Stone
; also warranting the expectation of remedial action through its
coppery dynamic influence, when worn (next the body) as a Jewel.
Chemically the Malachite is a hydrated basic carbonate of copper. It
usually occurs in stalactitic, or stalagmitic forms, containing—as a
percentage of copper-oxide— seventy-two parts, carbonic di-oxide twenty
parts, and water, eight parts. The colours of the internal structure of
this stone, when it is fractured, are arranged in zones of light and
dark tints, including various shades of apple-green, emerald-green, and
verdigris-green. The name Malachite is given from the Greek word malakee, signifying
the Mallow Plant; in allusion to the resemblance of the colour of the
Mineral to that of Mallow leaves. This stone is believed to have been
the " Smaragdus Medicus " of Pliny. For ornamental uses it is ground
smooth with emery, and finally polished with Tripoli. Malachite, when
ground to powder, is used as a pigment, which goes by the name of "
pigment green" stone.
The
Topaz, according to Leonardus, was first found on an island in the Red
Sea always beclouded by fogs. Mariners continue to seek for it there
when they have no guiding light; and from their making such search it
originally took the name of " Topaz." " Blood flowing from a wound is
stopped if this be bound over it; and it makes the bearer of it obtain
the favour of Princes." The Topaz powdered, and taken in wine, was
believed to cure asthmas, want of sleep, and divers other maladies.
The
Emperor Maximilian, who, with a blow of his fist could knock out the
teeth of a horse, and with one of his kicks break the animal's thigh,
is said
