CHAP. 58.—ENCARDIA OR ARISTE. ENORCHIS. EXEBENUS. ERYTHALLS.
EROTYLOS. AMPHICOMOS, OR HIEROMNEMON. EUMECES.
EUMITHRES. EUPETALOS. EUREOS. EUROTIAS. EUSEBES. EPIMELAS.
The stone encardia[1] is also called "ariste."[2] There are three
varieties of it; one of a black colour, with a figure in relief
upon it like a heart: a second of a green colour, and like a heart
in shape; and a third, with a black heart upon it, the rest of
the stone being white. Enorchis[3] is a white stone, the fragments
of which, when it is split asunder, resemble the testes
in shape. Exebenus, Zoroaster tells us, is a white, handsome
stone, employed by goldsmiths for polishing gold. Erythallis,[4]
though a white stone, assumes a red hue when viewed at an
inclined angle. Erotyles,[5] also known as "amphicomos"[6]
and "hieromnemon,"[7] is highly praised by Democritus for its
use in the art of divination.
Eumeces[8] is a stone of Bactriana, like silex in appearance;
placed beneath the head, it produces visions in the night of an
oracular description. Eumithres[9] is called by the Assyrians
"gem of Belus,"[10] the most sacred of all their gods; it is of a
leek-green colour, and greatly in request for superstitious purposes.
Eupetalos[11] is a stone that has four different tints,
azure, fiery, vermilion, and apple-colour. Eureos[12] is similar
to an olive-stone in form, streaked like a shell, and moderately
white. Eurotias[13] has all the appearance of concealing its
black colour beneath a coat of mould. Eusebes[14] is the stone,
it is said, of which the seat was made in the Temple of
Hercules at Tyrus, from which the pious [only] could raise
themselves without difficulty. Epimelas[15] is a white gem,
with a black hue reflected from its surface.
1. "Heart-shaped." A tarquois, Hardouin thinks. See "Bucardia"
in Chapter 55 above.
2. "The best."
3. "Formed like the testes."
4. "Red stone," apparently. The reading is very doubtful.
5. The reading is doubtful, but the word may possibly mean "stone of
love," or something equivalent.
6. "Fine-haired."
7. "Skilled in sacred matters."
8. "Of fair length." Ajasson thinks that this may have been a variety
of Pyromachic silex, or gun flint, nearly allied to Chalcedony.
9. 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."
10. See Chapter 55 of this Book.
11. "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.
12. This reading is very doubtful.
13. "Mouldy stone."
14. "Stone of the religious."
15. "Black on the surface." This is the case, Ajasson remarks, with
many stones of the class known as "Cat's eye."