174 BULLETIN 118, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Placed on the heart it cured fever; on the forehead it stopped 

 bleeding at the nose. The powder taken with milk was a remedy 

 for fevers, plague, and poison. (Albertus Magnus.) 



The powdered sapphire used as an ointment cured inflammation 

 and irritation of the eyes; it was also thought to be able to draw out 

 any foreign substance that might be present in them. (Canones 

 Medicinae.) 



According to Giov. Porta the sapphire was of great service in 

 necromancy and the magic arts, and a deadly enemy to all venomous 

 reptiles and insects. (Magiae Naturalis. 1561.) 



The Hindus regarded the stone as unlucky and as a bringer of 

 misfortune. Thus: 



A sapphire, the surface of which wears a micalike sheen * * * brings about 

 loss of wealth and life. That mark in a sapphire which at first sight looks like a rift, 

 * * * renders one liable to bites. That sapphire which is parti-colored causes loss 

 of family dignity. The sapphire which contains dirt produces a variety of skin 

 diseases like itching. That which contains gritty fragments is destructive; that 

 which is rough causes banishment. (Mani-Mala.) 



.The same authority says, however, "that sapphire which when 

 placed in a pot of milk darkens it all through, increases wealth, and 

 is conducive to fame and increase of family," while " a flawless, ster- 

 ling sapphire brings its wearer strength, fame, and length of days," 

 and "the man who wears a sapphire of spotless chastity finds favor 

 with Narayana, 1 and acquires longevity, family dignity, fame, 

 understanding, and wealth." 



According to the Sanskrit medical science the sapphire is bitter, 

 warm, and good in cold and biliousness, and when worn alleviates the 

 rage of Sani. 2 



In Egypt the sapphire is taken with majoom (electuaries) to add 

 strength to the body. (Tagore, Treatise on Gems.) 



The Buddhists esteem the sapphire above all gems, claiming that it 

 produced tranquillity of mind, and when worn by one wholly pure and 

 devoted to God insures protection against disease, danger, and ven- 

 omous reptiles. 



The saphire is of a cold and drie faculty, even as are most pretious stones; it is 

 reported of it that it is good against feverish distempers, hence this old distick. 



Corporis ardorem refrigerat interiorem 

 Sapphirus, & cyprise languida vota facit. 



The best of these are very comfortable to the eyes if they be often looked on. 

 (Arcula Gemmea. 1653.) 



It is reported of it that if it be worn by an adulterer, by loosing its splendor it will 

 discover his adultery. (Cardanus, De Lapidibus preciosis.) 



The sapphire is of so contrary a nature to poisons that if placed in a glass with a 

 spider the insect will quickly die. (Arcula Gemmea. 1653.) 



1 The preserver of the Hindu Triad. 



1 One of the stars influencing the destinies of men. 



