234 WONDROUS STONES, &C. OF CHINA. 



off, the Flesh is the most precious Antidote against all Poysons. 

 Probably being a bit of a Mineralogist, he takes a 

 touch at the " Wondrous stones of China. " 



The Author of the Atlas Sinicus, and other Writers say, That 

 Nature hath here sported her self in Stones, and the Oeconomy of 

 Minerals, as well as Animals. In the Province Huquang, at the 

 Mountain Xeyen, especially after the fall of Rains, are found 

 Stones which they call Swallows, because they so exactly resem- 

 ble that Bird, that they want nothing; the Physicians distinguish 

 them into Male and Female, and use them in their several Com- 

 pounds. 



The Chinesian Genealogists report, That there is a Stone found 

 in the Province of Xensiofa.ii inestimable Price, for that it increas- 

 eth and decreaseth with the Full and Wane of the Moon. 



Many Writers of Natural Observations report, That the Stone 

 call'd Selenitis hath the same effect amongst us : This is a kind 

 of Talcus or Specular Stone, which I have oftentimes observ'd, 

 not only to shine at the Brightness and Splendour of the Moon, 

 but perfectly to shew, as in a Glass, the Figure of the Moon, 

 when at Full, when an half-Moon, and when in a Sextile Figure ; 

 whence I suppose the Fable to have its original, That this Lunary 

 Stone sometimes increaseth, and sometimes decreaseth, according 

 to the appearance of the Moon. 



They have an Earth call'd Quei, a Mineral very bright, and 

 much esteem'd by the Women, being endow'd with a Cosmetick 

 Faculty, which infus'd in Water with a gentle Fucus, mundifies 

 the Skin, taking away all Morphew, Freckles, Flushings, Pimples, 

 and such Rubifying Ebullition ; they call it Quei Xi, that is, The 

 Noble Lady. 



In the Province of Kiangsi, at the Mountain Yangkiu, is seen 

 a wonderful Stone, which being form'd into an humane Shape, 

 either by Nature or Art, assumeth divers Colours, according to 

 the various temperature of the Air, as some affirm, by which they 

 prognosticate either fair or foul Weather. 



The above extracts are faithfully made from Kircher's 

 own account, as it appears in a large folio volume, 

 illustrated by numerous curious engravings, and which 

 was published in 1673, by John Ogilby, Esq., with 

 the following title : 



" An Embassy from the East-India Company of the 

 United Provinces, to the Grand Tartar Cham Emperor of China. 



&c. &c, &c. &c. 



By Father ATHANASIUS KIRCHER." 



