Chapter 390

1609See B. xxxiii. c.21, and B. xxxvi. c.13.

1610See B. xxxiii. c.37.

1611“Æris flos.” Ajasson makes some correct remarks upon the difference between the “scoria” and the “flower” of the metal. The former may be considered as consisting of the metal, mixed with a certain proportion of heterogeneous matter, which has been separated during the fusion of the ore, while the latter consists of the pure metal in a state of mechanical division.—B.

1612From the Greekλεπὶς, “husk,” or “scale.”

1613Ajasson describes this substance as consisting merely of the pure metal in a state of minute mechanical division; it would appear, therefore, to be scarcely, if at all, different from the articles described in the last Chapter. The wordΣτόμωμαmeans a “hard substance,” or “hard scales,” therefore the application of this term to a substance like down, “lanugo,” is perhaps not very appropriate.—B.

1614Beckmann comments at some length on this passage; Vol. I. p. 328.Bohn’s Edition.

1615“Seplasiæ.” The druggists dwelling in the Seplasia. See B. xxxiii. c.58.

1616In Chapters22and23, as applied to Cadmia and Cyprian copper, respectively.—B.

1617“Ærugo.” The researches of modern chemists have ascertained the composition of verdigris to be a diacetete of copper; the sesquibasic acetate and the triacetate are also to be considered as varieties of this substance; we have an exact analysis of these salts in the “Elements” of the late Dr. Turner, the Sixth Edition, edited by Professor Liebig and Mr. W. Turner, pp. 931, 2. Most of the processes described in this Chapter are mentioned by Dioscorides.—B. See also Beckmann, Hist. Inv. Vol. I. p. 171,et seq.,Bohn’s Edition.

1618According to Brotero, this is the process generally adopted in France, in preference to the employment of vinegar in a pure state.—B.

1619The form of copper which was termed “coronarium” has been already described in Chapter22.—B.

1620“Atramento sutorio.” “Shoemakers’ black.” See Chapters27and32of this Book.

1621Until it assumes an ashy colour, Dioscorides says.—B.

1622See B. xii. cc. 30, 32.

1623According to Celsus, this substance obtained its name from the person who invented or compounded it; he calls it “Collyrium of Hierax.”—B.

1624“Atramenti sutorii, quod chalcanthum vocant.” We may presume that this substance was somewhat different from the “atramentum sutorium” mentioned in the last Chapter: the word “chalcanthum” means “flower of copper;”χαλκοῦ ἄνθος.—B. Delafosse identities it with blue vitriol, sulphate, or hydro-trisulphate of copper. See Chapter32.

1625See Chapter31.

1626From the Greekσκωλὴξ, “a worm,” “Vermicular Verdigris.”—“The accounts of this substance in ancient authors seem to some commentators to be obscure; but in my opinion we are to understand by them that the ingredients were pounded together till the paste they formed assumed the appearance of pieces or threads like worms. For the same reason the Italians give the name ofvermicellito wire-drawn paste of flour used in cookery.”—Beckmann, Hist. Inv. Vol. I. p. 173,Bohn’s Edition.

1627In B. xxxiii. c.29.—B.

1628The name, no doubt, of a copper ore which has not been identified. Delafosse suggests that it may have been an ore of iron and copper pyrites in combination with a silky copper malachite. See Chapter2of this Book, and B. xxxv. c.52.

1629Brongniart is of opinion that the “sory” of Pliny is the sulphate of copper, probably with an excess of acid. He informs us that he has received a specimen of a native sulphate of copper from Cuença, in Spain, which possesses all the characteristics of “sory” as here described. He considers it more difficult to ascertain the chemical composition of “misy,” but is disposed to consider it as a mixed sulphate of iron and copper.—B.

1630In the next two Chapters.—B.

1631We have a similar account of its medicinal virtues given us by Dioscorides; Celsus also enumerates chalcitis among the corrosives, or cauteries, “quæ exedunt corpus.” He also recommends it for affections of the eyes.—B.

1632“Sore ointment.”

1633See Note1629above.

