with secret milk, for which reason it also receives its name; it draws down milk for women; it creates forgetfulness of evils and [at the same time] memory of evils (31); for it is contrary to the wounds of wild beasts (32) if it be worn as an amulet.

Amber. There is an Indian variety, and another Libyan (34); they are found ^B near the river Eridanus (36). Some say it is the tear of a certain tree (37); for it is light, and is burned like frankincense and mastic. Worn as an amulet, it cures difficulty in urination, banishes fever, and stops the flux of the stomach; and when smeared or applied to the eyes, it grants sharpness of vision.

Jasper. The jasper stone in nature nearly resembles crystal, intensifying the color a little more. The best is the purple ^B (39), the second (40) is the more phlegmatic (41) and whitish; there is also an aeriform one (42). It checks fluxes of the head, and cures nightmares (43).

NOTES. Jaundice. Aurelianus, lib. III, *Morb. chronic.*, cap. v: The condition takes its name according to the Greeks from an animal name, because it is of a bile-colored hue. Hence ^C also "galbula". Synesius, Ms. lib. *De febribus*: "It often happens in this fever of which we speak, that there is phrenitis and a dry cough and fainting, or 'chrysiasmos', which is jaundice." ... ^D

^A It is thrust away, and it resists pestilential maladies and epileptic ones (44). There is also a certain jasper that is emerald-green (45); another that is like snow, and another like a kid’s brain, the power of which no one has yet known.

The Idaean finger (46) is produced in Ida of Crete, and in shape it is similar to a man’s thumb; in color it is iron-gray; this stone is the most righteous of all stones: for it brings to perfection seeds that have come from lawful unions, but it destroys those that are illicit and contrary to law.

The crystal (47) resembles clear water, but when it is heated and turns to a deeper shade, it becomes like jasper; this stone, when rubbed, wards off tremors (49) and the relaxation of the nerves.

The lychnites (50) is for one who is night-blind (51); when suspended from the neck, it puts a stop to fluxes of the eyes, if it is wrapped in a linen rag and placed upon the forehead.

The magnet (52) is a stone that is large and heavy and ^B enormous: those who are possessed by such an affliction feel it, not being able to move any limb at all; they say that they flee when the fingers are gathered together.

NOTES

(48) *When heated*. It is known that crystal is found in various colors, but whether the colors change under the rays of the sun, I do not know. I greatly fear that a gap lies here: for authors report that this gem, when irradiated by the sun, conceives fire, and I think this virtue of the stone has dropped out of Psellus’s text. Orpheus, loc. cit., v. 7:

"But if, apart from mighty fire, you wish to rouse [flame, I bid you place it, when dry, above the torches. But it, facing the gleaming sun, Straightway spreads a small ray above the torches. And when it touches dry and fatty fuel, It will rouse smoke, and then a small fire, and afterwards a great [flame: They say this is the sacred fire of ancient birth." ^C

In the fifth verse, for "‘Πλ’ ὅτε" one should read "Η δ’ ὅτε." ... But this is certain to all, that it does not stand inviolate, as if this stone, when subjected to the sun, conceives fire, and is accustomed to ignite fungi placed near it. Perhaps, therefore, in Psellus one should read: *When heated by the sun, it is ignited; sometimes it changes color, etc.*

(49) *Tremors*. Maussacus renders as *timores* (fears), unless it is perhaps a printer’s error: correct to *tremores* (tremors).

(50) *Lychnites*. The alphabetical order requires that it be placed either immediately after *Crystallus* or before *Καπρειρος (Capreirus)*. However, this stone has descended to a later place. We have followed the manuscript written by hand. As for the lychnite, we have discussed this in the notes on Plutarch’s *Hydaspes*. MASSACUS. Plinius, lib. XXXVII, cap. 7. The words that follow are entirely corrupt. Maussacus reads *νυκτάλωπος* and translates *luscitiosus est* (he is night-blind). But it is good that he suspects the passage is mutilated. The description of the color and the external appearance of this gem has undoubtedly dropped out here. Plinius, loc. cit., reports that one species radiates purple, the other scarlet. And so I would fill this gap thus: *It is purple-colored; to heal the night-blind, etc.* ^D

(51) *Night-blind*. If you read it so, it means *luscitiosus* (night-blind). But if you read *νυκτάλωψ*, it must undoubtedly be corrected; you must interpret it as *luscitiosus est*, perhaps something is missing here. MASSACUS. Glossae Iatricae mss.: *Night-blind*, those who do not see at night.

