Quantcast
  Due to a new server, slow response may occur for which we apologize Portal logo
Login/Register
Bactrian Gold Treasure from Afghanistan, coming soon....
/gemstones/agricola_textbook_of_mineralogy/page_095 - 2
 

Book V about lodestone, hematite, geodes, hematite, selenite, lapis secularum, asbestos, mica

Book IV Sulphur, amber, Pliny's gems, jet, bitumen, naphtha, camphor, maltha, Samothracian gem, thracius stone, obsidianus stone Page of 251 Book V about lodestone, hematite, geodes, hematite, selenite, lapis secularum, asbestos, mica Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
BOOK V
I have said that there are four genera of stones, the first, in brief re­view, is called common stone and embraces lodestone, hematite, geodes and a great many other species. Minerals of the second genera are called gems and include diamond, smaragdus, carbunculus and similar species. The third genus is much larger and since the species may have the brillian­cy of polished gems it is called marble. Members of this genera are identi­fied principally by color and place of origin, typical species being phyrites, ophites, Parian and Laconian marbles and others. Species of the fourth genus are called rocks and differ from stones. This genus embrances sand­stone, limestone and others.
May I speak first of the stones of the first genera and first of all about lodestone since it is the most famous and noted of all because of its singu­lar and chracteristic power of drawing iron to itself. Because of this property the Greeks have many names for it. It is known as magnes, magnetis, heraclius and sideritis. The name magnes comes either from the name of the man who first found it on Mt. Ida, according to Pliny who took this story from Nicander, or from the district Magnesia in which lodestone is found. Lucretius writes in these words,
"The Magnesians call it by the patriotic name of the Greeks, Magnes because it is found within the borders of their country."
It is called magnetis by others for the same reason. The name heraclius comes either from the town of Heracleia or from Hercules. Just as Hercules conquered and destroyed the hideous and fierce monsters of the earth through his strength, in the same way lodestone overcomes the natural essence of the things it draws to itself. Because of this power it is also called sideritis. It has the appearance of rough iron and is commonly found in iron mines although in only a few such mines since there are a great number of iron mines. Sometimes a large amount of the mineral is distributed at random through the iron ore and sometimes it may be found in a continuous mass. It is found in Cantabrian, Spain, and on an island north of Lapland that takes its name from the mineral. It is found in Germany in the following places: in the Harz Forest beyond Harzburg about seven miles from Goslar, where it is obtained from a single opening; in an iron vein on Mt. Meissen near Swarzburg; especially near Eibestock in a mine named Magnes; near the village of Pela on the right hand side of the road to the valley of St. Joachim and in an iron mine that takes its name from the discoverer Burcardus and the sloping ground. It is also found in the country of the Franks and likewise in Bohemia in iron mines near the town of Lessa, about halfway between the town of Slaccheuerda and the hot springs of Charles IV. Lodestone occurs especially in Mace-
83
Book IV Sulphur, amber, Pliny's gems, jet, bitumen, naphtha, camphor, maltha, Samothracian gem, thracius stone, obsidianus stone Page of 251 Book V about lodestone, hematite, geodes, hematite, selenite, lapis secularum, asbestos, mica
Suggested Illustrations
Other Chapters you may find useful
Other Books on this topic
bullet Tag
This Page