A'methyst--a stone of violet color, bordering on purple, composed of a strong blue and a deep red. Amethyst is a Greek term, and this stone, being imagined to prevent inebriation, received its name from a word of that meaning.

      Ber'yl--a pellucid gem, of a bluish green color, found in the East Indies, and in the gold mines of Peru. Mr. Parkhurst derives it from the Hebrew word tarshish--from tar, to go round; and shish, bright in color.

      Chalced'ony--a precious stone variegated with divers colors, in the form of clouds. There are four species of this stone:--1st. a bluish white; 2d. a dull, milky veined; 3d. a brownish black; 4th. yellow and red, found only in the East Indies.

      Chrys'olite--The import of this term would make it the golden stone. It is a gem of a yellowish green color, and now ranks among the Topazes. It is very transparent.

      Chrysop'rasus differs only from the Chrysolite in having a bluish hue. It is a variety of the Chrysolite, of a green color, with a golden brightness. It is sometimes called the yellowish green and cloudy Topaz.

      Crys'tal--a very bright, transparent stone, of a watery color, exceedingly clear.

      Di'amond--the hardest and most valuable of all precious stones; sometimes called Adamant. It is one of the most inflammable substances in nature, being pure carbon.

      Em'erald--the same with the ancient Smaragdus; one of the most beautiful of gems, of a bright green color, without any mixture. The true Oriental Emerald is very rare, and now only found in the kingdom of Cambay.

      Ja'cinth--a gem of deep reddish yellow.

      Jas'per--a precious stone, variegated with divers colors, and of a very hard quality; some have been found of a sea-green color.

      On'yx--a species of the Chalcedony, It is a kind of agate,^* of a whitish black color. Some call it a Sardonyx.

      Ru'by--a red purple stone, very hard and rare.

      Sap'phire--a precious stone, of a very beautiful pure blue, second only to the Diamond in hardness, lustre and value. It is of a different species, sometimes blue, red, and yellow combined.

      Sar'dius--a gem of a reddish color, approaching white. The best come from Babylon, and are of a blood red color.

      Sar'donyx--resembling both the Sardius and the Onyx.

      To'paz--a yellow gem; or, as some describe it, of a pale, dead green; considered by mineralolgists, a species of the Sapphire.

      The names of the Twelve Patriarchs were engraven upon twelve gems, placed three in a row, worn on the shoulders and breast of the High Priest.--Upon a

      ^* AGATES are only varieties of the flint, of little value; they are of a white, red, yellow, and green cast.

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