Cadmitis differs only from the stone that is known as ostracitis[3255] in being sometimes surrounded with blisters of an azure colour. Callais[3256] is like sapphiros[3257] in colour, only that it is paler and more closely resembles the tint of the water near the sea-shore in appearance. Capnitis,[3258] in the opinion of some, is a peculiar species of stone: it is covered with numerous spiral streaks, of a smoky colour, as already[3259] stated in the appropriate place. Cappadocia[3260] is a native of Phrygia, and resembles ivory in appearance. Callaica[3261] is the name given to a stone like a clouded callaina;[3262] a number of them are always found united, it is said. Catochitis[3263] is a stone found in Corsica, of larger size than the other precious stones; and of a more wonderful nature, if the story is true, that it retains the hand like gum, when placed upon it. Catoptritis[3264] is found in Cappadocia, and, from its whiteness, reflects figures like a mirror. Cepitis[3265] or cepolatitis is a white stone, with veins upon it uniting together. Ceramitis[3266] has a colour like that of earthenware.
Cinædia[3267] is a stone found in the brain of a fish[3268] of a corresponding name. It is white and oblong, and possessed of marvellous virtues, if we are to put faith in what is said, that it announces before-hand whether the sea will be tranquil or stormy.[3269] Ceritis[3270] is a stone like wax: circos[3271] resembles the plumage of the hawk: corsoides[3272] is like white hair in appearance. Coralloachates[3273] is very similar to coral, marked with drops of gold; and corallis, a native of India and Syene, resembles minium[3274] in appearance. Crateritis[3275] is in colour a medium between chrysolithos[3276] and amber, and is remarkable for its hardness. Crocallis[3277] is a gem like the cherry in its tints. Cyitis[3278] is a stone found in the vicinity of Coptos; it is white, and to all appearance has an embryo stone within, the rattling of which may be heard on shaking it. Chalcophonos[3279] is a black stone, but when struck it clinks like brass: tragic actors are recommended to carry it about them. Of chelidonia[3280] there are two varieties, both resembling the swallow in colour: one of them is purple on one side, and the other is purple besprinkled with black spots. Chelonia[3281] is the eye of the Indian tortoise, and is the most marvellous of all the stones, if we believe the lying stories told by the magicians. For, according to them, this stone, placed upon the tongue after rinsing the mouth with honey, will ensure power of divination, if this is done at full moon or new moon, for one whole day. If, however, this plan is adopted while the moon is on the increase, the power of divination will be acquired before sun-rise only, and if upon other days, from the first[3282] hour to the sixth.
Chelonitis,[3283] too, is a stone that resembles the tortoise[3284] in appearance, and the many virtues of which are talked of for calming storms and tempests. As to the one that has all the appearance of being sprinkled with spots of gold, if thrown with a scarabæus into boiling water, it will raise a tempest, they say. Chloritis[3285] is a stone of a grass-green colour: according to the magicians, it is found in the crop of the motacilla,[3286] being engendered with the bird. They recommend also that it should be set in iron, for the purpose of working certain portentous marvels which they promise, as usual. Choaspitis is a stone so called from the river Choaspes,[3287] of a brilliant, golden colour mixed with green. Chrysolampis[3288] is a native of Æthiopia, and is pale by day, but of a fiery lustre by night. Chrysopis[3289] has all the appearance of gold.[3290] Ceponides[3291] is found at Atarna, a borough, and once a city, of Æolis. It is transparent, presents numerous tints, and has sometimes the appearance of glass, sometimes of crystal, and sometimes of iaspis. Indeed, the stones of this kind that are tarnished even, are possessed of such singular brilliancy as to reflect objects like a mirror.
CHAP. 57.—DAPHNEA. DIADOCHOS. DIPHYES. DIONYSIAS. DRACONITIS.
Daphnea[3292] is mentioned by Zoroaster as curative of epilepsy. Diadochos[3293] is a stone that resembles the beryl. Of diphyes[3294] there are two kinds, the white and the black, male and female, with a line dividing the characteristics of either sex. Dionysias[3295] is hard and black, and covered with red spots. Triturated in water, this stone imparts to it the flavour of wine, and it is generally thought to be a preservative against intoxication. Draconitis[3296] or dracontia is a stone produced from the brain of the dragon;[3297] but unless the head of the animal is cut off while it is alive, the stone will not assume the form of a gem, through spite on the part of the serpent, when finding itself at the point of death: hence it is that, for this purpose, the head is cut off when it is asleep.[3298]
Sotacus, who tells us that he once saw a stone of this kind in the possession of a king, says that persons go in search of it in a chariot drawn by two horses; and that, the moment they see the serpent, they strew narcotic drugs in its way, and then cut off its head when asleep. According to him, this stone is white and pellucid, and admits of no polishing or engraving.
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.