CATALOGI^E <»K GEMS. 585 



Bacoius in his Annotutions says that powdored sard takon in spirits 

 stops the menses and prevents miscarriage. 



Sardonyx. — S3'mbolical of conjugal l)liss. It rendered its ])ossessor 

 virtuous, cheerful, and agreeable. (Leonardus. Specuhim Lapidum. 

 1502.) 



Sjjhir/. — Reconciled differences between friends; gave health and 

 strength to the body; cured disorders of the liver; restrained passion 

 and fiery Avrath; and was a preservative from lightning, (Leonardus.) 



Powdered and taken with water Arnobis used it as a remedy for 

 diseases of the e^'e. (Dissertatio Medica.) 



Boetius held that the wearing of a balas ruby (spinel) restrained 

 fur}', wrath, and lust. 



In the Arcula Gemmea, written in 1053, the author, Nicols, says: 



Rulandus leporteth this of it. That if the four corners of a house, 

 arljor, or vineyard be covered with this stone it will preserve it from 

 lightning, tempests, and worms. 



According to Arabian and Persian medicine, the wearing of the 

 spinel gives contentment, prevents the spitting of l)lood. cures piles, 

 and all diseases caused b}' the increase of phlegm. The dose for inter- 

 nal use is from 1 l-/'raf (1 barleycorns) to 1 dang (16 barleycorns). 

 Applied as an ointment to the eyes the stone adds to their luster. 



According to an Arabic work, entitled Azaabul beldan, as cited 

 b}' Tagore: 



The sea cows get spinel stones from the Kokaf Mountains and put them on the 

 ground when they come grazing toward Ceylon. The stone gatherers, who remain 

 concealed all alwut, then come out in stealthy steps, carefully throw lumps of clay 

 over the stones left, and then retire. When after grazing these animals go back to 

 the sea, disappointed at not finding the stones and fretting and fuming with rage, 

 those people came back and took away the precious stones. 



Staurollte. — In Brittany, France, a superstitious reverence is attached 

 to the cruciform crystals of this stone, based on a belief that the}' fell 

 from heaven. 



In Virginia and the Carolinas the staurolite. locally known as fairy 

 stone, is worn as a lucky charm and is believed to bring good fortune 

 and ward off danger and disease. 



Siinstmie. — According to Sanskrit authorities — 



the sunstone is warm, flawless, and good in cold and defective oxidation, and 

 sacred; it is an elixir vita;, and is the delight of the Sun. (Mani-Miila.) 



Topaz. — Symbolical of friendship. 



It cooled boiling water on being inmiersed in it; became opaque on 

 contact with poisons; restrained anger and desire; cured insanity; 

 checked the flow of blood; cleansed hemorrhoids, and averted sudden 

 death. (Camillus Leonardus, Speculiun Lapidum.) 



Benoni states that the topaz is favorable for all hemorrhages, and 

 imparts strength and good digestion. Powdered and taken in wine 

 it cured astiuna and in.'^onmia. (Dissertatio Medica.) 



