CHAP. 63.—MEMNONIA. MEDIA. MECONITIS. MITHRAX, MOROCHTHOS.
MORMORION OR PROMNION. MURRHITIS. MYRMECIAS.
MYRSINITIS. MESOLEUCOS. MESOMELAS.
What kind of stone memnonia[1] is, we do not find mentioned.
Medea[2] is a black stone, said to have been discovered
by the Medea[3] of fable: it has veins of a golden lustre, and
yields a liquid like saffron in colour and with a vinous flavour.
Meconitis[4] strongly resembles poppies. Mithrax[5] comes from
Persia and the mountains of the Red Sea: it is of numerous
colours, and reflects various tints when exposed to the sun.[6]
Morochthos[7] is a stone of a leek-green colour, from which a milk
exudes. Mormorion[8] is a transparent stone from India, of a
deep black colour, and known also as "promnion." When it
has a mixture of the colour[9] of carbunculus, it is from Alexandria;
and when it shares that of sarda,[10] it is a native of
Cyprus. It is found also at Tyrus and in Galatia; and, according
to Xenocrates, it has been discovered at the foot of the
Alps. These stones are well adapted for cutting in relief.[11]
Murrhitis[12] has just the colour of myrrh, and very little of
the appearance of a gem: it has the odour also of an unguent,
and smells like nard when rubbed. Myrmecias[13] is black, and
has excrescences upon it like warts. Myrsinitis[14] has a colour
like that of honey, and the smell of myrtle. "Mesoleucos"[15]
is the name given to a stone when a white line runs through
the middle; and when a black vein intersects any other colour,
it is called "mesomelas."[16]
1. "Stone of Memnon."
2. This reading seems preferable to "Media," given by the Bamberg
and some other MSS.
3. The enchantress of Colchis. The stone, no doubt was as fabulous as
the enchantress.
4. "Poppy stone."
5. For the origin of this name, see "Eumithres," in Chapter 58, Note
22.
6. It was probably a kind of Opal.
7. The reading here is very doubtful.
8. This reading also is doubtful: it is probably an Eastern word. According
to some authorities, this stone was a dark-brown rock crystal.
Ajasson identifies it with Schorl or black Tourmaline, with a base of Magnesia.
9. Red Tourmaline, possibly, or Rubellite.
10. Carnclian. See Chapter 31 of this Book.
11. "Ectypæ sculpturæ." See B. xxxv. c. 43.
12. "Myrrh stone." It was an Eastern compound, probably. See
Chapter 54, Note 25.
13. "Wart stone."
14. "Myrtle stone."
15. "White in the middle." This and the next seem to have been
general names for stones of a particular appearance.
16. "Black in the middle."