Ebony, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230

Ebony is the very dense heartwood of tropical trees of the genus Diospyros, commonly found in India and Sri Lanka.

Ebony is very dark brown to black in colour, the best quality is very heavy and nearly black. It is very hard and can be polished to a mirror finish; it is frequently used for cabinet work, inlaying, piano keys and knife handles. It was believed to react against poison, and for this reason was often used to make drinking cups.

Transcription

Translation

Ebenus in india et ethiopia nascitur. que cesa;
durescit inlapidem. Cuius lignum nigrum est. et cor-
tex lenis; ut lauri. Sed indicum; maculosum est;
in parvulus distinctionibus albis ac fulvis; Ethiopi-

Ebenus is born in India and Ethiopia, which was cut off; the stone hardens. Its wood is black, and its bark smooth; as a laurel But the indicator; it is spotted; in small distinctions of white and yellow; The

120v

cum vero quod prestantius accipiter; in nullo est. macula-
tum. sed est. nigrum. lene. corneum. Est autem mareoti-
cum; palus in india; unde venit ebenus. Unde lucanus. Ebe-
nus mareotica inquit. Ebenus autem in crepundiis illigatur;
ut infantem visu nigra non terreant;
Bdellium ut dicit plinius; est arbor aromatica;
magnitudine oleagina. cuius lacrima lucida. gustu
amara. boni odoris. sed odoratior infusione vini.
Dicit ysidorus quod bidella; indie et arabie arbor est.
cuius lacrima; melior arabica est. Est enim lucida. sub-
albida. lenis pinguis. et equaliter cerea. et que
facile molliatur. neque ligno vel terre commixta;
odoris boni. set amara. Nam ex indie; sordida est
et nigra. et maiori gleba. Adulteratur autem admix-
ta gummi que non ita amara est gustu. Bdellium
calidum est. et humidum. dissenterie repugnat
de acuta farmadna facte. Apostemata intrinsecus
sanat. lapides frangit. tussim mitigat. morsus
reptilium curat. Aceto remperatum. crepituram
ex eo unctam; solidat;

Ethiopian, however, is a more prominent hawk; in no one is it spotted, but it is black, smooth, horny. But he is giddy; a swamp in India; Where does ebony come from? Hence Lucanus. Ebenus said giddily. But Ebenus is bound in chains; that they should not frighten the child at the sight of blackness; Bdellium, as he says more fully; it is an aromatic tree; the size of oil, whose tears are clear, bitter to the taste, good in smell, but more fragrant with the infusion of wine.

Acknowledgements

With thanks for the researches of library volunteers Alan and Jean Minnerthey.