Chip. 28.] BAXDAST110S. 423 



as many months. They are counterfeited, too, with great exact- 

 ness in glass ; but the- difference may be detected with the 

 touchstone ; the same being the case also with other artificial 

 stones, as the material is always of a softer nature and com- 

 paratively brittle. When thus tested by the stone, hard knots, 

 too, arc detected in them ; and the weight of the glass counter- 

 feit is always less. In some cases, too, they present small blisters 

 within, which shine like silver. 



cu.vr. 27. ANTIIKACITIS. 



Tliorc is also a fossil stone found in Thesprotia, known os 

 " anthracitis," 7 and resembling a burning coal 8 in appearance. 

 Those who have stated that it is a native also of Liguria, are 

 mistaken, in my opinion, unless perhaps it was to be found 

 there in their time. Home of these stones, they say, are sur- 

 rounded witli a vein of white. Like those which we have 

 mentioned above, they have a liery colour, but there is this 

 peculiarity in them, that when thrown into the tire they have all 

 the appearance of becoming quenched and deadened ; while, on 

 the other hand, if they are drenched with water, they become 

 doubly glowing. 9 



CHAP. 28. SANDASTUOS. SANDAKESOS. 



Of a kindred nature, too, is sandastros, 10 known as "gar- 

 amantites'' by some: it is found in India, at a place of that 

 name, and is a product also of the southern parts of Arabia. 

 The great recommendation of it is, that it has all the appearance 

 of lire placed behind a transparent substance, it burning with 

 star-like scintillations within, that resemble drops of gold, and 



6 Dalcchamps thinks that this is the same ns the " anthracite! " men- 

 tioned in 15. xxxvi. c. 38, and identities it cither with our Anthracite, or 

 else with pit-coal or hiturninous coal. It is mud) more likely, however, 

 that a pneious stone is nu ant; and, in conformity with this opinion, BroUro 

 and Ajassou have identified it with the Spinelle or scarlet iiuhy, and the 

 Balas or rose-red ruby, magncsiatei of alumina. 7 Sec li. iv. c. 1. 



6 **('arbo." This word may mean either a "burning coal" or "char- 

 coal," hence the confusion that has arisen in identifying the mineral 

 substance that is meant. * See Note 90, to Chapter 25. 



lu " Sandaret ui " and "Sandaiirot" are other readings. This stone 

 has not been identified, but Ajaason is inclined to think that it may have 

 been Aventuriuc quartz, and is the more inclined to this opinion, as that 

 mineral is found in IVrsia, and stwiltitfra or tf /mmfast ra is purely a San- 

 scrit word. The description, however, would hardly seem to apply to 

 Avtuturiue. 



