158 BULLETIN 118, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Camelian. — According to Epiphanius it cured tumors and all 

 wounds made by iron. 



It preserved the strength, prevented hoarseness, and cleared the 

 voice. (Camillus Leonardus.) 



It cheered the soul, banished fear and enchantments, and preserved 

 harmony. (Albertus Magnus.) 



According to the work by Giov. B. Porta, the wearing of a car- 

 nelian insured victory in all contests save those of love. 



As an amulet and as a powder it was supposed to be a sovereign 

 remedy for hemorrhage. De Laet, in 1647, has described from a 

 personal experience its power in stopping bleeding at the nose, and 

 advises the wearing of rings cut entirely from the stone for this pur- 

 pose. The belief in its efficacy in such cases still persists. 



Cat's-eye. — The cat's-eye cheers the mind, cures pallor, brings on a 

 safe delivery in case of protracted labor, especially if tied in the hair 

 of a patient. Applied locally, it causes infants suffering from the 

 croup to bring up phlegm. 



Applied as an ointment to the eyes, it cures lachryma. Calcined, 

 the powder applied to sores heals them, and will cause new flesh to 

 appear in the place of proud flesh. (Ben Adoula.) 



According to the Mani-Mala, "the cat's-eye is warm, sour, and 

 curative of cold, chronic derangements of the spleen, and colic, and 

 is generally auspicious when worn." The same authority says that 

 the perfect cat's-eyes, which are "heavy, deliriously cool, flawless, 

 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 Hindus group the cat's-eye in four castes, according to their 

 quality, all of which are replete with lucky signs. 



The Persians held that the stone ground to a fine powder, mixed 

 with water and then dried in the sun, and the operation repeated 

 until the powder soaks up four times as much water as was first put 

 in, would cure dropsy and inflammation of the navel if applied locally. 



The Assyrians dedicated the stone to the god Belus, and ornaments 

 containing it would, after the proper religious ceremony, render its 

 wearer invisible to his enemies. 



Chalcedony. — Prevented and cured melancholy. Worn as an 

 amulet and in contact with the hairs of an ass, it was a preventive 

 of danger during tempests and sinister events. (Camillus Leonardus, 

 Speculum Lapidum. 1502.) 



Reported to drive away evil spirits, a preventive of melancholy 

 and sadness, and would bring victory to its wearer. (Andrea Baccius, 

 Armot. Super. 6, c. de Natur. gem.) 



Chrysoberyl. — As an amulet it dispelled evil dreams, fear, and 

 melancholy; in addition, it possessed the properties of the beryl. 

 (The Mirror of Stones. 1750.) 



