Quantcast
  Due to a new server, slow response may occur for which we apologize Portal logo
Login/Register
Bactrian Gold Treasure from Afghanistan, coming soon....
/gemstones/king-gems-decorative-stones/page_143 - 2
 

Heliotropium, Heliotrope

Heliotropium, Heliotrope Page of 384 Heliotropium, Heliotrope Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
134                 NATURAL HISTORY OF GEMS.
The last notice is very curious, referring as it does to some method used by the ancient astronomers in making solar observations, for it must be borne in mind that the chief authorities upon the properties of gems quoted in Pliny's Alphabetical List (in which the Heliotrope stands) were the Magi, the fathers of astronomy. It is, however, difficult to conceive how a tablet of Heliotrope could have been used as a mirror ; but, on the other hand, a thin slice of a green transparent stone would admirably protect the eye of an observer looking through it. Perhaps here, as in the case of Nero's Emerald (Smaragdus), there may lurk a confusion of ideas, between the looking into a mirror, and the looking through a transparent medium.
Pliny hereupon quotes, as a most glaring example of the impudence of the Magi, their assertion that the wearer of this gem coupled with the plant of the same name was enabled, by means of certain spells known to them, to make himself invisible. To this notion Dante alludes where he sees the damned running about under a hail of fire,—
" Senza sperar pertugio ï eliotropio "— " No hope of hiding-hole or Heliotrope."
Pliny goes on to add that the Hephaestites (Vulcan-stone) found near Corinth might similarly be used for a mirror, though fiery-red in colour. The test of its genuineness was if boiling water immediately became cold upon the stone's being thrown into the caldron ; or if the same, being placed in the sunshine, forthwith kindled dry fuel. It is impos­sible to divine what mineral is here intended. Orpheus, however (264), ascribes exactly the same two antagonistic qualities to his Lychnis or Balais-ruby. The name therefore may only be an epithet for the latter, or the Garnet, whose hue the description " rutila " will perfectly suit. In fact,
Heliotropium, Heliotrope Page of 384 Heliotropium, Heliotrope
Suggested Illustrations
Other Chapters you may find useful
Other Books on this topic
bullet Tag
This Page