1634See Note1629above. Hardouin calls this substance “yellow copperas,” or “Roman vitriol.”

1635“In scrobibus.” The mineral alluded to is Chalcitis, mentioned in Chapter29.—B.

1636Χαλκοῦ ἄνθος. “Flower of copper.”—B.

1637“Atramentum sutorium.” It was thus called from its being used for colouring leather. Under this name he probably includes green vitriol, or sulphate of the protoxide of iron, and blue vitriol, or sulphate, and hydro-trisulphate of copper, the former of which is, properly, our copperas. See Beckmann, Hist. Inv. Vol. I. p. 181,et seq.Bohn’s Edition.See also Note1624above.

1638In reality, the “chalcanthum” of Dioscorides was the small scales separated from molten copper by the application of water. See Chapters24and25above.

1639Of this kind, probably. See Beckmann, Hist. Inv. Vol. I. p. 182.

1640From thisvitreousappearance of the crystals of vitriol, it is most probable that vitriol derives its name. See Beckmann, Vol. I. p. 184.

1641“Drop,” or “globule” chalcanthum.

1642Possibly a corruption of “leucoion,” “violet white.”

1643He has described the mode of procuring salt, by evaporating the brine in shallow pits, in B. xxxi. c. 39.—B.

1644It is difficult to ascertain the exact nature of the substances treated of in this Chapter. Ajasson has some judicious remarks upon them, in which he points out what appear to be inconsistencies in the account given of them, and of their relation to each other.—B. Ajasson says that there is no doubt that a mammose or terreous carbonate of copper is meant under these names. These substances are no longer known, but our tutty, or impure oxide of zinc, bears some resemblance to them.

1645See B. xix. c. 4, and Chapters34and52of this Book.

1646A Greek word, signifying “ashes,” or the residuum after combustion.—B.

1647From the corresponding passage in Dioscorides, there is some doubt whether the account of this process here given is correct.—B.

1648So called from Laurium, a district in Attica, in which there were silver mines. See Pausanias, B. i.—B.

1649Meaning “Substitute for spodos.”

1650See B. xxiii. cc. 38, 63.

1651See B. xxi. c. 26, and B. xvi. c. 20.

1652See B. xxi. c. 95.

1653See B. xi. c. 94.—B.

1654“Detersive composition.”

1655FromΔὶς φρυγέσθαι.—“being twice calcined.”—B.

1656The Scoriæ, Cadmia, and Flos, which are described in Chapters22,23and24.—B.

1657A Roman coin, equal to the third part of the “as.”—B.

1658We most fully coincide with Pliny in this sentiment, but we are constrained to differ from him in giving credit to the alleged fact, as he appears to have done.—B.

1659See the list of authors at the end of thisBook.

1660“Arbusta:” trees on which vines were trained. See B. xvii. c. 35.

1661Holland has the following Note upon this passage: “O Pliny, what wouldst thou say, if thou didst see and hear the pistols, muskets, culverines, and cannons in these days.” Vol. II. p. 513.—B.

1662The charge that death is always the work of Nature.—B.

1663Or “stylus.”

1664See Ovid, Metam. B. iv. l. 467,et seq.; and Fasti, B. vi. l. 489,et seq.—B.

1665An artist mentioned also by Ovid and Pausanias.—B. And by Virgil.

1666“Mars Ultor.” In the Forum of Augustus, in the Eighth Region of the City.

1667The Isle of Elba, which has been celebrated for the extent and the richness of its iron mines both by the ancients and the moderns.—B. Ajasson remarks that it appears to be a solid rock composed of peroxide of iron.

1668“Clavis caligariis.” See B. viii. c. 44, B. ix. c. 33, and B. xxii. c. 46.

