Chap. 25.] CAEBUNCULUS. 421 



more striking brilliancy, the brightness of the latter being not 

 so strong. In the male varieties too, we see some in which 

 the hre is clearer than in others ; while some, again, are of a 

 darker^° hue, or else have their brilliancy more deeply seated, 

 and shine with a more powerful lustre than others when viewed 

 in the sun. 



The most highly esteemed, however, is the amethyst- 

 coloured^ stone, the fire at the extremity of which closely 

 approaches the violet tint of amethystos: next in value to 

 which, are the stones known as *'syrtites," radiant with a 

 wavy, feathery,"^ refulgence. They are found more particu- 

 larly, it is said, where the reflection is most powerful of the 

 rays of the sun. Satyrus says that the carbunculus^^* of India 

 has no lustre, that it is mostly soiled, and that in all cases its 

 brilliancy is of a tawny complexion. The Ethiopian stones, 

 he says, are dense, emit no lustre, and burn with a concentrated 

 flame. According to Callistratus, the refulgence of this stone 

 should be of a whitish hue, and, when placed upon a table, it 

 should heighten by its lustre other stones placed near it that 

 are clouded at the edge. Hence it is, that many writers speak 

 of this stone as the white carbunculus, while the Indian stone, 

 with its comparatively feeble lustre, is known by the name of 

 ** lignyzon."^^ The Carchedonian stones, they say, are of much 

 smaller size than the others ; but those of India admit of being 

 hollowed out, and making vessels that will hold as much as 

 one sextarius^ even. 



According to Archelaiis, the Carchedonian carbunculus is of 

 a more swarthy appearance than the others, but, when exposed 

 to the light of the fire or sun, and viewed obliquely, the bril- 

 liancy of it is much more intense than that of the rest. He says, 

 too, that this stone, when overshadowed by a roof, has a purple 

 tint ; that when viewed in the open air, it is of a flame colour ; 



*^ A variety, perhaps, of Iron garnet, or Iron-lime garnet. 



s7 Desfontaines suggests that this may have been the Balas ruby, or 

 possibly the Syrian Garnet, of a violet purple colour. Not improbably it 

 is the Almandine ruby. 



38 " Pinnato fulgore." This mottled appearance is to be seen in the 

 interior of some red garnets. 9»* Common garnets, probably. 



99 Sillig suggests that this may be from Xiyvvg, " soot." The reading, 

 however, is extremely doubtful. 



1 See Introduction to Vol. III. If this is the truth, they were made af 

 some of the crystals of the garnet, probably. 