(52) *Magnet*. Dioscorides, lib. V, cap. 148. Plinius, H.N., lib. XXXVI, cap. 14, Galenus, lib. VIII,

^A one is that which attracts iron, the other that which repels it; when dissolved in milk, it provides sharp-sightedness (53) and cures melancholy (54). The onyx (55) is large, so that the Indians turn from it the feet of couches. When brought to the earth (56) it takes on every color, whether the reddish hue of a carbuncle, or black, or flesh-colored. When dissolved (57), it banishes nocturnal phantasms, and when ground up, it is beneficial for those whose teeth suffer from flux. The capreus (58) stops the flowing of the eyes when applied to the forehead; it heals ulcers if drunk with milk (60), but it is desiccative and styptic, that is, astringent, and contrary to acute fevers (62). Sardonyx (63). This stone has a white line in the middle; it is of one color (65). It stops the flowing of the eyes, and when encircled, it prevents miscarriages (67) in those who are pregnant; the variegated kind is beneficial to the melancholic (68) if it is hung around the neck. ^B

Herculean Stone

^A The Selenites (69) — so named because it shows a certain eye 71 that waxes and wanes with the moon’s waxing (73) and waning (74) — is thus referred to (70). ^B The emerald (76) is leek-green and gently inclining toward a golden color, though it still exhibits something of a sea-green hue (77). Ethiopia, Egypt, Persia, and certain mountains of Attica produce it. When smeared with water, it aids those with elephantiasis (78), and when drunk with water it checks the flow of blood (79). The hyacinth (80). India produces this; it is sea-colored. It heals internal swellings (81) and ruptures, and, if drunk with vinegar, it stills melancholy (82).

^C

Notes

(69) Selenites. *Read Selenites.* (70) This. *Read “thus.” Similar words were omitted by the learned Salmasius in his De homon. Hyl. Jatr., ch. 119, p. 220, where he discusses this stone and cites this passage of Psellus.* (71) Of the eyes. *Restore: “the eye.”* (72) Certain. *One easily sees that a word has been omitted. I recall here a location from Xenophon of Ephesus, where a word is similarly omitted in book II, p. 23. It seems that [a word] is missing, which [word] he uses again in book V, p. 86…* (73) Waxing. *Authors cited this in this way. (74) Waning.* (75) It is shown. *This chapter is without doubt mutilated. For it says nothing of the virtues of this stone, which are nevertheless celebrated by many authors.* (76) Emerald. *See Pliny H. N. lib. XXXVII, cap. 5, and Marbodeus cap. LIV. Manuscript Glosses of Martianus Capella, which the most noble Arthur Freeman lent for my use: “The emerald is a gem that is most green, above all herbs and foliage, taking its name from the fact that it is bitter. For every green thing is bitter.” This gem is attributed to Cancer.* (77) And also. *Read “and.” Grammarians trade “or” and “and.” Hence, in Demetrius, “lepag.” was written for “legabatur.” The same error occurs in a manuscript of Synesius, On Fevers. I shall place it here as it reads in the manuscript:* “If from the beginning of the disease, because nature desires to…” ^D (78) Elephantiasis. *Those suffering from this condition are described graphically by Aretaeus the Cappadocian, book II, ch. 13, whom you should consult. This disease is called by the later Greeks…* (79) Drinking it. *Furthermore, a gem tied to the neck…* (80) Hyacinth. *For this, one should consult Pliny H. N. lib. XXXVII, cap. 9, and Marbodeus Gallus, cap. 15. Manuscript Glosses of Martianus Capella: “The hyacinth stone is a wonderful azure, sometimes cloudy, sometimes as pure as the waves, and it is of a purple light.” This stone is attributed to Scorpion on account of its cloudy color. (81) Internal swellings. *Translate: “inflations.”* (82) And. *Moreover, many authors mention the virtues of this gem. Thus, they claim that the one wearing it is protected from lightning, against whose strikes the ingenuity of the ancients devised many things. Nonus records in ch. 259, p. 294, that emperors kept on their ships skins of seals or of hyenas, which protected them from lightning: these things avert lightning-bolts; and onions placed nearby, or seal skin, or hyena skin; and they carry the hides of these animals, and the ships of the emperors carry them.*

Chrysolite ^A opposes eye ailments entirely.

Chryselectrum. If this is worn around the neck, it dispels fevers.

Chrysoprase. This, when worn around the wrist, provides sharpness of vision; it heals stomach and heart pains, and dissolves swellings and tumors.

Chalazias. This is white and solid, and similar to a small crystal. When tied on, it heals the stings of scorpions.

Topaz. The stone is transparent, resembling glass. It grows in what is called the Arabian Gulf on a certain island in the sea. During the day it cannot be seen, for the sun hides its brightness; but at night it shines from afar. It is found rough and uneven, but is smoothed by mechanical instruments. This stone, when ground down and drunk, restores the raving to their original state; it achieves the same result even if worn as an amulet.

Many have dared to provide the causes of the powers found in these stones—among the more ancient sages, Anaxagoras, Empedocles, and Democritus; and among those who lived not long before us, Alexander of Aphrodisias, a man, to put it simply, most ready to explain all things, even those of nature that are most recondite. Let the power and energy of each stone be sufficient for you; leave the rational explanations and their causes to the treasuries that are above us. ^B

MICHAEL PSALLUS: EPIGRAM ON SAINT GREGORY NAZIANZEN

See Vol. XXXV, Works of St. Gregory I, col. 309.