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XIX. the Corundum Stone from Asia. By the Right Hon . 
Charles Greville, F. R. S. 
Read June 7, 1798. 
Analysi crystallorum, tarn ejusdem quam diversae figure, multum lucis scientia 
expectat. Bergman. Opusc. de Terra Gemmarum. 
Having contributed to bring into notice the mineral sub- 
stance from the East Indies which is generally called Ada- 
mantine Spar, I beg leave to lay before the Royal Society the 
following account of its history and introduction. 
About the year 17 67 or 1768, Mr. William Berry, a very 
respectable man, and an eminent engraver of stone, at Edin- 
burgh, received from Dr. Anderson, of Madras, a box of crys- 
tals, with information of their being the material used by the 
natives of India, to polish crystal, and all gems but diamonds. 
Mr. Berry found that they cut agate, cornelian, &c. ; but, in his 
minute engraving of figures, upon seals, &c. the superior hard- 
ness of the diamond appeared preferable; and its dispatch com- 
pensated for the price : the crystals were therefore laid aside, 
as curiosities. Dr. Black ascertained their being different from 
other stones observed in Europe, and their hardness attached 
to them the name of Adamantine Spar. My friend Colonel 
Cathcart sent me its native name. Corundum , from India, 
with some specimens, given to him by Dr. Anderson, in 1784, 
which I distributed for analysis. 
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