BOOK XXXVII. THE NATURAL HISTORY OF PRECIOUS STONES. (continued 2)

Pæderos of the finest quality comes from India, where it is known as “sangenon;” the next best being that of Egypt, called “tenites.” That of third-rate quality is found in Arabia, but it is rough upon the surface. Next, we have the stone of Pontus, the radiance of which is softer than in that of Thasos, which, in its turn, is of a more mellowed colour than the stones of Galatia, Thrace, and Cyprus. The defects commonly found in these stones are, a want of brilliancy, a confusion with colours which do not properly belong to them, and the other imperfections which are found in stones in general.3189

CHAP. 47.—ASTERIA.

Next among the white stones is “asteria,”3190 a gem which holds its high rank on account of a certain peculiarity in its nature, it having a light enclosed within, in the pupil of an eye as it were. This light, which has all the appearance of moving within the stone, it transmits according to the angle of inclination at which it is held; now in one direction, and now in another. When held facing the sun, it emits white rays like those of a star, and to this, in fact, it owes its name.3191 The stones of India are very difficult to engrave, those of Carmania being preferred.

CHAP. 48.—ASTRION.

Of a similar white radiance is the stone that is known as “astrion,”3192 closely resembling crystal in its nature, and found in India and upon the coasts of Pallene.3193 In the centre of it there shines internally a brilliant star, with a refulgence like that of the moon when full. Some will have it that this stone receives its name from the fact that, when held opposite to the stars, it absorbs the light they emit and then returns it. The finest stones, they say, are those of Carmania, there being none more entirely free from all defects. They add, also, that a stone of inferior quality is known as “ceraunia,”3194 and that, in the worst of all, the light is very similar to that given by a lamp.

CHAP. 49.—ASTRIOTES.

Astriotes,3195 too, is a stone that is highly esteemed, and Zoroaster, they say, has sung its wondrous praises as an adjunct of the magic art.

CHAP. 50.—ASTROBOLOS.

Sudines says, that astrobolos3196 resembles the eye of a fish in appearance, and that it has a radiant white refulgence when viewed in the sun.

CHAP. 51.—CERAUNIA; FOUR VARIETIES OF IT.

Among the white stones also, there is one known as “ceraunia,”3197 which absorbs the brilliancy of the stars. It is of a crystalline formation, of a lustrous azure colour, and is a native of Carmania. Zenothemis admits that it is white, but asserts that it has the figure of a blazing star within. Some of them, he says, are dull, in which case it is the custom to steep them for some days in a mixture of nitre and vinegar; at the end of which period the star makes its appearance, but gradually dies away by the end of as many months.

Sotacus mentions also two other varieties of ceraunia, one black and the other red; and he says that they resemble axes in shape. Those which are black and round,3198 he says, are looked upon as sacred, and by their assistance cities and fleets are attacked and taken: the name given to them is “bætyli,” those of an elongated form being known as “cerauniæ.”3199 They make out also that there is another kind, rarely to be met with, and much in request for the practices of magic, it never being found in any place but one that has been struck by lightning.3200

CHAP. 52.—IRIS; TWO VARIETIES OF IT.

The next name mentioned by these authors is that of the stone called “iris;”3201 which is found, in a fossil state, in a certain island of the Red Sea, forty miles distant from the city of Berenice. It is partly composed of crystal, and hence it is that some have called it “root of crystal.” It takes its name “iris” from the properties which it possesses; for, when struck by the rays of the sun in a covered spot, it projects upon the nearest walls the form and diversified colours of the rainbow; continually changing its tints, and exciting admiration by the great variety of colours which it presents. That it is hexahedral in form, like crystal, is generally agreed; but some say that it is rough on the sides and of unequal angles; and that, when exposed to a full sun, it disperses the rays that are thrown upon it, while at the same time, by throwing out a certain brightness3202 before it, it illumines all objects that may happen to be adjacent. The stone, however, as already stated, only presents these colours when under cover; not as though they were in the body of the stone itself, but, to all appearance, as if they were the result of the reflected light upon the surface of the wall. The best kind is the one that produces the largest arcs, with the closest resemblance to the rainbow.

“Iritis” is the name of another stone, similar to the last in all other respects, but remarkable for its extreme hardness. Horus says, in his writings, that this stone, calcined and triturated, is a remedy for the bite of the ichneumon, and that it is a native of Persia.

CHAP. 53.—LEROS.

The stone called “leros”3203 is similar in appearance, but does not produce the same effects. It is a crystal, with streaks of white and black running across it.

CHAP. 54.—ACHATES; THE SEVERAL VARIETIES OF IT. ACOPOS; THE REMEDIES DERIVED FROM IT. ALABASTRITIS; THE REMEDIES DERIVED FROM IT. ALECTORIA. ANDRODAMAS. ARGYRODAMAS. ANTIPATHES. ARABICA. AROMATITIS. ASBESTOS. ASPISATIS. ATIZÖE. AUGETIS. AMPHIDANES OR CHRYSOCOLLA. APHRODISIACA. APSYCTOS. ÆGYPTILLA.

Having now described the principal precious stones, classified according to their respective colours, I shall proceed to mention the rest of them in their alphabetical order.

(10.) Achates3204 was a stone formerly in high esteem, but now held in none. It was first found in Sicily, near a river of that name; but has since been discovered in numerous other localities. In size it exceeds any other stones of this class, and the varieties of it are numerous, the name varying accordingly. Thus, for example, we have iaspachates,3205 cerachates,3206 smaragdachates,3207 hæmachates,3208 leucachates,3209 dendrachates,3210 marked with small shrubs, as it were; autachates,3211 which when burnt has a smell like that of myrrh; and coralloachates,3212 spotted all over, like sapphiros, with drops of gold, and commonly found in Crete, where it is also known as “sacred” achates. This last, it is thought, is good for wounds inflicted by spiders and scorpions; a property which I could really believe to belong to the stones of Sicily, for, the moment they breathe the air of that province, scorpions lose their venom.

