578 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1900. 



over Ji household tire caused the iuuiates to tiee in a panic, an artitice, 

 according- to the popuhir l)elief, made us(> of hy thieves. (The Mirror 

 of Stones. 1750.) 



It is good against the headache, convulsions, and poisons; and that it causeth easy 

 dehvery, and procureth love 'twixt man and wife, and preserveth peace and concord 

 amongst friends, and that it driveth away fears and increases wisdom. Galen and 

 Dioscorides say it. ( Arcnla Gemmea. 1653.) 



Lodestone is in repute to-da}- as a preventive and cure for cramps, 

 colic, and rheumatism. Among- the American negroes it is u.sed as a 

 voodoo stone, and is thought to be a love charm; to possess phallic 

 properties; to increase tlie strength of the body, and to cure Uuiibago, 

 rheumatism, and hernia. 



Malaclute. — Thought to increase the strength and growth of 

 children and ward from them all dangers and intirmities. (Pliny, Nat. 

 Hist.; Solinus, Poly hist, C. 36; Baccius de Nat. gem., C. 29.) 



It strengthened the stomach; preserved children from hurt and 

 convulsions. (Arcida Gemmea.) 



Boetius states that six grains taken internally acts as an excellent 

 purgative. It will cure "cardialgia" and colic. (Tract, de Lapidi- 

 bus et Gemmis.) 



Held to be a powerful local ana?sthetic, for '"''))eing taken in drink 

 or bruised in vinegar and applied to the members that are to be cut 

 ott' and burnt, it makes them so insensible that they feel scarce any 

 pain." (Speculum Lapidum.) 



Moonstone. — According- to Plin3% "the image of the moon contained 

 therein daily waxes or wanes according- to the period of the lunar 

 motion." 



During- the period of the increase of the moon it was a potent love 

 charm; during- the period of decrease it enabled its wearer to foretell 

 the future. Carried in the mouth it became an aid to the memory. 

 As a powder and amulet it was prescribed in cases of epilepsy. (Cam- 

 illus Leonardus.) It is still used for this purpose among the Basques. 

 (Crevecoeur.) 



Onyx. — Its origin, according- to the Greek legend, was due to Cupid 

 cutting- the nails of the sleeping Venus with his arrow; these falling 

 into the Indus were changed to onyx. 



The stone was thought to l)e a powerful aphrodisiac; to increase 

 si)ittlc ill children; hasten a ))irth; give rise to nightmare, and stir up 

 strife. Used as an eyestone "it enters of its own accord, and if it 

 found anything- within that is noxious, it drives it out and tempers 

 the hurtful and contrary hinnors." (Camillus Leonardus, Speculiuu 

 Lapidum. 1502.) 



The belief in its causing nightmare and strife was widespread. This 

 belief was explained l)y Benoni on the assumption that "in the onyx 

 is a demon imprisoned in the stone who wakes only of a night, causing 

 terror and disturbance to sleepers who wear it." 



