[1978] The “Chief of the Galli,” or high priest of Cybele.
[1979] See end of B. x.
[1980] Possibly the person mentioned in B. xi. c. 9, or perhaps the
Tragic writer of this name, mentioned in the present Chapter.
[1981] Bacchus.
[1982] “Hoplites.” A runner in panoply, or complete armour, at the
Olympic Games.
[1983] The “Liver in luxury.” Athenæus, B. xii., confirms this
statement, and gives some lines which Parrhasius wrote under certain of
his works.
[1984] Of Achilles, which were awarded to Ulysses in preference to Ajax.
[1985] We learn from Suetonius that Tiberius possessed a Meleager and
Atalanta by Parrhasius, of this nature.
[1986] Said by Eustathius to have been a native of Sicyon, but by
Quintilian, of Cythnos.
[1987] Cicero, for instance, De Oratore, c. 22, s. 74.
[1988] Menelaüs.
[1989] Agamemnon.
[1990] Built near the Forum, by Vespasian, according to Suetonius.
[1991] A native of Thebes. A full account of him will be given in the
course of this Chapter.
[1992] Or “Grecian.”
[1993] He was a native of Amphipolis in Macedonia.
[1994] Phlius was the chief town of Phliasia, in the north-east of
Peloponnesus. It seems to be quite unknown to what events Pliny here
alludes.
[1995] Possibly the naval victory gained by the Athenians under
Chabrias near Naxos, in the first year of the 101st Olympiad.
[1996] Which would make the course of study, as M. Ian says, extend
over a period of twelve years.
[1997] “Graphice;” equivalent, perhaps, to our word “drawing.” “The
elementary process consisted in drawing lines or outlines with the
graphis, (or stylus) upon tablets of box; the first exercise was
probably to draw a simple line.”—Wornum, in Smith’s Dict. Antiq. Art.
_Painting_.
[1998] See end of B. xxxiii.
[1999] Both of whom are mentioned as statuaries, in the early part of
B. xxxiv. c. 19.
[2000] Bacchus.
[2001] The generality of Greek writers represent him as a native either
of Ephesus, or of Colophon.
[2002] “Venustas.” This word, it has been remarked, will hardly bear a
definition. It has been rendered “grace,” “elegance,” “beauty.”
[2003] “Venerem.” The name of the Goddess of Beauty.
[2004] “Gracefulness.”
[2005] “Secuit.” Possibly meaning that he drew another outline in
each of these outlines. The meaning, however, is doubtful, and has
occasioned much trouble to the commentators. Judging from the words
used by Apelles and Protogenes, each in his message, it is not unlikely
that the “linea” or outline drawn by each was a profile of himself, and
that the profile of Protogenes was drawn within that of Apelles; who,
on the second occasion, drew a third profile between the other two, but
with a still finer line than either of them. In Dr. Smith’s Dictionary
of Biography, _art._ Apelles, it is thus explained: “The most natural
explanation of this difficult passage seems to be, that down the middle
of the first line of Apelles, Protogenes drew another, so as to divide
it into two parallel halves, and that Apelles again divided the line of
Protogenes in the same manner.”
[2006] The Latin form of which, as given by Erasmus, is “Nulla dies
abeat, quin linea ducta supersit.” “Let no day pass by, without an
outline being drawn, and left in remembrance.”
[2007] “In pergulâ.”
[2008] “Ne sutor ultra crepidam.” Equivalent to our saying, “Let not
the shoemaker go beyond his last.”
[2009] In B. vii. c. 38.
[2010] Also known as “Campaspe,” and “Pacate.” She was the favourite
concubine of Alexander, and is said to have been his first love.
[2011] “Venus rising out of the waters.” Athenæus says, B. xiii., that
the courtesan Phryne was his model, whom, at the festival of Neptune,
he had seen enter the sea naked at Eleusis.
[2012] See Matthew xiii. 57; Mark vi. 4. “A prophet is not without
honour, save in his own country.”
[2013] “Physiognomists.”
[2014] “Vocatores”—more literally, his “inviting officers.”
[2015] Strabo mentions a portrait of Antigonus in the possession of the
inhabitants of Cos.
[2016] See Note 2011 above. Propertius mentions this as his greatest
work. B. III. El. 9, l. 11. “In Veneris tabulâ summam sibi ponit
Apelles.” “In his picture of Venus, Apelles produces his masterpiece.”
It is mentioned also by Ovid, Tristia, B. II. l. 527, and Art. Amor. B.
III. l. 401. The line in B. III. l. 224 is also well known—
“Nuda Venus madidas exprimit imbre comas.”
“And naked Venus wrings her dripping locks.”
[2017] In the Forum, in the Eighth Region of the City.
[2018] His father by adoption.
[2019] There are several Epigrams descriptive of it in the Greek
Anthology.
[2020] This, probably, is the meaning of “Tali opere dum laudatur
victo sed illustrato,” words which have given much trouble to the
commentators.
[2021] Nothing further seems to be known of him.
[2022] “Cois.” The first one was also painted for the people of Cos, by
whom it was ultimately sold to Augustus.
[2023] See Chapter 32 of this Book. That this is an erroneous
assertion, has been shown in Note 1932 above.
[2024] Probably the weight of the panel, frame, and ornamental
appendages.
[2025] This word was probably a title, meaning “Keeper of the temple.”
Strabo tells us that the “megabyzi,” or as he calls them, the
“megalobyzi,” were eunuch priests in the Temple of Artemis, or Diana,
at Ephesus.
[2026] The favourite of Alexander, by whom he was afterwards slain.
[2027] Probably the name of a rich sensualist who lived at Argos. A son
of the Attic orator Lycurgus, one of the sophists, also bore this name.
[2028] This name is supposed by Sillig to have been inserted
erroneously, either by Pliny, or by his transcribers.
[2029] Either the Argonaut of that name, who was killed by the
Caledonian Boar, or else, which is the most probable, a King of the
Leleges in Samos, with whom, according to the Scholiast on Apollonius
Rhodius, originated the saying, “There is many a slip between the cup
and the lip;” in reference to his death, by a wild boar, when he was
about to put a cup of wine to his mouth.
[2030] Shown in his forbearing to appropriate them to his own use.
[2031] Anna Perenna, probably, a Roman divinity of obscure origin, the
legends about whom are related in the Fasti of Ovid, B. iii. l. 523.
_et seq._ See also Macrobius, Sat. I. 12. Her sacred grove was near
the Tiber, but of her temple nothing whatever is known. “Antoniæ” is
another reading, but no such divinity is mentioned by any other author.
[2032] Sillig (Dict. Anc. Art.) is of opinion that the reading is
corrupt here, and that the meaning is, that Apelles “painted a Hero and
Leander.”
[2033] Or Demigod.
[2034] One of the followers of Alexander, ultimately slain by Eumenes
in Armenia.
[2035] King of Macedonia.
[2036] Odyss. B. vi. l. 102, _et seq._
[2037] Sir Joshua Reynolds discovers in the account here given “an
artist-like description of the effect of glazing, or scumbling, such as
was practised by Titian and the rest of the Venetian painters.”—_Notes
to Du Fresnoy._
[2038] “Lapis specularis.” See B. xxxvi. c. 45.
[2039] He was son of Aristodemus, and brother and pupil of Nicomachus,
in addition to Euxenidas, already mentioned in this Chapter. He,
Pausanias, and Nicophanes, excelled, as we learn from Athenæus, B.
xiii., in the portraits of courtesans; hence their name, πορνόγραφοι.
[2040] It has been well remarked by Wornum, in the article so often
quoted, that “expression of the feelings and passions cannot be denied
to Polygnotus, Apollodorus, Parrhasius, Timanthes, and many others.”
[2041] See B. iv. c. 12.
[2042] Meaning, “Her who has ceased” to live. The reference is to
Byblis, who died of love for her brother Caunus. See Ovid’s Metam. B.
ix. l. 455, _et seq._
[2043] Or Bacchus. Already mentioned in Chapter 8 of this Book, in
reference to the Roman general Mummius.
[2044] In the Eleventh Region of the City.
[2045] In the Tenth Region of the City.
[2046] Celebrated on the 3rd of July.
[2047] In reference to the age of Apelles, whom he is supposed to have
survived.
[2048] In Caria, near to Lycia. Suidas says that he was born at Xanthus
in Lycia.
[2049] Or Vestibule.
[2050] Supposed by Sillig to have been an allegorical painting
representing two of the sacred ships of the Athenians; but to have
been mistaken in later times for a picture of Ulysses and Nausicaa, a
subject taken from the Odyssey, B. vi. l. 16, _et seq._ As to Paralus,
said to have been the first builder of long ships, or ships of war, see
B. vii. c. 57.
[2051] Or “long ships.”
[2052] Son of Cercaphus and Cydippe or Lysippe, and grandson of Apollo.
He is said to have been the founder of the town of Ialysus, mentioned
in B. v. c. 36.
[2053] “These four times most probably were, the dead colouring,
a first and a second painting, and lastly, scumbling with
glazing.”—Wornum, Smith’s Dict. Antiq. Art. _Painting_.
[2054] See Chapter 40 in this Book.
[2055] “Poppyzonta.” “Smacking with his lips.” Somewhat similar to the
s—s—s—s of our grooms and ostlers.
[2056] Poliorcetes.
[2057] “In repose.”
[2058] Phæstis, or Phæstias by name.
[2059] In B. xxxiv. c. 19.
[2060] A native of Athens, ranked by Plutarch with Euphranor and Nicias.
[2061] Tyrant of Elaten, mentioned already in this Chapter. See Note 2041.
[2062] Supposed by Sillig to have been a native of Thebes.
[2063] Or “Youth;” in the Eighth Region of the City.
[2064] See B. xiii. c. 5.
[2065] A round, closely-fitting skull cap, made of felt. St. Jerome,
Epist. 120, speaks of Ulysses as being thus represented in paintings.
Statues of him with the “pileus” are still to be seen.
[2066] See B. ii. c. 6.
[2067] A contemporary of Philip of Macedon.
[2068] A dithyrambic poet, born at Selinus. He flourished B.C. 398.
Only a few lines of his works remain.
[2069] “Breviores etiamnum quasdam picturæ compendiarias invenit.”
Delafosse is of opinion that paintings in grotesque are probably meant.
[2070] His country is uncertain, but he probably lived about the time
of Apelles.
[2071] In Chapter 40 of this Book.
[2072] He belonged, as Wornum remarks, to the class of genre-painters,
or _peintres du genre bas_, as the French term them. His age and
country are unknown.
[2073] “Painter of low subjects.” This term is equivalent in meaning,
probably, to our expression—“The Dutch style.”
[2074] “Mæniana.” Balustrades or balconies, said to have been so called
from one Mænius, who built them.
[2075] See Chapter 8 of this Book. They are mentioned also in the
“Curculio” of Plautus, A. iv. s. i. l. 19. Nothing further is known of
Serapio.
[2076] His country is unknown, but he is supposed to have lived in the
first century B.C. See also Chapter 40 of this Book.
[2077] “Painter of men.”
[2078] Mentioned also by Varro. He probably lived in the time of
Alexander the Great.
[2079] A native of Egypt, compared by many to the most eminent artists.
He is spoken of in high terms by Quintilian, B. xii. c. 10. See also
Chapter 40 of this Book.
[2080] Built by Augustus in the Ninth Region of the City, in honour of
his sister Octavia.
[2081] See Chapter 36.
[2082] Bacchus.
[2083] And so caused his death by falling from his chariot. See the
“Hippolytus” of Euripides.
[2084] Near the Theatre of Pompey, in the Ninth Region of the City.
[2085] “Caricatures.” Sillig thinks it not unlikely that Gryllus was
painted with a pig’s face, that animal being signified by the Greek
word γρυλλὸς.
[2086] See Chapter 40 of this Book.
[2087] See Chapter 6 of this Book.
[2088] In the original, as given by Sillig, “Plautiu, Marcus Cleœtas.”
That commentator supposes him to have been a Greek by birth, and
adopted into the Plautian family, on being made a citizen of Rome.
[2089] “Euripi.” See B. ii. c. 100, B. viii. c. 40, and B. ix. cc.
22, 80. The landscape paintings on the interior walls of houses at
Herculaneum and Pompeii may be taken as specimens of this artist’s
style.
[2090] “Succollatis sponsione mulieribus.” This passage appears to be a
mass of confusion, in spite of Sillig’s attempts to amend and explain
it. The meaning can only be guessed at, not given with any degree of
certainty: of Ludius himself, no further particulars are known.
[2091] The “hypæthra” or promenades.
[2092] Most editions give “Famulus.” Nothing further is known of him.
[2093] See B. xxxvi. c. 24.
[2094] Both in the First Region of the City, near the Capenian Gate.
[2095] See Chapter 41 of this Book, where the difficulties attending
this description will be considered.
[2096] See Chapter 36 of this Book.
[2097] See Chapter 35 of this Book.
[2098] Possibly the artist of that name mentioned by Athenæus, B.
x., as a tutor of Apelles. If so, he must have flourished about the
ninety-seventh Olympiad.
[2099] Elasippus “inburned” this picture, _i.e._ executed it in
encaustic. From the Attic form of this word, it has been concluded that
he was an Athenian. The spelling of his name is very doubtful.
[2100] See Chapter 36 of this Book.
[2101] Two paintings of his at Epidaurus are mentioned by Pausanias, B.
ii. c. 27.
[2102] And _not_ in encaustic; though, as we shall see in Chapter 41,
the brush was sometimes used in this branch.
[2103] The “One day” picture.
[2104] See B. xxi. c. 3.
[2105] The “Chaplet-wearer.” See B. xxi. c. 3.
[2106] The “Chaplet-seller.”
[2107] A “correct” copy.
[2108] “In confracto.” Meaning probably the group of the surrounding
spectators, on which the shadow of the animal’s body was thrown. It is
evident that this artist excelled in his effect of light and shade,
enhanced by contrasts, and strong foreshortenings.”—Wornum, Smith’s
Dict. Antiq. Art. _Painting_.
[2109] A.U.C. 678. See B. xxxvi. c. 24.
[2110] Mentioned also in B. xxxiv. c. 19.
[2111] Praised by Pausanias, B. i. It was in this combat, he says,
that Gryllus, the son of Xenophon, and Epaminondas the Theban, first
distinguished themselves.
[2112] “Carne.” Beef, according to Plutarch, was the flesh mentioned.
[2113] The dress of the Greek philosophers, more particularly.
[2114] Born in the island of Cythnos, one of the Cyclades. He is
supposed to be the artist mentioned by Theophrastus, De Lapid. c. 95.
[2115] It is supposed by Sillig, from Dio Cassius, B. liii. c. 27, that
this painting was transferred by M. Vipsanius Agrippa, to the Portico
of Neptune.
[2116] See Chapter 20 of this Book, where he is mentioned as having
been the first artist who used “usta” or burnt ceruse. From Pausanias
we learn that his remains were interred at Athens, in the road leading
to the Academia.
[2117] Chiaroscuro.
[2118] In Chapter 10 of this Book.
[2119] Bacchus.
[2120] In the Eighth Region of the City.
[2121] Spoken of by Pausanias, B. iii. c. 19.
[2122] In the Forum at Rome.
[2123] See Chapter 36 of this Book, Note 2025, p. 261.
[2124] “Place of the prophecies of the dead;” in reference to the
description of the Infernal Regions in the Fourth Book of the Odyssey.
[2125] See Chapter 37 of this Book.
[2126] See B. iv. c. 18.
[2127] Supposed by Hardouin to be the writer mentioned at the end of B.
vii. and B. x.: or perhaps, “a chief” of an Athenian tribe.
[2128] A “group of kindred.”
[2129] A disciple of Carneades. See the list of writers at the end of
this Book.
[2130] B.C. 168.
[2131] Represented in a sitting posture, as mentioned by Ovid, Trist.
II. 525, and by Philostratus, Vit. Apol. B. II. c. 10. The Medea is
described in an Epigram in B. iv. of the Greek Anthology, imitated by
Ausonius, Epigr. 22.
[2132] See Note 2116 above.
[2133] Medusa, slain by Perseus.
[2134] In the former editions, “Mecophanes.”
[2135] Or ochre. See B. xxxiii. c. 56.
[2136] Health, Brightness, and All-heal.
[2137] Greek for “sluggard.”
[2138] Probably, from the context, a pupil, also, of Pausias.
[2139] In pencil painting, and in encaustic.
[2140] Probably the same painter that is mentioned in Chapter 37.
[2141] An effect for which Schalken is famous.
[2142] “Shading his eyes.”
[2143] Son and pupil of Aglaopho, and brother of Polygnotus. He was
probably a native of Thasos.
[2144] See Chapter 36, Note 2029, page 261.
[2145] “Dolus.” An emblematical picture evidently, probably
representing the events just prior to the capture of Troy.
[2146] A famous diver, mentioned by Herodotus, B. viii. c. 8,
Pausanias, B. x. c. 19, and Strabo, B. ix.
[2147] Probably the wife of Seleucus, given by him to his son
Antiochus. See B. vii. c. 37, Note 1165.
[2148] That they should rebuild the walls of Troy.
[2149] His contest with Corragus the Macedonian, whom he defeated,
is mentioned also by Ælian, Diodorus Siculus, Athenæus, and Quintus
Curtius.
[2150] Gained “without raising the dust,” _i.e._ without any difficulty.
[2151] This is perhaps the meaning of “stemmata;” “heraldic pictures,”
probably. See Juvenal, Sat. viii. l. 2.
[2152] Suidas seems to mention him, under the name of “Ctesiochus,” as
the brother of Apelles.
[2153] Who was said to have been born from the thigh of Jove.
[2154] Or cap; see Chapter 35 of this Book.
[2155] By Hercules, when he demanded Iole of her father Eurytus, king
of Œchalia.
[2156] See Note 2147 above.
[2157] Several Cratini were distinguished as Comic writers, but we do
not read in any other author of any one of them being a painter. The
reading is doubtful.
[2158] A building at the entrance into Athens, whence the “pompæ,” or
solemn processions, set out.
[2159] Hardouin thinks that this was the victory gained by Aratus of
Sicyon over Aristippus, the Tyrant of Argos. If so, Leontiscus must
have flourished about Olymp. 136.
[2160] Caused by the anger of Juno. In this fit of insanity he slew his
wife Megara and her children.
[2161] See also Chapter 36. From Plutarch we learn that he was greatly
in favour with Aratus of Sicyon.
[2162] According to Brotero, a representation of the Ass and Crocodile
was found in the pictorial embellishments at Herculaneum.
[2163] See B. xvii. c. 36, B. xviii. c. 56, and B. xix. c. 24.
[2164] “Theodoras” in most of the editions.
[2165] See Chapter 36 of this Book, page 252.
[2166] See the Æneid, B. II. c. 403, _et seq._
[2167] Poliorcetes.
[2168] A native of Samos, mentioned by Quintilian, B. xii. c. 10,
as one of the painters between the time of Philip and that of the
successors of Alexander.
[2169] After the murder of his mother.
[2170] See B. vii. c. 57.
[2171] Or player with the discus.
[2172] Against his brother Eteocles.
[2173] Who assisted Polynices in his siege of Thebes.
[2174] Helen, Castor, and Pollux.
