CATALOGUE OF GEMS. 579 



Among- the Persians the onyx is to-day administered as a drug- for 

 the cure of epilepsy. 



Opal. — Symbolical of hope. 



The gem was in great repute as an eyestone, and was used in all 

 diseases of the eye. It partot)k of all the virtues of those stones whose 

 colors it showed. (Camillus Leonardus, Speculum Lapidum. 1502.) 



It stimulated the heart; preserves from contagious and infectious 

 airs; drives away despondency; prevents fainting, heart disease, and 

 malignant affections. (Giov-. B. Porta, Magiae Naturalis. 1561.) 



The opal was supposed to indicate the state of health of its wearer 

 by change of color, losing its brilliancy if the wearer was ill, and vice 

 versa. 



The idea that the opal is unlucky is based on a teutonic superstition, 

 and is comparatively modern. Mention of its supposed evil qualities 

 is made in a work entitled Art Magic; Mundane, Submundane, and 

 Supermundane Spiritism, in which the opal is credited with being 

 fatal to love and sowing discord between giver and receiver. 



Pearl. — Emblematic of purity, beauty, and nobility. 



Pliny states that pearls were supposed to be generated by a celestial 

 dew falling on the shelltish, which, in the early mornings of certain 

 seasons, left the bottom of the sea to draw in the air containing the 

 dew from which the pearls were derived, the size and quality of the 

 pearl depending upon the size of the dewdrop and the purity of the 

 air. Cloudy weather spoiled the color, lightning stopped the growth, 

 and thunder ruined the gem. 



According to the ancient Hindu authorities, pearls were held to 

 originate in elephants, clouds, boars, conch shells, fishes, frogs, oys- 

 ters, and bamboos. Of these, the. oysters were the most productive. 

 The pearls were formed by rain drops falling into the open shell of 

 the mollusk, the finest gems being found during the period when the 

 sun rested on arcturus, the fifteenth lunar asterism. 



In the Orient the pearl was and is extensively used as a medicine 

 for svncope, hemorrhage, stomach troubles, etc. In China large 

 quantities of seed pearls are made into an electuary, and taken to 

 restore manly vigor and as a stimulant. 



According to Sanskrit medical science, the pearl is '"sweet in taste, 

 very cool, and a specific for eye diseases, cures poisoning and atroph}^, 

 and brings strength to weak limbs." (Mani-Mala.) 



The Arabian and Persian sages held that the use of pearls was con- 

 ducive to contentment of body and soul; cured insanity and all mental 

 diseases; all diseases of the heart, stomach, and bowels; piles, stric- 

 ture, and excessive and insufficient menstruation. It was an antidote 

 for poison, stopped bleeding from cuts, and cured lepros\^ and skin 

 diseases. 



Rambam recommends the use of the burnt powder as an ointment 



