Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-08-12
MADE OF BIRDS TEARS.
Strange super stitiOns connected d
with Some Precious stones.

Agate quenches thirst, and if held in
the mouth allays fever. 1t is supposed,
at least in fable, to render the wearer in
visible, and to turn the swords of foes
against themselves. 1t is the emblem OF
health and long life, and is dedicated to
June. In the zodiac it stands for Scorl 10.
Amber is cure for sore throat and all
glandular swellings. 1t is said to be a
concretlon Of BIRDS tears. The birds
which wept amber were the sisters of
Meleager, called Meleagrides, who never
ceased weeping for their brothers. death.
Amethyst banishes the desire for
drink and promises chastity. The
Greeks thought it counteracted the
effect of wine, says the Detroit Free
Press. The amethyst is an emblem of
humility and sobriety. 1t is dedicated
to February and Venus. In the zodiac
it represents Sagittarius, in metallurey
copper, in Christian art it is given to St.
Matthew, and the Roman Catholic
Church it is set in the pastoral ring of
Bishops, whence it is called the "pre-
late's gen."
Catseye is considered by the Cingalese
as charm against witchcraft and to be
the abode of the same genii.
Coral is a talisman ainst enchant-
ments, thunder, witchcraft and other
perils of food and field. 1t was conse-
Grated to Jupiter and Ph9bus. Red
coral worn about the person is consid-
cred cure for indigestion.
Crystal induces vision, induces sleep
and induces good dreams. 1t is dedicated
to the moon, and in metallurgy stands
for silver.
Diamond produces somnambuliem and
promotes spiritual ecstacy. The dia-
mond is an emblem of innocence, and is
dedicated to April and the sun. In the
zodiac it stands for Virgo, in metallurgy
for gold, in Christian art invulnerable
faith.
Emerald promotes friendship and con-
stancy OF mind. II serpent fixes its
eyes on an emerald it becomes blind. 1t
is an emblem of success and love, and is
dedicated to May. In the zodiac it stands
for Cancer; in metallurgy, for iron, and
in Christian art is given to st. Paul. 1t
is dedicated to Mars.
Garnet preserves health and Joy. 1t is
an emblem of constancy, and is dedicated
to January. This was the carbuncle of
the anciente.
Jacinth is also dedicated to January.
Loadstone produces somnambulism, is
dedicated to Mercury, and in metallurgy
stands for quicksilver.
Mconstone has the virtue OF making
trees fruitful and OF curing epilepsy. 1t
in it an image of the moon, rep
resenting its increase and decrease every
month.
Onyx contains in it an imprisoned
devil, which wakes at sunset and causes
terror to the wearer, disturbing sleep
dreams. Cupid, with the sharp
points of his arrows, cut the nails OF
Venus during sleep, and the parings.
falling into the Indus, sank to the bottom
and turned into onyxes. In the zodiac
it stands for Aquarius; some say it is the
emblem Of August and conjugal love; in
Christian art it symbolizes sincerity.
Opal is fatal to love, and sows diecord
between the giver and the receiver.
Given as an engagement token, it is sure
to bring ill luck. The opal is an emblem
of hope, and is dedicated to October.
Ruby-The Burmese believe that the
ruby ripens like fruit. They say that
ruby in it's cru e state is colorless, and,
as it natures, changes first to yellow, then
to green, then to blue. and lastly to
brilliant red, it's highest state Of perfec-
ton and ripeness. in the zodiac it stands
for Aries. Some give it to Dece m Der,
and make it the emblem of brilliant sue
cess.
Sapphire produces somnambulism, and
impels the wearer to all good works. In
the zodiac it signifies Leo, and in Chris
tian art is dedicated to st. Andrew, en-
blemstic of his heavenly faith and good
hope. Some give this gem to April.
Topaz is favorable to hem orrhages, i'm
parts strength and promotes digestion.
1t is an emblem of fidelity, and is dedi-
Gated to November. In the zodiac it
stands for Taurus, and in Christian art it
is given to st. James the Less.
Torquoise, given by loving hands, car,
ries with it happiness and good fortune.
Its color always pales when the we'll
being of the giver is in peril. 1t is an
emblem of prosperity, and is dedicated
to December. In the zodiac it stands for
Saturn, and in metallurgy for lead.
A bouquet made of diamonds, load
stones and sapphires combined renders a
person almost invincible and wholly
irresistible.
All precious stones are purified by
honey,-[New York Star.