Naturalis historia 37.104

37.104

— Hoc idem et Carchedonia facere dicitur, quamquam multo vilior praedictis. nascitur apud Nasamonas in montibus, ut incolae putant, imbre divino. inveniuntur ad repercussum lunae maxime plenae, Carthaginem quondam deportabantur. Archelaus et in Aegypto circa Thebas nasci tradit fragiles, venosas, morienti carboni similes. potoria ex hac et ex lychnide factitata invenio , omnia autem haec genera contumaciter scalpturae resistunt partemque in signo cerae tenent.

CHAP. 29.—LYCHNIS: FOUR VARIETIES OF IT. To the same class of flame-coloured stones belongs that known as "lychnis;" so called from its lustre being height- ened by the light of the lamp, under which circumstances its tints are particularly pleasing. It is found in the vicinity of Orthosia, throughout the whole of Caria, and in the neighbouring localities; but the most approved stones are those that come from India. Some writers have given the name of "deadened" carbunculus to a lychnis of second-rate quality, and similar in colour to the flower known as the "flower of Jove." I find other varieties also mentioned, one with a purple radiance, and another of a scarlet tint. It is asserted, too, that these stones, when heated or rubbed between the fingers, will attract chaff and filaments of paper.