123 
THE HEMS AND PEECIOUS STONES OF HEEAT 
BEITAIN. 
By J. MOEEIS, F.G.S. 
Pkopessoe of Geology iff University College. 
G ems or precious stones are terms applied to certain minerals 
which, from their hardness, colour, transparency, lustre, or 
rarity, have been held in the greatest estimation from the 
earliest periods of the history ot mankind. Prized for tlieir 
beauty and scarcity, and significant of the wealth of the pos- 
sessor, the precious stones were occasionally highly valued 
in different countries from supernatural properties being attri- 
buted to many of them, especially when engraved with talis- 
manic figures or characters, from a belief that those persons 
who wore them or retained them in their possession, would be 
protected from the varied misfortunes of life, from certain 
diseases, and from the effects of poisons, or from the influence 
of evil spirits. Modified as the belief in their supernatural 
influence* has been by the onward progress of intelligence, some 
of these stones have been held in great esteem within a com- 
paratively modern period, either as suggestive of certain facts 
or ideas, as commemorative stones, or as emblematical, from 
their colours, of certain virtues. From the numerous passages 
scattered throughout the Old Testament, the precious stones 
appear to have been early recognised, and used as valuable 
objects of decorative ornament. The pectoral or breast-plate 
of the high priest of the Jews was ornamented with twelve 
stones, which were intended to represent the twelve tribes of 
Israel. The stones were arranged in four rows, and consisted 
of the sardius or ruby, topaz, carbuncle, emerald, sapphire, 
diamond, figure, agate* amethyst, beryl, onyx, and jasper. Two 
onyx stones were also engraved with the names of the tribes, 
six on each stone, and set in gold, and placed upon the shoulders 
of the ephod. Various uses, both ornamental and otherwise, 
have been made of precious stones. The trappings of the 
* Essay about the Origine and Virtues of Gems.” By the Hon, Eobert 
Boyle. London, 1672. Boetius, Be Vatura Gemmaruin, IGCO. 
VOL. VII. — NO. XXVII. K 
