BOOK XXXIV. XXX. I20-XXXI. 122 



being far superior to that of Cyprus and Spain and 

 Africa, although some people think that Cyprus 

 sori is more useful for treatment of the eyes ; but 

 whatever its provenance the best is that which has 

 the most pungent odour," and which when ground up 

 takes a greasy, black colour and becomes spongy. 

 It is a substance that goes against the stomach so 

 violently that with some people the mere smell of 

 it causes vomiting. This is a description of the sori 

 of Egypt. That from other sources when ground 

 up turns a bright colour Uke misy, and it is harder; 

 however, if it is held in the cavities ^ and used 

 plentifully as a mouth-wash it is good for toothache 

 and for serious and creeping ulcers of the mouth. 

 It is burnt on charcoal, like chalcitis. 



XXXI. Some people have reported that misy ^«'/ 

 is made by burning mineral in trenches, its fine 

 vellow powder mixing itself with the ash of the 

 pine wood burnt ; but as a matter of fact though got 

 from the mineral ^ above mentioned, it is part of its 

 substance and separated from it by force, the best 

 kind being obtained in the copper-factories of Cyprus, 

 its marks being that when broken it sparkles Hke 

 gold and when it is ground it has a sandy appear- 

 ance, without earth, unlike chalcitis. A mixture of 

 misy is emploved in the magical purification of gold.'^ 

 Mixed with oil of roses it makes a useful infusion for 

 suppurating ears and applied on wool a serviceable 

 plaster for ulcers of the head. It also reduces 

 chronic roughness of the eyelids, and is especially 

 useful for the tonsils and against quinsy and suppura- 



•* The process of counteracting the supposed evii influence 

 of goid when held over the head of children, etc. See XXXI TT 

 84. 



217 

 VOL. IX. H 



