You asked us: "Are there any references to magic and the study of alchemy in your manuscripts collection? What was the difference between magic and science in the Middle Ages?" The distinction between magic and science is a modern one, and in the Middle Ages and Renaissance magic and science tended to be a bit more blended together. A few examples: 1. Firestones! This image is from a bestiary, a medieval encyclopedia of natural phenomena that included teachings about animals, plants, and minerals. According to the medieval text, there are both female and male firestones, and when they get too close they can burst into flames. The moral lesson here? For medieval readers, this was a warning about what happens when men and women get in too close, so they are best kept very far apart. 2. This is a 1606 manuscript made in Naples. On one page, you can artisans crushing up a rock called cinnabar. Cinnabar is a mineral that was used to make red pigment. On the other page, a supernatural fema...