152 BULLETIN 118, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



A closely related idea is found in the 12 stones which, according 

 to the Jewish cabalists, when engraved each with an anagram of the 

 name of God, were supposed to have a mystical power over, and a pro- 

 phetical relation to, the 12 angels. Thus: 



Ruby Malchediel. 



Topaz : Asmodel. 



Carbuncle Ambriel. 



Emerald Muriel- 

 Sapphire Herchel. 



Diamond Humatiel. 



Jacinth Zuriel. 



Agate Barbiel. 



Amethyst Adnachiel. 



Beryl Humiel. 



Onyx Gabriel. 



Jasper Barchiel. 



These stones also had reference to the Twelve Tribes of Israel, the 

 12 parts of the human body, 12 hierarchies of devils, etc. By their 

 aid a system of prognostication was practiced, based upon the change 

 of hue or brilliancy of the stone, so that the cabalist was enabled to 

 foretell future events. 



The Twelve Apostles were represented symbolically by precious 

 stones: Jasper, St. Peter; sapphire, St. Andrew; chalcedony, St. 

 James; emerald, St. John; sardonyx, St. Philip; carnelian, St. 

 Matthew; beryl, St. Thomas; chrysoprase, St. Thaddeus; topaz, St. 

 James the Less; hyacinth, St. Simeon; amethyst, St. Matthias. 



The superstitions connected with the 12 stones have persisted in 

 one form or another from the times of the Magi to the present, and 

 the belief in their virtues can still be traced in the wearing of "birth- 

 stones," as listed below: 



BIRTH STONES. 



January Garnet (also hyacinth). 



February.. .Amethyst (hyacinth and pearl occasionally used). 



March Bloodstone (also jasper). 



April Diamond (also sapphire). 



May Emerald (chalcedony, carnelian, and agate occasionally used). 



June Agate (chalcedony, turquoise, pearl, and cat's-eye occasionally used). 



July Ruby (carnelian, onyx, sardonyx, and turquoise occasionally used). 



August Sardonyx (carnelian, moonstone, alexandrite, and topaz occasionally 



used). 

 September.. Sapphire (also chrysolite and sardonyx). 



October Opal (also beryl and aquamarine). 



November .. Topaz (also pearl). 



December. .Turquoise (ruby, bloodstone, and chrysoprase occasionally used). 



In the Sympathia Septern Metallorum ac Septem Selectorum Lap- 

 idum ad Planetas is a list of stones recorded as being in sjmipathy 

 with the planets, and as such were possessed of astrological and medic- 



