144 ON THE SICILIAN CORAL FISHERY. 



jewels brought from distant countries. Thus coral gave place 

 to other ornaments, the rage of pleasing being only gratified 

 bJ^omVS- ^^ ^^'"'ety. Works of Amber have latterly obtained a very 

 ionable. high estimation from the softness of its substance and its trans- 



parency*. 



This substance, which for a time was in high repute, and 

 which the discovery of the precious stones had almost thrown 

 into oblivion, has of late, by the accustomed versatility of ca- 

 pricious fashion, recovered its former value, and has rivalled in 

 price even the ornaments composed of jewels. 

 Coral superior. When the value of female ornaments shall depend no longer 

 on the price or scarcity, but on the effect they produce on the 

 complexion, all will yield to the natural beauty of coral. Most 

 certainly Galatea, emerging from the ocean, would select from 

 the numerous offerings of the nymphs the lucid branches of the 

 coral to adorn herself with, which would alone assimilate with 

 the roundness of her lips, and with the vermilion of her 

 cheeks. 

 Method of The working of coral consists in removing the outer bark, 



wor mg cora , ^^^^ exposing the interior solid and highly coloured part, which 

 takes a fine polish. The coarse part of the bark being removed 

 by the file, it is rubbed with tripoli powder, and lastly, with 

 a metallic earth, which gives the polish. Some bring it to the 

 finest polish imaginable by the use of the oxide of tin. 

 Uses to which The ancients ornamented their swords, bucklers, and hel- 

 It has een ap- ^^^^.^ ^jjj^ ^^^.^j , ^j^jg j^y^^Qj^ jg gjjjj j^j vogue in some part of 



Asia, where coral is as much esteemed as in the time of Pliny, 

 The soothsayers and priests of that age attributed many mystic 

 Superstitions properties to it j hence they were in the habit of wearing coral, 

 as well from religious motives, as from regard to its beauty. 

 Paracelsus recommends it to be worn round the necks of in- 

 fants, as an admirable preservative against fitsf, sorcery, 

 charms, and even against poison. Many other follies of that 

 man are still prevalent, and of great credit with the common 

 people J and it is very usual in the inland parts of Sicily, to see 



* See Memor. suU Ambra di Sicilia, 8vo, Pal. 1801. Wrltteu by my 

 brother, ab Francesco Ferrara, profes. in the univers. of Catania. 



f The negroes in the West Indies say, that the colour of coral i* 

 affected by the state of health of the wearer, it becoming paler in 

 disease. 



children 



