| Pliny the Elder, Natural History (English) (XML Header) [genre: prose] [word count] [lemma count] [Plin. Nat.]. | ||
| <<Plin. Nat. 37.55 | Plin. Nat. 37.56 (Latin) | >>Plin. Nat. 37.57 |
Cadmitis differs only from the stone that is known as ostracitis [Note] in being sometimes surrounded with blisters of an azure colour. Callais [Note] is like sapphires [Note] in colour, only that it is paler and more closely resembles the tint of the
water near the sea-shore in appearance. Capnitis, [Note] in the opinion of some, is a peculiar species of stone: it is covered with numerous spiral streaks, of a smoky colour, as already [Note] stated in the appropriate place. Cappadocia [Note] is a native of Phrygia, and resembles ivory in appearance. Callaica [Note] is the name given to a stone like a clouded callaina; [Note] a number of them are always found united, it is said. Catochitis [Note] 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 [Note] is found in Cappadocia, and, from its whiteness, reflects figures like a mirror. Cepitis [Note] or cepolatitis is a white stone, with veins upon it uniting together. Ceramitis [Note] has a colour like that of earthenware.
Cinædia [Note] is a stone found in the brain of a fish [Note] 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. [Note] Ceritis [Note] is a stone like wax: circos [Note] resembles the plumage of the hawk: corsoides [Note] is like white hair in appearance. Coralloachates [Note] is very similar to coral, marked with drops of gold; and corallis, a native of India and Syene, resembles minium [Note] in appearance. Crateritis [Note] is in colour a medium between chrysolithos [Note] and amber, and is remarkable
for its hardness. Crocallis [Note] is a gem like the cherry in its tints. Cyitis [Note] 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 [Note] is a black stone, but when struck it clinks like brass: tragic actors are recommended to carry it about them. Of chelidonia [Note] 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 [Note] 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 [Note] hour to the sixth.
Chelonitis, [Note] too, is a stone that resembles the tortoise [Note] 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 [Note] is a stone of a grass-green colour: according to the magicians, it is found in the crop of the motacilla, [Note] 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, [Note] of a brilliant, golden colour mixed with green. Chrysolampis [Note] is a
native of Æthiopia, and is pale by day, but of a fiery lustre by night. Chrysopis [Note] has all the appearance of gold. [Note] Ceponides [Note] 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.
| Pliny the Elder, Natural History (English) (XML Header) [genre: prose] [word count] [lemma count] [Plin. Nat.]. | ||
| <<Plin. Nat. 37.55 | Plin. Nat. 37.56 (Latin) | >>Plin. Nat. 37.57 |