1669There have been numerous opinions on the meaning of this word, and its signification is very doubtful. Beckmann has the following remarks in reference to this passage:—“In my opinion, this was the name given to pieces of steel completely manufactured and brought to that state which rendered them fit for commerce. At present steel comes from Biscay in cakes, from other places in bars, and both these were formerly called ‘stricturæ,’ because they were employed chiefly for giving sharpness to instruments, or tools, that is, for steeling them. In speaking of other metals, Pliny says that the finished productions at the works were not called ‘stricturæ’ (the case, for example, with copper), though sharpness could be given to instruments with other metals also. The words of Pliny just quoted are read different ways, and still remain obscure. I conjecture that he meant to say, that some steel-works produced things which were entirely of steel, and that others were employed only in steeling—‘ad densandas incudes malleorumve rostra.’ I shall here remark that these ‘stricturæ ferri’ remind us of the ‘striges auri,’ (see B. xxxiii. c.19), such being the name given to native pieces of gold, which, without being smelted, were used in commerce.”—Hist. Inv. Vol. II. p. 327.Bohn’s Edition.

1670“A stringendâ acie.” The iron was probably formed into thin, long bars, in thickness resembling a steel used for sharpening. The French wordacier, meaning “steel,” may possibly come from the Latin “acies”—“edge,” as Beckmann has suggested.

1671Situate at the spot now known as “Bambola,” near Calatayud. The river Salo ran near it, the waters of which, as here mentioned, were celebrated for their power of tempering steel. The poet Martial was a native of this place.

1672Supposed to be the modern Tarragona.

1673See B. iii. c. 21.

1674See B. vi. cc. 20-24, B. vii. c. 2, and B. xii. cc. 1, 41. This Seric iron has not been identified. Ctesias, as quoted by Photius, mentions Indian iron. Sec Beckmann, Vol. II. p. 228.Bohn’s Edition.

1675Thought by Beckmann, quoting from Bottiger, possibly to bear reference to a transfer trade of furs, through Serica, from the North of Asia. See Vol. II. p. 307. As to the Seric tissues, see B. xxxvii. c.77.

1676Or “Persian.” The steel of Damascus had in the middle ages a high reputation.

1677See B. iii. cc. 24, 27. Horace speaks of the “Norican sword” on two occasions.—B.

1678See B. iii. cc. 9, 17.

1679See B. xviii. c. 67, and B. xxxvi. c.38.

1680B. xxxvi. c.25.

1681Properly “bubbles,” or “beads.”

1682See B. xxxvi. c.66. In the account of the loadstone referred to above, he informs us that this mineral was employed in the formation of glass.—B. Beckmann is of opinion that Manganese is here alluded to. See Vol. II. p. 237.

1683Another reading is “Dinochares,” or “Dinocrates,” for an account of whom, see B. v. c. 11, and B. vii. c. 38.

1684Wife and sister of Ptolemy Philadelphus. See B. vi. c. 33, and B. xxxvi. c.14.

1685Some accounts state that the statue was to be of brass, and the head of iron. It is said that the same thing was attempted with respect to the statue of Mahomet, in his tomb at Medina.—B.

1686We learn from Bowles that the celebrated mine of Sommorostro is still worked for this metal.

1687See B. iv. c. 34.—B.

1688Both the reading and the meaning of this passage are very doubtful.

1689See B. v. c. 21.—B.

1690We may presume that Pliny supposed that the ancient links had been protected by some of the substances mentioned above, although this is not distinctly stated.—B. Or rather by some religious ceremony as above alluded to.

1691“Nocturnas lymphationes.”—B.

1692Theactualcautery, as it is termed, is occasionally employed, in certain diseases, by the moderns, but I am not aware that it has been tried in hydrophobia.—B. This precaution is sometimes used by country practitioners, at all events.

1693I cannot agree with Delafosse in his remark that “this remedy also is much in use for cœliac and other affections at the present day.”—B. It is still recommended by old women in the country, for children more particularly.

1694There are two versions of this story. In B. xxv. c. 19, Pliny says that Achilles cured Telephus by the application of a plant, which from him received its name. According to the other account, the oracle had declared, that the wound of Telephus, which had been inflicted by Achilles, could only be cured by means of the same weapon which had caused it.—B.

1695All the statements in this Chapter are to be found in Dioscorides, B. v. c. 93.—B.