[2175] See B. vii. c. 37.
[2176] Mentioned in Chapter 36, as having been commenced for the people
of Cos, but never finished.
[2177] See B. xxxiv. cc. 19, 39. Sillig is of opinion that the picture
mentioned by Pausanias, B. I. c. 1, in honour of Leosthenes, killed in
the Lamina War, B.C. 323, was by this artist.
[2178] Poliorcetes, who began to reign B.C. 306.
[2179] Already mentioned in this Chapter, at greater length.
[2180] See B. xxxiv. c. 40.
[2181] See Chapter 36 of this Book, and the present Chapter. Of the
greater part of these artists nothing further is known.
[2182] See Chapter 35 of this Book.
[2183] Previously mentioned in this Chapter.
[2184] Or stylus—“cestrum.”
[2185] Probably the same painter as the one mentioned in Chapter 37 of
this Book.
[2186] See Chapter 39 of this Book. Pausias painted in wax with the
cestrum.
[2187] Wornum is of opinion that this must have been a species of
drawing with a heated point, upon ivory, without the use of wax.
Smith’s Dict. Antiq. Art. _Painting_.
[2188] This method, as Wornum remarks, though first employed on ships,
was not necessarily confined to ship-painting; and it must have been
a very different style of painting from the ship-colouring of Homer,
since it was of a later date even than the preceding methods.
[2189] Though he says nothing here of the use of the “cauterium,” or
process of _burning in_, its employment may certainly be inferred
from what he has said in Chapter 39. Wornum is of opinion that
the definition at the beginning of this Chapter, of _two_ methods
apparently, “_in_ wax and _on_ ivory,” is in reality an explanation of
_one_ method only, and that the ancient modes of painting in encaustic
were not only three, but several.
[2190] Or Temple of the Nymphs. The daughter of Butades is called
“Core” by Athenagoras.
[2191] See B. xxxiv. c. 3.
[2192] Son of Philæus. He is mentioned by Pausanias, B. viii. c. 14,
and by Herodotus, B. iii. c. 60, as the architect of a fine temple at
Samos, and, with Smilis and Theodorus, of the Labyrinth at Lemnos.
[2193] Mentioned also in B. xxxiv. c. 19. Pliny is in error here in
using the word “plastice;” for it was the art of casting brass, and not
that of making plaster casts, that these artists invented.
[2194] See Chapter 5 of this Book. He is said by Dionysius of
Halicarnassus, B. iii., to have been a member of the family of the
Bacchiadæ.
[2195] A different person, probably, from the one of the same name
mentioned in B. vii. c. 56.
[2196] Terra cotta figures.
[2197] See B. xxxiv. c. 19. Tatian mentions a statue of Melanippe by
Lysistratus.
[2198] See B. xxxvi. c. 4.
[2199] In the Eleventh Region of the City. This Temple of Ceres,
Bacchus, and Proserpine, in the Circus Maximus, was vowed by A.
Posthumius, the Dictator, A.U.C. 258, and dedicated by the consul
Cassius, A.U.C. 261, or B.C. 493.
[2200] See B. xxxiv. c. 16.
[2201] Sillig (Dict. Anc. Art.) is of opinion that this Chalcosthenes
is not identical with the artist of that name mentioned in B. xxxiv. c.
19; the name “Ceramicus” probably being of far earlier origin than the
formation of the statues of Comedians.
[2202] “Et.” The insertion of this word seems to militate against
Sillig’s position.
[2203] The “Pottery.”
[2204] See also B. xxxvi. c. 4.
[2205] See Chapter 40 of this Book.
[2206] “Crater.” A vase in which wine and water were mixed for drinking.
[2207] See B. xxxiii. c. 55, B. xxxvi. c. 4, and end of B. xxxiii.
[2208] See B. xxxiii. c. 36.
[2209] In B. viii. c. 4, for instance.
[2210] The “Hercules fictilis.” It is mentioned by Martial, B. xiv. Ep.
178.
[2211] See B. xxxiii. c. 2, and B. xxxvii. cc. 7, 8, 11.
[2212] “Simpuvia.”
[2213] See B. xxxi. c. 31.
[2214] “Mammatis.” The exact meaning of this word is unknown. The
passage is evidently in a corrupt state.
[2215] As to the Roman “Collegia,” see B. viii. c. 42, and B. xxxiv. c.
1.
[2216] “Solia.”—The same name is given also to a kind of sitting or
reclining-bath, often mentioned by Pliny.
[2217] Asia Minor.
[2218] See B. iii. c. 18.
[2219] A service of three dishes.
[2220] See B. ix. c. 39.
[2221] See B. ix. cc. 24, 28, 74, 79.
[2222] In B. x. c. 72.
[2223] See Note 2211 above.
[2224] See B. xxiii. c. 47, and the end of this Book.
[2225] Martial speaks of this practice, B. iii. Epigr. 81.
[2226] Nothing further seems to be known of this personage, or of the
grounds of his invective. Pliny may possibly allude to some abominable
practices, with which Vitellius is charged by Suetonius also.
[2227] The “Opus Signinum” was a plaster or cement much used for making
pavements. It took its name from Signia, in Italy, celebrated for its
tiles. See B. iii. c. 9.
[2228] The floors of the Roman houses were seldom boarded.
[2229] “Pulvis.” See B. iii. c. 9, B. xvi. c. 76, and B. xxxvi. c.
14. He alludes to the cement made of volcanic ashes, now known as
“Pozzuolane.”
[2230] See B. iv. c. 17.
[2231] It being the practice to rub the bodies of the athletes with
sand.
[2232] This circumstance is mentioned also by Suetonius, in his life of
Nero. Patrobius was slain by order of the Emperor Galba.
[2233] Ajasson says that they are called _tapias_ at the present day in
Spain.
[2234] See B. ii. c. 73.
[2235] “Rubrica.”
[2236] See B. xxxi. c. 28.
[2237] Which was, as a measure, nearly three inches in breadth. See
Introduction to Vol. III.
[2238] See B. v. c. 32.
[2239] Ajasson says that these bricks have been imitated by Fabroni,
with a light argillaceous earth, found in the territory of Sienna.
Delafosse thinks that a place called “Cala,” in the Sierra Morena,
probably marks the site of the cities above mentioned.
[2240] See B. iv. c. 5, and B. xxxvi. c. 4.
[2241] “Gerusia.”
[2242] See B. iii. c. 19.
[2243] In B. iii. c. 6.
[2244] See B. xviii. c. 29.
[2245] “Untouched by fire.” Native sulphur.
[2246] “Gleba.”
[2247] Sulphur has been always considered highly useful for the cure of
cutaneous affections.
[2248] From ἅρπαζω, “to carry away.”
[2249] Ovid, in his “Art of Love,” speaks of purifying houses with eggs
and sulphur.
[2250] See B. xxxi. c. 32.
[2251] There are three distinct kinds of bitumen. 1. Naphtha, also
known as petroleum, or rock-oil, inflammable, volatile, soluble in
alcohol, and found in France and Italy. 2. Asphalt, or bitumen of
Judæa, solid, insoluble in alcohol, and found in Lake Asphaltites in
Syria, more particularly. 3. Pissasphalt, of a medium consistency
between the other substances, of which it appears to be composed. See
B. xxiv. c. 25.
[2252] In B. v. c. 15.
[2253] Naphtha, most probably.
[2254] See B. xxiv. c. 25.
[2255] Chapter 109.
[2256] As to the “nitrum” of Pliny, see B. xxxi. c. 46.
[2257] “Asphalt plaster,” probably.
[2258] Or mint. See B. xix. c. 47, and B. xx. c. 53.
[2259] See B. xxxii. c. 13.
[2260] In B. xxxiv. c. 9.
[2261] Beckmann is of opinion that our _alum_ was not known to the
Greeks or Romans, and that what the latter called “alumen” was green
vitriol, or sulphate of the protoxide of iron, in an impure state.
Hist. Inv. Vol. I. p. 180. _Bohn’s Edition._ Dr. Pereira remarks,
however, that “there can be little doubt that Pliny was acquainted
with our alum, but did not distinguish it from sulphate of iron, for
he informs us that one kind of alum was white, and was used for dyeing
wool of bright colours.” Materia Medica, Vol. I, Delafosse identifies
the “alumen” of Pliny with double sulphate of alum and iron.
[2262] “Salsugo terræ.”
[2263] See Note 2261 above.
[2264] For gilding, Hardouin says.
[2265] The Roman provinces in Africa, other than Egypt.
[2266] Now Strombolo. See B. iii. c. 14.
[2267] Herodotus, B. ii., mentions the fact that King Amasis sent
the people of Delphi a thousand talents of this substance, as his
contribution towards rebuilding their temple.
[2268] “Fruitful,” or “useful.”
[2269] “Adulterated.”
[2270] See B. xx. c. 71.
[2271] “Split” alum. Probably iron alum, the French _alum de plume_; of
a flaky, silky appearance.
[2272] “Hairy alum.”
[2273] See B. xxxiv. cc. 2, 29.
[2274] So called, according to Dioscorides, from the “round” form of
the pieces.
[2275] He has previously said that the most esteemed kind was the
Egyptian, that of Melos being the next best.
[2276] Στυπτηρία, the “styptic.”
[2277] “Sero picis.” Hardouin is of opinion that under this name
pisselæon is intended. See B. xv. c. 7, B. xxiv. cc. 11, 24, and B.
xxv. c. 22.
[2278] At the beginning of this Chapter in part.
[2279] Aluminous silicates, as Delafosse remarks, more or less combined
with other minerals. Though employed for various purposes in the arts,
they are now but little used in medicine.
[2280] Probably because it was the more extensively employed of the
two, in “collyria,” or compositions for the eyes.
[2281] “Star” earth, apparently.
[2282] From Eretria, in Eubœa. See B. iv. c. 21.
[2283] In Chapter 21 of this Book.
[2284] It appears to be a matter of doubt whether it was found at
Selinus, in Sicily, or the place of that name in Cilicia. See B. iii.
c. 14, and B. v. c. 22.
[2285] Agricola is of opinion that this earth had its name from the
place called Pnigeum, in the Libyan Mareotis. Other commentators would
have it to be derived from πνίγω, “to suffocate,” such being
its effect if taken internally.
[2286] See the next Chapter.
[2287] So called from ἀμπέλος, a “vine;” either because it was
applied to vines to kill the insects, or because its admixture with the
soil was favourable to the cultivation of the vine.
[2288] “Washes for beautifying the eye-brows.” See B. xxi. c. 73, B.
xxiii. c. 51, and B. xxxiii. c. 34.
[2289] Cimolian earth, known in modern chemistry as Cimolite, is not
a cretaceous earth, but an aluminous silicate, still found in the
island of Kimoli, or Argentiera, one of the Cyclades; See B. iv. c. 23.
Tournefort describes it as a white chalk, very heavy, tasteless, and
dissolving in water. It is found also at Alexandrowsk in Russia.
[2290] See Chapter 25 of this Book.
[2291] See B. xxxi. c. 46.
[2292] See B. xii. c. 51.
[2293] See B. v. c. 28.
[2294] Beckmann thinks that this may have been our common chalk. Vol.
II. p. 105.
[2295] This _seems_ to be the meaning of “crescit in macerando.”
[2296] A.U.C. 535, it is supposed.
[2297] As a plebiscitum.
[2298] “Desquamatur.” This is most probably the meaning of the word,
though Beckmann observes “that it was undoubtedly a term of art, which
cannot be further explained, because we are unacquainted with the
operation to which it alludes.”—Vol II. p. 104. _Bohn’s Edition._
[2299] “Funditur sulphure.” The meaning of these words is very
doubtful. Beckmann proposes to read “offenditur,” but he is not
supported by any of the MSS. He has evidently mistaken the meaning of
the whole passage.
[2300] Probably because it was too calcareous, Beckmann thinks.
[2301] See B. iv. c. 3, and B. xxxvi. c. 59.
[2302] Plate powder; from “argentum,” “silver.” See B. xvii. c. 4.
[2303] Whitening, or chalk washed and prepared, is still used for this
purpose.
[2304] The goal for the chariots.
[2305] This reading is restored by Sillig from the Bamberg MS., but
no particulars are known relative to the person alluded to; unless,
indeed, as Sillig suspects to be the case, he is identical with Publius
Syrus, the writer of mimes, mentioned in B. viii. c. 77.
[2306] Supposed by some to have been the Manilius who was author
of the poem called “Astronomica,” still in existence. It is more
probable, however, that he was the father of the poet, or perhaps the
grandfather; as it is clear from a passage in Suetonius, that Staberius
Eros taught at Rome during the civil wars of Sylla, while the poem must
have been written, in part at least, after the death of Augustus.
[2307] Being afterwards manumitted. Sillig thinks that they may have
arrived in Rome about B.C. 90.
[2308] “Catasta.” A raised platform of wood on which the slaves were
exposed for sale.
[2309] “Rectorem.” For an explanation of this allusion, see B. xxviii.
c. 14.
[2310] A native of Gadara in Syria, according to Josephus. Seneca
speaks of him as being more wealthy than his master.
[2311] Or Menodorus, who deserted Sextus Pompeius and went over to
Octavianus.
[2312] Who remained faithful to Pompeius, and died in his cause.
[2313] He is probably speaking in reference to her paramour, the
freedman Pallas. See B. xxxiii. c. 47.
[2314] As to the earths of Galata and Clypea, see B. v. c. 7. The
others are mentioned in B. iii. c. 11.
[2315] See end of B. ix.
[2316] See end of B. xxxiv.
[2317] See end of B. viii.
[2318] See end of Books vii. and xiv.
[2319] See end of B. ii.
[2320] See end of B. iii.
[2321] See end of B. ii.
[2322] See end of B. x.
[2323] See end of B. ii.
[2324] See end of B. vii.
[2325] See end of B. xvi.
[2326] A native of Longula in Latium. Though of dissolute character,
he was famous as an orator and satirical writer. It was he who accused
Nonius Asprenas of poisoning, as mentioned in Chapter 46 of this Book.
He died in exile at the island of Seriphos, about A.D. 33. His works
were at first proscribed, but were afterwards permitted by Caligula to
be read.
[2327] See end of B. vii.
[2328] See end of B. xxxiii.
[2329] The painter, mentioned at great length in Chapter 36 of this
Book, and elsewhere.
[2330] A painter of Sicyon, mentioned in Chapters 32 and 36 of this
Book.
[2331] Probably the painter of that name, mentioned in Chapter 36 of
this Book.
[2332] The artist mentioned in B. xxxiv. c. 19, and in Chapter 40 of
the present Book.
[2333] See end of B. xxxiii.
[2334] Possibly the painter of that name, mentioned in Chapter 40 of
this Book.
[2335] See end of B. ii.
[2336] See end of B. iii.
[2337] See end of B. xxx.
[2338] See end of B. iii.
[2339] See end of B. xii.
[2340] See end of Books iv., viii., xi., and xx.
[2341] See end of B. xx.
[2342] See end of Books iv. and xii.
[2343] See end of B. xii.
[2344] See end of B. xiii.
[2345] See end of B. xii.
[2346] See end of B. xii.
[2347] See end of B. xxix.
[2348] See end of B. xii.
[2349] See end of B. xii.
[2350] See end of B. xxxiii.
[2351] See end of B. xxxiii.
[2352] See B. xxxvii. cc. 7, 8, 11.
[2353] See the lines of Juvenal, Sat. x. l. 151, _et seq._
[2354] He alludes to vessels made of crystal, which, as Dalechamps
remarks, was long supposed to be nothing but ice in a concrete form.
See B. xxxvii. c. 9.
[2355] See B. viii. c. 82.
[2356] “Glandia.”
[2357] See Chapter 24 of this Book.
[2358] See Chapter 8 of this Book.
[2359] In the Eleventh Region of the City.
[2360] See B. xxxv. cc. 43, 45.
[2361] See B. xvii. c. 1.
[2362] These two artists are invariably mentioned together. Pausanias,
B. ii. c. 14, and B. iii. c. 17, speaks or them as the pupils or sons
of Dædalus; only intimating thereby, as Sillig thinks, that they were
the first sculptors worthy of being associated with the father of
artists. Pausanias, B. ii. c. 22, mentions ebony statues by them.
[2363] In the time of the Telchines, before the arrival of Inachus in
Argolis.
[2364] Pausanias says that this statue was completed by their pupils.
Clemens Alexandrinus mentions other works of theirs.
[2365] Another reading is “Anthermus.” Of many of these sculptors, no
further particulars are known.
[2366] Another cause of the quarrel is said to have been the refusal of
Bupalus to give his daughter in marriage to Hipponax. This quarrel is
referred to in the Greek Anthology, B. iii. Epigr. 26.
[2367] See B. xiv. c. 9.
[2368] See B. iv. c. 20.
[2369] Dedicated by Augustus, in the Tenth Region of the City.
[2370] Λύχνος being the Greek for a “lamp.”
[2371] See B. iii. c. 8: now known as the marble of Massa and Carrara,
of a bluish white, and a very fine grain.
[2372] A similar case has been cited, in the figure of St. Jerome, to
be seen on a stone in the Grotto of Our Saviour at Bethlehem, and in
a representation of the Crucifixion, in the Church of St. George, at
Venice. A miniature resembling that of the poet Chaucer is to be seen
on the surface of a small stone in the British Museum.
[2373] See B. xxxv. c. 44.
[2374] See B. xxxv. cc. 37, 40.
[2375] See B. xxxiv. c. 19.
[2376] “In the Gardens.” A suburb of Athens, in which there was a
temple of Venus, or Aphrodite Urania.
[2377] He is mentioned also by Pausanias and Strabo.
[2378] The Goddess of Retribution. Pausanias, B. i. c. 33, says that
it was the work of Phidias, and that it was made of Parian marble,
which the Persians had brought into Attica for the purpose of erecting
a trophy. Strabo, however, in B. ix., says that it was the work of
Agoracritus and Diodotus (an artist otherwise unknown), and that it
was not at all inferior to the production of Phidias. Tzetzes again,
Suidas, and Photius, say that it was the work of Phidias, and that
it was presented by him to his favourite pupil, Agoracritus. Sillig
rejects the story of the contest, and the decision by the suffrages of
the Athenian people. Some modern writers have doubted also, whether a
statue of Venus could be modified so as to represent Nemesis; but not
with sufficient reason, Sillig thinks.
[2379] See B. iv. c. 11.
[2380] A statue, Sillig supposes, of the goddess Cybele.
[2381] “Pandoras Genesis.”
[2382] Sillig is of opinion that this passage is corrupt, and is
inclined to think, with Panofka, that the reading should be “nascenti
adstantes,”—gods “standing by the new-born” Pandora.
[2383] In B. xxxiv. c. 19.
[2384] See B. xxxv. c. 45.
[2385] “Velatâ specie.” There has been much discussion about the
meaning of these words; and Sillig is of opinion that the figure was
represented draped in a garment, which, while it seemed designed to
hide the person, really exposed it to view. This dress would not
improbably recommend it additionally to the inhabitants of Cos, who
were skilled in making the _Coæ vestes_, garments which, while they
covered the body, revealed its naked charms. See further mention of
them in B. ix. c. 26.
