206	NATURAL HISTORY OF GEMS.
	that it has been used for the latter purpose from the primi­tive ages of the world, jade axe-heads having been found along with the other stone implements of the lake-dwelling aborigines of Switzerland. The inexplicable mystery re­mains, whence they obtained the stone ; for in spite of De Boot's statement, above quoted, modem mineralogists deny its existence in any part of Europe. With the Chinese, however, it is the material, above all others, appropriated to the Glyptic art, such as theirs is. The clear green sort, indeed, they value above every precious stone, and employ only in thé form of beads. The Emperor's own necklace, captured in the late sacking of the " Summer Palace," was composed of such spherules of the size of large cherries, placed singly at intervals marking their rarity, between several others of the finest coral, the pendant from the centre being a monster spinel, or perhaps a red tourmaline. The grayer, more waxy species, obtain­able also in larger masses, serves for making idols, vases, cups, and for the broad circular plaques used for clasps to the belt, most elaborately carved into open work of foliage and flowers, in the same style of ornamentation and with the same freedom as their works in ivory. How they have obtained such mastery over so difficult a subject-matter remains a mystery to Europeans. Some pretend, but it would seem merely on conjecture, that the stone is softer when first extracted from the bed, and acquires its hardness artificially, through a baking after it has received its carving and polish. There is a story current, quite à la Chinoise, relating to this operation, that whenever a piece of unusual magnitude and capabilities has been discovered, the Em­peror summons a chapter of artists to deliberate upon the best shape into which it can be carved. The candidate whose model is approved by the president obtains the com­mission, but on the terms that his work, when finished.