Besides
the mineralogical classes under which we have arranged the greater part
of these gems, there remain some which belong more properly to the
vegetable or animal kingdom.
Of
these I do not give a scientific classification. In the first place,
because they are few ; and in the second place, because doing so would
lead me into a special treatise foreign to the present subject, and
which belongs more to the province of botanists and zoologists.
On
this matter it is sufficient for me to say that the precious substances
named in this book which, belonging to the vegetable kingdom, are used
ornamentally, are:
1. Amber. | 2. Gagat.
And to the animal kingdom :
1. Ivory. 4. Mother-of-pearl.
2. Shells. 5. Pearl.
3. Coral.