1696The scaly excrescences beaten from iron in the forges, Hardouin says.—B.

1697From the Greekὕγρον πλαστρὸν.—B.

1698See B. xxxv. c.57.—B.

1699It is most probable that the “black lead” of Pliny was our lead, and the “white lead” our tin. Beckmann has considered these Chapters at great length, Vol. II. p. 209,et seq.Bohn’s Edition.

1700Supposed to have been derived from the Oriental wordKastîra.

1701What is here adduced as a fabulous narrative is not very remote from the truth; the Scilly Isles and Cornwall being the principal sources of the tin now employed in Europe. Small boats, corresponding to the description here given, were very lately still in use among the inhabitants of some parts of the south-west coast of England [and on the Severn]. Pliny has already spoken of these boats in B. vii. c. 57.—B. See also B. iv. c. 30, as to thecoraclesof the ancient Britons.

1702The ores of tin are known to exist in Gallicia; but the mines in that country are very scanty compared to those of Cornwall.—B.

1703“Talutium” is mentioned in B. xxxiii. c.21.

1704Tin ore is among the heaviest of minerals, though the specific gravity of the metal is small. M. Hæfer is of opinion that these pebbles contained platinum.

1705Or tin. The greater fusibility of the tin producing this separation.—B.

1706We may conclude that the “plumbum nigrum,” or “black lead” of Pliny is the Galena or sulphuret of lead of the moderns; it is frequently what is termed argentiferous,i.e.united with an ore of silver, and this in such quantity as to cause it to be worked for the purpose of procuring the silver.—B. See Beckmann, Vol. II. p. 210.

1707“Instead of oil, workmen use at present ‘colophonium,’ or some other resin.”—Beckmann, Vol. II. p. 223. See also B. xxxiii. c.20.

1708Iliad, xi. 25, and xxiii. 561.—B.

1709Ajasson considers this to be Bismuth; but it is more probable that Beckmann is right in his conclusion, supported by Agricola, Entzel, Fallopius, Savot, Bernia, and Jung, that it was a compound metal, theWerkof the German smelting-houses: a metal not much unlike our pewter, probably. See Beckmann, Hist. Inv. Vol. II. pp. 209, 212, 224.Bohn’s Edition.

1710See B. xxxiii. c.31, and c.53of this Book.

1711A compound metal, probably, somewhat like pewter. See Note1709above. He evidently alludes to the process of “tinning.”

1712In B. xxxiii. c.45: where he says that the best mirrors were formerly made of a mixture of stannum and copper.—B. See Beckmann, Hist. Inv. Vol. II. pp. 60-62, 72.

1713Or tin.

1714“Silver mixture.”

1715Such a mixture as this would in reality becomemore valuablethan “argentarium,” as the proportion would betwo-thirdsof tin and one of lead. How then could the workmen merit the title of dishonest? Beckmann suggests that the tinning ought to have been done withpure tin, but that unprincipled artists employed tin mixed with lead. It is most probable, however, that Pliny himself has made a mistake, and that we should read “equal parts of black lead” (our lead); in which case the mixture passed off as “argentarium,” instead of containingequalparts of tin and lead, would containfive-sixthsof lead. See Beckmann, Hist. Inv. Vol. II. p. 221.Bohn’s Edition.

1716All these readings are doubtful in the extreme.

1717As being too brittle, probably; the reason suggested by Beckmann, Vol. II. p. 221.

1718Literally, “inboiled,” being coated by immersion in the molten tin.

1719Supposed by Hardouin to have been the town of Alise, in Auxois.

1720See B. iv. c. 33.

1721The names of various kinds of carriages, the form of which is now unknown.

1722Both tin and lead can be fused in paper, when it is closely wrapped around them.

1723In reality India did and does possess them both; but it is possible that in those days it was not considered worth while to search for them.

1724The “lead” of the moderns.

1725Mr. T. Wright, the eminent antiquarian, is of opinion that the extensive Roman lead mines at Shelve, in Shropshire, are here alluded to. See theIllustrated London News, Oct. 4, 1856.

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