gems, early lapidaries, Albertus Magnus, magical properties, medicine

When collecting materials for the third part of my Bibliographical Notes on Histories of Inventions and Books of Secrets, I observed in the sale catalogue of the duke of Hamilton's library a copy of the well-known tract, De Secretis Mulierum, usually ascribed to Albertus Magnus. The following description of it was there given:“Alberti Magni Secreta Mulierum, wants A 1 (a blank leaf) and several leaves mended, sold therefore with all faults, red morocco extra, borders of gold, gilt edges, by J. Mackenzie, sm. 4to. s. l. & a. An edition, in a manuscript note, stated to be “printed by Machlinia, see Ames” but certainly not the production of that printer. It contains 49 leaves commencing with signature a ii, and ending on reverse of rx with Finis hujus tractatuli venerabilis Alberti magni secreta expliciunt mulierum. It is not mentioned by Brunet, Hain, and other bibliographers.