The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 6 (of 6) by the Elder Pliny

[3259] In Chapter 37 of this Book. [3260] “Cappadocian stone.” [3261] Like the “callaina” or “callais.” [3262] See Chapter 33 of this Book. [3263] “Attractive stone.” A large rocky stone, according to Solinus. Dalechamps thinks that it must have been a kind of amber or bitumen, an opinion with which Desfontaines coincides. [3264] “Looking-glass stone,” or “mirror stone.” A variety of Specular stone, probably. [3265] “Onion stone.” A kind of agate, according to Dalechamps. It had its name probably from the union of its streaks like those on the neck of an onion. [3266] “Pottery stone.” [3267] See B. xxix. c. 38, Vol. V. p. 415. [3268] The Cinædus. See B. xxxii. c. 53. [3269] By its clear or clouded colour, it was said. [3270] “Wax stone.” [3271] From κίρκος, a “hawk” or “falcon.” [3272] “Hair-like;” from κόρση, the “hair.” [3273] “Coral agate.” See Chapter 54 of this Book. [3274] Vermilion. See B. xxxiii. cc. 37, 40. [3275] “Strong stone”—from κρατερὸς, “strong.” Supposed by some to have been amber-coloured Hyacinth. [3276] Oriental topaz, probably. See Chapters 42 and 43 of this Book. [3277] “Saffron-coloured,” probably. If this is the meaning of the name, it may be supposed to have resembled the bigaroon cherry. [3278] “Pregnant stone. An aëtites or geodes, probably. See B. xxx. c. 44, and B. xxxvi. c. 39. [3279] “Sounding like brass.” Probably Clinkstone or Phonolite, a compact feldspathic rock of a greyish colour, clinking under the hammer when struck, somewhat like a metal. [3280] “Swallow-stone.” [3281] “Tortoise-stone.” [3282] Six in the morning until mid-day. [3283] “Tortoise-like stone.” [3284] “Chelone,” in Greek. [3285] “Grass-green stone.” It is just possible that the Chlorite of modern Mineralogy, a kind of emerald-green talc, or hydrous silicate of magnesia, may be meant: but we must dismiss the story of the wagtail. [3286] The pied wagtail, Motacilla alba of Linnæus. [3287] See B. vi. c. 31. [3288] “Golden light.” Ajasson suggests that this may have been a yellow phosphate of lead, which emitted light at night, from its close vicinity to naphtha. Bologna stone, Bolognian spar, or sulphate of Barytes, has also been suggested. Topaz, too, is mentioned. [3289] “Golden face.” [3290] A variety of Hyacinth, according to Dalechamps. [3291] From κηπὸς, “a garden,” it is thought; on account of its varied colours. [3292] “Laurel-stone.” [3293] “Substitute” for beryl. [3294] “Two-formed,” or “of a double nature.” A grand acquisition, as Ajasson remarks, for the worshippers of Priapus. See a similar characteristic in the Eryngium, our Eringo, B. xxii. c. 9] also Mandragora, B. xxv. c. 94, Note 877. [3295] “Stone of Dionysus” or “Bacchus.” [3296] “Dragon stone.” [3297] The serpent so called—“draco.” See B. xxix. c. 20. [3298] A story invented, no doubt, by the sellers of some kind of precious stone. [3299] “Heart-shaped.” A turquois, Hardouin thinks. See “Bucardia” in