CHAP. 58.—ENCARDIA OR ARISTE. ENORCHIS. EXEBENUS. ERYTHALLIS. EROTYLOS. AMPHICOMOS, OR HIEROMNEMON. EUMECES. EUMITHRES. EUPETALOS. EUREOS. EUROTIAS. EUSEBES. EPIMELAS.
The stone encardia[3299] is also called “ariste.”[3300] There are three varieties of it; one of a black colour, with a figure in relief upon it like a heart; a second of a green colour, and like a heart in shape; and a third, with a black heart upon it, the rest of the stone being white. Enorchis[3301] is a white stone, the fragments of which, when it is split asunder, resemble the testes in shape. Exebenus, Zoroaster tells us, is a white, handsome stone, employed by goldsmiths for polishing gold. Erythallis,[3302] though a white stone, assumes a red hue when viewed at an inclined angle. Erotylos,[3303] also known as “amphicomos”[3304] and “hieromnemon,”[3305] is highly praised by Democritus for its use in the art of divination.
Eumeces[3306] is a stone of Bactriana, like silex in appearance; placed beneath the head, it produces visions in the night of an oracular description. Eumithres[3307] is called by the Assyrians “gem of Belus,”[3308] the most sacred of all their gods; it is of a leek-green colour, and greatly in request for superstitious purposes. Eupetalos[3309] is a stone that has four different tints, azure, fiery, vermilion, and apple-colour. Eureos[3310] is similar to an olive-stone in form, streaked like a shell, and moderately white. Eurotias[3311] has all the appearance of concealing its black colour beneath a coat of mould. Eusebes[3312] is the stone, it is said, of which the seat was made in the Temple of Hercules at Tyrus, from which the pious [only] could raise themselves without difficulty. Epimelas[3313] is a white gem, with a black hue reflected from its surface.