Far Eastern and Classical Antiquity 33 



away. Its usefulness is celebrated for many things, and, among others, 

 they recommend a remedy for epilepsy that is prepared from it. Like- 

 wise it is used for a disease of the eyes, which destroys vision by dis- 

 charging too much humor into the eyes. 



Concerning the other plant described by Aelian, the Aglaophotis 

 marina, Gesner wrote,^^ 



When the summer heat reaches its peak ... a certain kind of seaweed 

 [alga or fiicus] is born on deep rocks. It resembles the tamarisk in size 

 and the poppy in fruit. . . . The outer part of the fruit, which is a cer- 

 tain crust or covering like an oyster shell and very yellow in appearance, 

 encloses and protects the inner part like a wall. The inner part is dark 

 blue in color, soft in substance, and transparent like inflated bladders. 

 A noxious poison drips from this inner part and at night it emits a 

 certain fiery light and, as it were, a sparkling glow. 



The story of Aglaophotis terrestris sounds like a fable but the 

 account of Aglaophotis marina could have been based on the 

 apparent luminescence of marine algae, which had become covered 

 with colonies of luminous hydroids. These growths are common 

 and present a striking sight on late summer nights whenever they 

 are distributed by stroking with the hand. 



Luminous Gems 



The evidence that the ancient knew of true luminous jewels, 

 which would shine in complete darkness, is questionable, although 

 many writers have mentioned shining jewels and have taken the 

 opportunity to embellish their accounts. Chinese and Indian legends 

 have already been described. Herodotus {ca. 484-ca. 408 b. c.) wrote 

 in his History (II, 44) of a temple in Tyre (Phoenecia) with two 

 pillars, one of gold, the other of emerald (Smaragdos) , " which 

 shone brightly at night." The shining may have been a reflection, 

 although the false emerald (a type of fluorspar) is known to be 

 phosphorescent after exposure to light. It is impossible to evaluate 

 the story, but reflection of dim light is as plausible as light emission. 



It is to the great credit of Theophrastus (ca. 374-cfl. 286 b. c.) , 

 that in his History of Stones ^® he made it quite clear that the name 

 carbunculus, a little coal, was applied to this stone because of the 

 appearance of a carbuncle (probably the garnet) when held against 

 the sun. However, most later writers have supposed that a stone 

 which shone at night did exist and the idea became associated with 

 the carbuncle. In addition to fluorspar, there are certain types of 

 diamond which become phosphorescent on warming after exposure 



" Translation by Sir John Hill. London 1744, p. 74. 



