386 



BOOK XXXVII. 



THE NATURAL HISTORY OF PRECIOUS STONES. 



CHAP. 1. (1.) THE FIEST USE OF PRECIOUS STONES. 



That nothing may be wanting to the work which I have 

 undertaken, it still remains for me to speak of precious stones : 

 a subject in which the majestic might of Nature presents itself 

 to us, contracted within a very limited space, though, in the 

 opinion of many, nowhere displayed in a more admirable form. 

 So great is the value that men attach to the multiplied varieties 

 of these gems, their numerous colours, their constituent parts, 

 and their singular beauty, that, in the case of some of them, it 

 is looked upon as no leas than sacrilege to engrave them, for 

 signets even, the very purpose for which, in reality, they were 

 made. Others, again, are regarded as beyond aU price, and could 

 not be valued at any known amount of human wealth ; so much 

 so that, in the case of many, it is quite sufficient to have some 

 single gem or other before the eyes, there to behold the supreme 

 and absolute perfection of N'ature's work. 



"We have already^ stated, to some extent, when speaking on 

 the subject of gold and rings, how the use of precious stones 

 first originated, and from what beginnings this admiration of 

 them has now increased to such an universal passion. Ac- 

 cording to fabulous lore, the first use of them was suggested 

 by the rocks of Caucasus, in consequence of an unhappy inter- 

 pretation which was given to the story of the chains of Pro- 

 metheus : for we are told by tradition, that he enclosed a frag- 

 ment of this stone in iron, and wore it upon his finger f such 

 being the first ring and the first jewel known. 



CHAP. 2. THE JEWEL OF POLYCKATES. 



"With a beginning such as this, the value set upon precious 



^ In B. xxxiii. c. 4. 



2 This being imposed as a punishment on him, in remembrance of his 

 sacrilegious crimes, when released by Jupiter from the rock. Prcmetbeus 

 and Vulcan, as Ajasson remarks, are personifications of fire, employed for 

 artistic purposes. 



