460 



DOMAIN V. CALCAREOUS. 



ter. It is produced towards Thebes in Egypt, 

 and near Damascus in Syria; but this last is 

 white, and little esteemed. The best is from 

 Carmania, the next from India, and a valuable 

 sort is also found in Syria and Asia Minor. 

 The worst, and without any splendour, is that 

 of Cappadocia. They are chiefly approved 

 when of a honey yellow, with orbicular clouds, 

 and little translucent. It is esteemed of little 

 value when of a horn colour, or white, or of a 

 glassy appearance."* 



Pliny then mentions that the Lygdine marble 



Alalastrum seems to have been more generally used in later 

 times : cum alabastris unguenti, says the author of the work ascribed 

 to Petronius Arbiter ; and who has deceived all the critics, for he 

 surely flourished about the time of Elagabalus ; and his keen satire 

 is directed against the manners, and not Nero, or any particular 

 person. The learned reader may consider the list of presents, 

 p. 211, edit. 1669, and may compare many other passages with the. 

 Historic? August Scriptores, which form the best introduction to 

 this strange work. See also the arguments in the preface of Ha- 

 drianides, or Hadrian de Valois, which indicates a verse taken from 

 Statius, and refers this satire to the age of Gallienus. The castella 

 for villas, used by this author, is first introduced in that sense by 

 Apuleius. 



Alalastrum is also put absolutely, by other writers, for a lox of 

 alalaster, commonly used to contain ointment. That poured on 

 the feet of Jesus was in " a box of alabaster." John xii. 3, and 

 other evangelists. It was a sacrifice of her toilette by Mary Mag- 

 dalen. 



* xxxvi. 12. 



