chief, in his tract
against Paracelsus, and in an epistle of his to Peter Monavius, [4140]
"That stones can work any wonders, let them believe that list, no man shall
persuade me; for my part, I have found by experience there is no virtue in
them." But Matthiolus, in his comment upon [4141]Dioscorides, is as profuse
on the other side, in their commendation; so is Cardan, Renodeus, Alardus,
Rueus, Encelius, Marbodeus, &c. [4142]Matthiolus specifies in coral: and
Oswaldus Crollius, _Basil. Chym_. prefers the salt of coral.
[4143]Christoph. Encelius, _lib. 3. cap. 131._ will have them to be as so
many several medicines against melancholy, sorrow, fear, dullness, and the
like; [4144]Renodeus admires them, "besides they adorn kings' crowns, grace
the fingers, enrich our household stuff, defend us from enchantments,
preserve health, cure diseases, they drive away grief, cares, and
exhilarate the mind." The particulars be these.

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
a