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CHAP. 68.—TRICHRUS. THELYRRHIZOS. THELYCARDIOS OR MULC. THRACIA; THREE VARIETIES OF IT. TEPHRITIS. TECOLITHOS.

Trichrus1 comes from Africa: it is of a black colour, but yields three different liquids, black at the lower part, blood- red in the middle, and of an ochre colour at the top. Thelyrrhizos2 is of an ashy or russet colour, but white at the lower part. Thelycardios3 is like a heart in colour, and is held in high esteem by the people of Persia, in which country it is found: the name given to it by them is "mule." Of thracia4 there are three varieties; a green stone, one of a more pallid colour, and a third with spots like drops of blood. Tephritis5 is crescent-shaped, with horns like those of the new moon, but it is of an ashy colour. Tecolithos6 has all the appearance of an olive stone: it is held in no estimation as a gem, but a solution of it will break and expel urinary calculi.

1 "Three-coloured stone.

2 Meaning "Female heart," apparently. The reading, however, is uncertain.

3 "Female heart," apparently. The reading is doubtful.

4 "Thracian stone." The reading, however, is doubtful.

5 "Ash-coloured stone." It has been identified with Uranian agate by some.

6 "Dissolving stone." Probably our Jew stone, and identical with the Phœnicitis of Chapter 66. See Note 13.

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