[2386] Visconti thinks that a statue still preserved in the Royal
Museum at Paris, is a copy of the Coan Venus. It has, however, a figure
of Cupid associated with it, which, as Sillig observes, militates
against the supposition.
[2387] The ancient writers abound in praises of this wonderful statue.
Lucian, however, has given the most complete and artistic description
of it. It was supposed by the ancients, to represent Venus as standing
before Paris, when he awarded to her the prize of beauty; but it has
been well remarked, that the drapery in the right hand, and the vase
by the side of the figure, indicate that she has either just left or
is about to enter the bath. The artist modelled it from Phryne, a
courtesan or hetæra of Athens, of whom he was greatly enamoured. It was
ultimately carried to Constantinople, where it perished by fire in the
reign of Justinian. It is doubtful whether there are any copies of it
in existence. There is, however, a so-called copy in the gardens of the
Vatican, and another in the Glyptothek, at Munich. A Venus in the Museo
Pio-Clementino, at Rome, is considered by Visconti and others to have
been a copy of the Cnidian Venus, with the addition of drapery. It is
supposed that Cleomenes, in making the Venus de Medici, imitated the
Cnidian Venus in some degree.
[2388] There are numerous Epigrams in reference to this statue in
the Greek Anthology; the most striking line in any of which is the
beautiful Pentameter:
Φεῦ! φεῦ! ποῦ γυμνὴν εἶδε με Πραξιτέλης;
“Alas! where has Praxiteles me naked seen?”
[2389] Lucian, Valerius Maximus, and Athenæus, tell the same improbable
story, borrowing it from Posidippus the historian.
[2390] Bacchus.
[2391] See B. xxxiv. c. 19.
[2392] See B. xxxiv. c. 19.
[2393] Pliny is mistaken here: for in the time of Cicero, as we find
in Verr. 4, 2, 4, the Thespian Cupid was still at Thespiæ, in Bœotia,
where it had been dedicated by Phryne, and was not removed to Rome till
the time of the emperors. It was the Parian Cupid, originally made for
the people of Parium, that, after coming into the possession of Heius,
a rich Sicilian, was forcibly taken from him by Verres.
[2394] Where it was destroyed by fire in the reign of Titus. See B.
xxxiv. c. 37.
[2395] See B. xxxiv. c. 19.
[2396] Frantic Bacchantes.
[2397] Sacrificing Bacchantes.
[2398] The name given in architecture to figures of females employed
as columns in edifices. The Spartans, on taking the city of Carya, in
Laconia, massacred the male inhabitants, and condemned the females to
the most bitter servitude, as “hewers of wood and drawers of water.”
Hence the memorials of their servitude thus perpetuated in architecture.
[2399] Or companions of Bacchus. See B. xxxv. c. 36.
[2400] See B. xxxiv. c. 19.
[2401] “Symplegma.”
[2402] Also mentioned in B. xxxiv. c. 19.
[2403] Pausanias, B. I., speaks of _three_ figures sculptured by
Scopas; Erôs, Himeros, and Pothos. It is doubtful, however, whether
they are identical with those here spoken of.
[2404] Or “Desire.” The name of “Phaëthon” is added in most of the
editions, but Sillig rejects it as either a gloss, or a corruption of
some other name.
[2405] “Campteras.” This, which is probably the true reading, has been
restored by Sillig from the Bamberg MS. The καμπτὴρ was the
bend or turning, round the goal in the race-course for chariots; and
as Vesta was symbolical of the earth, these figures, Sillig thinks,
probably represented the poles, as goals of the sun’s course.
[2406] Figures of Virgins, carrying on their heads baskets filled with
objects consecrated to Minerva.
[2407] Dedicated to Neptune by Cneius Domitius Ahenobarbus, in the
Ninth Region of the City.
[2408] “Et” appears a preferable reading to the “aut” of the Bamberg MS.
[2409] “Hippocampi.” It is pretty clear that by this name he cannot
mean the small fish so called in B. xxxii. cc. 20, 23, 27, 30, 35, 38,
50, and 53, and alluded to in B. ix. c. 1; the Syngnathus hippocampus
of Linnæus.
[2410] A sea-divinity.
[2411] “Pistrices.” See B. ix. cc. 2, 3, 15.
[2412] Conqueror of Callæcia. See B. iv. c. 35. This temple was
dedicated to Mars.
[2413] A statue of Apollo, Hardouin thinks, which was originally
brought from Seleucia by C. Sosius, the quæstor of M. Lepidus. See B.
xiii. c. 5.
[2414] Ajasson says that this work is identical with the group
representing Niobe and her children, now at Florence. It was found in
1535, or, as some say, 1583, near the Lateran Gate at Rome; upon which,
it was bought by Ferdinand de Medici, and placed in the park of one of
his villas. More recently, the Emperor Leopold purchased it, and had it
removed to Florence.
[2415] The Temple of Janus, in the Eighth Region of the City.
[2416] Probably by neither of them, as Janus was essentially an Italian
Divinity. See Ovid’s Fasti, B. I.
[2417] See B. xxxv. c. 37.
[2418] A large upper garment, reaching to the ankles.
[2419] Both Liber and Libera were originally Italian Divinities,
who presided over the vine and the fields. Pliny, however, always
identifies the former with Bacchus, and other writers the latter with
Persephone, or Proserpina, the daughter of Demeter or Ceres. Ovid,
Fasti, B. iii. l. 512, calls Ariadne, “Libera.”
[2420] See B. xvi. c. 76.
[2421] A disciple of Marsyas, and a famous player on the flute. See p.
319.
[2422] All these figures have been found copied in the frescoes of
Herculaneum.
[2423] See B. xxxiv. c. 19.
[2424] It is doubtful whether this is the same artist that is mentioned
in B. xxxiv. c. 19.
[2425] See B. xxxiv. c. 19.
[2426] Hence, too, the use of the word “Mausoleum,” as meaning a
splendid tomb.
[2427] He means, probably, the extent of the colonnade or screen which
surrounded it. The Mausoleum was erected at Halicarnassus.
[2428] Facing east and west.
[2429] Or “wing.” The “ptera,” or “pteromata,” properly speaking, were
the two wings at the sides of a building. See Note 2431 below.
[2430] She only survived her husband two years.
[2431] Another reading, and perhaps a preferable one, is “one hundred”
feet. The account given by Pliny is very confused, and Littré has
taken some pains to explain the construction of this building. He is
of opinion that in the first place, a quadrangular main building was
erected, 63 feet in length on the north and south, the breadth of the
east and west faces being shorter, some 42 feet perhaps. Secondly, that
there was a screen of 36 columns surrounding the main building, and 411
feet in circumference. (He adopts this reading in preference to the
440 feet of the Bamberg MS.) That the longer sides of this screen were
113.25 feet in extent, and the shorter 92.125 feet. That between the
main building and this screen, or colonnade, there was an interval of
25.125 feet. Thirdly, that the colonnade and the main buildings were
united by a vaulted roof, and that this union formed the “Pteron.”
Fourthly, that rising from this Pteron, there was a quadrangular
truncated pyramid, formed of twenty-four steps, and surmounted with a
chariot of marble. This would allow, speaking in round numbers, 37½
feet for the height of the main body of the building, 37½ feet for
the pyramid, and twenty-five feet for the height of the chariot and the
figure which it doubtless contained.
[2432] Supposed to be the person alluded to by Horace, 1 Sat. 3, 90.
[2433] He is mentioned also by Tatian, and is supposed to have lived
about the time of Alexander the Great.
[2434] “Charites.”
[2435] “Porch,” or “Vestibule” of the Citadel at Athens.
[2436] Mentioned in B. xxxv. c. 40. The present Socrates is identified
by Pausanias, B. i. c. 22, and B. ix. c. 25, and by Diogenes Laertius,
B. ii. c. 19, with the great Athenian philosopher of that name, son of
the statuary Sophroniscus: but the question as to his identity is very
doubtful. Diogenes Laertius adds, that whereas artists had previously
represented the Graces naked, Socrates sculptured them with drapery.
[2437] See B. xxxiv. c. 19.
[2438] See B. xxxv. c. 45.
[2439] Or Muses of Thespiæ, in Bœotia.
[2440] There have been several distinguished sculptors, all of this
name. A statuary, son of Apollodorus the Athenian, made the celebrated
Venus de Medici. It is the opinion of Visconti and Thiersch, that the
artist here mentioned flourished before the destruction of Corinth.
[2441] This name is doubtful, and nothing is known relative to the
artist.
[2442] “Hippiades” is the old reading, which Dalechamps considers to
mean “Amazons.” The Appiades were Nymphs of the Appian Spring, near the
temple of Venus Genetrix, in the Forum of Julius Cæsar. See Ovid, Art.
Am. B. i. l. 81, and B. iii. l. 451; and Rem. Am. l. 659.
[2443] From an inscription on a statue still extant, he is supposed to
have been a pupil of Pasiteles, and consequently to have flourished
about B.C. 25.
[2444] Figures in which the form and attributes of Hermes, or Mercury,
and Eros, or Cupid, were combined, Hardouin thinks.
[2445] In B. xxxiii. c. 55.
[2446] In Caria: see B. v. c. 29.
[2447] Or “Xenias”—“Presiding over hospitality,” or “Protector of
strangers.”
[2448] The story was, that Zethus and Amphion bound Dirce, queen of
Thebes, to the flanks of an infuriated bull, in revenge for the death
of their mother, Antiope, who had been similarly slain by her. This
group is supposed still to exist, in part, in the “Farnese Bull,”
which has been in a great measure restored. Winckelmann is of opinion,
however, that the Farnese Bull is of anterior date to that here
mentioned, and that it belongs to the school of Lysippus.
[2449] Probably a native of Rhodes. No further particulars of this
artist appear to be known.
[2450] Bacchus.
[2451] See B. xxxiv. c. 19.
[2452] A different person, probably, from the painter, mentioned in B.
xxxv. c. 40.
[2453] See B. xxxiv. c. 19.
[2454] Supposed by Sillig not to be the early statuary of Argos of that
name, who flourished, probably, B.C. 476.
[2455] See B. xxxiv. c. 19.
[2456] “Pasiteles” would appear to be a preferable reading; for Pliny
would surely have devoted more space to a description of these works of
Praxiteles.
[2457] The same artist that is previously mentioned, Sillig thinks.
[2458] Of Jupiter.
[2459] See B. xxxiv. c. 19.
[2460] “Symplegma.” See Note 2401, page 314.
[2461] The first being in a stooping posture, washing herself.
[2462] In B. xxxiii. c. 55, and B. xxxiv. c. 18.
[2463] A sculptor of the age of Alexander the Great. He is also
mentioned by Tatian. For an account of Callisthenes, see end of B. xii.
[2464] Winckelmann supposes that these artists lived in the time of
Lysippus; but, as may be discovered from an attentive examination
of the present passage, Lessing and Thiersch are probably right in
considering them to have been contemporaries of the Emperor Titus. This
group is generally supposed to have been identical with the Laocoön
still to be seen in the Court of the Belvedere, in the Vatican at
Rome; having been found, in 1506, in a vault beneath the spot known
as the Place _de Sette Sale_, by Felix de Fredi, who surrendered it,
in consideration of a pension, to Pope Julius II. The group, however,
is not made of a _single_ block, which has caused some to doubt its
identity: but it is not improbable, that when originally made, its
joints were not perceptible to a common observer. The spot, too, where
it was found was actually part of the palace of Titus. It is most
probable that the artists had the beautiful episode of Laocoön in view,
as penned by Virgil, Æn. B. II.; though Ajasson doubts whether they
derived any inspiration from it. Laocoön, in the sublime expression of
his countenance, is doing any thing, he says, but—
“Clamores simul horrendos ad sidera tollit.”
“Sending dire outcries to the stars of heaven.”
[2465] This was an ancient and hideous idol, probably. Plato, Diodorus
Siculus, Plautus, Lactantius, Arnobius, and Isidorus, all concur
in saying that it was Saturn in honour of whom human victims were
immolated.
[2466] “Ad Nationes.” A portico built by Augustus, and adorned with
statues representing various nations.
[2467] “Thespiades.” They were brought by Mummius from Thespiæ, in
Bœotia. See B. xxxiv. c. 19, and Note 2439, above.
[2468] See B. xxxv. c. 45, and end of B. xxxiii.
[2469] Magna Græcia.
[2470] Built by Metellus Macedonicus.
[2471] “Navalia.” This was the name of certain docks at Rome, where
ships were built, laid up, and refitted. They were attached to the
Emporium, without the Trigeminian Gate, and were connected with the
Tiber.
[2472] See B. xxxv. c. 45.
[2473] In the Ninth Region of the City. These figures are mentioned
also by Suetonius, C. 46.
[2474] See B. xxxiv. c. 19.
[2475] A singular combination of names, as they mean “Lizard” and
“Frog.” No further particulars of these artists are known, but they
appear to have lived in the time of Pompey.
[2476] Of Juno and Apollo.
[2477] “Spiræ.” See Chapter 56 of this Book.
[2478] Winckelmann, in Vol. II. p. 269, of the _Monumenti Antichi
ined._, gives the chapiter of an Ionic column, belonging to the church
of San Lorenzo, without the walls, at Rome, on the volutes of which are
represented a frog and a lizard.
[2479] The old reading is adopted here, in preference to that of the
Bamberg MS., which does not appear reconcileable to sense in saying
that _this_ temple of Jupiter was originally made in honour of Juno;
for in _such case_ there could be no mistake in introducing the emblems
of female worship.
[2480] A sculptor of Miletus. See B. vii. c. 21.
[2481] A Lacedæmonian artist. See B. vii. c. 21.
[2482] As well as that of Paros.
[2483] Only completed in the time of the Emperor Adrian.
[2484] Cebriones, the charioteer of Hector. See Il. B. xvi. l. 735.
[2485] See B. xxxiii. c. 23.
[2486] This is generally explained as meaning ordinary stone, but
covered with elaborate paintings, as was then the practice in the
magnificent villas that were built at Tibur, the modern Tivoli. See,
however, Chapter 48, and Note 2784.
[2487] As applied to the decorations of the walls of houses.
[2488] This date does not agree with that given to Scopas, one of the
artists who worked at the Mausoleum, in the early part of B. xxxiv. c.
19. Sillig, however, is inclined to think that there were _two_ artists
named Scopas, and would thus account for the diversity of about seventy
years between the dates.
[2489] See end of B. ii.
[2490] Owing to the liberality of Cæsar, he amassed great riches. He
is repeatedly attacked by Catullus (Carm. xxix., xliii., lvii.), and
accused of extortion, and other vices. Horace also speaks of him in
terms of ridicule, I Sat. 5, 37.
[2491] See B. iv. c. 21.
[2492] See Chapter 4 of this Book.
[2493] The black marbles, Ajasson remarks, are comparatively rare. He
is of opinion that the colour of the Lucullan marble was the _noir
antique_ of the French, and says that it is to be found at Bergamo,
Carrara, Prato in Tuscany, and near Spa in Belgium.
[2494] “Chios” is another reading.
[2495] “Thundering Jupiter.” This temple was built by Augustus.
[2496] Ajasson says that his remarks on the choice of the sand for this
purpose, are very judicious.
[2497] A recommendation worse than useless, Ajasson remarks.
[2498] For this purpose, at the present day, granular corindon, or
yellow emery, is used, as also a mixture composed of the oxides of lead
and of tin; the substance being repeatedly moistened when applied.
[2499] See Chapters 13 and 43 of this Book.
[2500] A city in Crete where the stone was prepared for use.
[2501] “Cotes.”
[2502] Books III. IV. V. and VI.
[2503] The modern Ophite, both Noble, Serpentine, and Common.
[2504] From the Greek ὄφις, a “serpent.”
[2505] This would appear to be a kind of Apatite, or Augustite, found
in crystalline rocks.
[2506] A superstition, owing solely to the name and appearance of the
stone.
[2507] From the Greek τέφρα, “ashes.” The _modern_ Tephroite
is a silicate of manganese.
[2508] Memphis, in Egypt.
[2509] A variety of the modern Porphyry, possibly; a compact
feldspathic base, with crystals of feldspar. Ajasson refuses to
identify it with porphyry, and considers it to be the stone called _Red
antique_, of a deep uniform red, and of a very fine grain; which also
was a production of Egypt.
[2510] “Small stone.”
[2511] Of porphyrites.
[2512] “Procurator.”
[2513] See B. xxxvi. c. 38. See also the Lydian stone, or touchstone,
mentioned in B. xxxiii. c. 43.
[2514] From Βάσανος, a “touchstone.”
[2515] Philostratus gives a short account of this group, and copies of
it are to be seen in the Vatican, and in the grounds of the Tuilleries.
[2516] See B. v. c. 10.
[2517] The Egyptians called it, not Memnon, but Amenophis, and it is
supposed that it represented a monarch of the second dynasty. This is
probably the statue still to be seen at Medinet Abou, on the Libyan
side of the Nile, in a sitting posture, and at least 60 feet in
height. The legs, arms, and other parts of the body are covered with
inscriptions, which attest that, in the third century of the Christian
era, the priests still practised upon the credulity of the devotees, by
pretending that it emitted sounds. It may possibly have been erected
for astronomical purposes, or for the mystic worship of the sun. The
Greek name “Memnon” is supposed to have been derived from the Egyptian
_Mei Amun_, “beloved of Ammon.”
[2518] Ajasson remarks that under this name the ancients meant, first,
yellow calcareous Alabaster, and secondly, Chalcedony, unclassified.
[2519] See end of the present Book.
[2520] See B. vi. cc. 27, 28, 32.
[2521] “Variatum est.”
[2522] Ajasson thinks that these columns, in reality, were made, in
both instances, of yellow jasper, or else yellow sardonyx, a compound
of sard and chalcedony.
[2523] Erected A.U.C. 741.
[2524] See B. xxxiii. c. 47.
[2525] The reading here is doubtful, and it is questionable whether he
considers the two stones as identical.
[2526] Probably calcareous Alabaster, Ajasson thinks. See B. xxxvii. c.
54.
[2527] See B. xiii. c. 3.
[2528] Plaster of Paris is made of gypsum or alabaster, heated and
ground.
[2529] A feature both of jasper and of sardonyx.
[2530] By some persons it has been considered to be the same with the
“lychnitis,” or white marble, mentioned in Chapter 4 of this Book.
Ajasson is of opinion that it has not been identified.
[2531] Ajasson is in doubt whether this stone was really a marble or
a gypsic alabaster. It received its name from the river Curalius or
Coural, near which it was found; and it was also known as Sangaric
marble. Ajasson thinks that the ancient milk-white marble, still found
in Italy, and known to the dealers in antiquities as _Palombino_, may
have been the “corallitic” stone. He also mentions the fine white
marble known as _Grechetto_.
[2532] See B. v. c. 29. Sulphuret of manganese is now known as
Alabandine; it is black, but becomes of a tarnished brown on exposure
to the air. It is not improbable that this manganese was used for
colouring glass, and that in Chapter 66 of this Book Pliny again refers
to manganese when speaking of a kind of “magnet” or load-stone. See
Beckmann, Hist. Inv. Vol. II. pp. 237-8, _Bohn’s Edition_; who thinks,
that in the present passage Pliny is speaking of a kind of marble.
