443 PLINY'S NATTKAL nisTonr. [Book XXXVfF 



CHAP. 58. KNCAKDIA OR ARTSTE. ENOKCJIIS. KXEHKNUS. KllT- 



'IHALLIS. KKOTYLOS. AMPUICOMOS, OU HIKKOMNKMON. EUMECKS. 

 ECMITIIKES. EUPETALOS. EVKEOS. EUltOTIAS. EUSEBKS. ISPI- 

 M KLAS. 



The stone encardia 14 is also called " ariste." 16 There arc three 

 varieties of it; one of a black colour, with a figure in relief 

 upon it like a heart ; a second of a green colour, and like a heart 

 in shape; and a third, with a black heart upon it, the rest of 

 the stone being white. Enorchis 16 is a white stone, the frag- 

 ments of which, when it is split asunder, resemble the testi-s 

 in shape. Exebenus, Zoroaster tells us, is a white, handsome 

 stone, employed by goldsmiths for polishing gold, Erythallis, 17 

 though a white stone, assumes a red hue when viewed at an 

 inclined angle. Erotylos, 19 also known us " umphicomos** 1 ' 

 and " hieroimu'inon,"*' is highly praised by Democritus i'or its 

 use in the art of divination. 



Eumcces* 1 is a stone of Bactriana, like silcx in appearance; 

 placed beneath the head, it produces visions in the night of an 

 oracular description. Eumithres" is called by the Assyrians 

 "gem of Belus,"- 3 the most sacred of all their gods; it is of a 

 leek-green colour, and greatly in request for superstitious pur- 

 poses. Eupetalos- 4 is a stone that has four different tints, 

 azure, iicry, vermilion, and apple-colour. Eureos* 4 is similar 

 to an olive-stone in form, streaked like a shell, and moderately 

 white. Eurotias- 6 has all the appearance of concealing its 



14 " Heart-shaped*" A turqnois, Ilardouin thinks. See " iJneardia" 

 in Chapter 55 above. lj * The lust." l * " Formed like the testcs." 



17 " Keii stono/' apparrntly. The r<;ulin^ i<? very doubtful. 



lb The reading is doubtful, but the word may pos>tl.]y nie;iu ** stone of 

 love," or something equivalent. l ' J * 4 t'inu-l'.aircil." 



" "Skilled in sacred matters." 



* ; Of fair length." Ajasson thinks th;t this nny have 'been a variety 

 of Pyromachic sile.x, or gun Hint, nearly allied to Chalcedony. 



*A preferable reading, probably, to " Knniitp-s." It perhaps took its 

 name from Mi litres, the ^od of the Sun among the Persians, and meant 

 44 blessing of Mithres." Ajasson thinks that it may have been green Tour- 

 inaline, and that its electric properties may have been very 4t serviceable to 

 the charlatans who had the monopoly of the Temple of J>cl." 



.** See Chapter to . rhis Book. 



-* *' With beautiful leaves." l\\ some authorities this is thought to be 

 Opal, by others Heliotrope or Bloodstone. Ajasson thinks that it may 

 hav* been a general name for Jasper quartz, or eNe that it was Quartz 

 a^-ate c|nlized: * This reading is very doubtful. 



" * Mouldy stone." 



