use226 of the word onyx for alabaster or onyx marble is another indication of the broad sense of the ancient term. Bliimner227 suggested that the word onychion might have had a more restricted meaning at the time of Theophrastus, or that Theophrastus was only acquainted with a particular form of banded chalcedony. This does not seem likely, however, since all the common varieties of striped chalcedony were in use as gems at the time of Theophrastus, and Theophrastus lists in his treatise nearly all the stones then used for the purpose. Since he does not distinguish onyx, sardonyx, and agate by special names, the best explanation is that onychion was a general term that applied to these banded chalcedonies as a class. So far as we know, Theophrastus is the first writer to mention and characterize such stones.
Banded chalcedonies of all sorts were very popular in antiquity as engraved stones, and some of the most beautiful ancient examples were executed in onyx or sardonyx. These were naturally the most suitable stones for large cameos, and a few remarkable specimens have come down to us.
31. achates. Although the English word agate was derived from αχάτης and the Greek word has often been translated in this way, it seems reasonably certain that the ancient name did not have the same significance. Though he mentions its beautiful appearance, Theophrastus unfortunately gives no descriptive detail by which the stone can be identified, nor does Pliny in his account of achates2™ give any clear description of the stones included under this term. For the most part he merely lists varieties, though the names of these, being based upon color or some other distinctive property, afford some definite information. His brief characterization of dendrachates, for example, indicates that achates included at least one kind of true agate, the distinctive dendritic or moss agate, and this identification receives confirmation from the beautiful description of a stone with a similar name (αχάτης SevSpyjeis) contained in the Orphic poem Lithica229 of about the fourth cen-
22eXXXVI, 59-6i.
227 Technologic und Tcrminologic der Gcwerbe und Kiinste bci Griechen und Romern, Vol. Ill, pp. 266-67.
228 XXXVII, 139-41. 228232-38 (230-36).
