[3031] Supposed by Ajasson to be the Euclase, a brittle green stone, composed of silica, alumina, and glucina. Haüy gave it this name from the Greek words εὖ, “easily” and κλάω, “to break.” According to Dana, however, Euclase was first brought from Peru: if such is the fact, we must, perhaps, look for its identification in Epidote, a green silicate of alumina.
[3032] “Brazen smaragdus.” It was probably Dioptase, combined with copper Pyrites. See Notes [3013], [3014], and [3015], above.
[3033] With reference to this statement and the others in this Chapter, Ajasson remarks that these stones can have been nothing but prases, green jaspers, fusible spaths, emerald quartz, and fluates of lime.
[3034] Herodotus mentions this smaragdus and the temple, B. ii. c. 44, as having been seen by himself.
[3035] “Iaspis.” See Chapter [37] of this Book.
[3036] Meaning “the conqueror of many,” probably; in reference to his contentious disposition. See end of B. xxx.
[3037] The Beryl and the Emerald are only varieties of the same species, the latter owing its colour to oxide of chrome, the former to oxide of iron.
[3038] The best Beryls are found in Siberia, Hindostan, Brazil, and the United States.
[3039] The crystals are naturally hexagonal.
[3040] Hence the name of the sky-blue, or mountain-green beryl, aquamarine.