ORIENTAL COMMERCE. 



[China. 



disposed in different figures; but generally there are many concentric irregu- 

 lar circles drawn round, from one to three points, in various places. They 

 are commonly a little whiter than the ground, though sometimes they can 

 scarcely be seen. Those of this kind are of the highest value, and contain 

 figures of trees, mosses, sea-plants, and the like. This kind of agate, when 

 perfect, is only found in India, but there are some of an inferior sort to be 

 met with in Germany. 



The dull milky Aoate is not so valuable as the former, though it 

 is of a very firm texture. It is found in the shape of common flint stones, 

 and from one to ten inches in diameter. It is of the colour of milk, or rather 

 like that of cream, and when broken, has a smooth glossy surface. It is more 

 opaque than the former, but will bear a very fine polish. This species is 

 common in India. 



The lead coloured Agate, with black and white veins, is of a very 

 fine, firm, and compact texture, though it is found, like the former, in the 

 shape of common flint, and of as rugged a surface. The colour is of a pale 

 blueish grey, and is often without variation, though it has sometimes black 

 and sometimes white veins, winch are generally towards the centre of the 

 stone. It is very hard, and will bear a fine polish ; it is found in India, where 

 they make cups and boxes of it. 



The flesh coloured Agate is not so valuable as either of the former, 

 though it lias a firm compact texture, and is from one to ten inches in 

 diameter. The flesh colour is very faint and almost whitish, yet it is never 

 entirely wanting ; sometimes it has no veins at all, and at other times it 

 abounds in veins, spots, or clouds. The spots are generally very small, about 

 the size of a pin's head ; when broken, it is very smooth and glossy, though 

 it is not always of the same transparency. 



The blood coloured Agate is more beautiful than most of this class. 

 It is always of a deep blood red colour, sometimes throughout, but more 

 frequently variegated with a pale blue and brown ; the blue always surrounds 

 the red, and inclines to the colour of whey, but it is in no other part of the 

 stone. The brown is of the colour of horn, and generally appears in irregular 

 veins, sometimes in such plenty as to make the ground to the stone, and the 

 red with its blue edges only the variegation. This stone is much esteemed 

 when well marked, and is chiefly used for the tops of snufl-boxes. 



The clouded and spotted plesh coloured Agate is of a very fine 

 close texture, though it is subject to flaws and cracks when the pieces 

 are large, for which reason the lesser stones are preferred ; in general it 

 is but little esteemed. 



Tin-, red Agate, variegated with yellow, is of the colour of red lead. 



