CATALOGUE OF GEMS AND PRECIOUS STONES. 161 



Sanskrit medical science taught that coral is sour, sweet, a specific 

 for cold and biliousness, nutritious, and grace imparting; and the 

 wearing of it very beneficial to women. 



According to the Arabic and Persian writers, as given by Tagore in 

 his Treatise on Gems, a dose of coral was considered to be a good 

 astringent, a remedy for all bleedings, and an antidote for all poisons. 

 Worn over the parts it cured all stomach complaints; worn around 

 the neck it stopped crying in infants and protected them from fear 

 and sudden starts while asleep. In Afghanistan the coral mixed with 

 gold dust is given as a tonic. In Egypt it is used according to the 

 following receipt: 



Cut open a lemon and put a piece of coral inside, cover the opening 

 with a paste of clay, and place the whole under a fire for some time 

 until it gets white from burning; remove it and after grinding the 

 stone use it as an ointment for the eyes. Mixed with electuaries and 

 taken internally it will give great physical strength. 



Porta, in his Magiae Naturalis, says that the coral will arrest the 

 flow of blood and keep off evil spirits. This belief still persists in 

 Italy, where a hand holding a branch of coral is not infrequently 

 worn as a protection against the evil eye. 



Diamond. — This stone, being of all gems the purest, hardest, and 

 most brilliant, was considered to be the most powerful in spiritual 

 influences and was consecrated to all that was holy and heavenly. 

 It was symbolical of constancy, purity, and innocence, and hence 

 early used in betrothal rings. It softened anger, strengthened love, 

 and was considered an infallible test of conjugal fidelity. To the 

 ancients the diamond represented inexorable justice and unchange- 

 able fate, hence the judges of Hades were described as having hearts 

 and bosoms of adamant. 



According to the Talmud, a certain gem, supposed to have been 

 the diamond, worn in the girdle of the high priest, if brought in con- 

 tact with an accused man became dark and dim if the suspect was 

 guilty ; if innocent the stone shown with increased brilliancy. 



In Europe as late as 1700 the diamond was thought to be the most 

 potent talisman against poison, pestilence, witchcraft, etc. It was 

 esteemed a safeguard to virtue; was used as a preventive of and a 

 cure for lunacy. It was supposed to drive away lemures, incubi, 

 and kindred terrors; and was considered a preservative against 

 lightning. The gem was supposed to possess sex, and Boetius de 

 Boot mentions two such diamonds which by their union produced 

 others and thus left a numerous progeny. 



Sir John Mandeville also bears witness to the procreative powers 

 of diamonds: 



They grow together, male and female, and are nourished by the dew of heaven; 

 and they engender commonly, and bring forth small children that multiply and grow 

 4555—22 13 



