The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 6 (of 6)

The stone encardia3299 is also called “ariste.”3300 There are three varieties of it; one of a black colour, with a figure in relief upon it like a heart; a second of a green colour, and like a heart in shape; and a third, with a black heart upon it, the rest of the stone being white. Enorchis3301 is a white stone, the fragments of which, when it is split asunder, resemble the testes in shape. Exebenus, Zoroaster tells us, is a white, handsome stone, employed by goldsmiths for polishing gold. Erythallis,3302 though a white stone, assumes a red hue when viewed at an inclined angle. Erotylos,3303 also known as “amphicomos”3304 and “hieromnemon,”3305 is highly praised by Democritus for its use in the art of divination.

Eumeces3306 is a stone of Bactriana, like silex in appearance; placed beneath the head, it produces visions in the night of an oracular description. Eumithres3307 is called by the Assyrians “gem of Belus,”3308 the most sacred of all their gods; it is of a leek-green colour, and greatly in request for superstitious purposes. Eupetalos3309 is a stone that has four different tints, azure, fiery, vermilion, and apple-colour. Eureos3310 is similar to an olive-stone in form, streaked like a shell, and moderately white. Eurotias3311 has all the appearance of concealing its black colour beneath a coat of mould. Eusebes3312 is the stone, it is said, of which the seat was made in the Temple of Hercules at Tyrus, from which the pious [only] could raise themselves without difficulty. Epimelas3313 is a white gem, with a black hue reflected from its surface.