The stones, too, that are found in India are possessed of similar properties, and of other great and marvellous properties as well; for they present the appearance in them of rivers,3213 woods,3214 beasts of burden, and forms even, like ivy3215 and the trappings of horses. Medical men, too, make grinding-hones3216 of these stones, and indeed the very sight of them is beneficial for the eyes: held in the mouth, they allay thirst. Those found in Phrygia have no green in them, and those of Thebes in Egypt are destitute of red and white veins. These last are good as a counterpoison to the venom of the scorpion, and the stones of Cyprus are held in similar repute. Some persons set the highest value upon those stones which present a transparency like that of glass. They are found also in Trachinia, in the vicinity of Mount Œta, upon Mount Parnassus, in the Isle of Lesbos, in Messene, where they resemble the flowers that grow in the hedges, and at Rhodes.

The magicians make other distinctions in reference to these stones: those, they tell us, which have spots upon them like the spots on the lion’s skin, are efficacious as a protection against scorpions; and in Persia, they say, these stones are used, by way of fumigation, for arresting tempests and hurricanes, and for stopping the course of rivers, the proof of their efficacy being their turning the water cold, if thrown into a boiling cauldron. To be duly efficacious, they must be attached to the body with hairs from a lion’s mane. The hair, however, of the hyæna is held in abomination for this purpose, as being a promoter of discord in families. The stone that is of an uniform colour renders athletes invincible, they say: the way of testing it is to throw it, along with colouring matter, into a pot full of oil; after being kept for a couple of hours gently on the boil, if genuine, it will impart an uniform colour of vermilion to the mixture.

Acopos3217 is a stone like nitre3218 in appearance, porous, and starred with drops of gold: gently boiled with oil and applied as an unguent, it relieves lassitude, if we choose to believe it. Alabastritis3219 is a stone which comes from Alabastron in Egypt and Damascus in Syria: it is of a white colour, spotted with various other tints. Calcined with fossil salt and pulverized, it is a cure for affections of the mouth and teeth, it is said. Alectoria3220 is the name given to a stone that is found in the crop of poultry, like crystal in appearance, and about as large as a bean in size: Milo3221 of Crotona, some will have it, was thought to be in the habit of carrying this stone about him, a thing that rendered him invincible in his athletic contests. Androdamas3222 has the shining colour of silver, like adamas;3223 it is always quadrangular, like small cubes in shape. The magicians are of opinion that it was thus named from the fact that it subdues anger and violence in man. Whether argyrodamas3224 is the same stone or not, authors do not inform us. Antipathes3225 is a black stone, and not transparent: the mode of testing it, is by boiling it in milk, to which, if genuine, it imparts a colour like that of myrrh. A person might probably expect to find some extraordinary virtues in this stone, seeing that, among so many other substances possessed of antipathetic properties, it is the only one that bears this name. The magicians will have it that it possesses the power of counteracting fascinations.

Arabica3226 is a stone which closely resembles ivory in appearance, and, indeed, might easily be taken for it, were it not for its superior hardness: persons who have this stone about them, it is thought, will experience a cure of diseases of the sinews. Aromatitis,3227 too, is a stone that is found in Arabia, as also in the vicinity of Phiræ in Egypt: it is always full of small stones, and like myrrh in colour and smell, a thing that makes it much in request with ladies of rank.3228 Asbestos3229 is found in the mountains of Arcadia, and is of an iron colour. Democritus informs us that aspisatis3230 is a native of Arabia, that it is of a fiery colour, and that patients should wear it attached to the body with camels’ dung; he says, too, that it is found in the nests of certain birds3231 in Arabia. The same writer also mentions another stone of this name, that is found at Leucopetra in the same country, of a silver colour, radiant, and an excellent preservative against delirium. In India, he says, and on Mount Acidane in Persia, there is a stone found that is known as “atizoë,”3232 of a silver lustre, three fingers in length, like a lentil in shape, possessed of a pleasant smell, and considered necessary by the Magi at the consecration of a king. Augetis3233 is thought by many to be identical with callaina.3234 Amphidanes,3235 which is also known as “chrysocolla,”3236 is a stone found in that part of India where the ants3237 throw up gold, and in it there are certain square pieces, like gold in appearance. The nature of this stone, it is asserted, is similar to that of the magnet; in addition to which, it is said to have the property of increasing gold.

Aphrodisiaca3238 is a stone of a reddish white colour. Apsyctos,3239 when heated by fire, retains the warmth so long as seven days; it is black and ponderous, and is streaked with red veins. It is good too, it is thought, as a preservative against cold. According to Iacchus, Ægyptilla3240 is a kind of white and black sarda, intersected with veins; but the stone commonly known by that name is black at the lower part, and azure on the surface. It takes its name from the country that produces it.

CHAP. 55.—BALANITES. BATRACHITIS. BAPTES. BELI OCULUS. BELUS. BAROPTENUS OR BARIPPE. BOTRYITIS. BOSTRYCHITIS. BUCARDIA. BRONTEA. BOLOS.

Of balanites3241 there are two kinds, the one of a greenish hue, and the other like Corinthian bronze in appearance; the former comes from Coptos, and the latter from Troglodytica. They are both of them intersected by a flame-like vein, which runs through the middle. Coptos, too, sends us batrachitis;3242 one kind of which is like a frog in colour, another has the tint of ebony, and a third is blackish inclining to red. Baptes3243 is a soft stone, and of a most excellent smell. Beli oculus3244 is a stone of a whitish hue, surrounding a black pupil in the middle, which shines amid a lustre like that of gold. This stone, in consequence of its singular beauty, has been consecrated to the deity3245 held in the highest veneration by the people of Assyria. According to Democritus, there is also a stone called belus, and found at Arbela; it is about the size of a walnut, and looks3246 like glass. Baroptenus or barippe is black, and covered with knots of a white and blood-red colour: the use of it as an amulet is avoided, as being apt to produce monstrosities.

Botryitis3247 is sometimes black and sometimes purple-red,3248 and resembles a bunch of grapes3249 in form, when making its first appearance. Zoroaster says, that bostrychitis3250 is a stone which is more like the hair of females than anything else. Bucardia3251 resembles an ox-heart in appearance, and is only found at Babylon. Brontea3252 is a stone like the head of a tortoise, which falls with thunder, it is supposed: if too, we are to believe what is said, it has the property of quenching the fire in objects that have been struck by lightning. Bolos3253 is the name of a stone found in Iberia,3254 similar to a clod of earth in appearance.

