In some parts of the Orient the superstitious notion exists that the _ætites_ occasionally emits a wailing sound during the night, and this is said to be either an expression of the birth-pangs of the mother stone, or else the cry of its new-born offspring, the small stones enclosed within the geode, for the story goes that each night some of these are generated.[367] These “eagle-stones” still retain their repute in Italy, where they are called _pietre gravide_, or “pregnant stones,” and are considered by many of the peasants as almost indispensable aids to parturition. They are in such demand that the lucky owners rent them for the nine months during which they are worn. As soon as one case has been happily concluded, the amulet is passed on to some other woman who is in need of it. A fee of five lire, or one dollar, is paid in each case, and a pledge worth a hundred lire ($20) is required before the stone is handed over. Some amulets of this class bear Christian symbols.[368] Geodes of this description consisting of limonite are to be found in many places. Some of them are of relatively recent formation, and one of these shows curiously enough that in addition to its other virtues the _ætites_ can on occasion perform the functions of a savings-bank. This strange specimen was found in 1846, at Périgueux, department Dordogne, France. On opening the geode there appeared within some 200 silver coins dated in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries; all of these were encrusted with the material forming the enclosing mass.[369] Long, white, rough stones, calcareous shell growths, were sometimes taken from snails and cockles. These were believed to have a marked diuretic action, and were therefore strongly recommended for certain diseases of the kidneys and the bladder. They were also believed to be helpful in cases of difficult parturition. Although no details are given, it seems most probable that the stones were reduced to a powder from which some sort of potion was concocted,[370] this having no more action than so much ground shell or marble dust. [Illustration: Extracting an alectorius. From Johannis de Cuba’s “Ortus Sanitatis,” Strassburg, 1483. ]