It is the fact, however, that Pyrolusite, or grey ore of manganese,
is used, at a red heat, for discharging the brown and green tints of
glass. See also B. xxxiv. c. 42, and the Note.
[2533] Syenite is the name still given to feldspar, hornblende,
and quartz, passing into each other by insensible gradations, and
resembling granite.
[2534] “Varied with red spots,” similar to our red granite.
[2535] “Obelisci.” So called from ὀβελισκὸς, a “small spit,”
in consequence of their tapering form.
[2536] Meaning, probably, that in the Egyptian language, the same
word is used as signifying a “spit” and a “ray” of light; for it is
generally agreed that the word “obeliscus” is of Greek origin.
[2537] He does not appear to have been identified; and the correct
reading is doubtful.
[2538] Heliopolis, or On. See B. v. c. 11.
[2539] These figures or hieroglyphics did not denote the _phonetic
language_ of Egypt, but only formed a symbolical writing.
[2540] Perhaps the same as “Sesostris.” The former reading is “Sothis.”
[2541] Ajasson identifies him with Rameses III., a king of the
eighteenth dynasty, who reigned B.C. 1561. This was also one of the
names of Sesostris the Great.
[2542] The name of the bull divinity worshipped by the people of On, or
Heliopolis; while by the people of Memphis it was known as Apis.
[2543] This, Hardouin says, was the same obelisk that was afterwards
erected by Constantius, son of Constantine the Great, in the Circus
Maximus at Rome; whence it was removed by Pope Sextus V., in the year
1588, to the Basilica of the Lateran.
[2544] This name is probably mutilated: there are about twenty
different readings of it.
[2545] This name is also very doubtful. One reading is “Eraph,” and
Hardouin attempts to identify him with the Pharaoh Hophra of Jeremiah,
xliv. 30, the Ouafres of the Chronicle of Eusebius, and the Apries of
Herodotus.
[2546] The Nectanabis, probably, of Plutarch, in his Life of Agesilaüs,
and the Nectanebus of Nepos, in the Life of Chabrias.
[2547] Callixenus of Rhodes was a contemporary of Ptolemy Philadelphus,
and was the author of a description of Alexandria, and of a catalogue
of painters and sculptors.
[2548] Egyptian talents, probably. See. B. xxxiii. c. 15.
[2549] Evidently a stupendous monument, or rather aggregate of
buildings, erected by Ptolemy II., Philadelphus, in memory of his wife
and sister, Arsinoë. See B. xxxiv. c. 42.
[2550] Caligula.
[2551] See B. xvi. c. 76, and B. xxxv. c. 47.
[2552] Or Circus Maximus; in the Eleventh Region of the City. According
to Kircher, it was this obelisk that Pope Sextus V. had disinterred,
and placed before the church of the Madonna del Popolo.
[2553] There are sixteen various readings to this name.
[2554] Diogenes Laertius says that he arrived in Egypt in the reign of
King Amasis.
[2555] Boscovich and Brotero would read here “_eighty-two_ feet and
three quarters,” which is more in accordance with its height, as
measured by Kircher.
[2556] After being long buried in ruins, it was disinterred, but not
re-erected, by Pope Benedict XIV. When thus brought to light, it was
found to be broken asunder. On it there was an inscription stating that
the Emperor Augustus had “presented it to the Sun”—“Soli donum dedit.”
[2557] Twelve o’clock in the day.
[2558] After the summer solstice.
[2559] The one that is mentioned above as having been removed from
Alexandria by Caligula.
[2560] This obelisk was transferred by Pope Sextus V. from the Circus
Vaticanus to the place of the Cathedral of St. Peter.
[2561] So called because it was laid out on some gardens which had
belonged to one Vaticanus.
[2562] Caligula.
[2563] There are nine or ten readings of this name. Bunsen suggests
“Menophtheus,” the Egyptian king Meneph-Pthah.
[2564] In Egypt, probably.
[2565] Ajasson thinks that they were intended as places of sepulture
for the kings, but for the concealment, also, of their treasures.
[2566] See B. v. c. 9.
[2567] In Chapter 19 of this Book.
[2568] See B. v. c. 9. Herodotus says that these pyramids were built by
King Mœris, in the middle of the lake, towering fifty paces above the
surface of the water. Diodorus Siculus says that they were built by him
in honour of himself and his wife.
[2569] Or left-hand side to those coming down the stream. He alludes
to the three great Pyramids of Ghizeh, not far from Cairo. There are
numerous other pyramids to be seen in Egypt.
[2570] In B. v. c. 9.
[2571] It still exists, though the face is mutilated. It was
disinterred from the sand by Belzoni, but is now again nearly covered.
According to Cavaglia, the signature of the Historian Arrian was found
inscribed on one of the fore-paws, when it was disinterred.
[2572] This reading is, perhaps, preferable to the LXI. s, (61½) of
the Bamberg MS. The head and neck, when uncovered, were found to be 27
feet in height.
[2573] Built by King Cheops, according to Herodotus, B. ii.
[2574] All these writers are mentioned in the list of authors at the
end of the present Book.
[2575] For the use of the workmen. There is, probably, no foundation
for a statement so exact as this; as it would be very singular that
such a fact should continue to be known, and the names of the builders
be buried in oblivion.
[2576] According to modern measurement, the sides of its base measure
at the foundation 763 feet 4 inches, and it occupies a space of more
than 13 acres. Its perpendicular height is 480 feet.
[2577] Other readings are 883, and 783.
[2578] Differing very considerably from the modern measurement. These
variations may possibly arise, however, from a large portion of the
base being covered with sand.
[2579] It was entirely coated with marble from the Thebaid; which,
however, was removed by the Arabs in the middle ages. In the vicinity
there is a fourth pyramid, but of such small dimensions that some of
the Egyptian obelisks exceed it in height.
[2580] “Nitrum.” See B. xxxi. c. 46.
[2581] From this reason being given, it would almost appear that these
“bridges” in reality were aqueducts, for conveying the water, in order
to melt the mounds of salt and nitre.
[2582] A very improbable story, as Ajasson remarks; as if the method of
ascertaining the heights of edifices was unknown to the sages of Egypt,
and the constructors of the Pyramids!
[2583] Herodotus, B. ii. cc. 134, 5, takes great pains to prove the
absurdity of this story; and there is little doubt that the beautiful
courtesan has been confounded with the equally beautiful Egyptian
Queen, Nitocris, who is said by Julius Africanus and Eusebius to have
built the third pyramid. As to the courtesan having been a fellow-slave
of the fabulist, Æsop, it is extremely doubtful.
[2584] The greater harbour, there being two at Alexandria.
[2585] Ptolemy Lagus.
[2586] Supposed by Thiersch to have been the same person as the
statuary mentioned in B. xxxiv. c. 19.
[2587] A risk that is now obviated, if, indeed, there is such a risk,
by the use of revolving lights and coloured lights.
[2588] See B. v. c. 9.
[2589] The site of this labyrinth has not been traced, but Sir G.
Wilkinson is inclined to think that it was at Howarah el Soghaïr in the
Faiöum.
[2590] Similar, probably, to the one at Hampton Court.
[2591] Most modern writers, and some of the ancients, have altogether
denied the existence of the Cretan Labyrinth; but, judging from the
testimony of Tournefort and Cockerell, it is most probable that it
really did exist, and that it was a vast natural grotto or cavern,
enlarged and made additionally intricate by human ingenuity. There
are many caverns of this nature in Crete, and one near Gortyna, at
Hagios-Deka, is replete with galleries and intricate windings similar
to those ascribed to the Labyrinth of Dædalus.
[2592] See Chapter 13 of this Book. He is surprised that the people of
Egypt, a country which abounded in exquisite marbles, should have used
that of another country in preference to their own.
[2593] As to the meaning of this word, see B. v. c. 9.
[2594] See Chapter 5 of this Book.
[2595] “Ulnæ.” See Introduction to Vol. III.
[2596] The ἄρουρα was a Greek square measure, containing 2500
square feet.
[2597] See Chapter 11 of this Book.
[2598] As to the meaning of this word, see Chapter 4 of this Book, page
317, and Note 2429.
[2599] “Circummon” is a more common reading.
[2600] Or acacia. See B. xxiv. c. 65.
[2601] Welcker remarks that it is uncertain whether this Labyrinth was
erected as a temple of the Cabiri, or whether it had any connection
with the art of mining.
[2602] Smilis lived, probably, 200 years before Rhœcus and Theodorus,
and was a native of Ægina, not Lemnos. Sillig, however, is inclined
to think that there were _two_ artists of this name; the elder a
contemporary of Dædalus, and the maker of several wooden statues.
[2603] See B. xxxv. c. 43.
[2604] See B. iii. c. 8.
[2605] A round, broad-brimmed hat, such as we see represented in the
statues of Mercury.
[2606] Where two brazen vessels were erected on a column, adjoining to
which was the statue of a boy with a whip; which, when agitated by the
wind, struck the vessels, and omens were drawn from the tinkling noise
produced, significant of future events, it was supposed.
[2607] A building like this, as Niebuhr says, is absolutely impossible,
and belongs to the “Arabian Nights.” The description in some
particulars resembles that of a Chinese pagoda.
[2608] Probably of Babylon, which were built on terraces raised on
arches.
[2609] His meaning is, that it was built upon arches.
[2610] Asia Minor.
[2611] The Hotel de Ville at Brussels is said to have been built upon a
stratum of hides.
[2612] See Chapter 4 of the present Book. Sillig, in his “Dictionary of
Ancient Artists,” suggests a reading which would make the passage to
mean that Scopas was jointly architect with Chersiphron. The latter,
however, was _not_ the architect of the _second_ temple at Ephesus, but
flourished nearly four hundred years before.
[2613] Strabo says that, in conjunction with his son Metagenes, he
began the _first_ Temple at Ephesus. Thiersch is of opinion that he
lived about the first Olympiad, He is mentioned also in B. vii. c. 38.
[2614] “Epistylia.” See B. xxxv. c. 49.
[2615] Which must have been above the bags and at the summit of the
inclined plane.
[2616] See B. v. c. 40.
[2617] “Lapis Fugitivus.”
[2618] A public place where the Prytanes or chief magistrates
assembled, and where the public banquets were celebrated.
[2619] Or “Narrow” gate, apparently. Dion Cassius, B. 74, tells a
similar story nearly, of seven towers at Byzantium, near the _Thracian
Gate_; and “Thracia” is given by the Bamberg MS. It is most probable
that the two accounts were derived from the same source.
[2620] Ἑπτάφωνον, “seven times vocal.” Plutarch also mentions
this portico.
[2621] Βουλευτήριον, the “senate house” or “council-chamber.”
[2622] It was the most ancient of the bridges at Rome, and was so
called from its being built upon “sublices,” or wooden beams. It was
originally built by Ancus Martius, and was afterwards rebuilt by the
Pontifices or pontiffs. We learn from Ovid, Fasti, B. v. l. 621, that
it was still a wooden bridge in the reign of Augustus. In the reign of
Otho it was carried away by an inundation. In later times it was also
known as the Pons Æmilius, from the name of the person probably under
whose superintendence it was rebuilt.
[2623] See B. xxxiv. c. 11.
[2624] L. Æmilius Paulus, who was consul with C. Marcellus, A.U.C.
703. His Basilica, a building which served as a court of law and as an
exchange, was erected in the Eighth Region of the City, at the cost
of 1500 talents; which were sent to him by Cæsar, Plutarch says, as a
bribe to gain him over from the aristocratical party. It was surrounded
with an open peristyle of columns of Phrygian marble.
[2625] “Diribitorium.” See B. xvi. c. 76.
[2626] Scribonius Libo, who was Ædile during the consulship of Cicero.
[2627] “Mound,” or “Terrace.” See B. iii. c. 9, where it is ascribed to
Tarquinius Superbus; but Strabo seems to attribute its foundation to
Servius Tullius.
[2628] Thebes, in Egypt. See Chapter 20 of this Book.
[2629] A.U.C. 721. He alludes probably to the cleansing of the sewers
beneath the city, which took place, Dion Cassius informs us, in the
ædileship of Agrippa.
[2630] As Hardouin remarks, the story of the Milesian Virgins, as
related by Aulus Gellius and Plutarch, is very similar.
[2631] A.U.C. 676.
[2632] Caligula. The Palace of Caligula was situate on the Palatine
Hill] that of Nero extended from the Palatine Hill to the Esquiline,
nearly the whole of which was covered by it. It was left unfinished
by Nero, but the Emperor Otho completed it. Martial, Spectac. Ep. 2,
speaks in terms of indignation of there being now “but one house in all
the City;” but, unfortunately, he gives utterance to it with a view of
flattering Domitian.
[2633] Whence its name, “Aurea,” the “golden” Palace.
[2634] “Sellaria.”
[2635] By this mode of expression, he probably means that they were
“birds of a feather”—one as bad as the other.
[2636] His mother, Metella Cæcilia, became the wife of Sylla.
[2637] He forgets the Pyramids and the Labyrinth of Egypt, which he has
so recently described.
[2638] See B. xvii. c. 1, and Chapter 3 of the present Book. L. Crassus
is the person alluded to.
[2639] “Four” is the number mentioned in B. xvii. c. 1.
[2640] In Chapter 2 of this Book.
[2641] In B. xxxiv. c. 17.
[2642] “Cavea.” The place where the spectators sat, much like the “pit”
of our theatres.
[2643] See B. xxxiii. c. 19.
[2644] “Choragio.”
[2645] He was defeated and slain in Africa by Juba and P. Attius Varus.
[2646] And, consequently, of more strict manners, and more strict
morals.
[2647] “Tabulis.” The wooden frames, probably, which formed the
margin of one side of each theatre, and which, when they were brought
together, would make a diameter running through the circle which they
formed. Hardouin thinks that these theatres are alluded to in Virgil,
Georg. B. III. l. 22, _et seq._
[2648] In allusion, probably, to the addresses delivered by Curio, when
tribune, from the Rostra, in favour of Cæsar.
[2649] “Pensiles.” Pliny not improbably intends a pun here, this word
meaning also “suspended,” or “poised”—in reference, probably, to their
suspension on the pivots in Curio’s theatres.
[2650] Between Cæsar and Pompey, which he is supposed to have inflamed
for his own private purposes.
[2651] He was prætor B.C. 144; and, in order that he might complete his
aqueduct, his office was prolonged another year.
[2652] This aqueduct was begun by Appius Claudius Cæcus, the censor,
and was the first made at Rome; B.C. 313.
[2653] See B. iii. c. 17. It was commenced by M. Curius Dentatus, B.C.
273, the water being brought a distance of 43 miles. It was afterwards
known as the “Anio Vetus,” to distinguish it from another aqueduct from
the same river, mentioned in this Chapter, and called the “Anio Novus.”
The former was constructed of Peperino stone, and the water-course was
lined with cement. Considerable remains of it are still to be seen.
[2654] The Aqua Tepula was constructed B.C. 127; so that it is doubtful
if Pliny is not here in error.
[2655] The Aqua Marcia was brought a distance of upwards of 60 miles,
from the vicinity of Sublaqueum, now Subiaco, and was of such elevation
that water could be supplied to the loftiest part of the Capitoline
Hill. A considerable number of the arches are still standing. In the
vicinity of the city it was afterwards united with the Aqua Tepula and
the Aqua Julia; the watercourse of the last being above that of the
Aqua Tepula, and that above the course of the Aqua Marcia. See B. xxxi.
cc. 24, 25.
[2656] See B. xxxi. cc. 24, 25.
[2657] See B. xxxi. c. 25.
[2658] See end of B. iii.
[2659] Victor mentions 856 public baths at Rome.
[2660] Caligula.
[2661] Anio Novus.
[2662] Nero.
[2663] See B. ii. c. 106, and B. iii. c. 17. In order to check the
sudden rise of its waters, a design was entertained by Julius Cæsar to
construct a subterranean canal from the lake into the valley of the
Liris, which, unfortunately, was frustrated by his death. Claudius,
however, executed the work, by cutting a gallery upwards of an English
mile and a half through the limestone rock; a work which, according
to Suetonius, occupied thirty thousand workmen continually for eleven
years. On opening it with a mock naval combat, an accident happened in
which many persons lost their lives, and Claudius himself but narrowly
escaped. The emissary answered its purpose for some time, and, though
Nero suffered the works to fall into decay, they were repaired by
Hadrian. In the middle ages, however, the work fell in, and has not
since been restored.
[2664] See B. iii. c. 9.
[2665] “Magnes.”
[2666] In Chapter 23 of this Book.
[2667] “Iron earth;” from σίδηρος, “iron.” The magnet, or
loadstone itself, is an oxide of iron, known as Oxidulated iron, or
Ferroso-ferric oxide; sometimes in combination with quartz or alumine.
[2668] From Heraclea, in Lydia, or in Thessaly, according to some
accounts. It is not improbable, however, that it was so called after
“Heracles,” or Hercules, on account of its powerful influence upon iron
ores.
[2669] Isidorus says, “India,” in B. 16 of the “Origines.”
[2670] See the list of authors at the end of this Book.
[2671] Varieties, no doubt, of oxide of iron.
[2672] An absurd distinction, as Ajasson remarks; based, probably,
on Eastern notions, and with reference to the comparative powers of
attraction.
[2673] From αἷμα, “blood.” He alludes to Specular iron, red
ochre, or red hematite, another oxide of iron.
[2674] Sometimes it has, but in a very slight degree.
[2675] Ajasson remarks that most probably the possessors of this
pretended variety knew the distinction between the two poles of the
magnet, and took care, when it was their interest to do so, to place
the opposite pole towards that of the other loadstone.
[2676] It was the belief of the Duke of Noya Caraffa, that this stone
was identical with Tourmaline: but, as Beckmann says, tourmaline, when
heated, first attracts iron, and then repels it. Hist. Inv. Vol. I. pp.
87, 88. _Bohn’s Edition._ Ajasson is of opinion that the Theamedes was
neither more nor less than the ordinary loadstone, with the negative
pole presented, by designing persons, towards another magnet.
[2677] In B. ii. c. 98, and B. xx. c. 1.
[2678] See B. iv. c. 23.
[2679] See B. ii. c. 106, Vol. I. p. 137, and Note 687. There is little
doubt that this was a volcanic, porous product.
[2680] From σάρξ, “flesh,” and φάγω, “to eat.” See B. ii. c. 98.
Ajasson identifies it with Alunite, or Alum stone, in its several
varieties.
[2681] Both of them varieties of calcareous tufa, Ajasson thinks.
[2682] Or Sarcophagus: see the preceding Chapter.
[2683] Democritus, amongst the ancients, and Savonarola and Cardan,
in more recent times, have attributed to stones the powers of
reproduction. Vivès speaks of certain diamonds which conceive and
fructify; and Avicenna speaks of the selenite or moon-stone of Arabia,
which, when suspended from a tree, generates other stones of a similar
nature. Tournefort also entertained similar opinions.
[2684] Fossil teeth of mammiferæ, probably.
[2685] Fossil animal remains, no doubt.
[2686] Cneius Pompeius. See B. iii. c. 3.
[2687] “Palmati.” This is more probably the meaning, than the “human
palm,” as Littré renders it. They were fossil impressions of leaves, in
all probability.
