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G4
AMETHYSTUS.
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guishable
from each other, as I have had frequent occasion to observe in looking
over examples of both species which have come down to us from Roman
times with engravings upon them. Again, in no other manner is it
possible to understand what kind of precious stone Heliodorus is
describing as set in the king of Ethiopia's ring (2Eth. v. 13). " And
so saying, he put into his hands a ring, one of the royal jewels, an
extraordinary and astonishing thing, the shank being formed of
electrum, and the beasil flaming with an Ethiopian Amethyst, in size
about the circumference of a maiden's eye, but in beauty far surpassing
either the Iberian or the British sort. For the latter blushes with a
feeble hue, and is like a rose just unfolding its leaves from out of
the bud, and beginning to be tinged with red by the sunbeams. But in
the Ethiopian Amethyst, out of its depth flames forth like a torch a
pure and as it were a Spring-like beauty; and if you turn it about as
you hold it, it shoots out a golden lustre, not dazzling the sight by
its fierceness, but resplendent with cheerfulness. Moreover, a more
genuine nature is inherent in it than is possessed by any brought from
the West, for it does not belie its appellation, but proves in reality
to the wearer an antidote against intoxication, preserving him sober in
the midst of drinking-bouts." This gem was engraved with a youthful
shepherd and his flock, of which the tasteful bishop proceeds to give
a pretty description, in which he again dwells upon the " golden "
tints commingled with the flamy hues of the stone. The same
interpretation must be put upon the more obscure language of the
somewhat later Epiphanius in his ' Treatise of the XII. Stones of the
Eationale,' where Tinder IX. he gives " The stone Amethyst: this in
proportion to its circumference is of a deep flame colour, or sometimes
paler, sending forth out of the midst a vinous appearance. Of it there
are various species : one of the sorts is very similar to a clear
hyacinthus (Sapphire), the other to the murex blood, i. e. Tyrian dye. They are found in the mountains and on the coast of Libya."
Even
in the last century the common Amethyst was held in high estimation,
when Queen Charlotte's necklace of well-matched Amethysts, the most
perfect ever got together, was valued at 2000Z.; at present it would
not command as many
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