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 bands: some of the antique engravings are upon onyxes of four bands.

THE PRECIOUS OPAL.

color of the opal is white or pearl grey, and when held between the eye and the light is pale red, or wine yellow, with a milky translucency. By reflected light it exhibits, as its position is varied, elegant, and most beautiful iridescent colors, particularly emerald green, golden yellow, flame and fire red, violet purple, and celestial blue, so beautifully blended, and so fascinating, as to captivate the admirer. When the color is arranged in small spangles, it takes the name of the Harlequin Opal.—Sometimes it exhibits only one of the above colors, and of these the most esteemed are the vivid emerald green, and the orange yellow. When the stone possesses the latter of these colors, it is called the Golden Opal.