CHAP. 56.—CADMITIS. CALLAIS. CAPNITIS. CAPPADOCIA. CALLAICA. CATOCHITIS. CATOPTRITIS. CEPITIS OR CEPOLATITIS. CERAMITIS. CINÆDIA. CERITIS. CIRCOS. CORSOÏDES. CORALLOACHATES. CORALLIS. CRATERITIS. CROCALLIS. CYITIS. CHALCOPHONOS. CHELIDONIA. CHELONIA. CHELONITIS. CHLORITIS. CHOASPITIS. CHRYSOLAMPIS. CHRYSOPIS. CEPONIDES.

Cadmitis differs only from the stone that is known as ostracitis3255 in being sometimes surrounded with blisters of an azure colour. Callais3256 is like sapphiros3257 in colour, only that it is paler and more closely resembles the tint of the water near the sea-shore in appearance. Capnitis,3258 in the opinion of some, is a peculiar species of stone: it is covered with numerous spiral streaks, of a smoky colour, as already3259 stated in the appropriate place. Cappadocia3260 is a native of Phrygia, and resembles ivory in appearance. Callaica3261 is the name given to a stone like a clouded callaina;3262 a number of them are always found united, it is said. Catochitis3263 is a stone found in Corsica, of larger size than the other precious stones; and of a more wonderful nature, if the story is true, that it retains the hand like gum, when placed upon it. Catoptritis3264 is found in Cappadocia, and, from its whiteness, reflects figures like a mirror. Cepitis3265 or cepolatitis is a white stone, with veins upon it uniting together. Ceramitis3266 has a colour like that of earthenware.

Cinædia3267 is a stone found in the brain of a fish3268 of a corresponding name. It is white and oblong, and possessed of marvellous virtues, if we are to put faith in what is said, that it announces before-hand whether the sea will be tranquil or stormy.3269 Ceritis3270 is a stone like wax: circos3271 resembles the plumage of the hawk: corsoides3272 is like white hair in appearance. Coralloachates3273 is very similar to coral, marked with drops of gold; and corallis, a native of India and Syene, resembles minium3274 in appearance. Crateritis3275 is in colour a medium between chrysolithos3276 and amber, and is remarkable for its hardness. Crocallis3277 is a gem like the cherry in its tints. Cyitis3278 is a stone found in the vicinity of Coptos; it is white, and to all appearance has an embryo stone within, the rattling of which may be heard on shaking it. Chalcophonos3279 is a black stone, but when struck it clinks like brass: tragic actors are recommended to carry it about them. Of chelidonia3280 there are two varieties, both resembling the swallow in colour: one of them is purple on one side, and the other is purple besprinkled with black spots. Chelonia3281 is the eye of the Indian tortoise, and is the most marvellous of all the stones, if we believe the lying stories told by the magicians. For, according to them, this stone, placed upon the tongue after rinsing the mouth with honey, will ensure power of divination, if this is done at full moon or new moon, for one whole day. If, however, this plan is adopted while the moon is on the increase, the power of divination will be acquired before sun-rise only, and if upon other days, from the first3282 hour to the sixth.

Chelonitis,3283 too, is a stone that resembles the tortoise3284 in appearance, and the many virtues of which are talked of for calming storms and tempests. As to the one that has all the appearance of being sprinkled with spots of gold, if thrown with a scarabæus into boiling water, it will raise a tempest, they say. Chloritis3285 is a stone of a grass-green colour: according to the magicians, it is found in the crop of the motacilla,3286 being engendered with the bird. They recommend also that it should be set in iron, for the purpose of working certain portentous marvels which they promise, as usual. Choaspitis is a stone so called from the river Choaspes,3287 of a brilliant, golden colour mixed with green. Chrysolampis3288 is a native of Æthiopia, and is pale by day, but of a fiery lustre by night. Chrysopis3289 has all the appearance of gold.3290 Ceponides3291 is found at Atarna, a borough, and once a city, of Æolis. It is transparent, presents numerous tints, and has sometimes the appearance of glass, sometimes of crystal, and sometimes of iaspis. Indeed, the stones of this kind that are tarnished even, are possessed of such singular brilliancy as to reflect objects like a mirror.

CHAP. 57.—DAPHNEA. DIADOCHOS. DIPHYES. DIONYSIAS. DRACONITIS.

Daphnea3292 is mentioned by Zoroaster as curative of epilepsy. Diadochos3293 is a stone that resembles the beryl. Of diphyes3294 there are two kinds, the white and the black, male and female, with a line dividing the characteristics of either sex. Dionysias3295 is hard and black, and covered with red spots. Triturated in water, this stone imparts to it the flavour of wine, and it is generally thought to be a preservative against intoxication. Draconitis3296 or dracontia is a stone produced from the brain of the dragon;3297 but unless the head of the animal is cut off while it is alive, the stone will not assume the form of a gem, through spite on the part of the serpent, when finding itself at the point of death: hence it is that, for this purpose, the head is cut off when it is asleep.3298

Sotacus, who tells us that he once saw a stone of this kind in the possession of a king, says that persons go in search of it in a chariot drawn by two horses; and that, the moment they see the serpent, they strew narcotic drugs in its way, and then cut off its head when asleep. According to him, this stone is white and pellucid, and admits of no polishing or engraving.

CHAP. 58.—ENCARDIA OR ARISTE. ENORCHIS. EXEBENUS. ERYTHALLIS. EROTYLOS. AMPHICOMOS, OR HIEROMNEMON. EUMECES. EUMITHRES. EUPETALOS. EUREOS. EUROTIAS. EUSEBES. EPIMELAS.

The stone encardia3299 is also called “ariste.”3300 There are three varieties of it; one of a black colour, with a figure in relief upon it like a heart; a second of a green colour, and like a heart in shape; and a third, with a black heart upon it, the rest of the stone being white. Enorchis3301 is a white stone, the fragments of which, when it is split asunder, resemble the testes in shape. Exebenus, Zoroaster tells us, is a white, handsome stone, employed by goldsmiths for polishing gold. Erythallis,3302 though a white stone, assumes a red hue when viewed at an inclined angle. Erotylos,3303 also known as “amphicomos”3304 and “hieromnemon,”3305 is highly praised by Democritus for its use in the art of divination.

