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COMMENTARY
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Although Theophrastus does not name specifically any stone having this power of procreation, other ancient writers give the name "eaglestone" to these concretions. Pliny21 states that they were so named because they were found in eagles' nests, and the eagles were unable to hatch out their young without the aid of tiiese stones. He distinguishes22 four varieties of aetites or eaglestone according to the color or consistency of the shell or nucleus of the concretion, and he names the localities where the various kinds were found. It is evident from his descriptions that such stones were often clay ironstone concretions composed of siderite (native ferrous carbonate) or limonite (native hydrated ferric oxide) compacted with clay or sand. It is interesting to note that even in modern times the name "eaglestone" has been sometimes applied to such nodules of clay ironstone. However, if the accounts given by Pliny are accurate, the ancient term must have included other kinds of clayey or sandy concretions. He names in addition, and sometimes describes briefly, other stones which contained embryo stones within them, such as cyitis23 and gassinade.24 He even goes so far as to declare that the period of gestation for the second of tiiese stones was three months. Possibly these were different concretions, though they may have been identical with aetites. As one might expect, eaglestones were worn in ancient times as amulets to prevent miscarriage.25 Such stones have been worn for the same purpose in certain European countries in modern times.
Though Theophrastus appears to be serious in mentioning this supposed generative power of stones, his use of the phrase "if this is true" shows that he was actually skeptical about it. Such skepticism is much less evident in the statements of the other ancient writers who touch on this subject.
The word τικτόντων is an emendation adopted by Schneider and Wimmer instead of τικτων, the reading of the manuscripts. What is needed is the active participle of the verb τίκτω ("to bring forth young"). It seems almost certain that this verb is correct, since Theophrastus refers to a great and wonderful power and shows that he himself is doubtful about it. Furlanus and Heinsius
21 X, 12, and XXXVI, 149. 22XXXVI, I49) j50> ,5I.
23 XXXVII, 154.
2* XXXVII, 163.
25 Pliny, XXX, 130, and XXXVI, 151; Solinus, XXXVII, 14, 15.
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