ON THE VIRTUES OF FABULOUS STONES 173
The cetites (eagle-stone)
is first mentioned by Pliny who states that it was found in the nests
of eagles of a certain species, and adds that some called this stone gangites. Fire
had no power over it and it was a useful remedy for many diseases. Its
special virtue, however, was to prevent abortion, this use being
suggested by the character of the stone itself, which "was as though
pregnant, for when it was shaken another stone rattled within it, as
though in a womb." The curative virtues of the cetites, like
that of the swallow-stone, only existed when the stone was taken from
the bird's nest. This was probably a story told by the vendors of such
géodes to enhance the value of their wares, although there may have
been some foundation for it in folklore.
They
are really hollow concretions of an iron stone, containing a piece of
loose iron or hardened sand, or a concretion of some kind that
rattles, and is called by the Italians bambino or "babe." Such
concretions are found at many places on every continent, many fine ones
having been found in Delaware. They vary in size from one to six inches
across. The small ones of a hard, smooth exterior that have become
polished from wear, are especially valued as charms.32
A passage in the treatise on stones by Theophrastus, pupil of Aristotle, might seem to indicate that the cetites was already known in the third century b.c. The
words he employs are as follows: "The most astounding and greatest
power of stones (if indeed this be true) is that of bearing progeny."
As both Pliny and Dioscorides name this stone or geode and fully
describe its character, laying especial stress upon the loose, rattling
material enclosed in its hollow interior, this fact giving rise in
later time to the half-poetic
" " Naturalis historia," lib. x, cap. 4, and lib. xxx, cap. 44.