Eumeces3306 is a stone of Bactriana, like silex in appearance; placed beneath the head, it produces visions in the night of an oracular description. Eumithres3307 is called by the Assyrians “gem of Belus,”3308 the most sacred of all their gods; it is of a leek-green colour, and greatly in request for superstitious purposes. Eupetalos3309 is a stone that has four different tints, azure, fiery, vermilion, and apple-colour. Eureos3310 is similar to an olive-stone in form, streaked like a shell, and moderately white. Eurotias3311 has all the appearance of concealing its black colour beneath a coat of mould. Eusebes3312 is the stone, it is said, of which the seat was made in the Temple of Hercules at Tyrus, from which the pious [only] could raise themselves without difficulty. Epimelas3313 is a white gem, with a black hue reflected from its surface.

CHAP. 59.—GALAXIAS. GALACTITIS, LEUCOGÆA, LEUCOGRAPHITIS, OR SYNNEPHITIS. GALLAICA. GASSINADE. GLOSSOPETRA. GORGONIA. GONIÆA.

Galaxias,3314 by some called “galactitis,”3315 is a stone that closely resembles those next mentioned, but is interspersed with veins of blood-red or white. Galactitis3316 is of the uniform colour of milk; other names given to it are, leucogæa,3317 leucographitis,3318 and synnephitis,3319 and, when pounded in water, both in taste and colour it marvellously resembles milk. This stone promotes the secretion of the milk in nursing women, it is said; in addition to which, attached to the neck of infants, it produces saliva, and it dissolves when put into the mouth. They say, too, that it deprives persons of their memory: it is in the rivers Nilus and Acheloüs that it is produced. Some persons give the name of “galactitis” to a smaragdus surrounded with veins of white. Gallaica is a stone like argyrodamas,3320 but of a somewhat more soiled appearance; these stones are found in twos and threes clustered together. The people of Media send us gassinade,3321 a stone like orobus in colour, and sprinkled with flowers, as it were: it is found at Arbela. This stone, too, conceives,3322 it is said; a fact which it admits when shaken; the conception lasting for a period of three months. Glossopetra,3323 which resembles the human tongue, is not engendered, it is said, in the earth, but falls from the heavens during the moon’s eclipse; it is considered highly necessary for the purposes of selenomancy.3324 To render all this however, still more incredible, we have the evident untruthfulness of one assertion made about it, that it has the property of silencing the winds. Gorgonia3325 is nothing but a coral, which has been thus named from the circumstance that, though soft in the sea, it afterwards assumes the hardness of stone: it has the property of counteracting fascinations,3326 it is said. Goniæa,3327 it is asserted, and with the same degree of untruthfulness, ensures vengeance upon our enemies.

CHAP. 60.—HELIOTROPIUM. HEPHÆSTITIS. HERMUAIDOION. HEXECONTALITHOS. HIERACITIS. HAMMITIS. HAMMONIS CORNU. HORMISCION. HYÆNIA. HÆMATITIS.

Heliotropium3328 is found in Æthiopia, Africa, and Cyprus: it is of a leek-green colour, streaked with blood-red veins. It has been thus named,3329 from the circumstance that, if placed in a vessel of water and exposed to the full light of the sun, it changes to a reflected colour like that of blood; this being the case with the stone of Æthiopia more particularly. Out of the water, too, it reflects the figure of the sun like a mirror, and it discovers eclipses of that luminary by showing the moon passing over its disk. In the use of this stone, also, we have a most glaring illustration of the impudent effrontery of the adepts in magic, for they say that, if it is combined with the plant3330 heliotropium, and certain incantations are then repeated over it, it will render the person invisible who carries it about him.

Hephæstitis3331 also, though a radiant stone, partakes of the properties of a mirror in reflecting objects. The mode of testing it is to put it into boiling water, which should immediately become cold. If exposed to the rays of the sun, it should instantly cause dry fuel to ignite:3332 Corycus3333 is the place where it is found. Hermuaidoion3334 is so called from the resemblance to the male organs which it presents, on a ground that is sometimes white, sometimes black, and sometimes of a pallid hue, with a circle surrounding it of a golden colour. Hexecontalithos3335 receives its name from the numerous variety of colours which, small as it is, it presents: it is found in Troglodytica.3336 Hieracitis3337 is entirely covered with mottled streaks, resembling a kite’s feathers alternately with black. Hammitis3338 is similar in appearance to the spawn of fish: there is also one variety of it which has all the appearance of being composed of nitre,3339 except that it is remarkably hard. Hammonis cornu3340 is reckoned among the most sacred gems of Æthiopia; it is of a golden colour, like a ram’s horn in shape, and ensures prophetic dreams, it is said.

Hormiscion3341 is one of the most pleasing stones to the sight; it is of a fiery colour, and emits rays like gold, tipped at the extremity with a whitish light. Hyænia3342 is derived from the eyes of the hyæna, it is said, the animal being hunted to obtain it; placed beneath the tongue, if we believe the story, it will enable a person to prophesy the future. Hæmatitis,3343 of the very finest quality, comes from Æthiopia, but it is found in Arabia and Africa as well. It is a stone of a blood-red colour, and we must not omit to mention the assurance given [by the magicians], that the possession of it reveals treacherous designs on the part of the barbarians. Zachalias of Babylon, in the books which he dedicated to King Mithridates, attributing the destinies of man to certain properties innate in precious stones, is not content with vaunting the merits of this stone as curative of diseases of the eyes and liver, but recommends it also as ensuring success to petitions addressed to kings. He also makes it play its part in lawsuits and judgments, and even goes so far as to say that it is highly beneficial to be rubbed with it on the field of battle. There is another stone of the same class, called “menui” by the people of India, and “xanthos”3344 by the Greeks: it is of a whitish, tawny colour.

CHAP. 61.—IDÆI DACTYLI. ICTERIAS. JOVIS GEMMA. INDICA. ION.

