560 



RErOKT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1900. 



These stones also had reference to the twelve tribes of Israel, the 

 twelve parts of the human body, twelve 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. 



Fig:. 2n. 

 THE ZODIACAL STONES WITH THEIR SKiNS [AFTER AN OLD PRINT]. 



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. Mat- 

 thew; beryl, St. Thomas; chrysoprase, St. Thaddeus; topaz, St. flames 

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



The superstitions connected with the twelve stones have persisted, 

 in on(^ form or another, from the times of the Mag'ii to the present, 

 and the ])elief in their virtues can still be traced in the wearing of 

 "birthstones." 



