448 plint's natural history. [Book XXXVII. 



CHAP. 58. EJJCARDIA OR ARISTE. ENORCHIS. EXEBENTJS. ERT- 



THALLIS. EROTYLOS. AMPHICOMOS, OR HIEROMNEMON. EUMECES. 

 EUMITHRES. EUPETALOS. EUREOS. EUROTIAS. EUSEBES. EPI- 

 MELAS. 



The stone encardia^* is also called *' ariste."^^ 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. Enorchis'^ is a white stone, the frag- 

 ments of which, when it is split asunder, resemble the testes 

 in shape. Exebeuus, Zoroaster tells us, is a white, handsome 

 stone, employed by goldsmiths for polishing gold. Erythallis," 

 though a white stone, assumes a red hue when viewed at an 

 inclined angle. Erotylos,^® also known as '' amphicomos"*^ 

 and *' hieromnemon,"2° is highly praised byDemocritus for its 

 use in the art of divination. 



Eumeces-^ is a stone of Bactriana, like silex in appearance ; 

 placed beneath the head, it produces visions in the night of an 

 oracular description. Eumithres^^ is called by the Assyrians 

 " gem of Belus,"'^ the most sacred of all their gods ; it is of a 

 leek-green colour, and greatly in request for superstitious pur- 

 poses. Eupetalos^* is a stone that has four different tints, 

 azure, fiery, vermilion, and apple- colour. Eureos'^^ is similar 

 to an olive-stone in form, streaked like a shell, and moderately 

 white. Eurotias-^ has all the appearance of concealing its 



^* " Heart-shaped." A turquois, Hardouin thinks. See '* Bucardia" 

 in Chapter 55 above. ^' '' The best." ^^ " Formed like the testes." 



^' "Bed stone," apparently. The reading is very doubtful. 



's The rcadinf^ is doubtful, but the word may possibly mean " stone of 

 love," or something equivalent. ^^ " Fiue-haired." 



2^' " Skilled in sacred matters." 



21 " Of fair length." Ajasson thinks that this may have been a variety 

 of Pyromachic silex, or gun flint, nearly allied to Clialcedony. 



-^ A preferable reading, probably, to " Euraitros." It perhaps took its 

 name from Mithres, the god of the Sun among the Persians, and meant 

 " blessing of Mithres." Ajasson thinks that it may have been green Tour- 

 maline, and that its electric properties may have been very " serviceable to 

 the charlatans who had the monopoly of the Temple of Bel." 



2^ See Chapter 55 of this Book. 



2* " With beautiful leaves." By some authorities this is thought to be 

 Opal, by others Heliotrope or Bloodstone. Ajasson thinks that it may 

 liave been a general name for Jasper quartz, or else that it was Quartz 

 agate opnlized. *^ This reading is very doubtful. 



''^" " Mouldy stone." 



