EMERALD. 
SPECIFIC CHARACTER. 
Gemma Smaragdus. G. dura pellucida leviuscula coloris gra- 
minei in igne in coeruleum abeuntis, re- 
frigerate redeuntis, fortiori liquanda, 
texturse conchaceae. Linn. Syst. Nat. 
Gmel. 3. p. 175. no. 13. 
A hard, smooth, pellucid gem, of a green 
colour ; becomes blue when heated to 
a certain degree, but recovers its colour 
when cold is of a conchoidal texture, 
and melts in a very strong fire. 
Smaragdus Gemma. Vogel. Miner. 145. 
IValler. Miner. 114. 
Emerald. . . . Cronst. Miner. 1 . p. 146. Kirwan, 
Miner. 1. p. 247. Patrin, Hist. Nat. 
des Miner. 2. p. 14. Brongniart, 
Miner. 1. p. 417. 
The most beautiful specimens of this precious stone 
are brought from Peru, where they are found in 
the jurisdiction of Scinta-Fe , and in the mountains 
of the valley of Tunca, which separate New Gra- 
nada from Popayan. It is said that when the Spa- 
niards first landed in Peru, they found an immense 
quantity of emeralds in the province of Quito ; but 
they destroyed a great number on an anvil, be- 