The stones called Idæi dactyli,3345 and found in Crete, are of an iron colour, and resemble the human thumb in shape. The colour of icterias3346 resembles that of livid skin, and hence it is that it has been thought so excellent a remedy for jaundice. There is also another stone of this name, of a still more livid colour; while a third has all the appearance of a leaf. This last is broader than the others, almost imponderous, and streaked with livid veins. A fourth kind again is of the same colour, but blacker, and marked all over with livid veins. Jovis gemma3347 is a white stone, very light, and soft: another name given to it is “drosolithos.”3348 Indica3349 retains the name of the country that produces it: it is a stone of a reddish colour, and yields a purple liquid3350 when rubbed. There is another stone also of this name, white, and of a dusty appearance. Ion3351 is an Indian stone, of a violet tint: it is but rarely, however, that it is found of a deep, full, colour.

CHAP. 62.—LEPIDOTIS. LESBIAS. LEUCOPHTHALMOS. LEUCOPŒCILOS. LIBANOCHRUS. LIMONIATIS. LIPAREA. LYSIMACHOS. LEUCOCHRYSOS.

Lepidotis3352 is a stone of various colours, and resembles the scales of fish in appearance. Lesbias, so called from Lesbos which produces it, is a stone found in India as well. Leucophthalmos,3353 which in other respects is of a reddish hue, presents all the appearance of an eye, in white and black. Leucopœcilos3354 is white, variegated with drops of vermilion of a golden hue. Libanochrus3355 strongly resembles frankincense, and yields a liquid like honey. Limoniatis3356 would appear to be the same as smaragdus; and all that we find said about liparea3357 is, that employed in the form of a fumigation, it allures all kinds of wild beasts. Lysimachos resembles Rhodian marble, with veins of gold: in polishing it, it is reduced very considerably in size, in order to remove all defects. Leucochrysos3358 is a kind of chrysolithos interspersed with white.

CHAP. 63.—MEMNONIA. MEDIA. MECONITIS. MITHRAX. MOROCHTHOS. MORMORION OR PROMNION. MURRHITIS. MYRMECIAS. MYRSINITIS. MESOLEUCOS. MESOMELAS.

What kind of stone memnonia3359 is, we do not find mentioned. Medea3360 is a black stone, said to have been discovered by the Medea3361 of fable: it has veins of a golden lustre, and yields a liquid like saffron in colour and with a vinous flavour. Meconitis3362 strongly resembles poppies. Mithrax3363 comes from Persia and the mountains of the Red Sea: it is of numerous colours, and reflects various tints when exposed to the sun.3364 Morochthos3365 is a stone of a leek-green colour, from which a milk exudes. Mormorion3366 is a transparent stone from India, of a deep black colour, and known also as “promnion.” When it has a mixture of the colour3367 of carbunculus, it is from Alexandria; and when it shares that of sarda,3368 it is a native of Cyprus. It is found also at Tyrus and in Galatia; and, according to Xenocrates, it has been discovered at the foot of the Alps. These stones are well adapted for cutting in relief.3369 Murrhitis3370 has just the colour of myrrh, and very little of the appearance of a gem: it has the odour also of an unguent, and smells like nard when rubbed. Myrmecias3371 is black, and has excrescences upon it like warts. Myrsinitis3372 has a colour like that of honey, and the smell of myrtle. “Mesoleucos”3373 is the name given to a stone when a white line runs through the middle; and when a black vein intersects any other colour, it is called “mesomelas.”3374

CHAP. 64.—NASAMONITIS. NEBRITIS. NIPPARENE.

Nasamonitis is a blood-red stone, marked with black veins. Nebritis, a stone sacred to Father Liber,3375 has received its name from its resemblance to a nebris.3376 There is also another stone of this kind, that is black. Nipparene3377 bears the name of a city and people of Persia, and resembles the teeth of the hippopotamus.

CHAP. 65.—OICA. OMBRIA OR NOTIA. ONOCARDIA. ORITIS OR SIDERITIS. OSTRACIAS. OSTRITIS. OPHICARDELON. OBSIAN STONE.

Oica is the barbarian name given to a stone which is pleasing for its colours, black, reddish yellow, green, and white. Ombria,3378 by some called “notia,”3379 falls with showers and lightning, much in the same manner as ceraunia3380 and brontea,3381 the properties of which it is said to possess. There is a statement also, that if this stone is placed upon altars it will prevent the offerings from being consumed. Onocardia3382 is like kermesberry in appearance, but nothing further is said about it. Oritis,3383 by some called “sideritis,”3384 is a stone of globular form, and proof against the action of fire. Ostracias,3385 or ostracitis, is a testaceous stone, harder than ceramitis,3386 and similar in all respects to achates,3387 except that the latter has an unctuous appearance when polished: indeed, so remarkably hard is ostracitis, that with fragments of it other gems are engraved. Ostritis3388 receives its name from its resemblance to an oyster-shell. Ophicardelon is the barbarian name for a stone of a black colour, terminated by a white line on either side. Of Obsian3389 stone we have already spoken in the preceding Book. There are gems, too, of the same name and colour, found not only in Æthiopia and India, but in Samnium as well, and, in the opinion of some, upon the Spanish shores that lie towards the Ocean.

CHAP. 66.—PANCHRUS. PANGONUS. PANEROS OR PANERASTOS. PONTICA; FOUR VARIETIES OF IT. PHLOGINOS OR CHRYSITIS. PHŒNICITIS. PHYCITIS. PERILEUCOS. PÆNITIS OR GÆANIS.

Panchrus3390 is a stone which displays nearly every colour. Pangonus3391 is no longer than the finger: the only thing that prevents it from being taken for a crystal, is, its greater number of angles. What kind of stone paneros3392 is, Metrodorus does not inform us; but he gives some lines, by no means without elegance, that were written upon this stone by Queen Timaris, and dedicated to Venus; from which we have reason to conclude that certain fecundating virtues were attributed to it. By some writers it is called panerastos.3393 Of the stone called “pontica”3394 there are numerous varieties: one is stellated, and presents either blood-red spots, or drops like gold, being reckoned in the number of the sacred stones. Another, in place of stars, has streaks of the same colour, and a fourth presents all the appearance of mountains and valleys.

