CHAP. 66.—PANCHRUS. PANGONUS. PANEROS OR PANERASTOS. PONTICA; FOUR VARIETIES OF IT. PHLOGINOS OR CHRYSITIS. PHŒNICITIS. PHYCITIS. PERILEUCOS. PÆNITIS OR GÆANIS.
Panchrus[3390] is a stone which displays nearly every colour. Pangonus[3391] is no longer than the finger: the only thing that prevents it from being taken for a crystal, is, its greater number of angles. What kind of stone paneros[3392] is, Metrodorus does not inform us; but he gives some lines, by no means without elegance, that were written upon this stone by Queen Timaris, and dedicated to Venus; from which we have reason to conclude that certain fecundating virtues were attributed to it. By some writers it is called panerastos.[3393] Of the stone called “pontica”[3394] there are numerous varieties: one is stellated, and presents either blood-red spots, or drops like gold, being reckoned in the number of the sacred stones. Another, in place of stars, has streaks of the same colour, and a fourth presents all the appearance of mountains and valleys.
Phloginos,[3395] also called “chrysitis,”[3396] strongly resembles Attic ochre,[3397] and is found in Egypt. Phœnicitis[3398] is a stone so called from its resemblance to a date. Phycitis receives its name from its resemblance to sea-weed.[3399] Perileucos[3400] is the name given to a gem, in which a white colour runs down from the margin of the stone to the base. Pæanitis,[3401] by some called “gæanis,”[3402] conceives, it is said, and is good for females at the time of parturition: this stone is found in Macedonia, near the monument[3403] of Tiresias there, and has all the appearance of congealed water.