C 95 ] 



often on the Banks of Rivers, the co- 

 lumnar adhering to a white opake cryf- 

 talline Matter. The moft beautiful and 

 valuable are brought from the Eaji In- 

 dies ; but they are alfo found in Peru^ 

 and other Parts of South America^ and 

 fometimes in Europe. 



Sapphire is a mofl beautiful Gem of ai 

 fine blue Colour, of all Shades from the 

 deepeft to a pale fky blue : It owes its 

 Colour to Copper, and may by Fire be 

 made to have a near Refemblance to the 

 Diamond. The fineft, which come to 

 us from the Eafi Indies^ are equal in 

 Hardnefs to the Ruby they are now 

 and then found in Europe., but not very 

 frequently or very good. The beft and 

 hardeft are of a Pebble-iike Form ; they 

 are fometimes found in the Cryftal Form. 

 The white Sapphir, as the Jewellers call 

 it, is very little inferior to the Diamond 

 in Value. 



Ruby is of a very fine red Colour, with 

 a fmall Admixture of purple, which in- 



creafes 



