386 ON THE ZEHR MOHEREH, &c. 



its color and spotted delineations bear to those of a Snake's skin ; but there 

 is not, in reality, the slightest resemblance to justify such a derivation. In 

 facts, it ^^as been taken for granted, that the Modern Serpentine is the same 

 as Pliny's Ophites, whereas it seems much more probable, that the latter term 

 was applied to that rock which is the green Porphyry of the Moderns. May 

 it not, in reality, have derived its name from having originally appeared in 

 Europe as the Mineral type of the Snake Stone, Lapis Serpentis, whence other 

 Stones resembling it, obtained also the same name. 



I may observe, that the Stones which have formed the subject of this 

 communication, were termed Zehr Mohereh, corrupted into Jarmor, by those 

 who were ignorant of the learned languages. They were considered, from 

 the people from whom they were obtained, to possess mysterious virtues, and 

 particularly to furnish an Antidote to Poison. They are sold by weight, and 

 the price is very high. 



