Derivations of Mineral Names. 27 
1. A few names are of obscure origin, and their etymology is 
imperfect : 
ZincitE.—The O. H. G. form of zincho, zinco, may, perhaps, be 
perpetuated in the M. H. G. zinck (Weigand) and H. G. Zink, 
Sw. zink. Zincho signifies a white spot in the eye. The origin of 
the word is by no means clear, but is probably German or Indo- 
German. Apparently it is related to G. Zinn. (See Stannite.) 
The metal zinc seems to have been first described by Paracelsus, 
about 1528. N. L. zinewm. 
QUARTZ, the name of the most widely-distributed of all minerals, 
suddenly appears in M. H. G. as quarz, with a plural querze 
which latter it retains until the middle of the sixteenth century 
N. L. quarzum (Agricola, 1546); quartzwm (Wallerius, 1747). No 
older root seems to be known. G. Warze, Gewarz, warty excres- 
cence, has been suggested. The form Quertz. occurs as late as 1743 
(Bergwerck’s Lexicon), and Qudrtzel at that time signified a chip of 
rock, or one which flew into the miner’s eye. The word probably 
originated among German miners, as the mineral is one which 
might readily escape special notice, unless encountered in the form 
of veins. Quartz-crystals were known as Kristalle in M. H. G. 
It seems possible that quartz should be related to Engl. quarry, 
to L. quadrus, G. quader, Sw. quatersten, and other words pertain- 
ing to the cutting of blocks of stone—eg., L. quadratarius, 
stone-cutter. 
M. and N. L. quartatio, separation of precious metals from other 
minerals, might have been corrupted into quarts or quartz, in allu- 
sion to the fact that quartz, when it forms the matrix, generally 
admits of a sharp definition of “ore” or “ metal” and “ stone.” 
ANTIMONY.—It is a difficult matter to trace the origin of this 
word satisfactorily. We know that the classical Greeks and other 
ancient nations possessed the antimonial sulphide (Stibnite), which 
was extensively used for cosmetic purposes. The substance was 
powdered and applied to eyelids, eyebrows, and underneath the 
‘eyes, with the intention of making the latter seem larger and more 
brilliant. This classical custom has survived to the present time. 
By the Greeks the word Gryp, or Grife, was used to designate 
the mineral employed. The word is not of Greek origin; possibly 
Egyptian, probably Arabic. From this the Romans borrowed 
-stibnum, which has remained the Latin name of the metallic element 
to this day. Metallic antimony, though known to the ancients, was 
t 
