Lusus Naturae

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Lusus Naturae

A general term for freaks or sports of nature, sometimes applied to the area of collecting stones and minerals that appear to contain pictures on their surfaces when cut and polished. Such pictures may appear as landscapes or even portraits, arising from the principle of duplication of shapes in nature, rather as if nature draws doodles and tests out forms. The resemblance of certain roots, notably mandrake (see mandragoras ), to human shape is a well-known example of this strange principle.