Agate—Physical Properties and Origin 19 
pins, for hair-pins, ear-rings, watch charms, sleeve 
buttons, necklaces, bracelets and rings, especially seal 
rings (Plate XI). 
It is much prized by many semi-civilized peoples, 
especially those of Africa, for ornamental purposes, 
and the late Dean C. Worcester once told the writer 
that it was one of the most desired objects of barter 
in demand among the Filipino peoples. 
The engraving of agate, especially to produce cam- 
eos and intaglios, is an art which has come down to 
us from early times and was principally cultivated by 
the Greeks and the Romans. In addition to the artis- 
tic excellence of the engravings, many of the early 
works show great skill in using the different color- 
ings of the agate for decorating the figures. Ex- 
amples of such a use of agate are shown in the cameos 
of Plate XII. 
Agate was long used as the birthstone for June, 
but it is now largely superseded in that month by the 
pearl. The verse which accompanied the use of agate 
was : — 
Who comes with summer to this earth, 
And owes to June her hour of birth, 
With ring of agate on her hand 
Can health, wealth and long life command. 
In Hall 34 on the second floor of the Museum in a 
case near the east entrance, varieties of agate and 
their natural and artificial colorings are illustrated by 
specimens. Other specimens are shown in the same 
hall in their systematic order in the mineral collection, 
and in Higinbotham Hall some of the choicer speci- 
mens used especially for jewelry may be seen. 
Oliver C. Farrington. 
r. 123 ] 