[2688] See Chapter 43 of this Book: also B. iv. cc. 7, 8.
[2689] Stones so called, possibly, from being found in the vicinity of
Cora in Italy: See B. iii. c. 9. These stones are also mentioned by
Isidorus, Orig. B. xvi. c. 4.
[2690] Identified by Ajasson and Desfontaines? with Quartz molar agate,
very abundant in this volcanic region of Italy.
[2691] “Molares.” “Millstone.”
[2692] Or Serpentine. See Chapter 11 of this Book.
[2693] Not the Pyrites of modern Mineralogy, combinations of sulphur
with various mineral ores.
[2694] The Greek for “fire” being πῦρ.
[2695] Sulphate of copper, probably, our Chalcopyrite, or yellow copper
pyrites.
[2696] See B. v. c. 35.
[2697] Or “quick,” “vivos.” Ajasson identifies these with the quartz
agates that form our gun-flints, a Chalcedonic variety of Silica.
[2698] Amadue, or German tinder.
[2699] Fossil shells of oysters and bivalve mollusks, combined,
probably, with Fahlunite or Hydrous Iolite.
[2700] This is the most delicate variety of Asbestus, a kind of
Hornblende: it presents the lustre of satin. As to Asbestus, see
B. xix. c. 4, where Pliny has evidently taken it to be a vegetable
production.
[2701] See B. xxxv. c. 52.
[2702] “Earthy” stone. These are either nodules of iron-stone, hollow
in the centre, or else round, inorganic masses, hollow, and lined with
crystals within. These latter are mostly of a silicious nature.
[2703] It was, probably, a yellow, argillaceous earth, and it is more
probable that it derived its name from μελὶ, “honey,” in consequence of
its colour than by reason of its supposed sweet juices. The Mellite,
Mellitite, or Honey-stone of modern Mineralogy, also known as Mellate
of Alumina, has its name from its honey-yellow colour. It is found in
Thuringia, Moravia, and Bohemia; but most probably was unknown in the
days of Pliny.
[2704] See B. xx. cc. 6, 21.
[2705] Our jet, which somewhat resembles cannel-coal, and is found in
clay soils.
[2706] See B. v. c. 28, where a place called “Gagæ” is mentioned. In
Note 3900 to that Chapter, “gagates” is erroneously rendered “agate.”
[2707] See B. v. c. 26.
[2708] This comparison is not inapt, as it is closely akin to Lignite,
or brown coal.
[2709] A bituminous and animal odour, Ajasson says, quite peculiar to
itself.
[2710] He has borrowed this erroneous assertion, probably, from
Nicander, who, with Pliny, says the same of the “Thracian stone,” which
has not been identified, but is supposed to have been a sort of coal.
See B. xxxiii. c. 30.
[2711] This is, probably, the meaning of “sonticus morbus,” a disease,
which, according to the jurists, excused those affected with it, from
attending in courts of justice.
[2712] Albertus Magnus, De Mineral. B. ii., says that if it is given in
water to a female, it will have a diuretic effect immediately, if she
is not in a state of virginity, and that the contrary will be the case
if she is.
[2713] See B. xxx. c. 5. According to Dalechamps, this was practised by
placing the jet upon a hatchet at a red heat.
[2714] “Stone-macerater.” From τήκω, to “macerate,” and λιθὸς, “a
stone.”
[2715] Dioscorides says that it was found in Cappadocia also; and both
he and Galen attribute to it certain medicinal properties. It was used
either for colouring, or else, like fuller’s earth, for taking the
grease out of wool and cloth. Ajasson is inclined to think that it was
either a volcanic scoria or a Peperite, also of volcanic origin.
[2716] Or “blood-stone,” mentioned already in Chapter 25 of this Book.
[2717] He is evidently speaking here of the red peroxide of iron.
[2718] Vermilion. See B. xxxiii. c. 37.
[2719] Literally, “split” stone; so called, probably, from its
laminated form. Ajasson identifies it with yellow or brown iron ore,
known in Mineralogy as Limonite, or Brown Hematite.
[2720] “Explendis oculorum lacunis.”
[2721] Mentioned in Chapter 25 of this Book.
[2722] Mentioned also in Chapter 25. Probably Red peroxide of iron, in
a massive form.
[2723] “All-serviceable,” or “all-heal.”
[2724] “Man-subduing.”
[2725] The colour of Specular iron, or red peroxide of iron, being of a
dark steel-grey or iron-black, this is probably another variety of it.
Ajasson thinks that it includes compact or massive red oxide of iron,
and scaly red iron, or red iron froth, which leaves red marks upon the
fingers.
[2726] See Chapter 11 of this Book. Its alleged attraction of silver
and copper is fabulous, no doubt.
[2727] This is probably the Limonite, or Hydrous peroxide of iron,
mentioned in the preceding Chapter. See Note 2719 above.
[2728] Identified by Ajasson with Red ochre, or Reddle, a red peroxide
of iron, used for red crayons in drawing.
[2729] “Liver-stone.” Not to be confounded with the Hepatite of modern
Mineralogy, or Sulphate of Barytes.
[2730] “Spleen-stone.”
[2731] See B. xxxv. c. 14.
[2732] Identified by Ajasson with Laminated protoxide of iron. It has
probably an affinity to the variety noticed above, in Notes 2719 and 2727.
[2733] Owing solely, in all probability, to its name, “blood-stone.”
[2734] Ajasson is at a loss to know whether this is our Anthracite, a
non-bituminous coal, or some kind of bituminous coal. Delafosse takes
it to be pit-coal.
[2735] Or “eagle-stone.” It is a Geodes, mentioned in Chapter 23 of
this Book, a globular mass of clay iron-stone. Sometimes it is hollow
within, and sometimes it encloses another stone, or a little water, or
some mineral dust.
[2736] Chapter 4.
[2737] See B. iv. c. 2.
[2738] A kind of pumice, Ajasson thinks, or porous feldspathic scoria
from volcanos.
[2739] In B. xxxv. c. 53.
[2740] In Chapter 37 of this Book.
[2741] See B. xxiii. cc. 45, 80.
[2742] Probably of a similar nature to the Samian stone.
[2743] Pumice is still used as the basis of a dentifrice, but it
destroys the enamel of the teeth.
[2744] See Note 2739 above.
[2745] Or “temples of the Muses:” evidently grottos in the present
instance.
[2746] In allusion to the line, “Aridâ modo pumice expolitum”—“Just
polished with dry pumice-stone.” Ep. I. l. 2. Both the backs of books
and the parchment used for writing were rubbed with pumice.
[2747] Sec B. v. c. 36.
[2748] See B. xxxiv. c. 22.
[2749] Hist. B. ix. c. 18.
[2750] As a preventive of vomiting.
[2751] “Musta.” Grape-juice in the process of being made into wine.
[2752] Delafosse suggests that this may have been grey-spotted granite.
The name is doubtful, as “Edesian” and “Ephesian” are other readings.
[2753] In Chapter 13 of this Book.
[2754] “Golden stone.” A variety, perhaps, of the Thebaic stone with
gold spots, mentioned in Chapter 13 of this Book.
[2755] Possibly so called from Χάλαζα, “hail,” it being, perhaps, a
granite with spots like hailstones.
[2756] Sec Chapters 11 and 33 of this Book.
[2757] In consequence of its extreme hardness.
[2758] Phœnician stone and Tænarian stone do not appear to have been
identified. Parian stone may probably have been white Parian marble.
[2759] See Chapter 12 of this Book.
[2760] Serpentine. See Chapters 11 and 30.
[2761] See B. iv. cc. 22, 23.
[2762] Ajasson identifies it with Ollar stone, talc, or soap-stone,
a hydrous silicate of magnesia, and nearly allied to the Ophites of
Chapters 11 and 30.
[2763] He being a native of that part of Italy.
[2764] The Green Colubine Ollar stone; or soap-stone of Italy.
[2765] See B. iii. c. 21.
[2766] Identified by Brotero with our Free-stone or grit-stone.
[2767] So called from its resemblance to the spots on a peacock’s tail.
He alludes, probably, to the mode of roofing with tiles cut in the form
of scales, still much employed on the continent, and in Switzerland
more particularly.
[2768] Or “Mirror-stone.” Transparent Selenite or gypsum; a sulphate of
lime.
[2769] Now Segorba, in Valentia.
[2770] Ajasson is of opinion that various kinds of mica and talc are
the minerals here alluded to.
[2771] From φεγγὸς, “brightness.” Beckmann is of opinion that
this was a calcareous or gypseous spar (Hist. Inv. Vol. II. p. 66); but
Ajasson seems to think that it was very similar to Parian marble, which
was sometimes called by this name.
[2772] This is more likely to apply to a white marble than to a
calcareous or gypseous spar. Suetonius says, c. 14, that Domitian, when
he suspected that plots were forming against him, caused the porticos
in which he walked to be lined with Phengites, which by its reflection
showed what was going on behind his back.
[2773] See B xviii. c. 2.
[2774] See Chapter 24 of this Book.
[2775] Beckmann says, in reference to this passage, supposing that a
kind of _spar_ is meant by the word _phengites_—“It is probable that
the openings of the walls of the building where the windows used to be,
were in this instance filled up with _phengites_. which, by admitting a
faint light, prevented the place from being dark, even when the doors
were shut.”— Hist. Inv. Vol. II. p. 66. _Bohn’s Edition._
[2776] In Chapter 10 of this Book.
[2777] See B. v. cc. 22, 35, for two places of this name.
[2778] A Celtic word, probably.
[2779] See B. iii. c. 2.
[2780] Identical, probably, with the Tufa of modern Mineralogy, which
thence derives its name, a Carbonate of lime.
[2781] Thus reversing the order of things with the Romans, who put the
lime on their houses, and the pitch in their wines. See B. xiv. cc. 3,
24, 25.
[2782] See B. xiv. c. 24.
[2783] A white tufa, Vitruvius says, B. i. c. 7.
[2784] It was in reference, possibly, to this stone that Cicero made
the remark, mentioned in Chapter 5 of this Book; the heat of Chios
being so great, perhaps, that the Tiburtine stone could not have
endured it.
[2785] A general name for Silica, Flint, or Quartz, and the several
varieties.
[2786] See B. iii. c. 8.
[2787] See B. ii. c. 96, B. iii. c. 9, and B. xiv. c. 8.
[2788] Ajasson thinks that Travertine is meant; a tufa, or carbonate of
lime, which is common in Tuscany.
[2789] “Built of stones of equal size.”
[2790] “Built of stones of unequal sizes.”
[2791] “Filled up work,” apparently.
[2792] The reading is very doubtful here: for the word seems to mean,
in Greek, “From one wall to another.” “Diamicton”—“Mixed up,” is
another reading.
[2793] Where the outer face of each stone forms an exact square; the
pointings consequently having a netlike or reticulated appearance.
[2794] The vertical pointings or junctures lying one over the other.
[2795] De Re Rust. c. 38.
[2796] See Chapters 29 and 30 of this Book.
[2797] To which Pozzuolane belongs.
[2798] For making mortar.
[2799] Pounded marble mixed with quicklime.
[2800] “Lacte et croco” appears to be a preferable reading to “late e
croco,” as given by the Bamberg MS.
[2801] It seems difficult to understand whether by the word “spiræ” he
means astragals, or bases. It would almost appear, by the use of the
word “subditæ,” that it is “bases” for the shafts. It is just possible,
however, that the meaning may be that the “spiræ” were placed _beneath_
the capitals which were added.
[2802] A different thing altogether from the Maltha or Pissasphalt
of B. ii. c. 108. Festus describes it as a mixture of pitch and wax;
and Palladius, in B. i. c. 17, speaks of it as being composed of tar,
grease, and lime boiled; and in c. 35 he describes Maltha caldaria
as a mixture of hammoniacum, figs, tow, tar, and melted suet. It was
probably a general name for several kinds of cement. Heineccius says
that it was employed for sealing, but on what authority does not
appear. See Beckmann, Hist. Inv. Vol. I. p. 141. _Bohn’s Edition._
[2803] This is perhaps the meaning of “duplici lenimento.” The reading,
however, is doubtful.
[2804] The name now given to Sulphate of lime, including the varieties
of Alabaster and Selenite. Plaster of Paris is prepared from it.
[2805] The method of preparing plaster of Paris.
[2806] See B. iv. c. 3.
[2807] See B. iv. c. 3.
[2808] The same thing, strictly speaking. See Chapter 12 of this Book.
[2809] See Chapter 45 of this Book.
[2810] See B. vii. c. 46.
[2811] Dioscorides says, B. v. c. 134, that, taken internally, it
produces suffocation.
[2812] “Lithostrota.”
[2813] His age and country are unknown.
[2814] “The house that has no sweeping.”
[2815] “Subtegulanea.”—“Undercover;” in contradistinction to the
“subdialia” of next Chapter.
[2816] “Pavimentum,” from “pavio,” to “beat down.”
[2817] “Scutulatum.”—Having figures in the shape of a lozenge or
rhombus.
[2818] The line is,
“Arte pavimenti atque emblemate vermiculato;”
literary compositions being compared by him to the artificial
construction of a pavement.
[2819] “Subdialia;” more literally, “open-air pavements.”
[2820] Or “kernel;” so called because it lay in the middle. Vitruvius
says that it was composed of one part lime, and three parts pounded
pottery.
[2821] “Quercus.”
[2822] “Spicata testacea.” These pavements were probably so called
because the bricks were laid at angles to each other (of about
forty-five degrees), like the grains in an ear of wheat; or like the
spines projecting from either side of the back-bone of a fish.
[2823] “Lithostrota.”
[2824] In Chapter 24 of this Book.
[2825] See B. v. c. 17.
[2826] See B. v. c. 19.
[2827] A mineral alkali, Beckmann thinks; for it could not possibly be
our saltpetre, he says. See B. xxxi. c. 46.
[2828] Beckmann discredits this story, because sand, he says, is not
so easily brought to a state of fusion. Hist. Inv. Vol. II. p. 496.
_Bohn’s Edition._
[2829] “Magnes lapis.” See B. xxxiv. c. 42, and Chapter 25 of this
Book. Beckmann is of opinion that an ore of Manganese is meant, a
substance which has a resemblance to the magnet, and is of the greatest
utility in making glass. Hist. Inv. Vol. II. p. 237.
[2830] This appears to be the meaning of “Quoniam in se liquorem vitri
quoque ut ferrum trahere creditur.”
[2831] In the description given by Isidorus in the “Origines,” which in
other respects is similar, these words are omitted, and it is possible
that they are a gloss by some one who was better acquainted with the
Old Testament than with Pliny. On the other hand, as Sillig remarks,
the Phœnicians may, at an early period, have imported into Greece a
substance which they called “nitre of Ophir.”
[2832] See Beckmann, Hist. Inv. Vol. II. p. 84.
[2833] “Excogitaverat.” Beckmann would seem to give this word the force
only of “thought of,” for he gives it as his opinion that attempts were
made at Sidon to form glass mirrors, but that the experiments had not
completely succeeded. “Had this invention formed an epoch in the art
of making mirrors, Pliny, in another place (B. xxxiii. c. 45), where
he describes the various improvements of it so fully, would not have
omitted it: but of those experiments he makes no further mention.”
He also expresses an opinion that the Sidonian mirrors consisted of
dark-coloured glass, resembling obsidian stone.”—Hist. Inv. Vol. II.
pp. 69, 70. _Bohn’s Edition._
[2834] Knowles says, in his _Turkish History_, p. 1273, that in 1610,
among other rare presents sent to the King of Spain from the Sophy of
Persia, there were six drinking-glasses, made of malleable glass so
exquisitely tempered that they could not be broken.
[2835] Dion Cassius and Suetonius tell a similar story; and, according
to one account, Tiberius ordered the artist to be put to death.
[2836] This reading is doubtful. It would appear to mean “stone
handled.” Another reading is “pterotos,” “with winged handles.”
[2837] Volcanic glass, feldspar in a more or less pure state, our
Obsidian, is probably meant; a word derived from the old reading,
Obsidius, corrected by Sillig to _Obsius_.
[2838] He is speaking of the stone, not the glass that resembled it.
[2839] A thing very difficult to be done, as Beckmann observes, by
reason of its brittleness.
[2840] The present Portugal.
[2841] “Blood-red” glass.
[2842] See B. xxxvii. cc. 7, 8, 11. This glass was probably of an opal
colour, like porcelain.
[2843] This passage is commented upon by Beckmann, Vol. II. p. 75, in
connexion with a similar passage in Isidorus, Orig., which is probably
corrupt.
[2844] See B. xxxvii. c. 10. He was not aware, apparently, that in
such case they act as convex burning-glasses, and that ice even may be
similarly employed.
[2845] This is, probably, the meaning of “in guttas;” a new reading,
which is only found in the Bamberg MS.
[2846] See B. xxxiv. c. 2.
[2847] See B. xxxiv. c. 47.
[2848] “Improba” seems to be used here in much the some sense in which
Virgil has said “Labor improbus”—“Unremitting labour.”
[2849] He alludes, probably, to eclipses of the sun.
[2850] Acacia charcoal is still recommended as a valuable tonic, and as
good for internal ulcerations and irritations of the mucous membrane.
[2851] In B. xxvi. c. 4.
[2852] “Querneus.”
[2853] It is much more likely that he was the son of Tarquin himself,
who not improbably, if indeed there ever was such a person, invented
the story, to escape the wrath of Queen Tanaquil. This absurd story is
mentioned also by Ovid, Arnobius, and Dionysius of Halicarnassus.
[2854] See B. iii. c. 9, and B. xix. c. 4.
[2855] See end of B. ii. L. Cælius Antipater.
[2856] See end of B. ii.
[2857] Probably Sulpicius Galba, who devoted his time to literary
pursuits, and rose to no higher office than the prætorship, He was
grand-father of the Emperor Galba, and wrote a historical work.
[2858] Another reading is “Ictius,” but nothing is known of either.
[2859] See end of B. ii.
[2860] See end of B. ii.
[2861] See end of B. ii.
[2862] See end of B. ii. and end of B. xviii.
[2863] See end of B. vii.
[2864] See end of B. xvi.
[2865] See end of B. ii. and end of B. xviii.
[2866] See end of B. vi.
[2867] See end of B. iii.
[2868] See end of B. xvi.
[2869] See end of B. iii.
[2870] See end of B. xxxiii.
[2871] See end of B. v.
[2872] See end of B. viii.
[2873] All that we know of him is, that he wrote on Precious Stones.
Apollonius Dyscolus mentions an author who wrote on the same subject,
whose name was “Tacus;” and possibly the same person is meant.
[2874] Mentioned in this and the next Book, as a writer on Precious
Stones.
[2875] Cornelius Alexander. See end of B. iii.
[2876] See end of B. xxx.
[2877] See end of B. xx.
[2878] See end of B. vii.
[2879] See end of B. ii.
[2880] A Sicilian author of the time of Alexander. In his “Sacred
History,” he interpreted the legends of the popular religion as based
upon historical facts, and taught that the gods of Mythology were
only deified men. His system has been compared with the rationalism
of some German theologians, and Euhemerists were still to be found at
the close of last century. Diodorus Siculus, Polybius, and Dionysius
of Halicarnassus have followed in his track; and the poet Ennius
translated his work, which is now lost.
