The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-28

a
aleppo" sores.
Alabaster Is regarded as the best mate
rial for vessels to hold unguents, which
arc believed to be preserved from spoil
ing by the alabaster. 1t is also regarded
as good in physics; and he who carries
it will be victorious in suits at law
Amber is believed to assuage pain in
the stomach, and to cure jaundice. fux,
a good remedy for all disorders of the
throat, and as an antidote for poison.
II laid on the breast of a wife when she
is asleep, 1t makes her confess all her
evil deeds. 1t fastens teeth that are
loosened, and by the smoke of it poison
GUS insects are driven away. When
buried in moist soil 1t was supposed to
generate fungus, which was admins
tered to those troubled with gravel. When
used as an amulet 1t overcame toothache.
asthma, Group, and diseases of the throat.
These beliefs are still current. Amber is
used today in Lomhardy and the Pied
mont as a cure for goitre.
The amethyst is embematic of sim
cerity and as an amulet it dispels sleep,
sharpenS the intellect. prevents intoxica-
ton. gives victory to soldiers. and pro-
tects its wearer from sorcery. 1t banishes
the desire for drink and promotes chas-
tity. According to Pliny, the amethyst
was an antidote for drunkenness and takes
its name from this property. Moreover,
If the name of the moon or sun be en-
graved on 1t and 1t be thus-hung about
the neck from the hair of n baboon or
lIe feathers OF a swallow II Is a Cnarn
against witchcraft. 1t Is also serviceable
to persons having petitions to make to
princes. With the assistance of spell
or incarnation 1t is believed to keep of
hailstorms and flights of locusts. 1t was
considered capable of neutralizing magic
incantations.
Beryl was used with incantations to
foretell the future and review the past,
and was efiieacious in detecting thieves,
forewarned death, and was supposed to
have power over and be the abode of
evil spirits that could be made to work
the wearer's will by means of suitable
incantations 1t rendered its owner
cheerful and preserved and increased con-
jugal love. 1t cured diseases of the throat
and jaws and disorders proceeding from
the humidity of the head and is a pre-
sentative against them"
According to Freeman. who wrote in
lfOl. the beryl dlsturbs devils beyond all
others. If it is thrown in water with the
words or its charm song it shows various
those that question 1t. Being held in the
mouth man may call any devil out of
hell and receive satisfaction to such ques-
lions as he may ask Browning. in one
of his poems. 1.-THE Beryl Stone" makes
use of this belief.
The beryl was largely used for divina-
ton in 1000. The method was as follows:
A bowl was filled with water and the
ring suspended in it. The answer to the
question propounded was spelled out by
the ring striking the sides of the vessel
modification of this and one still in use
was to mark the edges of the bowl with
the letters of the alphabet. The stopping
of the ring at certain letters composed
the answer. Still another method was to
throw a sphere cut from the stone into
4 bowl of water The character of the
presiding demon was favorable or not. If
favorable the information desired was
pictured on the surface of the bowl. Prior
to the sixteenth century the beryl was in
q cd IA
an equal weight of silver, its powder
taken internally. was thought to cure
leprosy. Water in which the stone had
stood was good for the eyes and taken
internally it dispelled flatulency and cured
indispositions of the liver.
THE WISDOM OF THE BLooDsToNE.
The bloodstone is symbolical of wis
dom. rirllness, and courage. When used
with the proper incantations it's owner
was supposed to be enabled to foretell
the future. and il rubbed with the Juice
of the heiiotrope 1t rendered the wearer
invisible. The stone brought safety and
long life to its possessor. 1t stopped the
flow Of blood and was an antidote for
poisons. Albertus Magnus taught that it
cured dyspepsia, strengthened the stom-
ach. and ii washed according to medici-
nal art" was a styptic. Mixed with
honey or the white Of an egg its powder
was held by him to be an excellent
remedy for hard tumors, while its dust
would cure proud flesh and running sores.
Pliny and Leonardus mention that IL
placed in n basin of water containing the
Juice of the heliotrope and set in the
sun the water would appear red and the
sun bloody. After a time the water will
apparently boil and overflow the basin.
Taken out of the water the sun and solar
eclipses could then be viewed in the water
as In mirror During the Middle Ages
the belief was prevalent in Europe that
the stone had its origin in a dark green
jasper which happened to lie at the foot
of the cross at the time Of the crucifxion
and upon which the blood OF Christ fell,
hence the red spots.
Carnelian. according to Epiphanus
cured tumors and all wounds made by
iron. 1t preserved the strength. prevent
ed hoarseness, and cleared the voice. 1t
cheered the soul, banished fear, and en-
chantments, and preserved harmony, and
by some authors the wearing of a carne-
liam ensured victory in all contests, except
those OF love. AS an amulet and as a
powder. it was supposed TO be sovereign
remedy for hemorrhage and as a stopper
of nose bleed ii is still regarded as
potent remedy.
THE MERITS OF THE CATSToNE.
The cats-eye cheers the mind. cures
pallor. and if applied locally causes in
fants suffering from the Group to bring
up phlegm. and will cause new flesh to
appear in place of proud flesh. If admin
istered as powder. According to one
authority the cat's-eye is warm, sour. and
curative of colds. chronic arrangements
Of the spleen, and collie, and is generally
auspicious when worn. According to the
same authority, the perfect cats-eyes,
which are heavy, deliciously cool, flaw
less. and smooth, and otherwise faultless,"
are considered very lucky while those
that are defective, bring about loss of
friends ruin, and wasting of the body.
The HindoOs group the cat's-eye in four
casts, according TO their quality all of
which are replete with lucky signs.
The Persians held that the stone ground
to fine powder. mixed with water. and
then dried in the sun, and the operation
repeated until the powder soaks up four
times as much as was first put in would
cure dropsy and Inflammation of the navel
if applied locally. The Assyrians dedi-
Gated the stone to the god Belus, and or
naments containing II would, after proper
visible to his enemies.
Chalcedony prevented and cured melan-
chOly. When worn as an amulet and in
contact with the hairs Of an ass. 1t was
a preventative cf DANCE: during tempests
and sinister events.
Chrysoberyl as an amulet dispelled evil
dreams, fear, and melancholy. and in ad-
ditiun possessed the properties OF the
beryl when set In gold and worn on the
neck or hand 1t removes diseases and va
rious faults and increases the family, life,
and happiness. The oriental chrysoberyl
dspelled pestilential vapors and infectious
airs. Taken internally IT cured asthma.
1t is said to cool boiling water when i'm
mersed in it, soften anger. and induce the
wearer to repent of his sins.
Coral stopped every tiuX of blood. drove
away ghosts, illusions and dreams 1t was
a protection against lightning winds. tenn
pest. and attacks of wild beasts. 1t gave
relief to pains in the stomach and heart
and strengthened those organs. II made