Chap. 28.] SAXDASTEOS. 423 



as many months. They are counterfeited, too, with great exact- 

 ness in glass ; but the difference may be detected with the 

 touchstone ; the same being the case also with other artificial 

 stones, as the material is always of a softer nature and com- 

 paratively brittle. When thus tested by the stone, hard knots,, 

 too, are detected in them ; and the weight of the glass counter- 

 feit is always less. In some cases, too, they present small blisters 

 within, which shine like silver. 



CHAP. 27. ANTHEACITIS. 



There is also a fossil stone found in Thesprotia, known as 

 " anthracitis,"'' and resembling a burning coaP in appearance. 

 Those who have stated that it is a native also of Liguria, are 

 mistaken, in my opinion, unless perhaps it was to be found 

 there in their time. Some of these stones, they say, are sur- 

 rounded with a vein of w^hite. Like those which we have 

 mentioned above, they have a fiery colour, but there is this 

 peculiarity in them, that when thrown into the fire they have all 

 the appearance of becoming quenched and deadened ; while, on 

 the other hand, if they are drenched with water, they become 

 doubly glowing.^ 



CHAP. 28. SANDASTEOS. SANDARESOS. 



Of a kindred nature, too, is sandastros,^^ known as *' gar- 

 am an tites" by some : it is found in India, at a place of that 

 name, and is a product also of the southern parts of Arabia. 

 The great recommendation of it is, that it has all the appearance 

 of fire placed behind a transparent substance, it burning with 

 Btar-like scintillations within, that resemble drops of gold, and 



6 Dalecbaraps thinks that this is the same as the *' anthracites " men- 

 tioned in B. xxxvi. c. 38, and identifies it either with our Anthracite, or 

 else with pit-coal or bituminous coal. It is much more likely, however, 

 that a precious stone is meant; and, in conformity with this opinion, iJrotero 

 and Ajasson have identified it with the Spinelle or scarlet Buby, and the 

 Balas or rose-red ruby, magnesiates of alumina. '' See B. iv. c. 1. 



» ^*Carbo." This word may mean either a " burning coal " or " char- 

 coal," hence the confusion that has arisen in identifying the mineral 

 substance that is meant. ^ See Note 90, to Chapter 25, 



10 " Sandaresus " and "Sandasiros" are other readings. This stone 

 has not been identified, but Ajasson is inclined to think that it may have 

 been Aventurine quartz, and is the more inclined to this opinion, as that 

 mineral is found in Persia, and sandastra or tchandastra is purely a San- 

 scrit word. The description, however, would hardly seem to apply to 

 Aventurine. 



