Naturalis historia 37.99

37.99

Est et anthracitis appellata, in Thesprotia fossilis , carbonibus similis. falsum arbitror quod et in Liguria nasci prodiderunt, nisi forte tunc nascebantur. esse in iis et praecinctas candida vena tradunt. harum igneus color ut superiorum, sed peculiare quod tactu velut intermortuae extinguntur, contra aquis perfusae exardescunt .

CHAP. 27. —ANTHRACITIS. There is also a fossil stone found in Thesprotia, known as "anthracitis," and resembling a burning coal in appearance. Those who have stated that it is a native also of Liguria, are mistaken, in my opinion, unless perhaps it was to be found there in their time. Some of these stones, they say, are surrounded with a vein of white. Like those which we have mentioned above, they have a fiery colour, but there is this peculiarity in them, that when thrown into the fire they have all the appearance of becoming quenched and deadened; while, on the other hand, if they are drenched with water, they become doubly glowing.