[2881] A Greek writer on Egypt. He is often quoted by Stephanus
Byzantinus, who says that he was not much younger than Plato. He is
mentioned as a writer on the Pyramids of Egypt, in Chapter 17 of this
Book.
[2882] See end of B. xii.
[2883] See end of B. ii.
[2884] From the mention made of him in Chapter 17 of this Book, he must
have lived in the first century before, or the first century after
Christ.
[2885] Possibly Antisthenes of Rhodes, a historian who lived about 200
B.C.
[2886] Possibly the author mentioned by Athenæus, B. xv. as having
written on Egypt. He is mentioned in Chapter 17 of this Book.
[2887] Hardouin thinks that he is the same person as Hermateles,
mentioned by Tertullian, _De Spectaculis_, c. 8, as having written on
Obelisks.
[2888] A native of Naucratis, in Egypt, who wrote a work on that
country, mentioned by Athenæus, and some Poems.
[2889] In B. xxxiii. c. 4.
[2890] This being imposed as a punishment on him, in remembrance of his
sacrilegious crimes, when released by Jupiter from the rock. Prometheus
and Vulcan, as Ajasson remarks, are personifications of fire, employed
for artistic purposes.
[2891] See B. xxxiii. c. 6.
[2892] For ultimately, Oroetes, the satrap of Sardes, contrived to
allure him into his power, and had him crucified, B.C. 522. Fuller,
in his _Worthies_, p. 370, tells a very similar story of the loss and
recovery of his ring by one Anderson, a merchant of Newcastle-on-Tyne;
and Zuinglius gives a similar statement with reference to Arnulph, duke
of Lorraine, who dropped his ring into the Moselle, and recovered it
from the belly of a fish.
[2893] See Chapter 23. According to Herodotus, Pausanias, Dionysius of
Halicarnassus, and Suidas, the stone was an emerald; and Lessing thinks
that there was no figure engraved on it. See Chapter 4 of this Book.
Without vouching for the truth of it, we give the following extract
from the _London Journal_, Vol. xxiii. No. 592. “A vine-dresser of
Albano, near Rome, is said to have found in a vineyard, the celebrated
ring of Polycrates.—The stone is of considerable size, and oblong in
form. The engraving on it, by Theodore of Samos, the son of Talikles,
is of extraordinary fineness and beauty. It represents a lyre, with
three bees flying about; below, on the right, a dolphin; on the left,
the head of a bull. The name of the engraver is inscribed in Greek
characters. The upper surface of the stone is slightly concave, not
highly polished, and one corner broken. It is asserted that the
possessor has been offered 50,000 dollars for it.”
[2894] “Achates.” A variegated chalcedony. It was probably what is
called, from its radiated streaks, a _fortification agate_. See Chapter
54 of this Book.
[2895] Ajasson remarks that there can be little doubt that Nature had
at least been very extensively seconded by Art.
[2896] “Choraules.” One who accompanies the chorus on the pipe or flute.
[2897] “Smaragdus.”
[2898] One of the Danaïdes.
[2899] This is said with reference to the one in the Temple of Concord,
mentioned in Chapter 2.
[2900] But see Exodus xxvii. 9, _et seq._, where it is shown that the
practice existed many hundreds of years before.
[2901] See B. vii. c. 38; where marble is the substance named. There
are still two gems in existence said to have been engraved by this
artist; but by some they are thought to be spurious.
[2902] There are many precious stones with his name, still extant: but
only six appear to have been really engraved by him.
[2903] This signet is mentioned also by Plutarch and Valerius Maximus.
[2904] See B. iii. c. 4.
[2905] The younger Africanus. This circumstance is mentioned in the
Epitome of Livy, B. xlviii.
[2906] See B. xxxiii. c. 5, and end of Book ix.
[2907] In reference to the ambiguous part which he acted, Ajasson
thinks, in the early part of his career.
[2908] In reference to the story of Œdipus and the Sphinx.
[2909] A Greek word, signifying a “repository of kings.”
[2910] See B. xxxvi. c. 24.
[2911] The sister of Augustus.
[2912] See B. xxxiii c. 53.
[2913] See B. xxxiv. c. 8.
[2914] “Acta.”
[2915] Chapter 7.
[2916] A.U.C. 693.
[2917] 30th of September.
[2918] “Alveum lusorium.”
[2919] Probably meaning a shrine dedicated to the Muses.
[2920] See B. ii. c. 78, and B. vii. c. 60.
[2921] That of Africa.
[2922] See B. vii. c. 27.
[2923] As was the case, after the murder of Pompey in Egypt.
[2924] Caligula.
[2925] Modern writers differ as to the material of which these vessels
were composed. Some think that they were of variegated glass, and
others of onyx; but the more general opinion is, that they were
Chinese porcelain, and we have the line in Propertius, B. iv. El. 5,
l. 26. “And murrhine vessels baked on Parthian hearths.” Ajasson is of
opinion, from the description given by Pliny, that these vessels were
made of Fluor spar, or fluate of lime. “Myrrhine” is another reading of
the word.
[2926] “Ante hos annos.” Sillig is of opinion that the reading here
should be “L. Annius,” and that L. Annius Bassus, who was Consul
suffectus in the year 70 A.D., is the person referred to; or possibly,
T. Arrius Antoninus, who was Consul suffectus, A.D. 69.
[2927] The Gardens of Nero, in the Fourteenth Region of the City.
[2928] He had been formerly a sharer in the debaucheries of Nero.
Tacitus called him “Caius.”
[2929] See B. vi. cc. 27, 28, 32.
[2930] Ajasson is of opinion that this passage bears reference to
crystallization. Both he and Desfontaines see in the present Chapter
a very exact description of Fluor spar; and there is certainly great
difficulty in recognizing any affinity between murrhine vessels, as
here described, and porcelain.
[2931] “Abacus.”
[2932] In the preceding Chapter.
[2933] Meaning that they are semitransparent, Ajasson thinks. One great
characteristic of Fluor spar is its being subtranslucent.
[2934] This would appear to be the meaning here of “sales.” See p. 396.
[2935] One of the grounds, Ajasson says, on which may be based the
opinion that they were artificial.
[2936] Colourless crystals, quartz, or rock crystal; called “white
stone” in jewellery.
[2937] See B. xxxvi. c. 45. This was a very general opinion of the
ancients with respect to crystal.
[2938] Κρύσταλλος, from κρύος, “cold.”
[2939] See B. v. c. 29.
[2940] In Caria, see B. v. c. 29.
[2941] The Island “of the dead.” Brotero supposes it to be the island
of Maceira.
[2942] See B. vi. c. 34. As Ajasson remarks, there could be no snow or
ice here.
[2943] See B. iv. c. 35.
[2944] Dioscorides attributes the hardening of crystal to the action of
the sun.
[2945] “Its shape is rhombohedral, and hemihedral in some of its
modifications. The planes on the angles between the prism and
pyramidal terminations, incline sometimes to the right, and sometimes
to the left, and the crystals are termed right and left-handed
crystals.”—Dana, _System of Mineralogy_, Art. _Quartz_.
[2946] Ajasson remarks that blocks have been found in Switzerland,
weighing above eight hundred pounds.
[2947] Forty-eight sextarii. See Introduction to Vol. III.
[2948] This “vomica,” Ajasson says, is either water, azote, rarified
oxygen, or water in combination with naphtha.
[2949] “Centra,” knots, or flaws. See B. xvi. c. 76, where he speaks of
the “centra” in marble. See also Beckmann, Hist. Inv. Vol. I. p. 471.
_Bohn’s Edition._
[2950] “Sale.” See Note 2934 above.
[2951] “Without flaw.”
[2952] See B. xxxvi. c. 67.
[2953] “Succinum.” It is of vegetable origin, and, according to
Göppert, was originally the viscous resin of a tree named by him
_Pinites succinifer_.
[2954] It is used by men, more particularly, at the present day, as a
mouthpiece for pipes.
[2955] As to the _vegetable_ origin of amber, there is no doubt that
the ancients were right.
[2956] Most probably from ἥλιος, the “sun.” Phaëthon was
fabled to have been the son of Apollo. See the story in Ovid’s Met. B.
ii. l. 340, _et seq._
[2957] Where amber was not to be found.
[2958] In reality, these “Amber Islands” were situate at the mouth of
the Vistula, into which the Radanus discharged itself; a river whose
name was afterwards confounded with “Eridanus,” the ancient name of the
Padus, or Po. See B. iv. cc. 27, 30, as to the produce of amber in the
Baltic.
[2959] Another reference to its vegetable origin.
[2960] De Lapid. n. 53.
[2961] In confirmation of this, Ajasson remarks that amber is found at
Saint Paulet in the Department Du Gard, and at Aix, in the Department
of Bouches-du-Rhône, regions not very distant from the territory of
ancient Liguria.
[2962] It has been supposed by some that this in reality was
Tourmaline, and Woodward has identified it with Belemnites. See
Beckmann, Hist. Inv. Vol. I. p. 86. _Bohn’s Edition._ See further as to
“Lyncurium,” B. viii. c. 57, and Chapter 13 of this Book.
[2963] See B. iv. c. 28.
[2964] See B. iv. c. 27.
[2965] Said in reference to the electric spark, Ajasson thinks.
[2966] In Hebrew, this word means “a stone.”
[2967] From the Greek ἁρπάζω, “to drag.”
[2968] See B. x. c. 38.
[2969] All this is based, Ajasson thinks, upon the stories of Hindoo
mythology.
[2970] The old reading is “Osericta:” Ajasson identifies it with the
island of Oësel in the Baltic.
[2971] See B. x. c. 38.
[2972] See B. iv. cc. 27, 30, and the Notes.
[2973] See B. iv. c. 30.
[2974] It is just possible that the Pinites succinifer may have still
existed, to some extent, eighteen hundred years ago. See Note 2953 above.
[2975] From “succus,” “juice.”
[2976] Goitre, for example.
[2977] The projecting part in the Circus or Amphitheatre, next the
arena, and immediately in front of the place occupied by the emperor
and nobles.
[2978] The knots, probably, were adorned with studs or buttons of amber.
[2979] “Libitina.” Meaning the litters on which the slain gladiators
were carried away from the arena.
[2980] Martial has three Epigrams on Insects enclosed in amber; B. iv.
Ep. 32 and 59, and B. vi. Ep. 15.
[2981] These so-called kinds or varieties are mostly accidental
variations only in appearance.
[2982] Which is perceptible on its being rubbed: in some cases the
odour of amber is very fine, in others it is perfectly fetid; though in
the latter case, as Ajasson remarks, it is doubtful whether it may be
considered to be genuine amber.
[2983] “Lini.” Salmasius suggests “pini,” “pith of pine.”
[2984] “Golden amber.” Brotero thinks that this must have been Hyacinth
or Zirconite of a yellowish white colour. Ajasson says that the
description would equally apply to Idocrase, Meionite, or Harmotome.
[2985] See Note 2962, above. Brotero identifies it with orange-coloured
Hyacinth; Ajasson and Desfontaines with Tourmaline. Ajasson suggests,
also, that the first syllabic in its name—_Lync_, may have been derived
from the Sanscrit _Lanka_, the name of Ceylon, one of the localities
where the Tourmaline is chiefly found.
[2986] Ajasson thinks that Rubellite or Red Tourmaline is here alluded
to.
[2987] This is the case with tourmaline when subjected to heat.
[2988] We may here remark, that throughout this Book, in all cases
where there is any doubt as to the identification of the substance,
the ancient name is retained. Hence our words “adamant” and “diamond.”
If Pliny means the latter, which is doubtful, it still maintains the
rank here assigned to it. The word “adamas” is supposed to be derived
from the Greek ἀ, privative, and δαμάω, “to subdue,”
it being supposed to be invincible by fire. The diamond is pure carbon
crystallized, and is thought to have been of vegetable origin. Dana has
the following remarks upon the word “adamas.”—“This name was applied
by the ancients to several minerals differing much in their physical
properties. A few of these are quartz, specular iron ore, emery, and
other substances of rather high degrees of hardness, which cannot now
be identified. It is doubtful whether Pliny had any acquaintance with
the real diamond.”—_System of Mineralogy_, Art. _Diamond_. We may also
add, from the same authority, that the method of polishing diamonds
was first discovered in 1456, by Louis Berquen, a citizen of Bruges,
previous to which time the diamond was only known in its native uncut
state.
[2989] This statement cannot apply to the “diamond” as known to us,
though occasionally grains of gold have been found in the vicinity of
the diamond.
[2990] Ajasson is of opinion that the Æthiopia here mentioned is in
reality India, and that the “Temple of Mercury” means the _Brahmaloka_,
or Temple of Brahma.
[2991] The diamond, as known to us, is octahedral.
[2992] Though found in comparative abundance in India, the diamond is
not found in Arabia.
[2993] This is not the case with the diamond; for on being struck under
such circumstances, it will break.
[2994] In reality, the diamond will burn, and, at a temperature of 14°
Wedgewood, is wholly consumed, producing carbonic acid gas.
[2995] See Note 2988, above.
[2996] “Millet-seed.”
[2997] Ajasson says, that no doubt this adamas was Adamantine, or
limpid Corundum.
[2998] Ajasson suggests that this may have been Dichroite, or
Cordierite, known also as Iolite, or Water sapphire.
[2999] Possibly the Siderite, sparry iron, or spathic iron of modern
Mineralogy. Ajasson is inclined to think that it is Corundum, of a dark
hue.
[3000] See B. xx. c. 1, B. xxviii. cc. 23, 41, and B. xxxii. c. 12.
[3001] Brotero thinks that this was a story invented by the dealers,
with a view of concealing the real method of breaking the stone.
[3002] Said, probably, with reference to the rank, nauseous smell of
the he-goat.
[3003] This is true with reference to the diamond, and, in a less
degree, several other crystalline substances, emery and quartz, for
example.
[3004] Ajasson remarks, that if the diamond is placed in the magnetic
line or current of the loadstone, it attracts iron equally with the
loadstone, and consequently neutralizes the attractive power of the
loadstone in a considerable degree.
[3005] The reading is very doubtful here. This word, as it is here
given, would appear to be derived from the Greek ἀ privative,
and ἄγχομαι, “to strangle oneself,” and to mean, “preventive
of suicide.”
[3006] See B. iv. c. 27, and Chapter 11 of this Book.
[3007] At the present day the ruby is next in esteem to the diamond.
[3008] Chapter 54, _et seq._
[3009] The Emerald, and various other green precious stones, were
included under this name.
[3010] “Virentes” seems a very preferable reading to “silentes,” as
given by the Bamberg MS.
[3011] The emerald is supposed to derive this colour from a minute
portion of oxide of chrome.
[3012] Engraved emeralds are but seldom found among collections of
ancient gems. In 1593, there was one found in the tomb of Maria,
daughter of Stilicho, in the Vatican, with the head of Honorius, her
husband, engraved upon it.
[3013] “It may here be objected that real emeralds are too small
to admit of being used as mirrors; but the ancients speak of some
sufficiently large for that purpose, and also of artificial ones;
so that we may with certainty conclude, that they classed among the
emeralds fluor spar, green vitrified lava, or the green Icelandic
agate, as it is called, green jasper, and also green glass.”—Beckmann,
Hist. Inv. Vol. II. p. 67. _Bohn’s Edition._ It has also been
suggested, with reference to this passage, that Nero was short-sighted,
and that this emerald was formed like a concave lens. The passage,
however, will hardly support such a construction. Ajasson thinks that
it must have been a Dioptase or Siberian emerald; or else a green
Corundum.
[3014] Ajasson is of opinion that the Dioptase, Siberian emerald, or
Malachite emerald is meant.
[3015] Ajasson thinks that this may be the Dioptase or Achirite of
Chinese Bucharia; and that the merchant Achir Mahmed, from whom it
takes its name, was by no means the first to introduce it, or to
circulate his wonderful stories as to its formation.
[3016] See B. ii. cc. 47, 48, and B. xviii. c. 74.
[3017] Mount Zalora. in Upper Egypt, still produces emeralds, and was
probably the only locality of the _genuine_ stone that was known to the
ancients.
[3018] “Cetarias.”
[3019] Ajasson remarks that the greater part of the defects here
described belong in reality to the Dioptase.
[3020] “Sal.” See Chapters 8, 10, 22, and 37, of this Book.
[3021] Ajasson is of opinion that Diallage is here meant, known also by
the names of Bronzite, schillerspath, schillerstein, and omphasite.
[3022] See B. iv. c. 11.
[3023] “In sole” seems a preferable reading to “in solo,” “on the
ground,” as given by the Bamberg MS.
[3024] See Chapter 39 of this Book; where it will be shown that this
probably is not the modern Sapphire.
[3025] Ajasson suggests that these may have been Quartz agates of the
dendritic or arborized kind.
[3026] He probably alludes here to some variety of the Chalcedony or
Opal quartz.
[3027] Said with reference to Chrysoprase, Ajasson thinks; a leek-green
chalcedony, coloured by nickel.
[3028] Probably the Cacholong of modern mineralogy, a variety of opal,
nearly opaque, and of a porcelain or bluish white colour.
[3029] Ajasson and Brotero identify this with milk-white chalcedony;
but on what authority, does not appear.
[3030] See B. iv. c. 8.
[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_.
[3041] Or “golden beryl,” The modern Chrysoberyl is altogether a
different stone from the one here described, which probably is
identical with Chrysoprase or leek-green Chalcedony, the stone next
mentioned.
[3042] “Leek-green and gold.”
[3043] “Sky-coloured.”
[3044] The largest specimen of Beryl known, belonged to Don Pedro. It
was not cylindrical in form, but shaped like the head of a calf, and
weighed 225 ounces troy.
[3045] Which is the case.
[3046] In Chapter 18 of this Book.
[3047] “Pterygia.”
[3048] In the Uralian Mountains, for example.
[3049] Opals are hydrated silica, the amount of water varying.
[3050] On the contrary, precious Opal is found in Hungary, at
Frankfort, and in Honduras, and other varieties in numerous parts of
the world, including the East Indies.
[3051] See Chapter 25 of this Book.
[3052] See B. xxxv. c. 28.
[3053] The largest opal known is in the Imperial cabinet at Vienna.
It is the size of a man’s fist, and weighs 17 ounces, but is full of
fissures.
[3054] See Carm. 53 of the Poems of Catullus.
[3055] A.U.C. 788.
[3056] See B. viii. c. 47. He alludes to the story of the Beaver.
[3057] See B. xxii. c. 29.
[3058] This is the case with _common_ opal, as distinguished from
_precious_ opal.
[3059] “Lovely youth.”
[3060] Said ironically. There is a somewhat similar remark in B.
xxxiii. c. 12.
[3061] A mixture of brown-red and white chalcedony.
[3062] From the Greek Σάρδιον, “sard,” and ὄνυξ, a “finger nail.”
[3063] His meaning seems to be that it does not present the bright
transparent red of the Indian Sarda or Carnelian. See Chapter 31 of
this Book.
[3064] “Quâdam spe.” _Un soupçon_, as the French would say.
[3065] This would appear, from the description, to be an Agate, or
variegated Chalcedony.
[3066] He probably intends to include the Sarda or Carnelian here.
[3067] A variety, probably, of common Chalcedony.
