[195] ‘Malachite’ is the Greek molochotis, from the molokhe, or marsh-mallow; whence the Arabic mulukhíyeh. In Poland, malachite and turquoise preside over the month of December.
[196] Meaning the Beloved of Ptah, the Opener, the Artificer God. The word is found in the Arabic fath. It is a better derivation for Hephæstus than ‘Vaishravana’; but Sanskrit is so copious that any given word can be derived from it.
[197] O Muata Cazembe, by Monteiro and Gamitto, describes the copper works in South-East Africa long known to the natives. I am told by Mr. Hooker, C.E., that he has lately seen (pace Herodotus) ‘magnificent specimens of native copper sent from Abyssinia.’
[198] R.N., C.B., &c., Across Africa, vol. i. pp. 134, 319; and vol. ii. pp. 149, 329.
[199] Viagens dos Portuguezes, Colecção de Documentos, &c.
[200] Layard’s Nineveh, i. 224, ii. 415; 6th edit. 1854.
[201] Hence our packfong, or German silver, of China, an alloy of copper (50 per cent.), nickel, and zinc (25 per cent. each).
[202] The Chinese Repository gives a hundred illustrations of the implements in use by the Chinese and the Japanese.
[203] Fir or fear (vir, a man), and bolg (Bolgi, Belgæ), a belly, bag, budget, or quiver. They occupied Southern Britain, and formed the third immigrant colony preceding the ‘Milesians,’ sons of Milidh or Miledh (Senchus Mor), evidently Miles, the soldier. He had two sons, Emer and Airem, from whom the Irish race is descended. Emer, says Prof. Rhys, may represent the Ivernii or pre-Celtic population mentioned by Ptolemy; and Airem, which means ‘a farmer,’ the Iranian race which introduced agriculture amongst a horde of hunters. The fourth colony was the Tuatha (people, e.g. Tuatha-Eireann = people of Erin), named from Danair, a stranger, foreigner, and properly a Dane. We have lately been shown how much true history may be obtained from these names, which had become bye-words, almost ridiculous to use.
[204] Bán (our corrupted ‘bawn,’ as in ‘Molly Bawn’), white, is the Latin canus. It is also a noun substantive, meaning ‘copper.’