We must give some account also of onyx,[3070] because of the name which it partly shares in common with sardonyx. This name, though in some places[3071] given to a marble, is here used to signify a precious stone. Sudines says, that in this stone there is a white portion which resembles the white of the human-finger nail, in addition to the colours of chrysolithos, sarda, and iaspis. According to Zenothemis, there are numerous varieties of the Indian onyx, the fiery-coloured, the black, and the cornel, with white veins encircling them, like an eye as it were, and in some cases running across them obliquely.[3072] Sotacus mentions an Arabian onyx, which differs from the rest; that of India, according to him, presenting small flames,[3073] each surrounded by one or more white zones; in a manner altogether different from the Indian sardonyx, which presents a series of white specks, while in this case it is one continuous circle. The Arabian onyx, on the other hand, is black, he says, with a white zone encircling it. Satyrus says, that there is an onyx in India of a flesh colour,[3074] partly resembling carbunculus, and partly chrysolithos and amethystos; a variety, however, which he altogether disapproves of. The real onyx, according to him, has numerous veins of variegated colours, interspersed with others of a milk-white hue; the shades of which, as they pass into one another, produce a tint which surpasses all description, and blends itself into one harmonious whole, of a most beautiful appearance. Not unlike sardonyx, too, is sarda,[3075] a stone which also has, in part, a kindred name with it; but before passing on to it, we must first take some notice of all those precious stones which have a brilliancy like that of flame. CHAP. 25. (7.)—CARBUNCULUS: TWELVE VARIETIES OF IT. In the first rank among these is carbunculus,[3076] so called from its resemblance to fire; though in reality it is proof against the action of that element:[3077] hence it is that some persons call these stones “acaustoi.”[3078] There are various kinds of carbunculus, the Indian and the Garamantic, for example, which last has been also called the Carchedonian,[3079] in compliment to the former opulence of Great Carthage.[3080] To these are added the Æthiopian and the Alabandic stones, the latter of which are found at Orthosia[3081] in Caria, but are cut and polished at Alabanda.[3082] In addition to this, each kind is subdivided into the male carbunculus and the female, the former of which is of a more striking brilliancy, the brightness of the latter being not so strong. In the male varieties too, we see some in which the fire is clearer than in others; while some, again, are of a darker[3083] hue, or else have their brilliancy more deeply seated, and shine with a more powerful lustre than others when viewed in the sun.