[3068] See B. ix. cc. 74, 88, and B. xxxii. c. 53.
[3069] “Fæculentæ,” of the colour of wine-lees.
[3070] So called from ὄνυξ, a “finger-nail.” It is a variety
of the Chalcedony, resembling Agate, but the colours are arranged in
flat horizontal planes.
[3071] See B. xxxiv. c. 22, and B. xxxvi. c. 12.
[3072] It is pretty clear that the Onyx of Pliny included not only our
Onyx, but several other varieties of the Chalcedony.
[3073] “Igniculos.”
[3074] “Carnosas.” It is somewhat doubtful whether our Carnelian,
or Cornelian, take its name from this word, or from “cornus,” a
cornel-berry.
[3075] See Chapter 31.
[3076] Literally meaning a “red-hot coal.” The carbunculus of Pliny is
supposed to include not only the red, or Iron and Iron-lime garnet, but
the Spinelle ruby also, or Oriental ruby.
[3077] There is some truth in this, as some few kinds both of the
Garnet and Ruby are infusible. Of the ruby, the red varieties change
to brown, black, and opaque even, as the temperature increases, and on
cooling become first green, and then nearly colourless, but at last
resume their red colour.
[3078] From the Greek; meaning “incombustible.”
[3079] From Καρχήδων, the Greek name for Carthage.
[3080] Carthago Magna, so called in contradistinction to Carthage Nova,
or New Carthage, in Spain.
[3081] See B. v. c. 29.
[3082] In the vicinity of Orthosia. It is from this place that one kind
of garnet is now called “Almandine.” There is also the Almandine, or
violet-coloured ruby. Sec Beckmann, Hist. Inv. Vol. II. p. 238. _Bohn’s
Edition._ It is probable that Carthage was the great entrepôt for the
carbunculi of the Garamantes and Æthiopia, where Red sapphire, Red
corundum, or Oriental ruby, was probably found.
[3083] A variety, perhaps, of Iron garnet, or Iron-lime garnet.
[3084] Desfontaines suggests that this may have been the Balas ruby, or
possibly the Syrian Garnet, of a violet purple colour. Not improbably
it is the Almandine ruby.
[3085] “Pinnato fulgore.” This mottled appearance is to be seen in the
interior of some red garnets.
[3086] Common garnets, probably.
[3087] Sillig suggests that this may be from λιγνὺς, “soot.”
The reading, however, is extremely doubtful.
[3088] See Introduction to Vol. III. If this is the truth, they were
made of some of the crystals of the garnet, probably.
[3089] De Lapid. see 61.
[3090] “Pliny has here committed a gross mistake, which has not been
observed by Hardouin. Theophrastus, in the passage alluded to, does not
speak of a ruby, but the well-known black marble of Chio; though he
calls both _carbunculus_, a name given to the ruby, on account of its
likeness to a burning coal, and to the black marble on account of its
resemblance to a quenched coal or cinder; and the latter, as well as
the Obsidian stone, was sometimes used for mirrors.”—Beckmann, Hist.
Inv. Vol. II. pp. 67, 68. _Bohn’s Edition._
[3091] “Illos.” He should have said “hos”—“the latter.”
[3092] See B. iv. c. 35; the present Lisbon.
[3093] Dalechamps thinks that this is the same as the “anthracites”
mentioned in B. xxxvi. c. 38, and identifies it either with our
Anthracite, or else with pit-coal or bituminous coal. It is much more
likely, however, that a precious stone is meant; and, in conformity
with this opinion, Brotero and Ajasson have identified it with the
Spinelle or scarlet Ruby, and the Balas or rose-red ruby, magnesiates
of alumina.
[3094] Sec B. iv. c. 1.
[3095] “Carbo.” This word may mean either a “burning coal” or
“charcoal” hence the confusion that has arisen in identifying the
mineral substance that is meant.
[3096] See Note 3077, to Chapter 25.
[3097] “Sandaresus” and “Sandasiros” are other readings. This stone has
not been identified, but Ajasson is inclined to think that it may have
been Aventurine quartz, and is the more inclined to this opinion, as
that mineral is found in Persia, and _sandastra_ or _tchandastra_ is
purely a Sanscrit word. The description, however, would hardly seem to
apply to Aventurine.
[3098] Littré suggests that the reading here probably might be “ob id
_non_ magno”—“sell _not_ so dear.”
[3099] It has not been identified.
[3100] From λυχνὸς, a “lighted lamp” or “torch.” Brotero is
of opinion that this is the Cherry-coloured ruby, that the Ionian
stone is the Purple ruby, and that the kermes-berry coloured stone is
the Scarlet or Spinelle ruby. From the distinct reference made to its
electric nature, Ajasson identifies it with Tourmaline, a Silicate of
alumina. Beckmann is of the same opinion; Hist. Inv. Vol. I. p. 88.
_Bohn’s Edition._
[3101] “Remissiorem.”
[3102] See B. xxi. cc. 33, 39, where the “Flos Jovis” is mentioned in
juxtaposition with the flower called “lychnis,” either the Umbel’d
Campion rose, or the Common red rose Campion.
[3103] “Coccum.” “Kermes-berry coloured.” These kinds probably were,
Indicolite or Blue tourmaline, and Rubellite or Red tourmaline.
[3104] As Beckmann remarks, he should have said that it first attracts,
and then repels them; such being the case with Tourmaline.
[3105] Not identical, most probably, with the Carchedonian or
Carthaginian stone mentioned in Chapter 25, which was probably a garnet
or a ruby. Ajasson has no doubt that it is identical with jasper
quartz, including the varieties called Striped or Riband jasper, and
Egyptian jasper.
[3106] See B. v. c. 5, and B. vii. c. 2.
[3107] Tourmaline, probably, in combination with other mineral
substances.
[3108] Carnelian, a variety of Chalcedony. It is originally grey, or
greyish red, which afterwards turns to a rich, deep, red, on exposure
to the sun’s rays, and subsequently to artificial heat.
[3109] Which supplies the best carnelians at the present day.
[3110] From their mixture, Ajasson says, with argillaceous earth.
[3111] Under this name Pliny evidently speaks of the stone known to us
as Chrysolite, and possibly of green agate as well. Our Topaz cannot be
easily recognized in this Chapter, at all events.
[3112] See B. vi. c. 34.
[3113] See B. vi. c. 34.
[3114] Τοπάζω in Greek, signifies “to conjecture.”
[3115] It was agate, most probably.
[3116] “Leek-green.” Ajasson and Desfontaines think that this must have
been either Oriental Chrysolite or Oriental Peridote.
[3117] Some would identify this with Oriental topaz or yellow corundum,
a variety of the Sapphire; while others would see in it the genuine
Topaz; and others, again, think it synonymous with the Chrysoprase. The
name “chrysopteron” means “golden-wing.”
[3118] “Leek-green and gold.” An apple or leek-green Chalcedony,
coloured by nickel. See Chapters 20, 34, and 73, of this Book.
[3119] See B. xxxvi. c. 10.
[3120] Dana thinks this identical with the Turquois. Ajasson and
Desfontaines identify it with Oriental Peridote.
[3121] Turquois is found in large quantities in a mountainous district
of Persia, not far from Nichabour; where it occurs in veins which
traverse the mountains in all directions.
[3122] Isidorus says, B. xvi. c. 17, that they wore it in the ears.
The Shah of Persia, it is said, retains for his own use all the larger
and more finely tinted specimens of turquois that are found in his
dominions.
[3123] This story is now regarded as fabulous.
[3124] See B. x. cc. 44, 79.
[3125] The stone now known as “Prase” is a vitreous, leek-green,
variety of massive quartz.
[3126] This may possibly have been Plasma, a faintly translucent
Chalcedony, approaching jasper, having a greenish colour, sprinkled
with yellow and whitish dots, and a glistening lustre. Or, perhaps,
Bloodstone or Heliotrope, a kind of jasper.
[3127] See the preceding Chapter, and Note 3118.
[3128] “Cymbia.” Drinking vessels shaped like a boat.
[3129] Or “Nile-stone.” Egyptian jasper, or Egyptian pebble, a kind of
quartz.
[3130] Our Malachite, a green carbonate of copper. See B. xxxiii. c. 26.
[3131] Called μολόχη or μαλάχη in Greek.
[3132] Also of Siberia, Shetland, the United States, and numerous other
localities.
[3133] Meadow-green jasper.
[3134] Salmasius erroneously takes this to be the Turquoise. It is our
sky-blue jasper, no doubt. See Beckmann, Hist. Inv. Vol. I. p. 471,
_Bohn’s Edition_.
[3135] See B. vi. c. 2.
[3136] The Bamberg MS. gives “Calchedon” here.
[3137] Namely, πορφυρίζουσα, ῥοδίζουσα, and σμαραγδίζουσα.
[3138] “Northern,” apparently.
[3139] “Sky-blue,” mentioned above.
[3140] See Chapter 31. Red jasper, or perhaps Red porphyry.
[3141] “Aut” appeals to be a preferable reading to the “ut” of the
Bamberg MS.
[3142] See B. xv. cc. 12, 13.
[3143] “Terebinthizusa.” Yellow jasper, Ajasson says.
[3144] See Chapter 18 of this Book.
[3145] “Seal-stone.” A kind of carnelian, probably.
[3146] “Publico gemmarum dominio iis tantum dato, quoniam optime
signent.” The above is the sense given to the passage by Holland,
Ajasson, and Littré; but another translation may also be suggested—“A
stone to which alone, by general consent, is awarded the custody of
precious stones, from the fact that it makes the best impression
as a seal.” In reference to the custom of putting a seal on the
dactyliothecæ, or jewel-caskets. See page 80 of this Book.
[3147] “Single-lined.”
[3148] “Many-lined.”
[3149] Albertus Magnus, De Mineral. B. ii., has several other stories
respecting it of a similar nature.
[3150] Jasper onyx.
[3151] Identified by Ajasson with snow-flake chalcedony.
[3152] Spotted jasper onyx.
[3153] See B. xxxi. c. 41.
[3154] Smoked jasper onyx.
[3155] It is still used for making vases, boxes, knife-handles, and
other articles, and is much used in the manufacture of Florentine
mosaics. We may also remark, that the “iaspis” of Pliny probably
included some stones not of the jasper kind.
[3156] “Azure stone;” generally supposed to have been a species of
Lapis lazuli or azure. Beckmann is of opinion that it was a mineral or
mountain blue, tinged with copper.
[3157] It is found in China, Persia, Siberia, and Bucharia.
[3158] Ultramarine is prepared from Lapis lazuli, and an artificial
kind is extensively in use, which equals the native in permanency and
brilliancy of colour, and is very extensively employed in the arts.
Theophrastus, De Lapid. sec. 55, speaks of this artificial ultramarine.
[3159] This must not be taken for the Sapphire of the present day, but
was most probably Lapis lazuli, and identical, perhaps, with Cyanos.
Beckmann has devoted considerable attention to this subject; Hist. Inv.
Vol. I. pp. 468-473. _Bohn’s Edition._
[3160] Particles of iron pyrites, probably, which are frequently to be
seen in Lapis lazuli.
[3161] Quartz, probably, according to some authorities.
[3162] So called, according to some authorities, from ἀ, “not,” μεθύω,
“to intoxicate,” on account of its being a supposed preservative
against inebriety. Ajasson is of opinion that Pliny does not here
speaks of the Quartz Amethyst of modern mineralogy, but only the
Oriental Amethyst, violet Sapphire, or violet Corundum. It is not
improbable, however, that he includes them all, as well as violet Fluor
spar, and some other purple stones; inclusive, possibly, of the Garnet.
[3163] He is probably speaking _here_ of violet Fluor spar; Oriental
amethyst, or violet sapphire, it is next to impossible to engrave.
[3164] See B. ix. c. 62.
[3165] The city of Pharan, mentioned by St. Jerome and Eusebius.
[3166] “In suspectu.” See B. xxi. c. 22.
[3167] “Lovely youth.” The Opal has been thus called in Chapter 22.
[3168] “Avenger of slighted love.”
[3169] “Veneris gena;” called in Greek “Aphrodites blepharon.”
[3170] Which is most probable; however untrue the story itself may be.
See Note 3162 above.
[3171] A kind of Baboon. See B. vi. c. 35, B. vii. c. 2, and B. viii.
c. 80.
[3172] It is considered very doubtful whether the modern Hyacinth or
Zircon is one of the number of stones that were called “Hyacinthus” by
the ancients. Jameson appears to have thought that they gave this name
to the oriental amethyst or violet sapphire.
[3173] See B. xxi. c. 38.
[3174] Generally supposed to be the Oriental topaz, yellow Sapphire
or yellow Corundum. We have already seen, in Chapter 32, that the
“Topazos” of the ancients was in all probability the modern Chrysolite.
[3175] In Pontus: see B. vi. c. 4.
[3176] See B. xxxiv. c. 2.
[3177] Supposed to be yellow-white Hyacinth. See Chapter 12 of this
Book.
[3178] “Electrum.”
[3179] See Chapter 76 of this Book.
[3180] See Chapter 9 of this Book.
[3181] Yellow quartz crystal probably, or False topaz.
[3182] “White gold stone.” It has not been identified.
[3183] “Smoke-stone.” A jasper has been so called in Chapter 37.
[3184] “Honey gold stone.” Some are of opinion that this was the
Honey-coloured Hyacinth. Others, again, identify it with the yellow,
honey-coloured Topaz; an opinion with which Ajasson coincides.
[3185] “Xanthon” is another reading. See Chapter 60 of this Book.
[3186] “Lovely youth.” See Chapter 22, where it has been already
mentioned. He here reverts to the Opals.
[3187] See Chapter 40, for example, where it is given to a variety of
the Amethyst.
[3188] The Opal, which he is about to describe.
[3189] See Chapter 18 of this Book.
[3190] The vitreous Asteriated crystals of Sapphire are still called by
this name. Ajasson, however, and Desfontaines, identify this gem with
Girasol opal or fire opal. See Note 3147.
[3191] From ἀστερ, a star.
[3192] “Star-stone.” Ajasson identifies this stone with the Asteriated
Sapphire or Corundum, mentioned in Note 3190 above.
[3193] See B. iv. cc. 10, 17.
[3194] “Lightning darting.”
[3195] “Star-like.” Ajasson thinks, that it is identical with the stone
next mentioned.
[3196] “Planet-stricken.” It is not improbable that this was Cat’s-eye,
a translucent Chalcedony, presenting a peculiar opalescence, or
internal reflections, when cut _en cabochon_. The colour is either
bright-greenish grey, or else yellow, red, or brownish.
[3197] See Note 3194 above. Parisot thinks that these must have been
Aërolites or Meteorites.
[3198] Brotero thinks that these were petrified shells, to which the
magicians imputed marvellous properties.
[3199] Brotero is of opinion that those were Belemnites, more commonly
known as “thunderstones.” The reading “bætyli” is doubtful; but
Parisot says, on what authority does not appear, that “Betylus” meant
“Great father,” and that this name, as well as “Abaddir” of similar
signification, was given by magicians to aërolites or meteorites used
in their enchantments.
[3200] A meteoric stone or aërolite, evidently.
[3201] “Rainbow.” Opinion seems divided as to whether this is Hyalin
quartz iridized internally, or prismatic crystals of Limpid quartz,
which decompose the rays of the sun.
[3202] The reading and meaning of this passage are very doubtful.
[3203] The reading is doubtful, “zeros” and “erros” being given by
some MSS. Ajasson hazards a conjecture that it may have been a variety
of quartz, formed of a concretion of agates united by a cement of a
similar nature.
[3204] A general name for Agate, and possibly some other stones not now
included under the name.
[3205] “Jasper agate.”
[3206] “Wax agate.” The modern Orange agate, probably.
[3207] “Smaragdus agate.” Emerald-coloured agate.
[3208] “Blood agate.” Agate sprinkled with spots of red jasper.
[3209] “White agate.”
[3210] “Tree agate.” Moss agate or Mocha stone, coloured by oxide of
iron.
[3211] Probably the reading should be “Stactachates,” “Myrrh agate.”
[3212] “Coralline agate.” See Chapter 56.
[3213] Undulated agate.
[3214] Moss agate, probably. See Note 3210 above.
[3215] Sillig is of opinion that the reading here is corrupt.
[3216] “Coticulas.” Stones for grinding drugs.
[3217] “Refreshing” stone. Hardly any of these stones appear to be
identified.
[3218] As to the “nitrum” of Pliny, see B. xxxi. c. 46.
[3219] Probably the same as the Alabastrites of B. xxxv. c. 12.
[3220] From the Greek, ἀλέκτωρ, a “cock.”
[3221] See B. vii. c. 19.
[3222] “Man-subduing.” Identified by some with Marcasite, or White iron
pyrites.
[3223] See Chapter 15 of this Book.
[3224] “Silver-subduing.”
[3225] “Counteracting-stone.”
[3226] Probably the stone mentioned in B. xxxvi. c. 41.
[3227] “Aromatic stone.” Cæsalpinus is of opinion that this is grey or
clouded amber.
[3228] “Reginis.”
[3229] See B. xix. c. 4, and B. xxxvi. c. 31.
[3230] The reading is doubtful.
[3231] Called “melancoryphi” in Chapter 33.
[3232] Ajasson thinks that the reading should be “Aeizoe,” from the
Greek ἀειζώη, “long lived.”
[3233] “Shining stone,” apparently.
[3234] See Chapter 33 of this Book.
[3235] The reading is doubtful.
[3236] See B. xxxiii. c. 2: where a fossil Chrysocolla is also
mentioned.
[3237] See B. xi. c. 36, and B. xxxiii. c. 21.
[3238] “Gem of Aphrodite” or “Venus.” Thought by Dalechamps and
Hardouin to have been a kind of agate.
[3239] “Which never grows cold.”
[3240] A kind of Onyx, Dalechamps thinks.
[3241] “Acorn stone.” Like an olive in appearance, and now known as
“Jew stone,” probably, a fossil.
[3242] “Frog-stone.” Varieties of quartz, probably.
[3243] “Dipped stone.” Dalechamps says that it was amber stained with
alkanet, but on what authority does not appear.
[3244] “Eye of Belus.” Supposed by Ajasson and Desfontaines to be Cat’s
eye Chalcedony. See Chapter 50, Note 3196.
[3245] Belus, the father of Ninus, the “Bel” of Scripture. See Chapter
58.
[3246] A kind of Tecolithos, Dalechamps says. See B. xxxvi. c. 35, and
Chapter 68 of this Book.
[3247] “Grape-cluster stone.”
[3248] “Puniceus” seems to be a preferable reading to “pampineus,”
“like a vine-tendril,” given by the Bamberg MS.
[3249] Possibly it may have been Datholite or Borate of lime, a variety
of which is known as Botryolite.
[3250] “Hair-stone.” This was probably either Iron alum, known also as
Alun de plume; Alunogen, known also as Feather Alum or hair salt; or
Amianthus, also called satin Asbestus. See B. xxxvi. c. 31.
[3251] “Ox-heart.” Supposed to be a sort of Turquois, Hardouin says.
[3252] “Thunder-stone.”
