568 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1900. 



Oafs-eye. — The oat-.s-eye cheers the mind, cures [)iillor, hrinjj^s on a 

 safe deliv^erv in case of protracted labor, especialh' if tied in the liair 

 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 poAvder applied to sores heals them, and will cause new flesh to 

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



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

 tive of cold, chronic derangements of the spleen, and colic, and is 

 generally auspicious when worn." The same authority sa3's that the 

 perfect cat's-eyes, which are "heavy, deliciously cool, flawless, smooth, 

 and otherwise faultless," are considered very lucky, while those that 

 are defective bring al>out loss of friends, ruin, and wasting of the bod3\ 



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 tine 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 tirst put 

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



The Assyrians dedicated the stone to the god Beltis, 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 melancholv and 

 sadness, and would })ring victory to its wearer. (Andrea Baccius, 

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



Chfy)<(>}>evyl. — As an amulet it dispelled evil di'cams, fear, and mel- 

 ancholy; in addition, it possessed the properties of the beryl. (The 

 Mirror of Stones. 1750.) 



The oriental chrysolite (chryso])eryl) dispelled pestilential vapors 

 and infectious airs. Taken internally, it alleviated asthma. (Rulan- 

 dus, Medicina Practica. 1561.) 



It was said to cool boiling water when immersed in it, soften anger, 

 lose its luster on contact with poison, ancl induce its wearer to repent 

 of the faults he had committed. (Porta, Magia; Naturalis. 1501.) 



According to the Mani-Mala, the chrysoberyl, when set in gold and 

 worn about the neck or hand, removes disease and vicious habits, and 

 increp-ses family, life, and happiness. 



67i/"//.sY>/^«V(^ — Cardanus, in his "de subtil itate," says that he cured 

 one C. Palavicinus of a fever and another person of the "falling sick- 

 ness" by the administration of powered chrysolite with wine. 



The powder was prescribed as a remedy for asthma. Held under 

 the tongue, it assuaged thirst in fever. (Arcula Genmiea. 1653.) 



