182 Extracts from the Persian Work called [March, 



6. The black. 7. The fire-coloured. The first two kinds are 

 the most common, the others more rare, and that which is quite 

 polished, the mOst seldom found. It does not break on the 

 anvil under the hammer, but rather penetrates the anvil. In 

 order to break it, it is laid between lead, which is struck with 

 the hammer, and then it breaks. Others enclose it in resin, 

 or wax, instead of lead. The diamond has an affinity with gold, 

 small particles of which are attracted by it ; it is also much 

 sought for by the ants, and covered with them, as if they 

 would devour it. In India, where it is very highly esteemed, 

 the exportation of it was formerly prohibited. 



Sect. 2. Of the Dianioncl Mines. — In the eastern part of India 

 is a deep ravine inhabited by serpents,* where diamonds are 

 produced. Some people suppose that it is found ni the jakut 

 mines, 



Cii\¥.Yl.— Of the Cafs Ei/e. {Aiml-hitrr.) 



Sect. 1. Of the Properties oj' the Cat's E^e.~It is a brilHant 

 transparent stone, which appears to the spectator like the eye of 

 a cat seen in a light pliice. If you turn the stone, this bright 

 focus also turns ; and if light falls on it, it plays in waves, which 

 move the more, the stronger the fight is which falls on it ; if you 

 break a cat's eye into pieces, you find the same focus in every 

 one of them. 



Sect. 2. Of the Mines of the Cat's Eye. — It is affirmed that the 

 cat's eye is found in the jakut mines, and formed of the same 

 matter. 



Chap. Y\l.— Of the Spinell. {Laal.)f 



Sect. 1. Of the Properties of the Spinel/us. — It is of four 

 different kinds: 1. Red. 2. Yellow. 3. Violet. 4. Green, 

 like the emerald. Sometimes the same stone is half green and 

 half red. The red is of eight kinds : ]. Geschdimegi. 2.Piasegi. 

 3. Teineri, the date-like. 4. Lahnii, the fleshy. 6. Anabi, the 

 dove-like. 6. Bakami, having the colour of Brazil wood.;]: 



7. Edrisi, the stone enoch. 8. Ekheb, the dark. The gesch- 

 dimegi is remarkable for its pleasing colour and lustre. The 

 piasegi has derived its name from the village of Piaseg. The 

 flesh-like is dark-red. The gradations of the spinell are various, 

 and jewellers know very well that there is sometimes no differ- 

 ence in the colour between the spinellus, the garnet, and the 

 coloured crystal. The difference consists in the superior hard- 



* Here il,e well-known fahlc is mealionrd, out of llie (hou'and and one nights, 

 of the hirds which (etched np ])icces of meat to which the diamonds stuck. 



+ It is not to be doubled that hid is our spinellus, which is found in all shades 

 of red, and several of violet and bronze, as also green, like pierre dc Mahomet : as 

 yellow, or under a denoniinalion of red, the author, perhaps, look the hyacinth, 

 which h:is mncli resemblance, both in its brilliancy and the luannerof treating it for 

 the pii;j)Ofe of polishing. 



i I\I. Von Hammer has here the word Penwmbuknrtise, which it seems difficult 

 to translate otherwise; jet Brasil was not known to the Persian author. 



