Jet
Sample of unworked jet, about 15 mm long Jet is a type of lignite, the lowest rank of coal, and is a gemstone. Unlike many gemstones, jet is not a mineral, but is rather a mineraloid. It is derived from wood that has changed under extreme pressure. Neuendorf, K. K. E. Jr.; Mehl,
Toadstone aka bufonite
Collection of a Toadstone, illustrated in Hortus Sanitatis, published in Mainz in 1491. The toadstone, also known as bufonite (from Latin bufo, "toad"), is a mythical stone or gem that was thought to be found in the head of a toad. It was supposed to be an antidote to poison and in this it
Adder stone aka hag stone
An adder stone is a type of stone, usually glassy, with a naturally occurring hole through it. Such stones, which usually consist of flint, have been discovered by archaeologists in both Britain and Egypt. Commonly, they are found in Northern Germany at the coasts of the North and Baltic Seas. A
Gorochana
Gorochana or gorocana (transliterated from Sanskrit: à€à„à€°à„à€à€šÂ "cattle-light"; also Standard Tibetan: (?) gi-wang) refers to a stone or 'bezoar' found in cattle (Sanskrit: à€à„ go), such as the bull, cow, ox, and yak. Its presence in the animal is reputedly indicated by the snoring or other nocturnal sounds made by the animal in
Bezoardicum (bezoar of) is a term used in alchemy and other practices
Bezoardicum (bezoar of) is a term applied to multiple substances used in alchemy and other practices. Bezoardicum joviale, or bezoar of Jupiter, is a regulus made by melting three ounces of regulus of antimony and two of block tin. This is then powdered and mixed with six ounces of corrosive sublimate,
Bezoar
A bezoar is a mass often found trapped in the gastrointestinal system, though it can occur in other locations. A pseudobezoar is an indigestible object introduced intentionally into the digestive system. "bezoar" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary Bala M, Appelbaum L, Almogy G (November 2008). "Unexpected cause of large bowel obstruction:
Anthyllis vulneraria L. Fabaceae. Kidney vetch, woundwort. ‘vulneraria’ means ‘wound healer’
Anthyllis vulneraria L. Fabaceae. Kidney vetch, woundwort. 'vulneraria' means 'wound healer'. Dr Henry Oakeley. Description (cut and paste) 'wort' has been used in England since the 9th century to mean root or plant. Parkinson (1640) notes Anthylis prior and Anthyllis lentisimilis (Dodoens) Anthyllis
BÄrĂ»tu, the âart of the divinerâ
Divinatory livers, clay models for the training of soothsayers. The one in the middle is interpreted as fortelling the destruction of small cities. Baken clay, 19thâ18th centuries BC, found in the royal palace at Mari (now in Syria). The BÄrĂ»tu, the âart
Chemistry: A Volatile History
Chemistry: A Volatile History is a 2010 BBC documentary on the history of chemistry presented by Jim Al-Khalili. It was nominated for the 2010 British Academy Television Awards in the category Specialist Factual. Episode 1: Discovering the Elements Introduction Only in the last 200 years have we known what an element is â a
Calcination
Calcination is thermal treatment of a solid chemical compound (e.g. mixed carbonate ores) whereby the compound is raised to high temperature without melting under restricted supply of ambient oxygen (i.e. gaseous O2 fraction of air), generally for the purpose of removing impurities or volatile substances and/or to incur thermal decomposition. "Calcination". The IUPAC
Phrixus
Phrixus and Helle, twins of Athamas, king of Boeotia, and Nephele (a goddess of clouds), attempt to flee their hate-filled stepmother by crossing the sea between Europe and Asia on a flying (or swimming) golden ram. Helle has fallen from the ram
Phrygian cap notes
The Phrygian cap or liberty cap is a soft conical cap with the apex bent over, associated in antiquity with several peoples in Eastern Europe and Anatolia, including the Persians, the Medes and the Scythians, as well as in the Balkans, Dacia, Thrace and in Phrygia, where the name originated. The oldest depiction of the Phrygian cap is from Persepolis in Iran. "Phrygian