Chap. 15.] ADAMAS. 405 



like that of some kinds of amber, is of a fiery ^^ hue, and it ad- 

 mits, they say, of being engraved. They assert, too, that this 

 substance attracts^^ to itself not only leaves or straws, but thin 

 plates of copper even or of iron ; a story which Theophrastus 

 even believes, on the faith of a certain Diodes. 



For my own part, I look upon the whole of these state- 

 ments as untrue, and I do not believe that in our time there 

 has ever been a precious stone seen with such a name as this. 

 I regard, too, the assertions that have been made as to its 

 medicinal properties, as equally false ; to the effect that, taken 

 in drink, it disperses urinary calculi, and that, taken in wine, 

 or only looked at, it is curative of jaundice. 



CHAP. 14. THE VARIOUS PRECIOUS STONES, CLASSIFIED ACCOKDING 



TO THEIR PRINCIPAL COLOUES. 



We will now proceed to speak of the various kinds of pre- 

 cious stones, the existence of which is generally admitted, 

 beginning with those which are the most highly esteemed. 

 Nor shall we content ourselves with doing this only ; but, with 

 the view of consulting the general welfare of mankind, we 

 shall also refute the infamous lies that have been promulgated 

 by the magicians : for it is with reference to precious stones, 

 more particularly, that they have circulated most of their 

 fabulous stories, stepping, under that most alluring guise of 

 ascertaining remedial virtues, beyond all bounds, and entering 

 the region of the marvellous. 



CHAP. 15. (4.) — ADAMAS *, SIX VARIETIES OF IT. TWO REMEDIES. 



The substance that possesses the greatest value, not only 

 among the precious stones, but of all human possessions, is 

 adamas ;^ a mineral which, for a long time, was known to kings 



53 Ajasson thinks that Rubellite or Red Tourmaline is here alluded to. 



89 This is the case with tourmaline when subjected to heat. 



*^ ."We may here remark, that throughout this Book, in all cases where 

 there is any doubt as to the identification of the substance, the ancient 

 name is retained. Hence our words "adamant " and " diamond." If Pliny 

 means the latter, which is doubtful, it still maintains the rank here assigned 

 to it. The word '* adamas " is supposed to be derived from the Greek d, 

 privative, and dai.iatj, " to subdue," it being supposed to be invincible by 

 fire. The diamond is pure carbon crystallized, and is thought to have been 

 of vegetable origin. Dana has the following remarks upon the word 

 " adamas." — *' This name was applied by the ancients to several minerals 

 differing much in their physical properties. A few of these are quartz, 



