260 PLINY'S NATURAL HISTORY. [Book 



applied topically, they cause indurations to suppurate. They 

 are employed also, in a crude state and pulverized, for the 

 cure of scrofulous sores and boils. Some writers mention 

 another kind of pyrites also. Those among them have the 

 greatest affinity to lire which we distinguish as "live" 49 

 pyrites. They are the most ponderous of all, and are found 

 remarkably useful for advance-guards when lay ing out encamp- 

 ments; for, on being struck with a nail or any other kind of stone, 

 they emit a spark, which, received upon sulphur, dried fungus, 10 

 or leaves, produces a fire almost sooner than it could be named. 



CHAP. 31. OSTRACITES; FOUR EEMEDIES. AMIASTIIC9 ; TWO 



REMEDIES. 



The several varieties of ostracites 51 bear a resemblance to 

 shells. They are used by way of substitute for pumice-stone, 

 for smoothing the skin. Taken in drink, they arrest dis- 

 charges of blood; and, applied topically with honey, they are 

 curative of ulcerations and pains in the mamilljc. 



Amianthus* 2 resembles alumen 53 in appearance,,, and suffers 

 no diminution from the action of fire. This substance effect- 

 ually counteracts all noxious spells, those wrought by magicians 

 in particular. 



CHAP. 32. GKODCS; THREE ItEMEBIES. 



Geodes 51 is so called from its formation, it containing earth 

 within. It is remarkably beneficial for the eyes, and is used 

 for the cure of diseases of the testes and mannlla;. 



CRAP. 33. MELITIXUS'; six REMEDIES. 

 The stone called " melitinus"" yields a liquid that is sweet, 



4 '* Or "quick," " vivos." Ajnsson identifies these with the qunrlz 

 agates that form our gun-flints, a Chalccdouic variety of Silica. 

 * Ainadue, or German tinder. 



51 Fossil shells of ovsters and bivalve mollusks, combined, probably, 

 with Fahlunitc or Hydrous lolite. 



52 This is the most delicate variety of Asbestus, u kind of Hornblende . 

 it presents the lustre of satin. As to Asbcstus, see B. xix. c. 4, where 

 Pliny has evidently taken it to be a vegetable production. 



""See R xxxv. 'c. 52. 



51 4< Earthy" stone. These are cither nodules of iron-stone, hollow in 

 the centre, or else round, inonranic masses, hollow, and lined with crystals 

 within. These latter are mostly of a silicious nature. 



ts It was, probably, a yellow, argillaceous earth, and it is more proba- 



