150 CONSTANTINOPLE. 
CHAP, article of jewellery, in the bazar at Constan- 
IV 
. tinople, is the Chrysolite of Khproih'; whose 
natural locality is entirely unknown. The 
Chrysolite is not highly valued as a gem; but 
we could never succeed in our search after 
a regular crystal of this substance. Before 
our arrival, the Russian Minister's lady had, 
however, bought a mass of Chrysolite as big 
as a turkey's QgQ,\ but attaching no value to 
it in that form, she had ordered it to be cut, 
and mounted as a necklace and bracelets. 
Persons have sometimes been puzzled to 
explain the appearance of emeralds in the East 
Indies, because they are not the natural pro- 
ductions of that country^; but it is very 
probable that they were originally carried 
thither by Armenian merchants from Constan- 
tinople. A regular intercourse has always 
existed between Turkey and India. Couriers 
from Constantinople arrive in Bombay within 
( 1 ) So named by him, after analyzing specimens, received from 
Mr. Hawkins, of a Gem whose specific gravity is 5,340. But there are 
many substances, called Chrysolite hy jewellers, which are entirely of 
a different nature. 
(2) See Tavernier, Dutens, &c. That emeralds were known in 
Europe before the discovery of America, is proved by the emerald 
that was in the mitre of Fope Julius the Second; and by the necklace 
of antique emeralds found in Pompeii, and seen by Mr. Hawkins. 
