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Ch. 1: Pantarbes

Ch. 1: Pantarbes Page of 384 Porphyrites, Porphyry Text size:minus plus Restore normal size   Mail page  Print this page
260
NATURAL HISTORY OF GEMS.
Fire ; and thus giving to the wearer immunity from hurt in the very midst of the flames."
The fable recorded by Philostratus bears a strong resem­blance to the mode of discovering the Topazius mentioned by Diodorus Siculus ; and possibly refers to the same stone. The Indian name, modified by the Greek into Pantarbes (as formed of ðÜí and rapßetv, in the sense of All-feared), seems to have suggested the notion of the deference paid to it by all other gems to which it stood in the relation of a queen-bee to her swarm.
It would seem that the Ruby is the stone intended by all these legends savouring so strongly of a Hindoo origin. The high estimation in which it was held, its fiery colour, and believed luminousness in the dark, are all points supporting this explanation. This also supplies the reason why this particular gem should have been selected for an amulet against the element of Fire ; for the distinctive epithet of the true Carbunculus was Acaustus, " the incom­bustible : " and the substitution of an active for a passive virtue was facile with the Oriental worshippers of gems. Hafiz sings how that Jamshid's Euby Cup blushed rosy like the dawn through the porphyry walls within which it was immured.
Ch. 1: Pantarbes Page of 384 Porphyrites, Porphyry
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