74 The Irish Naturalist. 



in the same manner as the silt. The reason is that many peats 

 grow so hard when dried, that the} 7 will not divide or melt at 

 all ; some, however, will crush if boiled for a time. 



By means such as these the results described have been 

 obtained without much trouble ; and their application to the 

 lake-silts or peats of Ireland should produce the same 

 results. 



AN ACCOUNT OF MEDIEVAL IRELAND, BY 

 BARTHOLOMEW ANGLICUS (13TH CENTURY). 



BY V. BALL, C.B., LL-D., F.R.S. 



In the course of my researches among ancient authors 

 regarding the productions and myths of India, I have from 

 time to time met with accounts of various matters referring 

 to Ireland, and it has occurred to me that the following 

 extract, with explanatory notes, as a first contribution of this 

 nature, may prove of interest to the readers of the Irish 

 Naturalist. 



The work of Bartholomew Anglicus, of which an epitome 

 has recently been published by Mr. Robert Steele 1 , was one of 

 the most widely read books of medieval times. The author, 

 an English Franciscan, produced this encyclopaedia about the 

 year 1260, in order to explain, many then current allusions 

 to natural objects, &c. Its popularity continued after the 

 invention of printing, and numerous editions in various 

 languages appeared in the 15th century. 



OF HIBERNIA, CAP. LXXX. 



" Yrlonde hight Hibernia, ami is an island of the ocean in Europe, and 

 is nigh to the land of Britain, and is more narrow and straight than 

 Britaiii, but it is more plenteous place .... In this land is much 

 plenty of corn-fields, of wells and of rivers, of fair meads and woods, of 

 metal and of precious stones. For there is gendered a six cornered stone 

 that is to wit, Iris, that maketh a rainbow in the air, if it be set in the 

 sun (1) and there is jet found. (2). and white pearls. (3). And concerning the 

 wholesome air, Ireland is a good temperate country. There is little or 



(') Medieval Lore, An Epitome of the Science, &c, &c, of the Middle 

 Age, being gleanings from, &c, &c, of Bartholomew Anglicus (De Pro- 

 prietatis rerum), Edited by Robert Steele : London, Elliot Stock, 1893, pp. 

 79-81. 



