CAMÆA, in natural history, a genus of the semi-pellucid gems approaching to the onyx structure, being composed of zones, and formed on a crystalline basis; but having their zones very broad and thick, and laid alternately one on another, with no common matter between; usually less transparent, and more debased with earth, than the onyxes.

1. One species of the camea is the dull-looking onyx, with broad black and white zones; and is the camea of the moderns, and the Arabian onyx. This species is found in Egypt, Arabia, Persia, and the East Indies.

2. Another species of the camea is the dull broad zoned, green and white camea, or the jaspicamea of the Italians: it is found in the East Indies, and in some parts of America.

3. The third is the hard camea, with broad white and chestnut coloured veins.

4. The hard camea, with bluish, white, and flesh-coloured broad veins, being the sardonyx of Pliny's time, only brought from the East Indies.