CHAP. 63.—MEMNONIA. MEDIA. MECONITIS. MITHRAX, MOROCHTHOS. MORMORION OR PROMNION. MURRHITIS. MYRMECIAS. MYRSINITIS. MESOLEUCOS. MESOMELAS.
What kind of stone memnonia1 is, we do not find mentioned. Medea2 is a black stone, said to have been discovered by the Medea3 of fable: it has veins of a golden lustre, and yields a liquid like saffron in colour and with a vinous flavour. Meconitis4 strongly resembles poppies. Mithrax5 comes from Persia and the mountains of the Red Sea: it is of numerous colours, and reflects various tints when exposed to the sun.6 Morochthos7 is a stone of a leek-green colour, from which a milk exudes. Mormorion8 is a transparent stone from India, of a deep black colour, and known also as "promnion." When it has a mixture of the colour9 of carbunculus, it is from Alexandria; and when it shares that of sarda,10 it is a native of Cyprus. It is found also at Tyrus and in Galatia; and, according to Xenocrates, it has been discovered at the foot of the Alps. These stones are well adapted for cutting in relief.11 Murrhitis12 has just the colour of myrrh, and very little of the appearance of a gem: it has the odour also of an unguent, and smells like nard when rubbed. Myrmecias13 is black, and has excrescences upon it like warts. Myrsinitis14 has a colour like that of honey, and the smell of myrtle. "Mesoleucos"15 is the name given to a stone when a white line runs through the middle; and when a black vein intersects any other colour, it is called "mesomelas."16
