



MODE JV. ALABASTKITE. 4l6l 



of Paros was next in esteem for preserving oint- 

 ments ; and it is probable that this name did not 

 extend, as is supposed, to the marble of Paros in 

 general, but was confined to stalactitic portions 

 found in certain cavities. Though this sub- 

 stance be merely an infiltration from surround- 

 ing rocks, yet it sometimes fills immense caverns, 

 so that tables may be seen in Italy, and some 

 even in England, of eight feet by four; being 

 entire slabs of the most beautifully veined ala- 

 bastrite, commonly called by the artists oriental 

 alabaster. The veins seem to be chiefly of a 

 ferruginous nature. When iron is absent the 

 substance may remain of the purest white; as 

 the grand and singular depositions in the well- 

 known grotto of Anti-Paros, one of the wonders 

 of the world. But this pure white kind, being 

 of a very soft and fragile nature, was. little 

 esteemed by the solid taste of the ancients; and 

 is seldom used even by modern artists, except 

 in minute and trifling ornaments. The yellow 

 and vekied kinds, on the contrary, are hardened 

 by the presence of iron, so as to scratch marble, 

 which may also be done by portions of the 

 white, as the softness rather arises from the lax- 

 ity of the grain, probably from the want of com- 

 pression. 



In modem times alabastrite, equal to the an- 



