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Eagle-stones

or Aetītes (αετιτηζ). Yellow clay ironstones supposed to have sanative and magical virtues. They are so called because they are found in eaglesʹ nests. Epiphanius says, “In the interior of Scythia there is a valley inaccessible to man, down which slaughtered lambs are thrown. The small stones at the bottom of the valley adhere to these pieces of flesh, and eagles, when they carry away the flesh to their nests, carry the stones with it.” The story of Sindbad in the Valley of Diamonds will occur to the readers of this article (Epiphanius: De duodecim gemmis, etc., p. 30; 1743).

It is said that without these stones eagles cannot hatch their eggs.

 

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Eager
Eagle (in royal banners)
Eagle
Eagle (in funerals)
Eagle
Eagle (for lecterns in churches)
Eagle (in phrases)
Eagle
Eagle
Eagle
Eagle-stones
Ear. (Anglo-Saxon, eáre.)
Ear-finger
Ear-marked
Ear-shot
Ears
Ears to ear Bible (The)
Earing
Earl
Earl of Mar’s Grey Breeks
Early to Bed

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Stones