1844.] Notice of the Ajaibal Mukhlukat. 657 



In the succeeding descriptive list of gems and minerals, in which 

 the author quotes the names of Aristotle, Galen, Dioscorides, and 

 Shaik-ar-Reis, we find mention of antimony, which he states to be got 

 principally from Ispahan. Tutiya, blue vitriol, mines of which are said 

 to occur on the coast of Hindustan ; lapis lazuli, cinnabar, H ajar- as- 



sinobar ; the eagle stone, Hajar-i Akab, , Aac^s^, the moon stone, 



Hajar-aLkamr, j+jA] csr*. Pearls stated to be drops of vernal rain con- 

 gealed in oyster shells. Red and white talc, Talc, *J^ ; mother of pearl, 

 Sadef ^J^ao ; cornelian, Akik, ^^4, the best of which comes from 

 Yemen; amber, jjJLs ; the bezoar stone, Pad-zahor, w vjli 5 got in 

 India from the bellies .of goats and sheep. Kartasia, L^lk-j a stone 

 found in the lower part of high mountains which at night shines,* and 

 has the appearance of fire. 



The best turquoises, Firoze h, »;«•.*£ come from Korassan.f 



The Tdghi-tus, j*,*.!? slh is described as a black stone with a smell 

 of pitch, (probably coal or mineral bitumen.) 



The diamond, Almas, ^Ul, is said to be the hardest of all things; but 

 frangible if struck with lead, and the fragments are triangular. The dia- 

 mond is found in the mountains of Serendib. In the valley (Wadi) of 

 Baid al Kamr, w^aJI^xj pieces of flesh are thrown into the valley 

 to which the diamonds adhere. The vultures pounce down on the 

 pieces of flesh and bring it up. % 



The diamond is used by jewellers to bore other stones. 



The loadstone, Maknatis, .^IsUXo is found in India; a red stone 

 with black strips or lines, attracts iron. When a ship approaches the 

 land of the loadstone, if it contains iron, it is attracted and cannot be 

 separated. 



* I was informed by Mr. Fischer, that from the magnesite excavations dug near 

 the foot of the Salem mountains, emanates a phosphorical light which alarms the 

 superstitious Hindus ; but it is not certain whether the light proceeds from the exha- 

 lations or from the mineral. 



t The turquois is a gem peculiar to Khorassan ; the best mines are near Nishapur 

 and Firozkoh. It occurs in veins in trap; its colour is owing to copper. 



X The story of the vultures bringing up the diamond with the pieces of flesh, again 

 reminds one of the Arabian Nights, as also the notice of the loadstone. 



