Cbap. 37.] IASPIS. 431 



\rhich only embraces the margins of the stone, leaving the 

 upper and lower surfaces uncovered. One great defect in 

 them is a subdued lustre, and a want of refulgence when 

 viewed from a distance. Grains also like salt appear \vithin the 

 stone, and all the other defects which are common 37 to precious 

 stones in general. Sometimes they are imitated in glass ; a fraud, 

 however, which may be easily detected, from the material 

 throwing out its refulgence, instead of concentrating it within 

 itself. To this class also belongs the stone called " sphragis," is 

 which is only reckoned as belonging to the domain of precious 

 stones, from the circumstance that it is the best of all fur 

 making signets. w 



(9.) Throughout all the East, it is the custom, it is said, to 

 wear ia?pis by May of amulet. The variety of this stone 

 which resembles smaragdus in colour is often found with a 

 white line running transversely through the middle ; in which 

 cuso it is known as " monogrammos :" <l ' when it is streaked 

 with several lines, it is called " polygrammos." 61 Here, too, I 

 may take the opportunity of exposing the falsehoods 6 - of the 

 magicians, who pretend that this stone is beneficial for persons 

 when speaking in public. There is a stone also that is formed of 

 iaspis and onyx combined, and is known as" iasponyx." 63 Some- 

 times this stone has a clouded appearance ; sometimes it has 

 spots upon the surface like snow ;''* and sometimes it is stel- 

 lated with red spots. 6 * One kind resembles salt of Megara 66 in 

 appearance, and another is known as capnias. 67 and looks as if 

 it had been smoked. "NVe have seen in our day an iaspis 65 



'->" Sec Chapter IS of this Took. 



4(1 "Seal- stone." A kind of carnclian, probably. 



69 " Publico gemmarum dominio iis tin turn dato, quoniam optimc sig- 

 nont." The above is the sense given to the passage by Holland, Ajasson, 

 and Littre ; bat another translation may also be suggested "A stone to 

 which alone, bv general const nt, is awarded the custody of precious stones, 

 from the fact tdat it inak.-s tho hist impression as a seal."* In reference 

 to the custom of putting a seal on the dactyliotheca.', or jewel-cuakeU. fcco 

 pa,<;c 80 of this )lok. 



> "Single-lined." "Many-lined." 



62 Alk-rtus Magnus, De Mineral. B. ii., has several other stories res- 

 peeling it of a similar nature. w Jasper onyx. 



ei Identified by Ajassoii with snow-flake chalcedony. 



65 Spotted jasper onyx. ** See B. xxxi. C. 41. 



67 Brooked jasper onyx. 



69 It is still ustd for "making vases, boxes, knifo-handles, and other artj- 

 cles, and i3 much used in the mauufucture of Floreutiiie mosaics. We 



