Chap. 44 ] LEUCOCIIBYSOS. 435 



also, a transparent stone with a 'refulgence like that of gold. 

 The stones of India are the most highly esteemed, as also those 

 found among the Tibareni, 89 provided these last are not of a 

 mottled hue. The worst in quality are those of Arabia, the 

 colour of them being turbid and mottled, and their brilliancy 

 interrupted by cloudy spots : even too, when they happen to 

 be limpid, they have all the appearance of being full, as it 

 were, of a peculiar dust. The best stones are those which, 

 when placed by the side of gold, impart to it a sort of whitish 

 hue, and so give it the appearance of silver. "When this is the 

 case, they are set in u be/el that is open on either side ; but. 

 when the stone is of inferior quality, aground of aurichulcum*-' 

 is placed beneath. 



CHAP. 43. CnilYSEIKCTIUTM. 



Though it has now altogether gone out of use for jewellery, 

 there is a precious stone known as "chryselectrum," 90 the colour 

 of which inclines to that of amber; 91 but only when viewed by 

 a morning - light. The stones of Pontus arc known by their 

 lightness. Some of them are hard and reddish, while others, 

 iigain, are soft ami of a soiled appearance. According to Bocchus, 

 these stones are found in Spain as well; in a spot where, 

 in-cording to him, fossil crystal has been discovered, in sinking 

 to the water-level ibr 'wells." 3 He tells us also that he once 

 saw a chrysolithos twelve'-' 1 pounds in weight. 



CHAP. 4-1. LKVCOCHKYSOS I FOUR YAltlRTIES OF IT. 



There is also a stone known as " Icucochrysos,"^ ^vith a 

 white vein running across it. To this class, too, belongs cap- 

 nias;* 6 a stone also which resembles glass in appearance; and 

 another which rellects a. tint like that of saffron. These stones 

 are imitated in glass, to such a degree of perfection, that it is 

 impossible to distinguish them by the eye. The touch, how- 

 ever, detects the diiierence, the imitation being not so cold us 

 the real stone. 



*" In Pontus : sec B. vi. c. 4. * 9 Sec B. xxxiv. c. 2. 



''' .Supposed to be yellow-white Hyacinth. Sec Chapter 12 of this Book. 



*'' ** Kh'Ctrum." " See Chapter 7G of this Book. 



" 3 < ChapU-rO of this Book. 



Pl Yrllow quart/ crystal prohably, or False topaz. , 



Vj NYliitu trohl stone." It has not hmi iilentififd. 



^ " Sinoke-.stmic." A jasper luu* hctn so calhd in Chapter 37. 



