392 DESCRIPTION OF SOME INDIAN IDOLS, &C. 



kinds of stone that can be wrought into form on the turning 

 lathe, as the Chinese do their image-stone, of which they 

 sometimes make cups. In the Valtelline, a valley on the 

 southern declivity of the Alps, kettles for boiling food, are 

 formed of talcaceous schistus on the turning lathe, and sent to 

 Milan, where they are sold on the streets. These turned stone- 

 kettles of the Valtelline were used also in ancient times, as 

 we learn from Pliny, who makes mention of them. 



XXVIII. 



