460 PLINY's NATURA.L HISTORY. [Book XXXVII. 



transparent surface, has leaves of ivy running all over it. I^ar- 

 cissitis^^ is distinguished by veins on the surface, and has a smell 

 like that of the narcissus. Cyamias^ is a black stone, but 

 when broken, produces a bean to all appearance. Pyren^^ is 

 so called from its resemblance to an olive-stone : in some cases 

 it would appear to contain the back-bone^^ of a fish. Phoeni- 

 citis" resembles a palm-date in form. Chalazias^^ resembles a 

 hailstone, both in form and colour : it is as hard as adamant, 

 BO much so, indeed, that in the fire even it retains its coolness, 

 it is said. Pyritis,^^ though a black stone, burns the fingers 

 when rubbed by them. Polyzonos*^ is a black stone traversed 

 by numerous zones of white. 



Astrapsea^^ has rays like flashes of lightning, running across 

 the middle on a ground of white or blue. In phlogitis,^^ there 

 is, to all appearance, a flame burning within, but not reaching 

 the surface of the stone. In anthracitis,^ there are some- 

 times sparks, to all appearance, flying to and fro. Enhygros^* 

 is always perfectly round, smooth, and white ; but when it is 

 shaken a liquid is heard to move within, just like the yolk 

 within an egg. Polythrix^^ presents the appearance of hair 

 upon a green surface ; but it causes the hair to fall off, it is 

 said. Leontios and pardalios^^ are names given to stones, from 

 their resemblance to the skin of the lion and panther. Droso- 

 lithos^^ has received its name from its colour. Melichrus is a 

 honey-coloured stone, of which there are several varieties. 



63 ♦< Daffodil stone." An Eastern compound, probably. 



54 " Bean stone," 



55 " Our Jew stone," probably ; identical with the Phoenicitis of Chapter 

 66 and the Tecolitlios of Chapter 68. ^e ggg Note 13 to Chapter 66. 



5^ See Chapter 66. 



68 See B. xxxvi. c. 43. Pebbles of white flint were probably meant 

 under this name; from which is derived, according to Ajasson, the French 

 word iaillou, meaning a flint pebble. 



58 '• Fire stone." Not a Pyrites of modern Mineralogy, probably. 



60 "With many zones." Probably an agate or jasper. 



61 "Lightning stone." " " Flame stone." 



63 " Burning coal stone." See B. xxxvi. c. 38, and Chapter 27 of this 



61 "Containing liquid." Identified by Desfontaines with the Geodes 

 euhydros of modern Geology, which sometimes contains a liquid substance. 



65 " Many-haired stone." 



66 As to these stones, agates or jaspers probably, see "Nebritis," in 

 Chapter 64, and the Note. 



67 " Dew stone." The reading here is very doubtful. See Chapter 61. 



