MODE X. ALABASTER. 503 



Yellowish white alabaster, from Lagny, about 

 twenty miles from Paris, where it is used for 

 columns and vases. It is translucent, and full of 

 little cracks, which however do not affect its 

 solidity. 



Bright grey alabaster, with green and yel- 

 lowish spots, from the river Niso, in Sicily; 

 which affords many curious marbles, and other 

 substances. 



Gypsous alabaster, waved with red and deep 

 yellow; from Taormina, in Sicily; another re- 

 markable spot for a variety of marbles and ser- 

 pentines, some of which were known to the 

 ancients. 



Translucent alabaster, of a bright yellow 

 waved with white; from the isle of Gozzo, near 

 Malta. 



Travellers seldom observe whether a substance 

 be found in such abundance, as to be useful to 

 the arts. Hence even celebrated cabinets are, 

 in the present confusion of the science, filled 

 with specimens from little fragments, or boul- 

 ders, and vein-stones, which merely please the 

 eye, and lead to no solid purpose of utility or 

 science. A final and perpetual division into li- 

 thology and petralogy, would obviate this among 

 many other inconveniences. 



Anydrous alabaster, from G;enoble. 



