The morning news., 1892-03-14
PROPERTIES OF JEWELS.
Their Virtues, Medicinal and Other
wise, as Set Forth by Superstition.

Their Virtues, Medicinal and Other
wise, as Set Forth by Superstition.
From the Queries Mdodzfne.
Although popularity supposed to be itself
a deadly poison, the diamond has for re-
mote ages been credited with the power of
protecting the wearer from the evil effects
Of other poisons, a reputation which is re-
tanned until comparatively recent times.
According TO Pliny, it also keeps off insan-
ity. Amber, too, was supposed tn possess
the latter virtue. Besides the diamond
several other stones were supposed to pos
sess medicinal virtues.
The ruby was considered good for de-
rangement OF the liver as well as for bad
eyes. The sapphire and emerald we're also
credited with properties which rendered
them capable Of influencing ophthalmic
disorders and there is a superstitious belief
that serpents are blinded by looking at the
latter stone.
The turquoise, although not credited with
either remedial or protective properties 90
far as disease was concerned, was neverthe-
less regarded as a kind OF sympathetic indi-
Gator, the intensity of its color being sup
posed to fuctuate with the health OF the
wearer. The latter, moreover, by virtue Of
the stone he carried. could, it was said, fall
from any hight with impunity. The
Marquis of Vilena's fool, however, was
somewhat nearer the truth when he re-
versed the popular superstition in his asser-
tion that the wearer of turquoise might
fall from the top Of high tower and be
dashed to pieces without breaking the stone.
The opal was looked upon as thunder
stone, and although many women are now
given to q strong superstitious prejudice
against wearing one. it was In bygone days
held in the highest estimation, for it was
supposed TO combine the virtues Of several
other gems. On the other hand, the onyx
80 named on account Of its resemblance to
the finger nails-could scarcely have been a
nice stone to wear; for, according 10 medi-
Rvai superstition, it rendered one particu-
larly susceptible to annoyance from night
mares aud demons.
Temperance advocates, il they have any
regard for the beliefs of the Greeks and Ro-
mans, ,.mightIseriously consider the ..advisa-
bility of distributing amethists among
drunkards. for it was supposed that these
stones prevented intoxication.
Coral was made use of by the Romans as
a protection against the evil eye, aud popu-
lar superstitiou has credited the topaz with
the power of depriving boiling water Of it's
heat.
Perhaps the most wonderful properties,
however, were ascribed to the chimerical
stones which many creators were supposed
ers have no doubt, heard of the precious
jewel which the toad carries in his brain
box, ard socalled toad stones. which were in
reality the teeth of fossil fish, were formerly
worn in finger rings as a protection against
posons
1t was thought that the best stones were
those voluntarily elected by the living toads;
but, as the latter we're addicted to freely
giving up their treasures in that way, 1t was
necessary to procure the coveted articles by
other MEANS and the recognized method was
TO decapitate the hapless batrachian at the
instant he swallows his breath. The feat
naturally demanded considerable celebrity,
such as could only be acquired by constant
practice; and it is not reasonable, therefore,
to assume that although the endeavors to
gain possession of the jewels were perhaps
numerous, they must invariably have been
unsatisfactory, especially TO the toads
The eagle stone was considered an excel
lent thing to wear during pregnancy, and
the swallow carried in its stomach stones of
great medicinal value.
The brain of tho tortoise was supposed to
contain a wonderful stone. which was efflca-
cious in extiuguishing FIRE. and when placed
under the tongue, would produce prophetic
inspiration Another stone possessing the
latter property was TO be found In the eye
Of the hyena.
The head of a cat, however. was thought
to contain what would undoubtedly have
been the most wonderful and most desirable
treasure of all, could it have only had real
instead Of an imaginary existence, for that
man who was 30 fortunate as to possess this
precious Stone would have all his wishes
granted,