Phloginos,3395 also called “chrysitis,”3396 strongly resembles Attic ochre,3397 and is found in Egypt. Phœnicitis3398 is a stone so called from its resemblance to a date. Phycitis receives its name from its resemblance to sea-weed.3399 Perileucos3400 is the name given to a gem, in which a white colour runs down from the margin of the stone to the base. Pæanitis,3401 by some called “gæanis,”3402 conceives, it is said, and is good for females at the time of parturition: this stone is found in Macedonia, near the monument3403 of Tiresias there, and has all the appearance of congealed water.

CHAP. 67.—SOLIS GEMMA. SAGDA. SAMOTHRACIA. SAURITIS. SARCITIS. SELENITIS. SIDERITIS. SIDEROPŒCILOS. SPONGITIS. SYNODONTITIS. SYRTITIS. SYRINGITIS.

Solis gemma3404 is white, and, like the luminary from which it takes its name, emits brilliant rays in a circular form. Sagda is found by the people of Chaldæa adhering to ships, and is of a leek-green colour. The Isle of Samothrace gives its name to a stone3405 which it produces, black and imponderous, and similar to wood in appearance. Sauritis3406 is found, they say, in the belly of the green lizard, cut asunder with a reed. Sarcitis3407 is a stone, like beef in appearance. Selenitis3408 is white and transparent, with a reflected colour like that of honey. It has a figure within it like that of the moon, and reflects the face of that luminary, if what we are told is true, according to its phases, day by day, whether on the wane or whether on the increase: this stone is a native of Arabia, it is thought. Sideritis3409 is a stone like iron, the presence of which in lawsuits creates discord. Sideropœcilos,3410 which is a variety of the same stone, is a native of Æthiopia, and is covered with variegated spots.

Spongitis has its name from its resemblance to sponge. Synodontitis is a stone found in the brain of the fish known as “synodus.”3411 Syrtitis is a stone that used formerly to be found on the shores of the Syrtes,3412 though now it is found on the coasts of Lucania as well: it is of a honey colour, with a reflected tint of saffron, and contains stars of a feeble lustre within. Syringitis3413 is hollow throughout, like the space between the two joints in a straw.

CHAP. 68.—TRICHRUS. THELYRRHIZOS. THELYCARDIOS OR MULC. THRACIA; THREE VARIETIES OF IT. TEPHRITIS. TECOLITHOS.

Trichrus3414 comes from Africa: it is of a black colour, but yields three different liquids, black at the lower part, blood-red in the middle, and of an ochre colour at the top. Thelyrrhizos3415 is of an ashy or russet colour, but white at the lower part. Thelycardios3416 is like a heart in colour, and is held in high esteem by the people of Persia, in which country it is found: the name given to it by them is “mulc.” Of thracia3417 there are three varieties; a green stone, one of a more pallid colour, and a third with spots like drops of blood. Tephritis3418 is crescent-shaped, with horns like those of the new moon, but it is of an ashy colour. Tecolithos3419 has all the appearance of an olive stone: it is held in no estimation as a gem, but a solution of it will break and expel urinary calculi.

CHAP. 69.—VENERIS CRINES. VEIENTANA.

Veneris crines3420 is the name given to a stone that is remarkably black and shining, with an appearance like red hair within. Veientana is an Italian stone, found at Veii: it is black, divided by a line of white.

CHAP. 70.—ZATHENE. ZMILAMPIS. ZORANISCÆA.

Zathene, according to Democritus, is a native of Media. It is like amber in colour, and, if beaten up with palm-wine and saffron, it will become soft like wax, yielding a very fragrant smell. Zmilampis is found in the river Euphrates: it resembles marble of Proconnesus in appearance, and is of a sea-green colour within. Zoraniscæa is found in the river Indus: it is a stone used by magicians, it is said, but I find no further particulars relative to it.

CHAP. 71. (11.)—PRECIOUS STONES WHICH DERIVE THEIR NAMES FROM VARIOUS PARTS OF THE HUMAN BODY. HEPATITIS. STEATITIS. ADADUNEPHROS. ADADUOPHTHALMOS. ADADUDACTYLOS. TRIOPHTHALMOS.

There is also another method of classifying stones; according to the resemblance which they bear to various other objects. Thus, for example, the different parts of the body give the following names to stones:—Hepatitis3421 is so called from the liver; and steatitis3422 from its resemblance to the fat of various animals. Adadunephros, adaduophthalmos, and adadudactylos, mean “kidney of Adad,” “eye of Adad,” and “finger of Adad,” a god3423 of the Syrians so called. Triophthalmos3424 is a stone found in conjunction with onyx, which resembles three human eyes at once.

CHAP. 72.—PRECIOUS STONES WHICH DERIVE THEIR NAMES FROM ANIMALS. CARCINIAS. ECHITIS. SCORPITIS. SCARITIS. TRIGLITIS. ÆGOPHTHALMOS. HYOPHTHALMOS. GERANITIS. HIERACITIS. AETITIS. MYRMECITIS. CANTHARIAS. LYCOPHTHALMOS. TAOS. TIMICTONIA.

Other stones, again, derive their names from various animals. Carcinias3425 is so called from the colour of the sea-crab; echitis,3426 from the colour of the viper; scorpitis,3427 from either the colour or the shape of the scorpion; scaritis, from the fish called scarus;3428 triglitis, from the sur-mullet;3429 ægophthalmos, from the eye of the goat; hyophthalmos, from the eye of the swine; geranitis, from the neck of the crane; hieracitis, from the neck of the hawk; and aëtitis, from the colour of the white-tailed eagle. Myrmecitis3430 presents the appearance of an ant crawling within, and cantharias,3431 of a scarabæus. Lycophthalmos3432 is a stone of four different colours; on the exterior it is ruddy and blood-red, and within it is black, surrounded with a line of white, closely resembling the eye of the wolf in every respect. Taos3433 is a stone with colours like those of the peacock. Timictonia, I find, is the name of a stone, like the asp in colour.

