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Humithres, Amazonite, Labrador

Cyanus, Lazulite Page of 384 Humithres, Amazonite, Labrador Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
     
     
 
EUMITHRES.
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
A very compact felspar, of an emerald-green colour, but opaque and with, a nacrous reflexion, excessively brittle but susceptible of a fine polish. The name is derived from the circumstance of its first discovery by the Spaniards amongst the ornaments of the Indians dwelling upon the river Amazon. Like that equally obdurate material the Jade, this stone was a favourite vehicle for ancient Aztec art. Grotesque figures cut in it of idols and of beasts, wonder­fully rude in design, but very skilfully carved and polished, are not unfrequent in collections, having been exhumed from the tombs of the old Mexicans. All these carved objects are perforated for a string, and thereby show that they were intended to be worn round the neck like the similar pendants of sacred animals with the ancient Egyptians.
Ximenes, a contemporary of Cortez, mentions (iv. 18) this stone and the value set upon it by the Mexicans : " They entitle Hoitzitzettetl, which signifies ' the precious stone,' a certain gem which some term Oio di gatto (Cat's-eye), but by us Spaniards it is named, I believe, the Tournesole.* It
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
     
Cyanus, Lazulite Page of 384 Humithres, Amazonite, Labrador
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