in natural history, a genus of fossils resembling marble, which are bright, brittle, and do not give fire with steel; they ferment with acids, and readily calcine with heat. There are three species of alabaster:

1. The snow-white shining alabaster, or lygdimum of the ancients, is found in Taurus in pieces large enough to make dishes, or the like. It cuts very freely, and is capable of a fine polish.

2. The yellowish alabaster, or phengites of Pliny, is found in Greece, and is of a soft loose open texture, pretty heavy, and nearly of the colour of honey. This species has likewise been found in Germany, France, and in Derbyshire in England.

3. Variegated, yellow, and reddish alabaster. This species is the common alabaster of the ancients, and is so soft that it may be cut with a knife. It is remarkably bright, and almost transparent; admits of a fine polish, and consists of large angular harry concretions. It is not proof against water; it ferments violently with aqua-fortis, and burns burns to a pale yellow. The colour of this species is a clear pale yellow resembling amber, and variegated with undulated veins; some of which are pale red, others whitish, and others of a pale brown. It was formerly brought from Egypt, but is now to be met with in several parts of England. The alabasters are frequently used by statuaries for small statues, vases, and columns. After being calcined and mixed with water, they may be cast in any mould like plaster of Paris.

in antiquity, a term not only used for a box of precious ointment; but also for a liquid measure, containing ten ounces of wine, or nine of oil.