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ONYX.
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A
magnificent specimen of the stone, formerly belonging to the cathedral
of Sens, is now in the possession of Mr. J. Webb. Amongst our Henry
III.'s gatherings for his projected shrine of the Confessor, are put
down " Phiola oniclea et alia crystallina."
Such
alabastra were occasionally diverted from their proper purpose and used
by the Romans for wine-flasks, in order to impart their perfumed
flavour to the liquor ; Martial notes (xiv. 110), "Ampulla Potoria"—
" Hac licet in gemma quae servat nomina Oosmi * Luxuriöse bibas si foliata sitis."
The
Onyx is enumerated amongst the articles of export from India early in
the first century by the author of the 'Periplus of the Eed Sea.' Thus
he mentions "the city called Ozene (now Ougein), whence all things
necessary to the natives are brought down to Barygaza (Broach, Baroach,
Baroche, on the Gulf of Cambay), and also articles pertaining to the
trade with us, namely, stones, the Onyx and Munrinha, Indian cloths—fine and common quality, &c." Again
he has : " from the same places are exported nard, zedoaiy,
assafbetida, ivory, Onyx-stones, &o. To Barace (Barcelore) are
brought pepper, many fine stones ; also various and numerous kinds of
lustrous gems, the diamond, the hyacinthus, &c." Further on he
specifies the exact locality producing the Onyx : j " Prom Plythanœ
(Pultanah) Onyx-stones in abundance, from Tagarse (Dowlatabad) much
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