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CHAPTER XIV.
THE GARNET, CARBUNCLE, AND CINNAMON STONE.
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NDER
the general name of Garnet, the mineralogist includes a number of
stones which present a great variety of colour, ranging from the
lightest cinnamon, through all shades of red and crimson, and even to
various tints of green. Between these diverse minerals the chief bonds
of association are to be found in their crystallographic relations, and
their constancy of chemical type. On glancing at the various analyses
of different Garnets, one might fail to recognize their relationship;
but the chemist is aware that these changes of composition take place
according to certain definite laws, without violating the general type
on which they are constructed. Their specific gravity, and even their
hardness, are subject to great variations, corresponding to their
differences of composition. They all belong to the isometric or cubic
system, and are consequently monochroic.
The
Garnet was a great favourite with the Ancients, and antique Garnets
have often been found in Roman ruins. In former days it was very
frequently engraved, and beautiful specimens are now to be seen in
Paris, Turin, Rome, and St. Petersburg. The small degree of hardness
possessed by this stone renders engraving on it comparatively easy.
The word Garnet probably owes its origin to the similarity of the colour of this stone to that of the blossom
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