Granatus, a precious stone so called, because it is like the kernels of a pomegranate, an imperfect kind of ruby, it comes from Calecut; [4145]"if hung about the neck, or taken in drink, it much resisteth sorrow, and recreates the heart.”  The same properties I find ascribed to the hyacinth and topaz. [4146]They allay anger, grief, diminish madness, much delight and exhilarate the mind. [4147]"If it be either carried about, or taken in a potion, it will increase wisdom,” saith Cardan, “expel fear; he brags that he hath cured many madmen with it, which, when they laid by the stone, were as mad again as ever they were at first.”  Petrus Bayerus, lib. 2. cap. 13. veni mecum, Fran.  Rueus, cap. 19. de geminis, say as much of the chrysolite, [4148]a friend of wisdom, an enemy to folly.  Pliny, lib. 37. Solinus, cap. 52. Albertus de Lapid. Cardan.  Encelius, lib. 3. cap. 66. highly magnifies the virtue of the beryl, [4149]"it much avails to a good understanding, represseth vain conceits, evil thoughts, causeth mirth,” &c.  In the belly of a swallow there is a stone found called chelidonius, [4150]"which if it be lapped in a fair cloth, and tied to the right arm, will cure lunatics, madmen, make them amiable and merry.”

There is a kind of onyx called a chalcedony, which hath the same qualities, [4151]"avails much against fantastic illusions which proceed from melancholy,” preserves the vigour and good estate of the whole body.

The Eban stone, which goldsmiths use to sleeken their gold with, borne about or given to drink, [4152]hath the same properties, or not much unlike.

Levinus Lemnius, Institui. ad vit. cap. 58. amongst other jewels, makes mention of two more notable; carbuncle and coral, [4153]"which drive away childish fears, devils, overcome sorrow, and hung about the neck repress troublesome dreams,” which properties almost Cardan gives to that green-coloured [4154]emmetris if it be carried about, or worn in a ring; Rueus to the diamond.

Nicholas Cabeus, a Jesuit of Ferrara, in the first book of his Magnetical Philosophy, cap. 3. speaking of the virtues of a loadstone, recites many several opinions; some say that if it be taken in parcels inward, si quis per frustra voret, juventutem restituet, it will, like viper’s wine, restore one to his youth; and yet if carried about them, others will have it to cause melancholy; let experience determine.

Mercurialis admires the emerald for its virtues in pacifying all affections of the mind; others the sapphire, which is “the [4155]fairest of all precious stones, of sky colour, and a great enemy to black choler, frees the mind, mends manners,” &c.  Jacobus de Dondis, in his catalogue of simples, hath ambergris, os in corde cervi, [4156]the bone in a stag’s heart, a monocerot’s horn, bezoar’s stone [4157](of which elsewhere), it is found in the belly of a little beast in the East Indies, brought into Europe by Hollanders, and our countrymen merchants.  Renodeus, cap. 22. lib. 3. de ment. med. saith he saw two of these beasts alive, in the castle of the Lord of Vitry at Coubert.