From the book
Sal Lumen and Spiritus Mundi Philosophici
Clovis Hesteau de Nuysement · Diotimos Editions · 2026
Browse this book’s lexicon →Meaning
III.7 extends the penetrating gaze through rocks and into the sea, with Lynceus supplying the model of extraordinary sight. Pearl and coral belong to the resulting catalogue of hidden treasures. The pearl's marble-like bed and coral which sailors might gather like a soft herb attached to rocks are poetic material images, not a precise modern account of marine organisms or mineral formation.
The passage's agent is the mind praised in Philon's verse. Its discovery of wealth joins other powers such as distant travel, warfare and the ordering of cities. These achievements are offered in defence of humanity against Timon's judgement. Keeping that speaker and purpose visible prevents the catalogue from being read as the narrator's literal eyewitness account of seeing through mountains or ocean depths.
Places to read
- Book Three · Unit 7Objects of hidden natural production exemplify the reach of intellect into the ocean and sailors’ experience.
Word family
Perle and corail: treasures revealed by intellectual sight. Exact historical spellings are listed separately.
Attested forms
riche perle; marbre poly; coral; nauchers; herbe molle; perle