It is reported of it, that if it be put into water which is directly opposed to the beams of the Sun, it will make the water boyl, and cause it to be resol∣ved into a cloud, which not long after is dissolved in∣to dropps of rain. And that if it be put into fair wa∣ter, opposed to the beams of the Sunne, it doth change its beams, and by the repercussion of the aire, seem to shadow the clearnesse of its rayes; and so to induce a sanguineous colour in the aire, as if the Sun by the interposition of the body of the Moon, did suffer an ecliptick darknesse. Martinus Rulandus and Baccius do say, that this power and facultie is pro∣per onely to the Ethiopick Heliotropes. Hence this me∣trick elegancie of Marbodaeus:
Ex re nomen habens est Heliotropia gemma; Quae solis radiis in aqua subjecta Batillo Sanguineum reddit mutato lumine solem, Eclipsím{que} novam terris effundere cogit.
There is a report, which ariseth of the impudence of Magicians, that if this gemme be anointed with the juyce of a Marigold, it will cause him that carri∣eth it to walk invisible. So saith Plinie.