Samian, even though it is beautiful, because it is greasy, dense, and smooth. For the kind which is . . . and . . . ,S1 and is not greasy is more suitable for painting, and the Melian kind has this quality . . . ,52
In Melos and Samos there are additional differences in the earth. It is not possible to stand upright while digging in the pits of Samos, but a man has to lie on his back or his side. The vein stretches for a long way and is about two feet in height, though much greater in depth. It is surrounded on both sides by stones and is taken out from the space between them. It has a stratum right through the middle, and this is better than the parts on the outside; and then it has another stratum, and still another, up to four .... The innermost earth is called "the star." This earth is used mainly or solely for clothes.63
The Tymphaic earth is also used for clothes and is called gypsos by the people who live near Mt. Athos and those districts. Gypsos occurs in large quantities in Cyprus and can easily be seen; for only a little soil is removed when it is dug up. In Phoenicia and Syria it is made by burning stones, and this also happens in Thourioi; for a large amount is produced there. And thirdly, it occurs in Tymphaia and in Perrhaibia and in other places.
Its nature is peculiar; for it is more like stone than earth, and the stone resembles dabastrites. It is not cut out in a large mass but in small pieces. Its stickiness and heat, when it is wet, are remarkable; for it is used on buildings and is poured around the stone or anything else of this kind that one wishes to fasten.
After it has been pulverized and water has been poured on it, it is stirred with wooden sticks; for this cannot be done by hand
mineral now called gypsum but also the roasted mineral. Lime and lime mortar also appear to have been included under this term. For a discussion of the various identifications, see Commentary, sees. 62, 64-69.
51 The literal meaning of ηρεμον is "quiet," but what it means here is not certain. The emendations άραιόν and τραχωδα mean "of loose texture" and "rough." The first of these is very appropriate, since it indicates low density and is the opposite of ττυκνόν. Furlanus reads ήρεμον in addition to άραιόν, but the adverb ήρεμα ("gently," "slightly") would be better.
52 The emendation h τψ Φάριδι assumes that this is the name of a place. Schneider suggests iv τψ ψαφαρψ or συν τ% ψαφαρότητι, implying that the earth is "liable to crumble." If the adjective διάφορον is concealed here, it would mean that the earth has a certain quality "in a marked degree."
63 For cleaning or whitening clothes. See sec. 67.
