PLASMA. This variety of leek-green jasper is derived from the Greek word PLASMA, an image. It was a favourite stone among the ancients who employed it in gem engraving and for important talismans. In the Rhodes collection there is a beautiful oval specimen on which is engraved a nude figure of Hermes holding a caduceus in his left hand, whilst on his right above a purse is perched a cock; a scorpion is on his left side, a little above his knee. He wears the winged cap on his head. Mr. King classes this piece as astrological. It symbolizes the wisdom and rewards of the well-starred subject of Mercury. Plasma was largely used in Abraxes charms by the Gnostics who employed the substance always for special talismans. Astrologically Plasma is under the zodiacal Virgin. PORPHYRY. The name is derived from the Greek word for purple—PORPHYRA—and we find it written at various periods in many ways, for example: porfurie, porphurye, purphire, porpherie, porphiry. It is a hard purple and white stone, said to have been introduced into Rome by Vitrasisus Pollio in the form of statues of Claudius. The quarries whence the ancients obtained their supplies of porphyry were found at Gebel Dokhan, near the Red Sea, by Wilkinson and Burton. It has always been a favourite stone with sculptors, glyptic artists, and architects, and was chiefly esteemed in the forming of columns. Porphyry was regarded as a stone to promote eloquence in speaking. Astrologically it was placed under “the sign of the Columns”—Gemini. PRASE. The name is derived from the Greek PRASON, a leek. Leonardus calls it Prassius, and he says it is so termed from a herb of its own name. It is also written as prasius, prasium. It is thus described by Marbodus: “_Midst precious stones a place the Prase may claim, Of value small, content with beauty’s fame. No virtue has it: but it brightly gleams With emerald green, and well the gold beseems; Or blood-red spots diversify its green, Or crossed with three white lines its face is seen._” Other authors, however, endow the prase with a virtue. It was regarded by some as a beauty charm for married women and for the mothers of brides. It resembles the beryl in its clear form, but it is duller. It is translucent and, as its name indicates, leek-green in colour. At one time it was believed to be the matrix of the emerald, whence it was called “Mother of Emerald.” It is under the zodiacal Taurus. PYRITE “_Named from the fire the yellow pyrite spurns The touch of man, and to be handled scorns: Touch it with trembling hand and cautious arm For, tightly grasped, it burns the closed palm._”