166 BULLETIN 118, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



applied to the eyes, brings out all impurities therein and stops the flow of fluid sub- 

 stances. When set in a gold ring and worn on the forefinger or thumb it is prophy- 

 lactic against cholera. The ashes of burnt emerald heals ulcers if applied locally. 



According to the Rosierucians, if at the time when Sol enters 

 Libra an emerald be set in a gold ring of the same weight and worn 

 on the finger, its wearer would attain his cherished object and could 

 detect the presence of poisons by the sweating of the stone. 



The possessor of an emerald would never become poor. 



If a serpent looked at this stone, he was struck with blindness. 



The Egyptians held that the best test for a genuine emerald was 

 that a serpent immediately fell to licking it as soon as it came across 

 it. 



The Aztecs administered its powder as a remedy for venereal 

 diseases. 



Garnet. — Emblematic of constancy. Its virtue was to dispel 

 "poisonous and infectious airs" (Leonardus). During the Middle 

 Ages it was considered to possess the same marvelous and medicinal 

 properties as the ruby, though to a less degree. It gave and pre- 

 served health, drove away vain thoughts, and reconciled differences 

 between friends. 



Suspended from the neck, it kept off plague and thunder, strength- 

 ened the heart, and increased riches and honors. (Giov. B. Porta, 

 Magiae Naturalis. 1561.) 



According to the Puranas — 



A garnet which is colored like the conch, the lotus, the black bee, or the sun, and 

 which is strung on a thread, is sound and auspicious, and heralds good fortune. A 

 garnet which is colored like the crow, the horse, the ass, the jackal, the bull, or the 

 blood-stained beak of a vulture holding a piece of flesh, brings on death. 



Jacinth. — Procured sleep, riches, honor, and wisdom. A preserva- 

 tive against pestilence and foes. (Leonardus, Speculum Lapidum. 

 1502.) 



Cardanus, in De Lapidibus preciosis, says that he was in the habit 

 of carrying a jacinth about him for the purpose of inducing sleep, 

 which he says "it did seem somewhat to confer, but not much.'' 



Nicols, quoting Cardanus, says that jacinth procured sleep, cheered 

 the heart, drove away plagues, brought protection from thunder, and 

 increased wisdom and honor when worn on the finger or about the 

 neck as an amulet. (Arcula Gemmea. 1653.) 



Jade. — Worn as an amulet or administered internally, it was a 

 curative of diseases of the kidney and loins. 



Wecker, in the Antidotae speciale de Lapidibus minus preciosis 

 Altcrantibus, says that a nobleman, well known to him, had a fine 

 "nephritick stone," which he wore on his arm — 



by the power of which he voided a very great quantity of gravel, so great as that he 

 feared lest he should suffer harm by so large an expulsion of it in so short a time. 