CHAP. 73.—PRECIOUS STONES WHICH DERIVE THEIR NAMES PROM OTHER OBJECTS. HAMMOCHRYSOS. CENCHRITIS. DRYITIS. CISSITIS. NARCISSITIS. CYAMIAS. PYREN. PHŒNICITIS. CHALAZIAS. PYRITIS. POLYZONOS. ASTRAPÆA. PHLOGITIS. ANTHRACITIS. ENHYGROS. POLYTHRIX. LEONTIOS. PARDALIOS. DROSOLITHOS. MELICHRUS. MELICHLOROS. CROCIAS. POLIAS. SPARTOPOLIAS. RHODITIS. CHALCITIS. SYCITIS. BOSTRYCHITIS. CHERNITIS. ANANCITIS. SYNOCHITIS. DENDRITIS.

Hammochrysos3434 resembles sand in appearance, but sand mixed with gold. Cenchritis3435 has all the appearance of grains of millet scattered here and there. Dryitis3436 resembles the trunk of a tree, and burns like wood. Cissitis,3437 upon a white, transparent surface, has leaves of ivy running all over it. Narcissitis3438 is distinguished by veins on the surface, and has a smell like that of the narcissus. Cyamias3439 is a black stone, but when broken, produces a bean to all appearance. Pyren3440 is so called from its resemblance to an olive-stone: in some cases it would appear to contain the back-bone3441 of a fish. Phœnicitis3442 resembles a palm-date in form. Chalazias3443 resembles a hailstone, both in form and colour: it is as hard as adamant, so much so, indeed, that in the fire even it retains its coolness, it is said. Pyritis,3444 though a black stone, burns the fingers when rubbed by them. Polyzonos3445 is a black stone traversed by numerous zones of white.

Astrapæa3446 has rays like flashes of lightning, running across the middle on a ground of white or blue. In phlogitis,3447 there is, to all appearance, a flame burning within, but not reaching the surface of the stone. In anthracitis,3448 there are sometimes sparks, to all appearance, flying to and fro. Enhygros3449 is always perfectly round, smooth, and white; but when it is shaken a liquid is heard to move within, just like the yolk within an egg. Polythrix3450 presents the appearance of hair upon a green surface; but it causes the hair to fall off, it is said. Leontios and pardalios3451 are names given to stones, from their resemblance to the skin of the lion and panther. Drosolithos3452 has received its name from its colour. Melichrus is a honey-coloured stone, of which there are several varieties. Melichloros3453 is a stone of two colours, partly honey-coloured, partly yellow. Crocias3454 is the name given to a stone which reflects a colour like that of saffron; polias, to a stone resembling white hair in colour; and spartopolias, to a stone more thinly sprinkled with white.

Rhoditis is like the rose in colour, chalcitis resembles copper, and sycitis3455 is in colour like a fig. Bostrychitis3456 is covered with branches of a white or blood-red colour, upon a ground of black; and chernitis3457 has, on a stony surface, a figure like that of two hands grasping each other. Anancitis3458 is used in hydromancy, they say, for summoning the gods to make their appearance; and synochitis,3459 for detaining the shades from below when they have appeared. If white dendritis3460 is buried beneath a tree that is being felled, the edge of the axe will never be blunted, it is asserted. There are many other stones also, of a still more outrageously marvellous nature, to which, admitted as it is that they are stones, barbarous names have been given: we have refuted, however, a quite sufficient number of these portentous lies already.

CHAP. 74. (12.)—PRECIOUS STONES THAT SUDDENLY MAKE THEIR APPEARANCE. COCHLIDES.

New species of precious stones are repeatedly brought into existence, and fresh ones are found all at once, destitute of names. Thus, for example, there was a stone formerly discovered in the gold-mines of Lampsacus, which, on account of its extraordinary beauty, was sent to King Alexander, as we learn from Theophrastus.3461 Cochlides,3462 too, which are now so common, are rather artificial productions than natural, and in Arabia there have been found vast masses of them; which are boiled, it is said, in honey, for seven days and nights without intermission. By doing this, all earthy and faulty particles are removed; after which, the mass, thus cleansed and purified, is adorned by the ingenuity of artists with variegated veins and spots, and cut into such shapes as may be most to the taste of purchasers. Indeed, these articles, in former times, were made of so large a size, that they were employed in the East as frontals for the horses of kings, and as pendants for their trappings.3463

All precious stones in general are improved in brilliancy by being boiled in honey, Corsican honey more particularly; but acrid substances are in every respect injurious to them. As to the stones which are variegated, and to which new colours are imparted by the inventive ingenuity of man, as they have no name in common use, they are usually known by that of “physis;”3464 a name which claims for them, as it were, that admiration which we are more ready to bestow upon the works of Nature. But really, these artificial stones have names without end, and I could never think of recounting the infinite series of them, coined as they have been by the frivolous tendencies of the Greeks.

Having already described the more noble gems, and indeed those of inferior quality which are found among the stones that are held in high esteem, I must content myself with knowing that I have pointed out those kinds which are the most deserving of mention. It will be as well, however, for the reader to bear in mind, that, according to the varying number of the spots and inequalities on their surface, according to the numerous intersections of lines and their multiplied tints and shades, the names of precious stones are subject to repeated changes; the material itself, for the most part, remaining just the same.

CHAP. 75.—THE VARIOUS FORMS OF PRECIOUS STONES.

We will now make some observations in reference to precious stones in general, following therein the opinions that have been expressed by various authors. Stones with a level surface are preferred to those which are concave or protuberant on the face. An oblong shape is the one that is most approved of, and, next to that, the lenticular3465 form, as it is called. After this, the stone with a plane surface and circular is admired, those which are angular being held in the least esteem. There is considerable difficulty in distinguishing genuine stones from false; the more so, as there has been discovered a method of transforming genuine stones of one kind into false stones of another.3466 Sardonyx, for example, is imitated by cementing together three other precious stones, in such a way that no skill can detect the fraud; a black stone being used for the purpose, a white stone, and one of a vermilion3467 colour, each of them, in its own way, a stone of high repute. Nay, even more than this, there are books in existence, the authors of which I forbear to name,3468 which give instructions how to stain crystal in such a way as to imitate smaragdus and other transparent stones, how to make sardonyx of sarda, and other gems in a similar manner. Indeed, there is no kind of fraud practised, by which larger profits are made.

CHAP. 76. (13.)—THE METHODS OF TESTING PRECIOUS STONES.

