88 DOMAIN IX. ANOMALOUS. 



NOME V. LAZULITE ROCK. 





Of this magnificent and interesting object, a 

 better account cannot be given than in the 

 words of Patrin. 



Description. tc The Lapis lazuli, often simply called lapis, 

 is a rock of a beautiful sapphire blue, generally 

 mingled with veins and spots : it sometimes con- 

 tains pyrites, which was formerly mistaken for 

 grains of gold ; and spangles of mica, in greater 

 or smaller quantity. This rock is hard: the 

 blue parts are quartzose, and strike fire with the 

 steel; the white veins are of felsite, sometimes 

 mixed with calcareous spar or gypsum > in some 

 parts are to be perceived, in the tissue of the 

 substance, brilliant plates like those of horn- 

 blende. 



" The Lapis, which abounds with the blue 

 substance, is wrought into various trinkets and 

 other ornaments ; although granular, it is capa- 

 ble of receiving a very fine polish. 



Ultramarine. " A valuable colour for painting is prepared 

 from the Lapis, known by the name of Ultra- 

 marine; because it is brought from the trading 

 towns of the Levant. The blue colour is very 

 vivid and intense ; and, above all, possesses the 



