CHAP. 30.—CARCHEDONIA.
Carchedonia, [Note] too, is said to have the same property, though
far inferior in value to the stones already mentioned. It is
found in the mountains among the Nasamones, [Note] being produced,
the natives think, by showers sent for the purpose from
heaven. These stones are found by the light of the moon,
more particularly when at full: in former days, Carthage was
the entrepô for them. Archelaüs speaks of a brittle variety being
found in the vicinity of Thebes also, in Egypt, full of veins,
and similar to dying embers in appearance. I find it stated,
too, that in former times, drinking-vessels used to be made of
this stone and of lychnis: [Note] all these kinds of stone, however,
offer the most obstinate resistance to the graver, and, if used
for seals, are apt to bring away a part of the wax.
