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UNITED STATES, CANADA AND MEXICO
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297
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found
the variety known as hydrophane. In this form the opal is generally
white or dull yellow in color, but when it is wet, it becomes
transparent, often brilliant in color. This variety often absorbs
almost an equal bulk of water before it is fully saturated. It has no
value as a gem, although often an object of very great beauty.
A
beautiful variety of opal agate is found in the State of Jalisco.
Pink, yellow, and green, especially the softer shades, occur and are
blended and veined in the most pleasing manner. It exists in
considerable quantity, and is valued as a decorative stone for metal
work or jewelry.
Obsidian
is abundant on the hill of the Navajas in Pachuca, in Tulancingo, in
Ucareo, State of Michoacan, in Penjamo, and on the landed property of
Pateo, belonging to the same State. In Magdalena village, in the State
of Jalisco, in Cardereita Men-dez, in the State of Queretaro, and in
many other parts of Mexico it is found in a variety of colors, such as
golden, silvery, black, bluish, greenish, or reddish. The included
crystals which the obsidian contains often give this mineral a double
color, the one black, the other chatoyant, either yellow,
greenish-gray, or white, and always at right angles to the black. This
stone holds an important place in the archaeology of Mexico. Obsidian
was most extensively used in Mexico, before the empire of the Aztecs
succumbed to the Spanish invaders. The old obsidian mines are still to
be seen on the Cerro de Navajas, or " Hill of Knives," which is
situated in a northeasterly direction from the City of Mexico, at some
distance from the Indian town Atotonilco el Grande. These mines
provided the ancient population of Mexico with vast quantities of the
much-prized stone, of which they made double-edged knives, arrows, and
spear-heads, mirrors, skilfully executed masks, and ornaments of
various kinds. Humboldt speaks of the Hill of Knives.1 For
a precise description we are indebted to Edward B. Tylor," who visited
that interesting locality in 1856, while traveling through Mexico in
company with Mr. Christy. Besides many facts relating to the
archaeology and ethnology of Mexico, this writer furnishes the best ob-
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Essai politique sur la Nouvelle-Espagne, Vol. 3, p. 122.
Anahuac: or, Mexico and the Mexicans, Ancient and Modern (London, 1861).
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