On the contrary, we will make it our business to point out the methods of detecting these false stones, seeing that it is only proper to put luxury even on its guard against fraud. In addition to the particulars which we have already given, when treating of each individual kind of precious stone, it is generally agreed that transparent stones should be tested by a morning light, or even, if necessary, so late as the fourth3469 hour, but never after that hour. The modes of testing3470 stones are numerous: first, by their weight, the genuine stone being the heavier of the two; next, by their comparative coolness, the genuine stone being cooler than the other to the mouth; and, next to that, by their substance; there being blisters perceptible in the body of the fictitious stone, as well as a certain roughness on the surface; filaments, too, an unequal brilliancy, and a brightness that falls short before it reaches the eye. The best3471 mode of testing is to strike off a fragment with an iron saw; but this is a thing not allowed by the dealers, who equally refuse to let their gems be tested by the file. Dust of Obsian3472 stone will not leave a mark upon the surface of a genuine stone: but where the gem is artificial, every mark that is made will leave a white scratch upon it. In addition to this, there is such a vast diversity in their degrees of hardness, that some stones do not admit of being engraved with iron, and others can only be cut with a graver blunted at the edge. In all cases, however, precious stones may be cut and polished by the aid of adamas3473 an operation which may be considerably expedited by heating the graver. The rivers which produce precious stones, are the Acesinus3474 and the Ganges; and, of all countries, India is the most prolific of them.

CHAP. 77.—A COMPARATIVE VIEW OF NATURE AS SHE APPEARS IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. THE COMPARATIVE VALUES OF THINGS.

Having now treated of all the works of Nature, it will be as well to take a sort of comparative view of her several productions, as well as the countries which supply them. Throughout the whole earth, then, and wherever the vault of heaven extends, there is no country so beautiful, or which, for the productions of Nature, merits so high a rank as Italy, that ruler and second parent of the world; recommended as she is by her men, her women, her generals, her soldiers, her slaves, her superiority in the arts, and the illustrious examples of genius which she has produced. Her situation, too, is equally in her favour; the salubrity and mildness of her climate; the easy access which she offers to all nations; her coasts indented with so many harbours; the propitious breezes, too, that always prevail on her shores; advantages, all of them, due to her situation, lying, as she does, midway between the East and the West, and extended in the most favourable of all positions. Add to this, the abundant supply of her waters, the salubrity of her groves, the repeated intersections of her mountain ranges, the comparative innocuousness of her wild animals, the fertility of her soil, and the singular richness of her pastures.

Whatever there is that the life of man ought not to feel in want of, is nowhere to be found in greater perfection than here; the cereals, for example, wine, oil, wool, flax, tissues, and oxen. As to horses, there are none, I find, preferred to those of Italy for the course;3475 while, for mines of gold, silver, copper, and iron, so long as it was deemed lawful to work them,3476 Italy was held inferior to no country whatsoever. At the present day, teeming as she is with these treasures, she contents herself with lavishing upon us, as the whole of her bounties, her various liquids, and the numerous flavours yielded by her cereals and her fruits. Next to Italy, if we except the fabulous regions of India, I would rank Spain, for my own part, those districts, at least, that lie in the vicinity of the sea.3477 She is parched and sterile in one part, it is true; but where she is at all productive, she yields the cereals in abundance, oil, wine, horses, and metals of every kind. In all these respects, Gaul is her equal, no doubt; but Spain, on the other hand, outdoes the Gallic provinces in her spartum3478 and her specular stone,3479 the products of her desert tracts, in her pigments that minister to our luxuries, in the ardour displayed by her people in laborious employments, in the perfect training of her slaves, in the robustness of body of her men, and in their general resoluteness of character.

As to the productions themselves, the greatest value of all, among the products of the sea, is attached to pearls: of objects that lie upon the surface of the earth, it is crystals that are most highly esteemed: and of those derived from the interior, adamas,3480 smaragdus,3481 precious stones, and murrhine,3482 are the things upon which the highest value is placed. The most costly things that are matured by the earth, are the kermes-berry3483 and laser;3484 that are gathered from trees, nard3485 and Seric tissues;3486 that are derived from the trunks of trees, logs of citrus3487-wood; that are produced by shrubs, cinnamon,3488 cassia,3489 and amomum;3490 that are yielded by the juices of trees or of shrubs, amber,3491 opobalsamum,3492 myrrh,3493 and frankincense;3494 that are found in the roots of trees, the perfumes derived from costus.3495 The most valuable products furnished by living animals, on land, are the teeth of elephants; by animals in the sea, tortoise-shell; by the coverings of animals, the skins which the Seres3496 dye, and the substance gathered from the hair of the she-goats of Arabia, which we have spoken of under the name of “ladanum;”3497 by creatures that are common to both land and sea, the purple3498 of the murex. With reference to the birds, beyond plumes for warriors’ helmets, and the grease that is derived from the geese of Commagene,3499 I find no remarkable product mentioned. We must not omit, too, to observe, that gold, for which there is such a mania with all mankind, hardly holds the tenth rank as an object of value, and silver, with which we purchase gold, hardly the twentieth!

Hail to thee, Nature, thou parent of all things! and do thou deign to show thy favour unto me, who, alone of all the citizens of Rome, have, in thy every department,3500 thus made known thy praise.3501

Summary.—Facts, narratives, and observations, one thousand three hundred.

Roman Authors quoted.—M. Varro,3502 the Register of the Triumphs,3503 Mæcenas,3504 Iacchus,3505 Cornelius Bocchus.3506

Foreign Authors quoted.—King Juba,3507 Xenocrates3508 the son of Zeno, Sudines,3509 Æschylus,3510 Philoxenus,3511 Euripides,3512 Nicander,3513 Satyrus,3514 Theophrastus,3515 Chares,3516 Philemon,3517 Demostratus,3518 Zenothemis,3519 Metrodorus,3520 Sotacus,3521 Pytheas,3522 Timæus3523 the Sicilian, Nicias,3524 Theochrestus,3525 Asarubas,3526 Mnaseas,3527 Theomenes,3528 Ctesias,3529 Mithridates,3530 Sophocles,3531 King Archelaüs,3532 Callistratus,3533 Democritus,3534 Ismenias,3535 Olympicus,3536 Alexander3537 Polyhistor, Apion,3538 Horus,3539 Zoroaster,3540 Zachalias.3541