magnetic influence. Pliny, in his description of this stone, says,
"Nature has bestowed upon it both feet and intelligence." It
was known by the names of magnes, for its discoverer ; sideritis,
meaning "iron earth" ; and heraclion, either from Heraclea, a
place, or from Hercules, on account of its great power. Of all
the numerous varieties, the Ethiopian was considered the
best, and was equal to its weight in silver. The species was
believed to be efficacious in ophthalmic diseases.
Steatite. — White steatite, a variety of talc as well as of
saponite, or soapstone, is carved into beautiful ornaments at
Agra, India, and has sometimes been used for personal decoration, notwithstanding its deficiency in nearly all the requisites
of a gem-stone.
Selenite, a kind of gypsum, regarded as suitable for necklaces, bracelets, and other articles of the toilet, received the
name from the goddess Selene, and is supposed to have been
the moonstone of Dioscorides. A rare and beautiful variety,
of a reddish yellow color is found in Russia.
Vnlpinite, a variety of anhydrite, discovered at Vulpius,
Lombardy, is cut and polished for jewelry, and may be classed
with the inferior gem-stones.
Pyrites, sometimes inaccurately called marcasite, was extensively used in Europe for personal ornaments during the
eighteenth century, and was employed by the early Mexicans
with turquoise and obsidian for mosaic work. A mask with
eyes made of pyrite, brought from their country, is seen in the
British Museum. At one time this mineral was used in France
for gem-stones set after antique models, but they have little
value at the present day.
Spodumcne was not recognized as a gem until recently,
when brilliant, transparent crystals, imported into Europe
from Brazil, excited the attention of lapidaries, who cut and