[3253] “Clod-stone.” It may possibly have been a kind of Geodes. See
B. xxxvi. c. 32. Dalechamps, however, identifies it with Crapaudine,
Toad-stone, or Bufonite, supposed in former times to be produced by the
toad, but in reality the fossil tooth of a fish.
[3254] See B. iii. c. 4.
[3255] See B. xxxiv. c. 22, and Chapter 65 of this Book.
[3256] Identical, probably, with the Callaina of Chapter 33, our
Turquois.
[3257] Lapis lazuli.
[3258] “Smoke-stone.” Identical with the jasper called “capnias,” in
Chapter 37.
[3259] In Chapter 37 of this Book.
[3260] “Cappadocian stone.”
[3261] Like the “callaina” or “callais.”
[3262] See Chapter 33 of this Book.
[3263] “Attractive stone.” A large rocky stone, according to Solinus.
Dalechamps thinks that it must have been a kind of amber or bitumen, an
opinion with which Desfontaines coincides.
[3264] “Looking-glass stone,” or “mirror stone.” A variety of Specular
stone, probably.
[3265] “Onion stone.” A kind of agate, according to Dalechamps. It had
its name probably from the union of its streaks like those on the neck
of an onion.
[3266] “Pottery stone.”
[3267] See B. xxix. c. 38, Vol. V. p. 415.
[3268] The Cinædus. See B. xxxii. c. 53.
[3269] By its clear or clouded colour, it was said.
[3270] “Wax stone.”
[3271] From κίρκος, a “hawk” or “falcon.”
[3272] “Hair-like;” from κόρση, the “hair.”
[3273] “Coral agate.” See Chapter 54 of this Book.
[3274] Vermilion. See B. xxxiii. cc. 37, 40.
[3275] “Strong stone”—from κρατερὸς, “strong.” Supposed by
some to have been amber-coloured Hyacinth.
[3276] Oriental topaz, probably. See Chapters 42 and 43 of this Book.
[3277] “Saffron-coloured,” probably. If this is the meaning of the
name, it may be supposed to have resembled the bigaroon cherry.
[3278] “Pregnant stone. An aëtites or geodes, probably. See B. xxx. c.
44, and B. xxxvi. c. 39.
[3279] “Sounding like brass.” Probably Clinkstone or Phonolite, a
compact feldspathic rock of a greyish colour, clinking under the hammer
when struck, somewhat like a metal.
[3280] “Swallow-stone.”
[3281] “Tortoise-stone.”
[3282] Six in the morning until mid-day.
[3283] “Tortoise-like stone.”
[3284] “Chelone,” in Greek.
[3285] “Grass-green stone.” It is just possible that the Chlorite of
modern Mineralogy, a kind of emerald-green talc, or hydrous silicate of
magnesia, may be meant: but we must dismiss the story of the wagtail.
[3286] The pied wagtail, Motacilla alba of Linnæus.
[3287] See B. vi. c. 31.
[3288] “Golden light.” Ajasson suggests that this may have been a
yellow phosphate of lead, which emitted light at night, from its close
vicinity to naphtha. Bologna stone, Bolognian spar, or sulphate of
Barytes, has also been suggested. Topaz, too, is mentioned.
[3289] “Golden face.”
[3290] A variety of Hyacinth, according to Dalechamps.
[3291] From κηπὸς, “a garden,” it is thought; on account of
its varied colours.
[3292] “Laurel-stone.”
[3293] “Substitute” for beryl.
[3294] “Two-formed,” or “of a double nature.” A grand acquisition,
as Ajasson remarks, for the worshippers of Priapus. See a similar
characteristic in the Eryngium, our Eringo, B. xxii. c. 9] also
Mandragora, B. xxv. c. 94, Note 877.
[3295] “Stone of Dionysus” or “Bacchus.”
[3296] “Dragon stone.”
[3297] The serpent so called—“draco.” See B. xxix. c. 20.
[3298] A story invented, no doubt, by the sellers of some kind of
precious stone.
[3299] “Heart-shaped.” A turquois, Hardouin thinks. See “Bucardia” in
Chapter 55 above.
[3300] “The best.”
[3301] “Formed like the testes.”
[3302] “Red stone,” apparently. The reading is very doubtful.
[3303] The reading is doubtful, but the word may possibly mean “stone
of love,” or something equivalent.
[3304] “Fine-haired.”
[3305] “Skilled in sacred matters.”
[3306] “Of fair length.” Ajasson thinks that this may have been a
variety of Pyromachic silex, or gun flint, nearly allied to Chalcedony.
[3307] A preferable reading, probably, to “Eumitres.” It perhaps took
its name from Mithres, the god of the Sun among the Persians, and
meant “blessing of Mithres.” Ajasson thinks that it may have been
green Tourmaline, and that its electric properties may have been very
“serviceable to the charlatans who had the monopoly of the Temple of
Bel.”
[3308] See Chapter 55 of this Book.
[3309] “With beautiful leaves.” By some authorities this is thought to
be Opal, by others Heliotrope or Bloodstone. Ajasson thinks that it may
have been a general name for Jasper quartz, or else that it was Quartz
agate opalized.
[3310] This reading is very doubtful.
[3311] “Mouldy stone.”
[3312] “Stone of the religious.”
[3313] “Black on the surface.” This is the case, Ajasson remarks, with
many stones of the class known as “Cat’s eye.”
[3314] “Galaxy stone.” Ajasson thinks that this may possibly have been
an Opal, or a dead white Topaz, traversed by lines of other colours.
[3315] “Milk stone.”
[3316] Probably milk-white Quartz, Ajasson thinks.
[3317] “White earth.”
[3318] “White-streaked stone.”
[3319] “Clouded.”
[3320] See Chapter 54 of this Book.
[3321] An Eastern name, probably.
[3322] A Geodes or Aëtites, probably. See B. xxxvi. c. 39, and Chapter
56 of this Book, Note 3278.
[3323] “Tongue of stone.”
[3324] Divination from the appearance of the moon.
[3325] “Gorgon stone.” The head of the Gorgon Medusa was fabled to turn
those into stone who looked upon it.
[3326] See B. xxxii. c. 11.
[3327] This reading is very doubtful.
[3328] Now known as Heliotrope, bloodstone, or blood jasper. It is of a
deep-green colour, with red spots.
[3329] “Turning under the sun.”
[3330] See B. xxii. c. 29.
[3331] “Stone of Hephæstos” or “Vulcan.”
[3332] It acting as a burning-glass, probably.
[3333] See B. iv. c. 20, and B. v. c. 22.
[3334] “Genitals of Mercury.” This singular stone does not appear to
have been identified. See Note 3294 above.
[3335] “Sixty colour stone.”
[3336] See B. v. cc. 5, 8, and B. vi. c. 34.
[3337] “Hawk stone.” It is perhaps identical with the “Circos,”
mentioned in Chapter 56. Aëtius says that Hieracitis was of a greenish
hue.
[3338] “Sand-stone.” Ajasson thinks that this was a granular quartz, of
a friable nature when subjected to compression.
[3339] As to the identity of “nitrum,” see B, xxxi. c, 46.
[3340] “Horn of [Jupiter] Hammon.” He here alludes to the Ammonites of
modern Geology, an extinct race of molluscous animals that inhabited
convoluted shells, and which are commonly known as “snake-stones.” They
abound in strata of the secondary formation, and vary from the size of
a bean to that of a coach-wheel.
[3341] The reading of this word is doubtful.
[3342] “Hyæna stone.”
[3343] As to this stone, see B. xxxvi. c. 25.
[3344] “Yellow” stone. See Chapter 45.
[3345] “Idæan fingers.” These were probably Belemnites, so called from
their long, tapering shape, and being first observed, perhaps, on Mount
Ida in Crete. Belemnites are the shells of fossil Cephalopods, and are
commonly known as “thunder stones.”
[3346] “Jaundice stone.”
[3347] “Gem of Jove.”
[3348] “Dew stone.”
[3349] “Indian stone.”
[3350] It is just possible that he may be thinking of Indigo here,
which he has before called by the same name. See B. xxxiii. c. 57.
[3351] “Violet-coloured.”
[3352] “Scale stone.” A fossil, probably.
[3353] “White eye.” Cat’s eye chalcedony, perhaps. See “Astrobolos” in
Chapter 48, and “Beli oculus” in Chapter 55, of this Book.
[3354] “Variegated with white.”
[3355] “Yellow incense.”
[3356] “Meadow-green stone.”
[3357] “Fat stone.”
[3358] “White gold.” Ajasson thinks that this may have been either a
sub-variety of Hyalin amethystine quartz, a yellow quartz or false
topaz, or else an unctuous, white quartz, either opaque or transparent.
[3359] “Stone of Memnon.”
[3360] This reading seems preferable to “Media,” given by the Bamberg
and some other MSS.
[3361] The enchantress of Colchis. The stone, no doubt was as fabulous
as the enchantress.
[3362] “Poppy stone.”
[3363] For the origin of this name, see “Eumithres,” in Chapter 58,
Note 3307.
[3364] It was probably a kind of Opal.
[3365] The reading here is very doubtful.
[3366] This reading also is doubtful: it is probably an Eastern word.
According to some authorities, this stone was a dark-brown rock
crystal. Ajasson identities it with Schorl or black Tourmaline, with a
base of Magnesia.
[3367] Red Tourmaline, possibly, or Rubellite.
[3368] Carnelian. See Chapter 31 of this Book.
[3369] “Ectypæ sculpturæ.” See B. xxxv. c. 43.
[3370] “Myrrh stone.” It was an Eastern compound, probably. See Chapter
54, Note 3211.
[3371] “Wart stone.”
[3372] “Myrtle stone.”
[3373] “White in the middle.” This and the next seem to have been
general names for stones of a particular appearance.
[3374] “Black in the middle.”
[3375] Bacchus.
[3376] A Greek word, signifying the skin of a fawn or deer, as worn
by the Bacchanals in the celebration of their orgies. Ajasson is of
opinion that this was a mottled quartz or agate, similar to those
mentioned as resembling the spots of the lion, in Chapter 54, the
Leontios and Pardalios of Chapter 73.
[3377] This reading is doubtful.
[3378] “Shower stone,” apparently.
[3379] From “Notus,” the south wind, which usually brought rain.
[3380] See Chapters 48 and 51.
[3381] See Chapter 55 of this Book.
[3382] “Ass’s heart.”
[3383] “Mountain stone.”
[3384] See Chapter 67.
[3385] “Shell-stone.” Not the same, probably, as the Cadmitis or
Ostracitis mentioned in Chapter 56 of this Book. See B. xxxvi. c. 31,
where a stone of this name is also mentioned. Horn-stone, probably, a
Chalcedony, more brittle than flint, is meant in the present passage.
[3386] See Chapter 56 of this Book.
[3387] See the beginning of Chapter 54.
[3388] “Oyster-stone.”
[3389] See B. xxxvi. chap. 67; our “Obsidian.”
[3390] “Of all colours.” Either Opal, Ajasson thinks, or Iridized
hyalin quartz.
[3391] “All corners.” Ajasson seems to think that this may have been
Hyalin quartz.
[3392] “Worthy of all love.”
[3393] Of the same meaning as “paneros.”
[3394] “Gem of Pontus.” According to Desfontaines, these stones are
identified, by some with agates, by others with sapphires.
[3395] “Flame-coloured.”
[3396] “Golden-coloured stone.”
[3397] See B. xxxiii. c. 56, and B. xxxv. cc. 12, 16.
[3398] “Palm-date stone. Desfontaines says that this is Jew stone, the
fossil spine of an egg-shaped echinus. See Chapter 55, Note 3241.
[3399] Φῦκος; whence the Latin “fucus.”
[3400] “White around.”
[3401] An Aëtites or Geodes, probably. See Chapter 56, Note 3278; also B.
xxx. c. 44, and B. xxxvi. cc. 32, 39.
[3402] “Earth stone,” apparently.
[3403] The tomb of Tiresias was ordinarily pointed out in the vicinity
of the Tilphusan Well, near Thebes; at least Pausanias states to that
effect.
[3404] “Gem of the Sun.” According to some, this is the Girasol opal;
but Ajasson has no doubt, from the description given of it by Photius,
from Damascius, that it is identical with the “Asteria” of Chapter 47.
See also the “Astrion” of Chapter 48.
[3405] Supposed to be jet.
[3406] “Lizard stone.”
[3407] “Flesh stone.”
[3408] “Moon stone.” Our Selenite probably, crystallized sulphate of
lime] the thin laminæ of which reflect the disk of the sun or moon.
[3409] “Stone like iron.” See “Oritis” in Chapter 65; also B. xxxvi. c.
25, and Chapter 15 of this Book, for minerals of this name.
[3410] “Variegated iron.”
[3411] So called from its teeth meeting evenly, like the jaw-teeth, and
not shaped like those of a saw, so formed that the teeth of one jaw
lock with those of the other. See B. xi. c. 5. The Linnæan genus Sparus
is of this kind.
[3412] See B. v. cc. 4, 5, and B. vi. c. 37.
[3413] “Fistulous stone.”
[3414] “Three-coloured stone.”
[3415] Meaning “Female root,” apparently. The reading, however, is
uncertain.
[3416] “Female heart,” apparently. The reading is doubtful.
[3417] “Thracian stone.” The reading, however, is doubtful.
[3418] “Ash-coloured stone.” It has been identified with Uranian agate
by some.
[3419] “Dissolving stone.” Probably our Jew stone, and identical with
the Phœnicitis of Chapter 66. See Note 3398.
[3420] “Venus’ hair.” As Ajasson remarks, the description renders it
next to impossible to say what the stone was.
[3421] “Liver stone.” Heavy spar, a sulphate of barytes, is sometimes
called Hepatite.
[3422] “Fat stone.” Saponite or soapstone, a silicate of magnesia, is
also known as Steatite.
[3423] An ancient king of Syria, worshipped by the people of that
country and the inhabitants of Phrygia. According to Macrobius, the
Assyrians worshipped Jupiter and the Sun under this name.
[3424] “Three-eye stone.” Some kind of Cat’s eye chalcedony, probably.
[3425] “Crab stone.”
[3426] “Viper-stone.”
[3427] “Scorpion stone.”
[3428] See B. ix. c. 29, B. xl. c. 61, and B. xxxii. c. 53. This was
perhaps the same stone as the “Synodontitis” of Chapter 67.
[3429] Which was called τριγλὰ, in Greek.
[3430] “Ant stone.” Possibly a kind of amber.
[3431] “Beetle stone.”
[3432] “Wolf’s eye.”
[3433] “Peacock stone.”
[3434] “Golden sand.” This may possibly have been Aventurine quartz.
[3435] “Millet stone.”
[3436] “Oak stone.” Fossil coal, perhaps.
[3437] “Ivy stone.”
[3438] “Daffodil stone.” An Eastern compound, probably.
[3439] “Bean stone.”
[3440] Our “Jew stone,” probably; identical with the Phœnicitis of
Chapter 66 and the Tecolithos of Chapter 68.
[3441] See Note 3398 to Chapter 66.
[3442] See Chapter 66.
[3443] See B. xxxvi. c. 43. Pebbles of white flint were probably meant
under this name; from which is derived, according to Ajasson, the
French word _caillou_, meaning a flint pebble.
[3444] “Fire stone.” Not a Pyrites of modern Mineralogy, probably.
[3445] “With many zones.” Probably an agate or jasper.
[3446] “Lightning stone.”
[3447] “Flame stone.”
[3448] “Burning coal stone.” See B. xxxvi. c. 38, and Chapter 27 of
this Book.
[3449] “Containing liquid.” Identified by Desfontaines with the Geodes
enhydros of modern Geology, which sometimes contains a liquid substance.
[3450] “Many-haired stone.”
[3451] As to these stones, agates or jaspers probably, see “Nebritis,”
in Chapter 64, and the Note.
[3452] “Dew stone.” The reading here is very doubtful. See Chapter 61.
[3453] “Honey-coloured and yellow.”
[3454] “Saffron stone.”
[3455] All three being derived from the corresponding name in Greek.
[3456] See Chapter 55 of this Book.
[3457] “Hand stone.”
[3458] “Stone of necessity.”
[3459] “Retaining stone.”
[3460] “Tree stone.”
[3461] De Lapidibus.
[3462] He alludes to petrified shells, most probably.
[3463] “Phaleræ.” See B. vii. c. 2, and B. xxxiii. c. 6.
[3464] “Nature;” _i.e._ “works of Nature.”
[3465] “Lenticula.” Like a lentil in shape.
[3466] Substituting garnets for rubies, as an illustration.
[3467] “Minium.” See Chapter 23 of this Book.
[3468] Lest the deception should be commonly practised. Seneca, Epist.
19, mentions one Democritus, who had discovered the art of making
artificial Emeralds. See further on this subject, Beckmann, Hist. Inv.
Vol. 1. p. 124. _Bohn’s Edition._
[3469] Ten in the morning.
[3470] See Chapters 18 and 20.
[3471] We can only guess at the meaning of this passage, as it is
acknowledgedly corrupt.
[3472] Our Obsidian. See B. xxxvi. c. 67, and Chapter 65 of this Book.
[3473] See Chapter 15 of this Book. Ajasson thinks that he has here
confounded two different substances, powdered emery and diamond dust.
[3474] See B. iv. c. 26.
[3475] “Trigariis.” “Three-horse chariot races,” literally. See B.
xxviii. c. 72, and B. xxix. c. 5.
[3476] It having been in recent times declared unlawful to work them,
as he has already informed us.
[3477] “Quacunque ambitur mari.” With these words the Natural History
of Pliny terminates in all the former editions. M. Ian was the first
among the learned to express a suspicion that the proper termination of
the work was wanting; an opinion in which Sillig coincided, and which
was happily confirmed, in the course of time, by the discovery of the
Bamberg MS., the only copy of the Natural History (or rather the last
Six Books) in which the concluding part of this Chapter has been found.
[3478] See B. xix. c. 7.
[3479] See B. xxxvi. c. 45.
[3480] See Chapter 15 of this Book.
[3481] See Chapter 16 of this Book.
[3482] See Chapters 7, 8, and 11 of this Book.
[3483] “Coccum.” See B. xvi. c. 12, and B. xxiv. c. 4.
[3484] See B. xix. c. 15, and B. xxii. c. 49.
[3485] See B. xii. c. 26.
[3486] See B. vi. c. 20, and B. xii. c. 1.
[3487] See B. xiii. c. 29, and B. xv. c. 7.
[3488] See B. xii. c. 42.
[3489] See B. xii. c. 43.
[3490] See B. xii. c. 28.
[3491] See Chapter 11 of this Book.
[3492] See B. xii, c. 54.
[3493] See B. xii. c. 33.
[3494] See B. xii. c. 30.
[3495] See B. xii. c. 25.
[3496] See B. xxxiv. c. 41.
[3497] In B. xii. c. 37, and B. xxvi. c. 30.
[3498] See B. ix. cc. 60, 61.
[3499] See B. x. c. 28, and B. xxix. c. 13.
[3500] “Numeris omnibus.”
[3501] Bernhardy, _Grundriss d. Röm. Lit._ p. 644, has expressed an
opinion that there is still some deficiency after the concluding words,
“tuis fave;” notwithstanding the comparative completeness of the
restored text as given by the Bamberg MS.
[3502] See end of B. ii.