"The true severance between magic and science can only be made when magic becomes wilfully irrational, and the eleventh century was an Age of Faith and not of reason in the whole sphere of exact knowledge."--p. xv.

"Collects and reproduces several ancient lapidaries, primarily those of Marbod's poem and its variants, but also others, including several dealing witht he virtues of engraved gems, examines them, and compares their contents. The greatest emphasis is placed on Marod... A doublepage chart shows the probable derivations of the lapidaries from early Greek sources... An important scholarly work and scarce, with the probability that it may become much scarcer due to the poor quality of the paper used."-​-​Gemology by J. Sinkankas, entry no. 6424