584 REPORT OF NATIONAL MUSEUM, 1900. 



According to the Sanskrit medical science the sapphire is bitter, 

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

 rage of SanL^ 



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

 strength to the body. (Tagorc, 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, dtf cyprife 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. (Cardan us, De LapidiV>us 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.) 



St. Jerome wrote that the sapphire conciliates to its wearer the con- 

 descension of princes, quells his enemies, disperses sorcery, sets free 

 the captive, and may even assuage the wrath of God. 



In the inventorv of the jewels of Charles V, mention is made of a 

 ''bluestone with two clasps of gold, good for the gout." 



In the church of Old St. Pavd's, London, was a famous sapphire 

 which was supposed to cure the infirmities of the eyes of all those thus 

 afflicted who might resort to it. 



The modern mystic holds it capable of attracting powerful planetary 

 influences, and nearly equal to the diamond and quartz in inducing 

 visions. (Art Magic; or Mundane, Submundane, and Supermundane 

 Spiritism.) 



The star sapphire was and is still reputed to be a potent love charm. 

 The powder of this gem was taken as an aphrodisiac during the Middle 

 Ages. Star sapphire as a powder was given for vertigo in the low 

 countries as late as 1810. 



Sard. — Said to possess sex. 



The males shine brighter than the females; for the females are the 

 fattest and glitter more obscurely. (Leonardus, Speculum Lapidum.) 



The sard ludlified the evil effects of the onyx when worn with it; 

 sharpened the wit; gave cheerfulness, and prevented dysentery. 

 (Albertus Magnus, Leonardus, and De Boot.) 



Epiphanius, writing in 1565, says that the sard conferred.upon its 

 wearer a cheerful heart, courage, and presence, and protected him 

 from witchcraft and noxious humors. 



' One of the stars influencing the destinies of men. 



