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BOOK V
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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-
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